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Kayden's scowl deepened as a familiar set of footsteps echoed just outside her door. It took every ounce of self-control she could muster, not to scream – or worse . . . cry . . . as Catarine breezed into the room.
“It’s been days since you returned to the palace. Perhaps we could venture down to the gardens this afternoon. It is a beautiful day outside.”
Kayden gritted her teeth and looked down at the book she held. She knew there was no reason Catarine should suffer her black mood, but it would not leave her.
Perhaps she'll go away if I ignore her long enough.
“Kayden.” The bed shook slightly as Catarine settled herself close to the edge. “Do you want me to talk to him again? Better yet, do you want me to yell at him again?”
“It would do no good.” Kayden spoke through her gritted teeth, the earlier decision to ignore Catarine forgotten.
“It might not, but it certainly was fun. Who would ever have imagined me – giving the Prince a dressing down?” A giggle escaped Catarine's lips before her hand came up to cover them. Kayden glanced up to see her friend's blue eyes twinkling mischievously over her gloved hand.
“Catarine, what has gotten into you?”
“You!” The word burst out, accompanied by more giggles, before Catarine covered her mouth again with the same dainty hand.
“Whatever do you mean by that?” Kayden's voice was still sharp, but Catarine's answer was no less cheerful.
“Precisely what I said, Kayden. I have been doing a bit of an experiment – and I find I like the results.”
“I see. Well, what precisely is involved in this experiment?”
“Oh.” Catarine looked a bit flustered by Kayden's question, but it only took a moment for her to go on with her explanation. “I have been watching you for weeks, Kayden. You have a way about you. People listen to you. They respect you. Even the girls who don't like you.”
She stopped a moment and nodded her head, which made Kayden think she must have been shaking hers in response.
“Don't be silly. A person does not have to like you to respect you. That is a fact.”
“Pretending for the moment that you're right, what does that have to do with what you are doing?”
“As I said, I have been watching you; the way you speak, the way you respond to people. Even the way you walk is so different. I decided that I wanted to see if it is only you or if anyone could attain the same reactions if they were to act and speak the way you do.”
Kayden could not help adding, “You do realize that I would never use a word like attain, don't you?”
Catarine giggled again. “Well, I am not you. I'm only imitating some of your mannerisms. I haven't been able to manage the walk, either.”
Despite herself, Kayden felt a laugh escape. She almost couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this truly Catarine – the timid, shy Lady Catarine who ducked her head at the smallest hint of displeasure? It did not seem possible.
And then, somewhat inexplicably, Kayden realized that she did want to take advantage of the beautiful day Catarine had come into her room chatting about. “In that case, why don't we go out to the garden? You can watch me walk and I will give you pointers.”
Catarine let out another giggle and answered with a nod.
Kayden slid off the bed, suddenly grateful her maid had insisted she get into her morning dress earlier. She pulled Catarine along with her as she rushed from the room. Their laughter echoed around the room and into the hall outside as they nearly ran toward the stairs.
. . .
It was several hours later when Kayden, exhausted from the day’s activities, returned to her room. It was all she could do to climb up and then flop onto her bed.
Neither she, nor Catarine, could have anticipated their plans would be so derailed. If only we had walked down the corridor two minutes earlier.
The sound of high heels clicking against the marble floor had Kayden looking over to the door she had left open. Catarine had appeared in the doorway and was leaning against it, looking as if she lacked the energy to move any further.
“How did we get pulled into that?”
“No idea. But this I do know . . . I will be running in the other direction anytime I see that woman from now on.”
Catarine laughed at Kayden's words and finally let go of the door. She made her way across the room to drop lightly onto the first piece of furniture in her path – an oversized, padded chaise the color of clotted cream.
It was several moments before Catarine said, “Look at the bright side.”
“There's a bright side to this?”
“Yes, Kayden . . . the bright side.”
“Do enlighten me, please.”
“We are the first two of the Prince's conquests to know about the ball.”
“Am I hearing things? Or did you really refer to us as the Prince's conquests?”
Kayden knew her voice was full of shock . . . was this truly Catarine who was speaking? Where had that timid little mouse she'd met only a few weeks ago gone?
“Yes, I did. Can you think of a better description for the way he is treating us at the moment?” After a few seconds, she added, “especially you . . .”
Kayden opened her mouth to answer, but the doubts and worries she had felt since returning to the palace crashed in on her again. Before meeting Prince Dvarius, she would have said yes. Even after meeting him, she would have said yes – though perhaps with some hesitation.
But now . . . She was not certain of anything – especially where the Prince was concerned.
“I knew it!”
Kayden sat straight up and nearly collided with Catarine – who now sat on the side of the bed. Somehow she had somehow managed to move across the room without making a sound.
“You knew what?” She looked into Catarine's eyes, sparkling with excitement. She was finding it more and more difficult to stay annoyed with her friend.
“You feel the same way about him – that he feels about you. I knew it. I could see it the first time I watched the two of you together.” Catarine was actually bouncing up and down as she spoke, which finally clued Kayden in as to why Catarine had moved so quietly. A quick look over to the chaise confirmed Kayden's suspicions.
Her friend had left her heels on the floor across the room. Somehow that knowledge sent a flood of warmth through Kayden – that Catarine felt comfortable enough with her now to relax; to get comfortable.
It was a somewhat stunning revelation.
Still . . . her sweet friend had the wrong idea about Kayden and the Prince – an idea that would not be easy to suppress.
Kayden spoke gently, but firmly. “Catarine, I am thinking you have the wrong idea. I can promise you, the Prince does not feel anything for me, but annoyance.”
Catarine answered in a sweet sing-song voice. “You can tell yourself that, Kayden, but it's simply not true.”
Resigned, Kayden waved away Catarine's words, before turning away from her and stretching out on the bed, sinking down into the thick covering.
She barely even looked up a moment later when Catarine's hands came down with a muffled thud against the soft material.
“Deny it all you want. I know what I saw.”
“Sure. Whatever you say, Cat.” Kayden could feel drowsiness creeping in, and she was no longer in the mood to argue.
“Hmm . . .” was the only sound Catarine made for a moment. “We must get to work right away.”
Catarine's words washed over Kayden, but in her state of half-sleep, it just didn't seem all that important. A moment later, she shook her head as the sound of her door shutting jarred her back to semi-consciousness.
Catarine is kidding herself. The Prince's feelings could not be clearer.
With that, Kayden rolled over in the bed and let sleep claim her.