Page 57 of Waking Roslyn

“Things the servants have said.”

“Hmm.” She seemed puzzled. “Edmund has made her sound rather unpleasant.”

Not wanting to contradict my dear cousin’s husband, I decided to concede. “I could be wrong.”

Her Highness (for I truly did believe it was her) slowly made her way from one stall to another, greeting those around her, seeming energized by the general chaos and especially the enthusiasm of the young people who ran up to show her things. “Shall we say hello?” I asked. “You’ve been neighbors for nearly three months and still haven’t met. Don’t you think it’s time?”

Lisette shook her head. “Edmund does not wish me to seek her out.” She chewed on her lip and then looked over at me. “But you, you could greet her. You are practically a princess in your own right,” she murmured.

I shushed her, even though her voice had been low. “Not really,” I corrected. “And no one need know of my position.”

She sighed. “I do hate it that people defer to me so readily and ignore you. They have no idea whom they are snubbing.”

I smiled. “I appreciate your indignation on my behalf, but I assure you, I am perfectly content.”

Just then, Falstone caught my eye. We’d never officially met, but I’d been around Sutton enough that I wasn’t surprised he recognized me. I smiled and he immediately bent to speak in Princess Marilee’s ear, pointing in our direction. She looked up, seeming thrilled when she spotted us, which was very strange. Then she took her skirts in hand and hurried in our direction.

“She’s coming over,” I said, a little panicked.

“I can see that,” Lisette chuckled under her breath and straightened, waiting politely as Princess Marilee approached.

“Lady Rockwell,” the princess said as she came close enough and slipped into a graceful curtsey. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marilee Sutton, your neighbor.”

Lisette and I curtsied in return.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. This is my cousin, Miss Rose.”

She gave me a smile and dipped her head. “A pleasure.”

“Likewise, Your Highness.”

“I’m so glad that I ran into you,” Princess Marilee said. “I’ve been hoping for a chance to visit, but I did not want to impose at Bridgefield.”

“It would not have been an imposition,” Lisette assured her.

Marilee gave a smile that suggested she did not believe her. “I appreciate you saying so. However, we are here now, so I must do something rather impulsive.”

Lisette let out a little laugh. I guessed that she had taken a liking to Princess Marilee in the last few moments just like I had. “And what is that?”

“I must invite you to dinner tonight at Sutton Manor. Will you come?”

“Oh.” Lisette looked just as surprised as I felt, but after a moment of thought, she failed to come up with any reasonable objections. “That would be lovely. I do not know if my husband’s schedule will permit the visit, but Rose and I could certainly attend.”

Her Highness looked genuinely relieved. “That would be delightful. And if your husband can attend as well, that’s all the better.” The way she said the bit about Edmund made me believe that Edmund’s animosity toward this woman did not run one way. Still, she was doing her utmost to be polite, and I had to admire that.

Lisette and Marilee spoke for a while longer, arranging a time and other details.

“I’ll let you be on your way,” Princess Marilee said at our parting, “but I shall see you both this evening.”

“We are looking forward to it,” Lisette assured her before we continued on the way we’d been heading, and Princess Marilee passed us by to continue her own shopping.

After a few moments, Lisette squeezed my arm. “I do hope I haven’t made a mistake.”

“How so?”

“Edmund” was all she had to say.

I could only shrug my shoulders. “What were you supposed to do? Refuse?”