Page 88 of Waking Roslyn

“Gracious, no. I’ve been working on this a little at a time for weeks now. I hope you like it.”

“I do! Thank you so much.” I reached out and hugged her, feeling awkward doing so, but also like I could do nothing less. Then I pulled back and admired the shawl’s softness and color. “I love the pink,” I said, overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness and generosity.

“I thought it should be blue,” Beatrice said.

“But I decided that pink would suit your coloring better,” Cecily stated, putting an end to the argument.

“I’ve never received such a thoughtful gift. Thank you so much,” I said again, this time truly fighting back my tears.

“Now can we dance?” Gretchen said, making no effort to hide her impatience.

“Yes, please,” Cecily said.

Apparently Cecily’s word held more weight than Gretchen’s because the two musicians in the corner burst into a tune as soon as the words were out of Cecily’s mouth.

And John’s hands were immediately at my waist. His smile was broad and contagious as he stood opposite me and quickly demonstrated the steps of the dance.

Dancing with John that first time out in the forest had been exhilarating and enchanting and something I’d never forget. Dancing among so many wonderful people in a stable filled with laughter and horses and straw was yet another unique experience. The balls and celebrations both in Saldine and in Winhaven had their own kind of appeal and charm. But any enjoyment I’d ever mustered for those occasions had been forced to compete with the censure and judgment of my peers.

Yet, as John twirled me among this throng of common servants, I felt no judgment, no scrutiny. What a gift it was.

John pulled me close, spinning us both in a broad circle. It was easy to follow his lead when he held me so securely. “I’ve wanted to dance with you again for quite some time,” he admitted as he slowed his steps a little.

“Why didn’t you ask?”

“It never seemed like the right time.”

No, I supposed it wouldn’t have, but I was grateful for this moment, for this evening, surrounded by a group of people, most of whom hardly knew me, and yet they had accepted me as one of their own. That was something I’d never really had before, and some of the tension that I kept tucked away in my shoulder eased.

20

Roslyn

I squeezed Lisette’s hand, probably a little too hard, before stepping up into the carriage. I was going.

I was going home, and I wished with everything inside of me that I could be thrilled, excited and full of joyous anticipation. Instead, as we pulled away from Bridgefield, gaining speed, I felt as though I couldn’t even think properly.

Hiding away forever wasn’t an option, and I didn’t actually want to stay in Winberg, especially not under the same roof as Edmund. But returning now, even though my parents were confident in my safety, felt like either the bravest or the most foolish thing I’d ever done.

I sat very still as we reached the main road, watching John as he pulled up alongside us, riding one of Princess Marilee’s horses and looking very smart in his newly acquired uniform. If only he could have been inside with me, perhaps he could have kept my heart from racing in a terrified gallop. Instead I had only Everly in the coach with me, and though she was a lovely girl and a competent maid, our relationship had only ever been that of servant and mistress. Her company was a far cry from what John’s would have been. Having his strength and warmth beside me would have slowed my thoughts and reminded me that he would keep me safe. Instead I could only watch him and wrap my new shawl more tightly around my shoulders. He didn’t ride with the authority of the other guards I had encountered over my many years of court life. He wasn’t practiced, stiff and formal. Instead he rode with the sort of carefree abandon that was rare. Though I wished he were sitting beside me, watching him was certainly not a trial, so I did my best to enjoy it and let it distract me from the fact that in three days, I would step back into Saldian society.

When we arrived at the inn that night, John took charge. The coachman offered to go arrange for lodging, but John stepped in, offering to make all the arrangements. He secured a room for me and Everly, and one for him and the coachman. He made certain the rooms were directly across from one another, and after he had dropped my trunk in my room, he leaned down and murmured in my ear.

“My door will be open, so if there is any noise in the hallway, I will hear it.”

That unprompted assurance allowed me to actually sleep that night, and each day of travel was filled with the same small gestures. He was always close at hand without smothering me. He took steps to ensure my comfort and safety before I ever had to ask.

He was, quite simply, astounding.

In return, I did all I could not only to show my gratitude, but to take care of him in return. Instead of taking our meals separately, I insisted that he, Everly, and the coachman eat with me. I asked that we stop more often than I needed because I could see John’s discomfort. He was not used to riding a horse for so many hours in a row, and on the second day, I insisted he tie his horse to the back of the coach and ride up alongside the coachman for a while. It didn’t feel like enough though. I’d never be able to repay him for all he’d given me.

John

We were stopped for lunch on our last day of travel. I had watched for the past three days as Rose—Lady Roslyn. I really needed to start calling her Lady Roslyn—fought to maintain her composure. Sometimes it was a losing battle, but she never stopped trying. I had done everything in my power to ease her mind as we had traveled, but there simply wasn’t anything I could do to truly reassure her. I had no idea what we would encounter when we reached her home.

As I escorted her to the carriage with her hand resting on my arm, I reached over with my other hand and laid it over her fingers, then tried to give an encouraging smile. “Next stop, home,” I said, knowing that she was at least happy to be returning to her parents.

“Yes,” she said, giving me a faint smile. “Onward, Weltshire castle.”