Chapter 4
“Miss, the Marquis must have set a departure date for you. There’s no reason to hurry—you can take time to prepare properly.”
The Marquis had chosen more than ten maids and servants to dispatch to the Duke’s estate. Every one of them was a spy, assigned to watch my every move and report back on the Duke’s household secrets.
Janet was undoubtedly among them.
‘Even if it means allying with them, I won’t let you tag along,’ I resolved silently.
Adopting the refined tone befitting a Duchess, I responded as if such poise came effortlessly to me. “Miss?”
“…?”
“After exchanging vows, why am I still addressed as ‘Miss’?”
Janet shot me a glance that screamed, What am I supposed to do about that? Then, aware of the onlookers nearby, she dipped her eyes deferentially.
“My apologies, Your Grace.”
“With unrest plaguing the Duke’s lands, how could I linger here doing nothing? I need to rush to his side at once.”
“If you’re so determined, I’ll come with you,” Janet declared, lifting her chin in bold challenge, as though inviting me to object.
“I’m afraid there’s no space for you.”
“What?”
“The carriage is stuffed full; it can only fit one more.”
“Then who will tend to you on the road? Or once we arrive?”
“As Blenheim’s lady, I’ll employ staff there. And let’s not act like you’ve ever truly served me.”
Janet’s cheeks flushed crimson.
Her rattled demeanor brought a peculiar thrill. Ha. I’d weathered far nastier barbs in an cutthroat world of cunning plots and sly digs.
‘Noblewomen’s petty snipes in romance tales? Mere child’s play next to advertisers’ vicious undercuts.’
“You may tell my father,” I went on, “that I departed in haste and had no chance for farewells.”
Perel, eyeing Janet and me with unease, intervened at last.
“We’ve assembled a modest group, leaving no proper escort for Her Grace. This might not be prudent…”
“Aren’t those knights?” I countered, nodding toward the half-dozen or so warriors readying for the journey. They exuded the aura of seasoned elites, chosen with care.
In this near-hostile land, the Duke wouldn’t dispatch just anyone. Their piercing stares raised gooseflesh on my arms.
“Well, yes, but—”
“I know the Blenheim knights’ famed prowess. Surrounded by the empire’s finest, what does a larger force matter?”
“But… the roads are a mess after the spring melt.”
“No concern. I’ve cushioned the seats thickly.”
“You’ll encounter slushy, rutted stretches.”
“And won’t Sir Perel’s carriage blaze the trail ahead?”
How much longer would he keep grasping at straws?
Amused by Perel’s floundering, I let a smile curve my lips.
“If the crisis was so pressing you skipped a fitting goodbye, shouldn’t we make haste?”
Perel compressed his lips, grasping that I wouldn’t yield.
“Very well, Your Grace. We’ll set off.”
Clunk.
The knights behind us shuffled uncomfortably, directing wordless scowls at Perel. Though he quivered faintly, he mustered a polite smile to assist me aboard.
The interior brimmed with my belongings, accommodating just one passenger. Perel peeked inside for the briefest instant—like I was deranged—before composing himself.
“Your Grace, permit me to trade carriages. This one’s unfit.”
“It suits me perfectly. All my possessions are here.”
“But enduring such confinement for the duration—”
“I said it’s fine. Time’s wasting.”
Leaning close to Perel, mindful of Janet’s ears, I murmured my insistence. I’d overloaded this coach deliberately, loath to be shunted into the roomier one.
Janet, grasping she couldn’t halt me solo, darted off in search of the Marquis’ carriage.
“Miss! No—Your Grace!”
As Perel moved to shut the door, a Marquis’ attendant emerged—one of the rare household members who showed me decency.
Bowing with a petite jewelry case in hand, he approached.
“What brings you here?” I inquired.
“My lady, the young master sent me to present this.”
“My brother?”
“Shall I stow it in your carriage?”
Peering within, the attendant’s face knit in bewilderment at the crammed space.
“Give it to me.”
I extended my hand, and he passed over the box.
“And this too,” he added, offering a letter before retreating.
‘Why hand it over out here, not back home…?’
“Did you ride from the manor?” I asked, intrigued.
After a pause, the servant answered.
“I arrived with the young master. He departed post-ceremony.”
“My brother was at the wedding?”
“Indeed, he lingered until the vows concluded.”
It caught me off guard. No family, not even the Marquis, had attended. Ferdinand’s silent presence—given our scant words between us—felt profoundly odd.
Small wonder the officiant had pressed on so earnestly amid the sparse crowd.
“Did he mention anything more?”
“Only to ensure you received it before leaving.”
‘He anticipated my exit?’
The household had expected my return post-rite. Ferdinand’s foreknowledge baffled me, but escape trumped puzzles now.
“Relay to my brother that I got it safely.”
“Yes, Your Grace. If I may… where are you headed?”
Our rapport didn’t extend to chit-chat, yet his inquisitiveness overrode restraint.
“Me? To Blenheim.”
“Miss!”
Janet stormed back, stamping in outrage at my settled position.
“Why this sudden madness?!”
The coachman she’d hauled along twisted his hat anxiously, at a loss. Janet bellowed that I couldn’t depart, but the servant—tethered to Ferdinand’s directive—watched the fray in mute stillness.
Janet’s fury dawned the full weight upon me.
‘I’m breaking out of this cage at last!’
Elation bubbled up from my core, intoxicating.
“Miss! You’re truly doing this?!”
“Janet.”
I bestowed my kindest gaze.
“Yes?”
“‘Your Grace,’ if you please.”
Clang!
Grinning, I sealed the door, abandoning Janet to seethe over her ingrained slip.
The carriage jolted down a hushed woodland trail.
‘My first real venture beyond the Marquis’ grasp.’
Absorbed in the passing vistas, I recalled the jewelry box on my knees only after the city faded entirely.
‘It weighs a ton.’
Gingerly, I unlatched it. Neat sections cradled dainty yet lavish earrings, bangles, and pins. Raising the last tray…
‘What’s this? It screams fortune!’
Nestled there gleamed a sapphire necklace of obvious worth, its hefty gem ringed by twinkling accents.
Fumbling, I unfolded Ferdinand’s note.
“If you ever need aid, reach Lady Arsen.”
That single sentence? Nothing more?
No elaboration accompanied it.
‘A bridal present, perhaps?’
The necklace’s bold sapphire matched my eyes, bolstering the notion.
A gift and a lifeline—Ferdinand had foreseen my flight.
He’d even witnessed the rite. Hurt by his aloofness, or warmed by his covert aid from such a distant sibling?
‘Gratitude either way.’
Relief washed over me, profound in knowing one ally had my back amid this defiant rupture from the tale’s script.
‘I’ll thrive in Blenheim.’
Savoring the serene views in tranquil reverie—
Neigh!
Horses snorted; the coach halted sharply.
“Your Grace, we’ll pause briefly to await a latecomer,” Perel announced, venturing a timid glance inside. His earlier haste now yielded to reticence.
“Ideal timing. The jolts had me fidgety. I’ll stretch my legs.”
In truth, the rough gait had turned endurance torturous.
Relief softened Perel’s features.
“I’ll detail a guard for you.”
I eyed the knights securing mounts to trunks. Suspicion shadowed their stares.
“No need. I’ll keep close.”
“But Your Grace—”
“It would unsettle me. I’ll return shortly.”
Easing Perel’s qualms, I wandered a nearby path. The woods held no grand allure, but crisp air and liberation from the cab revived me.
Returning, voices clashed in dispute.
“Have you lost your senses? Dragging that woman along?!”
“Would you abandon the fresh bride roadside?”
Knights sparred with Perel. The cause was plain.
I ducked behind the carriage.
“We dump her here and press on!”
