Royal Betrayal

chapter 7 encounter

The next morning, the debutantes had breakfast and tea with the queen. The breakfast was lovely, but the tea seemed to drag on endlessly. Josoline's eyes wandered outside the window, where the blue skies, birds, and neatly cut grass seemed to beckon her. How could freedom feel so near, yet be so far away? A small sigh escaped her lips, and she bit down on her lower lip, hoping no one noticed.

"Oh God," she whispered to herself, feeling stifled by the conversation about love and proper wifely duties.

"Is it true, Your Highness? Was it love at first sight?" asked a very inquisitive Drusilla.

Josoline rolled her eyes, internally labeling her a kiss-up. On the outside, she maintained the facade of a well-bred young lady, but inside, she longed to let down her hair and ride a horse.

"I was your age when I met His Majesty," the Queen began, her eyes seemingly lost in memories.

Josoline tuned her out, her thoughts drifting again to the great outdoors. The queen's story seemed to go on forever. Finally, the queen concluded, "I will see you ladies at dinner. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon."

Lost in her thoughts, Josoline barely registered the queen's departure. As the debutantes stood and curtsied, she gave them a polite smile and nod before leaving with her maids. She didn't wait to hear another word; she rushed toward the door in the most ladylike haste possible.

Halfway to her quarters, she realized she had left Becka and the ladies behind. Pushing the thought aside, she focused on her plan. Becka and the others could handle themselves.

She entered her quarters and hastily made her way to her room, rummaging through her dresses to find the simplest one. Her eyes fell upon a gray and peach day dress she had bought in America, and she grinned. Perfect.

She removed her dress with some difficulty and slipped into the day gown, then exchanged her shoes for riding boots. She had no time to lose. Admiring herself in the mirror, she smiled. She looked pretty, if she may say so herself.

The doorknob rattled, and her breath hitched as she made her way toward it. Was it Becka and the ladies, or worse, a maid?

The door opened, and in walked Becka, gown in hand. "Are you alright?" she asked, closing the door behind her. She gave Josoline a curious look. "Where are you off to?"

Josoline nibbled on her lower lip. "I'm going to the stables," she admitted, feeling like a child caught red-handed.

Becka's brows shot up. "Oh, really? And how do you intend to get there?"

Josoline's face flushed. "I didn't give it much thought. I just needed air; I've grown tired of this room," she pleaded.

Becka started to laugh at her cousin's innocent face, but then her elegant face softened, and her full lips curved into a smile. She sighed in defeat, knowing Josoline wouldn't give up. "Okay, I'll help you," she said.

Josoline's face lit up with glee. "Okay," she said, taking a seat. "But how... I don't even know these halls... I'll get lost."

Becka took a steady breath, knowing she had to share her secret with Josoline. "Look in the washroom, behind the door where the towels are. There's a service door. Go straight ahead, then turn left and down the stairs. Turn left again and go straight ahead. You'll see a door, and that's the kitchen. You can try to go unnoticed from there."

Josoline stared at Becka as though she had grown another head, but then she grinned. "You cheeky little thing," she teased.

Becka blushed, not ready to reveal why she was sneaking out. "Do not mention it," she warned.

Josoline giggled. "You know your secret's safe with me, right?"

"I know," Becka said, smiling. "So, do you intend to leave before Mari or Ruth... or a maid comes?"

Josoline hastily got up and made her way to the washroom door. Finding it, she rattled the knob, and the door swung open. She walked in, closing the door behind her. It was dimly lit, with only a single candle. She followed Becka's instructions, marveling at how her cousin had found this secret passage.

Reaching the kitchen, she saw dishes clattering, maids and butlers chatting, and the tantalizing aroma of dinner being prepared. She spotted an apron hanging on the door and slipped it on.

Picking up a tray, she noticed a door and moved quickly toward it, her riding boots making soft thuds on the floor. Just as she reached it, she overheard the maids' gossip about Lady Matthews, and she ducked behind the tray to avoid being noticed.

Once the coast was clear, she slipped through the door and found herself outside. A grin spread across her face as the sun warmed her skin, and she breathed in the fresh air. Freedom, at last.

"I know Prince Leonardo will ask me to accompany him to the opera," said a voice, breaking Josoline from her reverie.

She hurriedly moved toward the bushes and flowers, ducking her head to avoid being seen.

"Well, I hope the Duke asks me," said another voice.

The voices grew fainter, and Josoline popped her head up. It was only Lady Drusilla and Lady Celia, with their maids.

Feeling relieved, Josoline stepped out from her hiding spot and ventured further into the gardens, eager to explore her newfound freedom.

*********

Josoline watched after them then went the other direction, determined to find a moment of solace away from the prying eyes and stifling conversations of the palace. She moved swiftly, her steps light as she weaved around the corners of the grand estate.

As she rounded the corner of the house, the stables came into view, and her heart leaped with joy. With a sense of purpose, she hastened her pace and slipped inside, seeking refuge among the horses and the comforting scent of hay.

Hiding her slender frame behind the door, Josoline listened intently to the sounds of the stable, waiting for the opportune moment to reveal herself.

"Go saddle old Betsy for the prince," instructed an old man with a thick English accent, prompting a young boy to nod in acknowledgment and hurry off to fulfill the task.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Josoline stepped out from her hiding place and made her way toward the horses. She admired each magnificent creature, their gentle eyes and graceful movements providing a welcome respite from the chaos of the palace.

Her attention was drawn to a particularly striking white stallion, its beauty captivating her immediately. She approached the horse, running her fingers over its nose and planting a gentle kiss on its velvety muzzle.

"What is your name?" she whispered to the horse, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. "I bet you have more fun than I do. It's just so hard here, so boring... In America, I had so much freedom, so much fun."

The horse let out a soft whinny in response, and Josoline couldn't help but giggle at the gesture of understanding.

"Oh, boy... or girl," she mused, her voice tinged with longing. "You understand how I feel. The stress of this season is hell, like I've entered a world that I'm completely alien to. I wish I could just scream how I feel."

"And what is that, exactly?" came a husky voice from behind her, causing Josoline to startle and whirl around to face the unexpected intruder.

Their eyes met, and Josoline found herself momentarily speechless, her heart racing at the sight of the mysterious stranger before her.