“Are you sure you’re fine Gwendolyn? I can ask Cook to send up something.” Her brother, Prince Leighton, was very worried about her since he had never known her to pass up lunch.
“No Leigh, I’m fine, it’s just a headache. Now go eat or mother and father will worry about you as well. I promise I’ll eat something later; now go.”
As soon as Leighton left, Gwendolyn jumped out of bed and climbed down the lattice underneath her window. She ran to the stables, hid behind a bale of hay, and caught her breath. When she heard the little voice come from behind her, she got up and looked at the young girl.
The girl, who couldn’t be more than seven years old, curtsied so low that her nose was only inches from the ground. “Princess Gwendolyn, I din’t realize it was you. You looks lots like my momma,” she blushed when she realized she probably just insulted a princess. “I don’t mean it bad like, it’s just you is not wearin’ one of your fancy dresses.”
When Gwen saw the tears pooling in the girls eyes, she said, “I’m not insulted, I’m sure your momma is lovely.” When she saw the blank look on the girl’s face, she explained. “Its okay, I’m sure your momma is very nice. You should go home…kay sweetie? We don’t want your momma to worry.” With a quick, not nearly as low, curtsy; she ran off to do as the princess asked.
“You handled that well.” said a male voice, Gwen felt was familiar but didn’t recognize. “I’m Gavin, that was my little sister Hannah. Usually, all she talks about is how much she wants to speak with you and what she’d say.”
Gwendolyn couldn’t help but compare Hannah’s and Gavin’s English. Hannah had little to no education, whereas Gavin’s could rival any refined gentleman’s.
Since Gwen’s horse had broken her leg awhile ago, she wanted to see if she could get some exercise to help build up the strength in the horse’s leg. “Well, ummmm… I’m just going to check on Eclipse and see if she can run.” Gwen was decidedly uncomfortable, and she ran to Eclipse’s stable.
“She’ll be fine as long as it’s not a long run; and you cool her down afterwards.” Gavin had caught up to her and was walking her pace
“How would you know?” Gwendolyn asked hotly, “when I got her I specifically said no one was to doctor her but me!” She was furious now. “You had no right!”
“Actually, I did and do. I’m an employee and your brother; you know the heir to the kingdom?-took me aside this morning and told me to make sure she would be ready to be ridden at lunch time. Apparently your maid has a loose tongue.” Gavin was as calm as could be; like having the tranquil Princess Gwendolyn yell at him was an everyday occurrence.
“Okay, let me rephrase that,” but when she lifted her hand to slap him across his face he grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall
“You may be of higher rank than me, have a title, and be born into the money you flaunt around, but that gives you no right to slap me as you would a misbehaved dog.” With that, he released her and stalked off.
Gwendolyn stood there for minuets before she hopped up on Eclipse and tried to out run her frustration. She thought she heard another horse’s hoofs pounding the dry ground, but before she could be sure, something whisked by her head. She knew Eclipse could start and stop at the drop of a pin, so she took advantage of the fact. She tugged hard on the horses pale mane. Instantly she stopped and the other rider continued on.
When the other rider stopped and turned back towards Gwendolyn, she started to make Eclipse move, but then realized she knew the man on the silver colored horse. It was her suitor, Damian! She realized then, that the object that had flown by her head was only a flower tied to a pebble.
They walked back to the stables and Damian dismounted, and then helped her. When Gwen started taking care of Eclipse, he told her to “leave the stupid beast and let someone of little importance do it.” She just stared at him.
“You there! Boy,” Damian yelled, “make yourself useful and take care of these creatures.” When Gwen saw who the “Boy” was she just yelled at him. “I thought you left!”
"I did. I came back; I earn the clothes on my back.” he glanced at Damian with disgust, “unlike some people who just spend the money they were born into.”
“Okay, take care of Tornado. I can take care of Eclipse.” She turned her gaze from Gavin to Damian, “you go inside and do not tell my mother; she thinks I’m in bed sick.” When he left, she ignored Gavin and fed and watered Eclipse.
When she finished, she climbed back into her room and put on a “fancy dress” and went downstairs. She saw her father and before she could go hide, he saw her.
“We missed you at lunch,” he came up and hugged her hard enough to break bones. “I was just coming to tell you that Sir Damian is here. Come, let’s go greet him together.” They walked down the hall and turned right to get to the Cream Drawing Room. When Damian asked for a moment alone with Gwendolyn, she became wary.
“Gwendolyn, I know I’ve only been courting you for six months,” he took a deep, steadying breath and continued. “But will you give me the honor of becoming your husband?”
Gwen knew her mother and father would encourage the match but she declined. “I’m so sorry Damian, but I can’t. Its not because I don’t like you, trust me I do, its just that when I marry I want it to be for love not…this. All we have in common are a few shared interests. I’m sorry, but no.” and with that she turned and left the room.
When she left the room, she heard the screaming of a child and the braying of a horse. “Oh no!” was all she could think. She ran out there to see Hawk, a wild stallion she was trying to break, out chasing the stable boy’s little sister! She ran toward the girl and horse, grabbed her right as Gavin grabbed the reins Hawk had on.
“What the hell do you think your doing!” roared Gavin “I’ve told you about him and you SWORE that you would leave him alone!” Gwendolyn indicated not to get to mad at the girl, and to trade the girl for the horse; he did. While Gwen was murmuring soft, comforting words to the horse, Gavin was practically smothering Hannah.
“Are you sure you’re okay Han?” he asked in the voice only an older brother has, “you scared me real bad right then.”
“Yeah, I okay. Sorry ’bout scaring you, I just wanted to show the princess how good a rider I is, since I’m no good at talking right.”
Now that the horse was calm, Gwen headed over to see Hannah. “Hannah, if I had known you wanted to go on a ride with me I would have taken you with me. All you had to do was ask.” she ruffled the girls straw colored hair.
“Kay…is I in trowble?” Gwen could tell from the sound in her voice that she was sorry and wouldn’t let in happen again. “No you’re not in trouble. Now go home and go to bed, you must be very tired.”
“Thanks for calming her down, I swear on my job that she won’t do it again. And I won’t go against your orders and make up a story just so I can doctor Eclipse.” Gavin had a huge lopsided grin on his face that spread from ear to ear.
“Wait, you made up the story about my brother coming and talking to you!” she wasn’t really mad but she had to act like she was just so he would tell the truth.
“Yes ma’am, all of it except the part about your maid having a loose tongue… she’s my sister.” he just laughed when he saw how angry she was.
How many sisters does he have? Was what Gwendolyn was thinking, but she said, “oh well, you can doctor her. It was stupid of me to even say that. I can’t see to her when we have soirées and things like that. So I’m sorry. Would it be possible to be friends?”
“Of course,” he was still smiling like the fool he was, even after she left.
“What a day.” Gwendolyn thought, “I skipped lunch to go ridding, I met a very nice girl and her not so nice brother, I got proposed to, I helped save the same little girl, and I made a new friend. I can only hope tomorrow is less chaotic.” Those were the last thoughts Princess Gwendolyn thought before she fell asleep.
Four Years Later
“What gown do you want to wear for Almacks?” asked Genevieve, Gwendolyn’s mother.
“I don’t know nor do I care! I‘m trying to read my book!”
“Now Gwen, you can read later. For Heaven’s sake, you’re twenty years old and yet to have a husband. And not for lack of proposals may I add.”
You try having fawning suitors ask you to marry them just because you’re a princess and your brothers’ heir so they’re trying to get money to pay their debts! Gwendolyn thought.
“Well, young lady, there is going to be plenty of eligible men and I expect you to choose one within the week. If you don’t your father and I will choose one for you.” Gwen’s mother then sniffed at her, and called a maid in to put the pale green dress, perfect for her skin tone, hair and eye color.
“Yes, ma’am. Right away.”
As it happened, the maid who Genevieve had sent into dress Gwendolyn was none other than Gavin sister.
“You know, Gavin’s goin’ to yer dance tonight. But if you see him, don’t tell him I told you. He’s proud about bein’ the only one of us who can talk all proper like. I can sometimes but only around your mum.”
"If he’ll get mad at you, why tell me?” Gwen asked “It would have been easier to just come and not tell anyone.”
“Yeah well, he had to tell me so ‘Annah and I could do ‘is chores. Lazy a*s.”
“Well, thank you I guess.” Gwen said and turned so Melinda could tie her laces. When she turned so she could see herself in the mirror, she didn’t see anything but herself. People were always telling her she was so beautiful and rich, she could marry anyone she wished…that wasn’t true. Just look what her mother was doing to her!
Gavin was, for reasons he couldn’t explain, nervous. “Hell, it’s not like this is my first ball. Damn! What’s wrong with me?”
”If you don’t stop pacing and cursing I will throw something at you,” Gavin’s only brother, Blake, told him. “And I can tell you why you’re so God damned nervous, your gonna see Gwen and you’re a smitten with her.” he ducked to avoid the tin mug Gavin threw at him.
“Why are you such an a*s? And I’m not smitten with no one.” Gavin grumbled.
"Then why is your proper grammar disappeared? Huh? It only does that when you’re pissed or the exact opposite.” he ducked again, but this time to avoid the fist his twin swung at him. “You know, you should just bed a wench and forget about Princess High and Mighty.” laughing, Blake left while Gavin was muttering; “Why did Mama have to keep you? She already had four kids! You were the oldest twin and the most annoying to top it off.”
“Gavin, what are ye doin’ in yer suit? If yer mum saw ye she would kill the both of us!” Gavin’s father, Malcolm, was furious.
“I’m sneaking into Almacks Pa. Please don’t tell mama. She’s already worried enough with Keeley’s pregnancy; she doesn’t need to worry about me gettin’…hurt.” Gavin was always careful about his wording when talking to his father, since if he got angry and his Irish side came out, bad things tended to happen.
“Fine, only ’cause I know yer right. But the fact that she’s worried should make it so ye wouldn’t go do that damn ball!” and he walked off.
Ever since Gavin was a little boy he had always thought that his parents shouldn’t have gotten married…not that he wasn’t glad they had, but his mother was a gentle bred English woman, and his father was an Irishman from a poor family, and a fiery temper, who had a tendency to be violent to anyone and everyone. He was always amazed by how they could love each other enough to give up their families. And even though he wanted the same for himself, he only wanted it with one person…the very person who he was going to kidnap.
All Gwen wanted to do was sneak away and read her book. She was at the best part of the book, when the lovers finally got to be together, but she refused to plead ill. She had to see Gavin, tell him what was going to happen.
“Anyway, the duke saw his blunder and gave me the hundred pounds and an extra fifty! I love the rich, they’re so easily manipulated” said the latest bore, Count Peter Aoire.
“Count, have I need to remind you that I am among the people whom you have just said are ‘so easily manipulated?’ And that you have asked for my hand eight times and each time I have declined…and before you ask, NO. I will not change my mind and I never will so get that through that thick melon you call a skull!”
Right then, Gwen’s brother, Prince Leighton came up and grabbed her arm. “Gwen what the hell do you think you’re doing? He is one of the most powerful Counts in the Realm…do you really want to piss him off?” he was leading her out on to the dance floor for the first dance, whispering in her ear.
“I know exactly what I’m doing, not marrying that…that pig! He thinks that since I have money, I’m not intelligent and I’ll just let him do whatever he wants, and turn a blind eye.” Gwendolyn spat.
It was the end of the song when she happened to look at one of doors opened up to the terrace…there stood Gavin, but he was scowling at her like she did something horrible. She tried to go meet him, but Count Aoire asked her for the next dance, and she couldn’t very well say no without causing something she really didn’t want to right now.
“So, is he the reason you refuse to marry me?” the Count asked, “He’s but a lowly nobleman who has no right to be here.”
Gwen looked at him in shock, realizing he had no idea Gavin wasn’t noble. “No sir, I refuse your hand, because you’re a disgusting pig, who would rather dally with a trollop than help a poor child who is in pain. That is why I wont marry you, you filthy pig.” And even though it was considered horrible deportment, she walked away from him, towards Gavin.
“What are you doing here Gavin?” she asked incredulously.
Gavin was looking at Count Aoire, like he wanted to hurt the Count severely. He ignored her question, and asked one of his own. “What was that about?”
"What was what about?” she asked exasperated.
“You perfectly well what, Gwendolyn Marie.”
“…is you using my full name supposed to make me feel less superior to you? If it is, you have some serious work to do my friend.” Gwendolyn couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked in his formal attire.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Gwen, if I thought that saying your middle name was going to make you do anything, I would have used it long ago.”
Gwen realized people were starting to whisper amongst themselves, while glancing in Gwen’s and Gavin’s direction. “As much as I love having this conversation with you, almost daily, I do believe I have promised this dance to Leighton.”
“Well he’s just going to have to wait…I do believe that a prospective betrothed has more of a right to dance than a brother.” He grabbed her arm as if to lead her out to the floor, but his words brought her up short.
“For normal noblemen yes, but seeing as how I’m a princess, and you’re just a stable boy, it doesn’t really matter, does it? You can’t just come in here, flashing around a title that isn’t yours to flash around, and expect me to even contemplate dancing with you, let alone lead people to believe we’re going to be betrothed.”
Gavin knew something was wrong...Gwen never threw the fact that he was a stable boy in his face, no matter how angry she got. “Gwendolyn what the hell is wrong with you? I know something is, so don’t you dare say nothing.”
Gwen looked at the individual, who over the last four years had become her best friend…he knew everyone of her moods, when she lied, everything. She knew she should tell him the truth, but she did what anyone else in her station would…she lied. “Gavin, I swear to you that nothing, absolutely nothing, is wrong. I’m just irritated with this stupid ball…I want to go read my book.” she didn’t feel so bad telling him that since it was true…just not what he wanted to know.
Gavin knew she was lying…she always provided more information then needed when she lied, and she always told him something he already knew. “Gwendolyn, I’m not the fool you seem to think I am. I will find out what you’re trying to hide from me, one way or another.” The fact that she would even try to lie to him, made him realize how bad she was affected by this secret. He couldn’t even remember why he had come here in the first place; he knew something like this would happen…even if he didn’t let on to his family about it.
![[send message]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/mail.png){kind=small}
![[befriend]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/friend.png){kind=small}
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Read Request
My Library
Flag Writing
