Don't Forget to Dream (8 page)

That was just the reaction he had been looking for.

“
According to the village innkeeper and his wife, whom I understand were close family friends, she used to do the household chores for a woman who was married to a scribe. In return she was taught to read, write and embroider.
”

“
Well.... if that is so... I think I would like to meet this young woman.
”
She paused to examine Callum as closely has her poor eyes would allow.
“
You are sure she is respectable? I don
’
t want her in here turning the
heads of
all
the soldiers and not knowing enough to keep
her
out of trouble.
”

“
I can
’
t promise that she won
’
t get a fare amount of attention but I get the impression that she will soon send any ill-mannered suitors off with their tails between their legs.
”

Lady Emelia did not miss the smirk that he had failed to hide.
“
So you have been turned away, despite the titles. I am impressed.
”

Callum laughed
,
realising she had seen through his carefull
y fabricated pretence to discover
the truth beneath.
“
I have m
ade no such pursuits Grandmamma.
I know of the difficulties such behaviour brings. She didn
’
t
know I was a Prince until yesterday morning.
”
He
paused, remembering the way Rhyla had
loo
ked at him when he had told her.
It
was akin to
a
betrayal. He
face
tu
rned serious before continuing,
“
Rhyla is certainly a gem Grandmamma. I can
’
t explain it but there is definitely something about her. She needs protecting, even if she doesn
’
t think she is in any danger. I can
’
t leave her to the fate of the city. To men like Tobias.
”

His tone
,
more than his words bespoke volumes to Lady Emelia. Her grandson wanted her to take this girl in but would never be able to come out and say it. It may create an awkward situation if her grandson
’
s feelings developed, but neither could she leave this girl at risk.

“
It is too late in the day to fetch her now, dinner will be served soon. Have her brought to me in the morning.
”

“
Yes Grandmamma,
”
Callum replied calmly,
“
thank you,
”
he added as his heart raced a little faster.

Chapter 4
             

The day
’
s chores started early for Rhyla. Master Drake would be returning in the afternoon an
d many things needed
be done if she was to convince him that
she was worthy of his trust. She must earn
his favour before he learnt of the incident the other evening. She was only half way through sweeping out the tavern room when the sound of booted feet stopped outside, quickly followed by heavy pounding on the door.

Joe was in the lane behind the Inn, fetching water from the well. Glancing around nervously at the state of the room, Rhyla determined that whoever was outside at this time of the day would just have to accept what they found. She quickly wiped her hands on he
r apron, smoothed her skirts, brushed aside
the stray strands of her braid and approached the door.

“
Good morning Rhyla,
”
Martin greeted her as the door swung open. He was uniformed and flanked by two other men of the
Royal Household G
uard.

A brief hesitation caught Rhyla
’
s voice at
the sight of
such an
unexpected guest, especially
attired
so
.
“
Good morning Captain,
”
she said bobbing a quick curtsey and recovering
from
the discomfort at the memory of seeing him last.
“
How can I be of assistance? It is a little early for lunch, or ale.
”

“
We are not here for refreshment Rhyla. May I come in?
”
Martin asked quietly, not that anyone passing by was paying them any attention.

“
Yes, of course, please,
”
she said stepping back. The three men entered but only Martin continued beyond the entrance hall as Rhyla closed the door behind them. Stepping around the guards she approached Martin, unsettled by his formal presence so early in the day. She waited for him to speak first, not sure why the small wry smile he was fighting to control made her stomach flutter lightly.

Clearing his throat Martin looked directly at her, speaking in a more officious tone than she had ever heard from him.
“
The Lady Emelia requests an introduction this morning at the Palace. I am here to escort you.
”

"Lady Emelia?" Rhyla asked uncertainly, "the Queen's mother?"

"Yes, the very same," Martin replied still struggling to maintain his officious manner.

Silence resounded in her ears.
An introduction
!.
Her! The Palace!
None of it made sense. Why would the queen
’
s mother, Callum
’
s grandmother, wish to meet her? Just the brief thought of him made her butterflies multiply and flutter furiously.

M
artin understood her hesitation.
He
relaxed his stance a little and spoke softly, reassuring her,
“
Lad
y Emelia is getting on in years.
Her
eyesight is failing and unsurprisingly her lady
’
s maid, Elsie, can neither read nor write. The other ladies of the household are too busy to spend the time with her. She is in need of a companion, a companion who can read and write. We understand
that
you can.
”

“
Yes I can, but how did you know?
”
she asked, incredulous.

“
People talk. It is very unusual and you are new to town,
”
he replied simply, avoiding details.
“
You had better go pack, don
’
t you think.
”

“
Pack.
I though
t this was just an introduction.
”
this was becoming more unreal with every passing minute.

“
It is, but if you have your things with you it will save a trip back,
”
Martin replied, clearly confident that Rhyla would have the position in the Palace by nightfall.

“
What if she doesn
’
t like me? If Master Drake returns and my things are gone, he won
’
t let me back. And who is going to serv
e lunch and dinner if he is not here.
”
Rhyla muttered turning away from him and throwing her hands in the air. She felt more than a little flushed and anxious at the thought
of going to the Palace, but
she feared
more of
being on the street by nightfall.

Martin gently placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him again, seeking to reassure.
“
Do not worry so. Lady Emelia will love you.
”
He looked around the room meaningfully.
“
Do you really want to stay here?
”

Rhyla followed his gaze and knew that the inn was not the future she had dreamed of. She met his eyes and squared her shoulders,
“
I will fetch my things.
”

Striding towards the back door she called to Joe, briefly explaining her departure and apologising for leaving him to all the work before racing upstairs to fetch her small duffel bag, her second dress and the few items that belonged to her. Descending the stairs Martin and
the two guards were patiently
waiting
for her.
One
to
ok the duffel bag from her and without further
discussion the little party ascended the hill to the Palace. Leaving their escorts in the courtyard M
artin collected her bag and led
her to the sunroom where Lady Emelia, mother of the queen, awaited her.

Knocking gently on the door Martin and Rhyla patiently waited for Elsie to o
pen it for them. Martin stood
straight and formal while Rhyla struggled to maintain the composure and confidence her father had instilled in her. Remembering his face, the strength of his shoulders and hands, his graceful dance as he showe
d her how to handle a blade,
she knew he would be proud to see her working in the Palace, using the education he had so encouraged
her to achieve. These thoughts gave
her the strength to enter the quiet, beautiful room and curtsey to the immaculate
ly dressed
grey haired women within.

“
Ah, Captain Martin,
”
chimed a rich voice only slightly dampened with age.
“
This must be Rhyla.
”
She smiled warmly taking in every inch of the farmer
’
s daughter, despite the milky film that was
developing within her blue eyes.
Rhyla knew where Callum
’
s eyes came from.

“
Yes my lady,
”
the Captain of the Guard said as he rose from a bow.
“
May I present Miss Rhyla Farminer of Bendarin,
”
he said indicating the still deeply curtsying golden brown haired girl beside him.

“
Please stand Rhyla, so I may view you fully,
”
the elderly women instructed.

“
Yes your highness,
”
Rhyla said carefully, her voice not as steady as she had hoped.

Lady Emelia smiled at her unease,
“
You may address me as my lady Rhyla. My daughter may be queen but I am not of the Royal line.
”

Rhyla flushed at her error.
“
Sorry, my lady,
”
she added hurriedly.

“
Do not fret my dear,
”
she said appraising the sweet innocence of the girl. There was no doubt she had know
n hard work by the build of her.
No
dainty courtly lass had ever looked like her. But she could definitely see the appeal to Callum in this naive, sun kissed, brown eyed, beautiful young woman. He was right to bring her to my attention she thought, but in the next instant silently cursed him that his interests would be so misplaced. He would no doubt deny his attraction but she would not see him entrap this woman as a simple mistress. She only hoped that the respect and honesty she knew to be in him would overrule his base emotions.

Turning her attention from such stray thoughts Lady Emelia glanced to Captain Martin waiting patiently.
“
You may go Captain. Rhyla and I shall chat for a while. Elsie will chaperone.
”

“
Yes, my lady,
”
he said with a quick bow before leaving the room and quietly closing the door.

In the brief silence of his absence Rhyla
’
s insecurity began to surface. What was she thinking coming here? What did she possibly expect to ac
hieve?
Embarrassment.
Humiliation.
To be left on the street as the evening approached
was a shocking thought.

Lady Emelia broke the silence before Rhyla
’
s thoughts became too erratic.
“
I am led to believe that you can read and write,
”
she asked simply.

Remembering Martin
’
s explanatio
n as to why she had been summoned
, Rhyla relaxed a little,
“
yes my lady, I can.
”

“
Then perhaps you would fetch that small book on the table.
”
By the large window that dominated the room, filling it with daylight, stood a small leather bound volume on a round three-legged table. Rhyla quickly crossed the room to retrieve the item.
“
Turn to the page marked.
”
A delicate length of blue ribbon lay within and she opened to that page.
“
Will you please begin at the top of the page?
”