Lady in Waiting

by Lady Victoria Hervey

  I smiled so wide it hurt my cheeks. “Of course, what could be wrong?”

  He shrugged and jammed his hands into his jeans pockets.

  I had to admit, he had looked scrummy all dressed up the night of the dance, but he looked down right delectable now in jeans, a navy blue fleece and trainers. His hair was natural with no product in it, and the golden brown locks bordered on scruffy. I’d bet his parents would nag him to get a haircut, or to do something with the unruly looking hair, but I thought it looked good on him. Loose, carefree and casual. And hot. So, so hot.

  “I know I was caught off guard when I saw you this morning, so you had to have felt like that too.”

  “A little,” I admitted. “But I’m fine. Promise.”

  Peter nodded. He opened his mouth to say something else, but I jumped in before he got the chance.

  “I have to pee. Like, really bad. Excuse me,” I said as I darted around him and rushed away.

  “The toilets are the other way, Freddie,” Peter drawled.

  Of course they are… This was going to be a long two weeks.

  Somehow I survived the journey to Aviemore. I stayed awake the rest of the way, so I could stick to my friends like glue when we stopped for breaks. I didn’t want to risk being alone with Peter again.

  I was a pretty frank and open person, and usually gave honest answers when questioned. The last thing I wanted was for him to keep pushing me, and I ended up telling him just how hurt I was—had been—over his choosing my friend rather than me.

  So my plan of action was avoidance. I could manage that, surely. The days would be spent out on the slopes, and I’m sure he would go out at night to the local scene.

  Maybe.

  I hope.

  I just had to make sure we weren’t alone together. Ever.

  The scenery as we ventured farther in Scotland was gorgeous. Snow-capped mountains dominated the views and sparkling white snow covered every surface as we drove into Aviemore. I loved seeing all the chalets, like rows of small wooden palaces with warm, glowing light pouring from their huge windows.

  Harriet’s family chalet was huge. It was absolutely gorgeous, made of gleaming thick tree trunks. The chalet was surrounded by tall, snow-laden pine trees that bowed under the weight.

  We clambered out of the car. I was eager to stretch my legs and to investigate my home for the next two weeks.

  Athena grinned and draped her arm over my shoulder. “Not bad, huh?”

  I snorted a laugh. “Yes, Athena. Not bad.”

  She was about to say something else when a snowball smacked Athena right in the face. I darted away from her in case there was another one coming with my name one it—which I would bet good money there was—and spluttered a laugh at the sight of Athena wiping snow from her face.

  “This means war!” she bellowed. Her voice reverberated around us, bouncing off the mountains. She bent to scoop up a handful of snow. Athena played rounders, and had an excellent, very accurate, throwing arm. She flung the snowballs at anyone in range, and she hit her targets every time.

  I shrieked as an icy ball of snow hit the back of my head and dripped down my collar to my neck. Annie laughed and ran away when I turned to glare at her. I made my own snowball and crept around the side of the car to get her back.

  Spotting movement, I waited a few seconds until she was in prime range, drew my arm back and let it fly…straight in Glen’s face. I had just inadvertently pelted my gracious host with a ball of snow.

  I gasped, my eyes widening in horror. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry!” I said in a rush.

  The other girls came running, and seeing my stricken face, burst out laughing.

  “I think we should unload the car before any more snowballs are thrown my way,” Glen said in a dry voice.

  “I’m very sorry again,” I said quietly.

  “You should be.” Glen gave me a stony look. “I have fantastic aim. I will get you back…when you least expect it.”

  Athena coughed back a laugh and elbowed me in the side. “Come on, let’s get our stuff.”

  We helped Glen and Julia unload the car, and hauled all our stuff inside.

  If anything, the interior of the chalet was even more beautiful than the outside. The great room had spectacular views of the snow-covered woods and mountains, and I would bet it filled with light as the sun rose in the morning. A large wood-burning stove was the central point in the room, with comfy, over-stuffed couches and armchairs surrounding it. Most had thick, warm blankets thrown over the back and plump pillows resting on the cushions.

  Intricate wooden carvings decorated the space, and most of the furniture seemed to be handmade pieces from wood, including an enormous dining table with matching chairs.

  A huge, perfectly decorated Christmas tree dominated one corner, stretching almost as high as the ceiling. Underneath were piles of exquisitely wrapped gifts.

  Harriet gave us a quick tour of the downstairs, which consisted of a beautiful, state-of-the-art kitchen. All the countertops were solid marble and the appliances were gleaming steel. The bathroom was just as large and elegant. On that level were three bedrooms—two of them were for guests and the other belonged to Peter.

  Of course we were on the same level.

  The guest bedrooms were stunning with wide windows giving beautiful views, and large bunk beds with thick, luxurious looking mattresses.

  Upstairs was another bathroom, Harriet’s bedroom, her parents’ bedroom and a gorgeous loft space with a comfy armchair, bookcase and floor lamp. It allowed for the most amazing views out of the front sloping windows that reached all the way up to the roof, and of the great room below.

  I could quite happily spend the rest of my life living in this chalet.

  “You girls must be starving,” Julia said when we returned from our tour. “I had a cook come in and prepare some things for us, I just have to heat it up. Cottage pie okay with everyone?”

  We all nodded and offered our thanks. By the time we had unpacked our things and got situated, it was ready.

  The lot of us gathered around the table to sit down to eat. Peter took the chair opposite me. I felt his eyes on me, but I focused instead on my food.

  “Everyone looking forward to hitting the slopes tomorrow?” Glen asked as we all tucked into our dinner.

  “I can’t wait,” Harriet answered. “But it’s Freddie who is most excited, I think. She’s so good.”

  “Is that right?” Glen asked.

  I nodded. “I go most years with my family on a skiing holiday. My brother and I really enjoy it.”

  Glen smiled. “Then I imagine it will be you and Peter on the black slopes, then. He’s the best out of all of us.”

  When I risked a glance at Peter, his gaze was glued to my face.

  “Sounds like we’ll be spending lots of time together,” he said.

  I forced a smile and nodded. Awesome.

  Aviemore was exceptionally beautiful. An idyllic winter paradise, it had everything a snow sport enthusiast could ever want. The slopes at Cairn Gorm Mountain were some of the best in Europe, and provided not only excellent skiing, but plenty of routes for different levels. Making it easier to hide from people you didn’t necessarily want to see.

  For the first three days of the holidays, I joined the other girls on the easier slopes. It was simple and boring, especially for me who had been skiing since I was tiny. I itched to carry on up the mountain to the more difficult slopes, instead of following my friends everywhere. But needs must.

  We traipsed into the lodge at lunchtime to grab some food. The other girls were tired after their exertion, but I felt my muscles lagging, demanding to be put to good use instead of wasted on unchallenging slopes.

  “Thomas is absolutely gorgeous,” Cassandra said after we had ordered. “How lucky are we that there’s a group of boys all handsome and single and we met them?”

  That morning on the slopes a large pack of boys had migrated our way. They were on a big family ho
liday full of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins. And my friends had almost fainted with their own good fortune that, as Cassandra had mentioned, it made for a pack of good-looking boys close to our age.

  “No way, Steve is nicer,” Annie argued.

  “As if!” Harriet cried. “The best looking has to be Simon. What do you think, Freddie? Who do you think is the handsomest?”

  “Oh,” I said quietly. “Um, all of them, I suppose.”

  “All of them?” Annie asked with a laugh. “Are you feeling greedy, Freddie?”

  The truth was I had absolutely no interest in any of the boys we had met. My head was far too full with one boy in particular to take notice of any new ones. I forced a smile and shook my head. “They were all handsome. But none tall enough for my liking, I’m afraid.”

  Cassandra sighed. “Typical Freddie logic.”

  I sat back in my chair and let the rest of the conversation drift over me. Our meal came and I ate mostly in silence. The others were too busy discussing their boys’ merits and looks to pay me any attention, which suited me just fine.

  “Aren’t you bored, Freddie?” Annie asked, suddenly.

  She snapped me out of the ramblings I had just reminded myself to try to get out of, and I sat up straighter in my chair. “Me? Bored? Not at all, why?”

  “Because you’re miles better than all of us at skiing and you’ve been on the beginner slopes for the last few days,” Annie replied.

  “Who’s on the beginner slopes?”

  My heart began to gallop when I heard Peter’s voice behind me. He pulled out the only free chair—the one beside me—and placed his plate on the table.

  “Freddie,” Harriet answered. “She’s so good, Pan. She’s wasted on the easy slopes with us.”

  I felt his eyes on my face and my cheeks warmed in response. But I couldn’t look at him.

  “Are you nervous about being alone, Freddie?” Cassandra asked. “I know it’s not like you, but I’m sure Peter would take you—”

  “No!” I exclaimed, far louder than I had intended. My cheeks burned hotter and I gave Cassandra a wide smile. “Sorry, I meant, no, thanks. It’s…er…my ankle! Remember I broke it over the summer? It’s been giving me a spot of bother and I don’t want to risk re-injuring it by pushing myself.”

  Annie giggled. “You could have just told us that. We’ve been wondering what on earth was wrong with you for the last few days.”

  I gave her another ridiculously wide and cheesy smile. “Well, now you know!” My friends were going to think I had gone mad…

  Athena swiftly changed the subject onto the boys they had met again, taking the attention off of me. That girl really knew how to look out for me.

  Once lunch was finished, we trudged back outside. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to another stint on the baby slopes, but it was better than being stuck indoors as I faked some ailment or other.

  I finished putting all my gear on first, then I wandered away from the group. My eyes found the top of the mountain, and the skiers on the black routes. Colourful, tiny bodies zoomed down the mountainside as though they’d been born with skis on their feet. I longed to be up there.

  Peter appeared beside me, though he didn’t look at me as he finished shrugging on his ski jacket. There was a pause before he spoke, as though he was choosing his words carefully. “I could take you on one of the more difficult routes if you didn’t want to jump straight on the black ones. Your ankle should be fine, but I understand it might be scary for you.”

  The easy confidence that had made him so appealing the night of the dance was absent from his voice. He sounded tentative and unsure as he spoke, like he had no idea how I would react to his offer.

  My heart pinched because I knew he was just trying to be nice, but the memory of him with my friend refused to leave and my pride was too damaged to even think about brushing it aside.

  I forced a smile and shook my head. “I’m fine with my friends, but thanks.”

  “No problem. The offer stands if you change your mind,” Peter said, his face sombre. There was no hint of his playfulness or teasing nature. And I couldn’t help but feel guilty that I had caused him some amount of hurt feelings.

  “Come on, back to it, Freddie,” Annie called as she walked past us. “You need the practice!”

  I smiled at my friend, and with one last quick glance at Peter, I hurried after her.

  If I had to spend one more day on the easy slopes, I was going to lose my mind. I’d spent the day after Peter had made his offer with the girls again, and come that evening I had more or less decided to fake that ailment and stay at the chalet. I was morose and forlorn, and a little bit angry at Peter for ruining my holiday.

  I had given up Christmas with my family to come with my friends to Aviemore, and I felt even guiltier since I wasn’t even having a good time. I was pretty much sabotaging the trip for myself because I couldn’t act like a grown up and get over my wounded pride to go with Peter on the harder slopes.

  Stupid boy. Why did he have to be Harriet’s brother anyway?

  After dinner, the girls wanted to go in the hot tub that was out on the back deck, but I cried off. In truth, I wanted a little bit of time alone. I wanted to disappear into my book for a few hours so I could forget about real life for a while and melt into a fantasy one.

  I curled up in a big squishy armchair and covered my legs with a soft blanket. Soft snowfall fluttered past the windows, and Christmas carols that Harriet’s parents were listening to downstairs drifted up to complete my little escape in the reading loft.

  In fact, the only thing that could top it off would be—

  “Hot chocolate?” Peter asked.

  I jumped about a foot in the air and dropped my book on the floor. My heart pounded in my chest and I glanced up at him to see the cringing look on his face.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said. “I should know better, I’m always so far into a book it takes a bomb going off to pull me out of it.”

  “Hmm,” I mumbled, reaching down to pick up my book.

  “Birdsong,” Peter said as he glimpsed at the cover. “How are you enjoying it?”

  “Uh…a lot?” Shoot me, shoot me now.

  Peter cracked a smile. He placed the two mugs of steaming hot chocolate onto the small table between the two armchairs. Good Lord, he’s even added whipped cream and chocolate Snickers…

  “Thanks,” I said, offering a small smile.

  “No problem.” Peter then lowered himself into the empty chair.

  God. He’s staying.

  My mind started racing though all the plausible excuses I could use to leave. What a wimp I was.

  “I hope you don’t mind the intrusion, but I was hoping that we could talk,” Peter said, his voice low and sombre.

  “What about?” I asked, my voice anything but low. In fact, it was high and shrill and so, so unflattering.

  “That night at the dance.” Peter blew out a breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I had thought that we’d— I had fun with you, Freddie. I thought we’d really hit it off. And I know you got my letter. So, at first I thought you were just making it clear that you weren’t interested without hurting my feelings. But now…you’re acting like I hurt you. And I have no idea how.”

  My throat tightened. Could he really be so obtuse to not think that I would be hurt over him ditching me for another girl?

  “Freddie, please tell me what I did, because I genuinely don’t have a clue and it’s driving me crazy. But most all I want to know so that I can apologise and we can hopefully move past this.”

  What on earth could I say? Well, I had sort of got my hopes up that you could have been my boyfriend, but I saw you and my friend pressed up against each other like superglue was involved, so I sort of got a bit upset by that? But never mind, don’t worry about it. I’m soooo over it…not.

  I looked over at Peter. His eyebrows were drawn together and h
is eyes did seem full of remorse. A part of me wanted to reassure him just to take that look out of his eyes. I hated people in pain.

  But no way did I want him thinking I was this hung up on him still. So I slapped on a smile and prayed it looked genuine. “I’m sorry. You were right, I…wasn’t interested in you like that. I couldn’t think of a way to tell you, so I tried to act indifferent and just avoid you so things wouldn’t be awkward.” Liar, liar pants on fire.

  Peter’s eyebrows rose. “Right. I see. So I didn’t do anything to upset you?”

  “Nope. Nothing. Not. A. Thing.” My nose had better not grow like Pinocchio’s.

  For a moment, Peter didn’t speak. He processed what I’d said, then relaxed into his chair and sipped his hot chocolate. Not exactly the reaction I had expected. “Fair enough. Now that that’s cleared up, are you going to stop avoiding me? You must be bored useless on those baby slopes. I take it the ankle excuse was just that—an excuse?”

  Well bugger, I’d walked right into that one. I had hoped that if I told Peter I wasn’t interested then his sensitive male pride would take control of his sense and he would go in a strop like a child, and therefore he would want to avoid me as much as I wanted to avoid him. But now he wanted to spend more time together? I was starting to question this boy’s sanity.

  Peter grinned and took another sip of his drink. “I’ll take your silence as a yes. We’ve cleared the air, there’s nothing to feel awkward about anymore. And I do like you, Freddie. You’re a cool girl. I’d like us to be friends.”

  My smile faltered. “Sure. Friends.” The last thing in the world I want is to be friends with you…

  The following morning, Peter waited for me at the ski lift so we could head farther up the mountain. My heart raced and I thought I would puke, but somehow I kept it together. Peter chatted like we were old friends, as though I hadn’t acted like an ice queen for the last few days.

  Part of me appreciated it, was glad that he was acting like the boy I remembered from the night of the dance. But a small voice whispered in my mind that the more he acted like the guy I had really liked, the more I would forget who he really was.