Cursed

by Felicity Harper

  Prudence looked at Caroline, her eyes shining with tears. “This is all my fault.”

  “How so?”

  “Henrietta didn’t want any of this. And now, if Hardwick has her, then she will be forced into a marriage for her money - which is the very thing she said she never wanted.” She dabbed at her face with her handkerchief. “But, then again, if she isn’t with him, then she has been out there all night - alone.”

  “You cannot take on the blame for this, Prudence. We are all guilty of not listening to Henrietta on this matter.” Caroline sighed sadly. “I know I have not been the companion to her I should have been.” She stood and wandered across to the window. “I’m afraid your father and I were a little selfish in our happiness.”

  Mrs Huggett came in, looking tired and drawn. “I’m sorry to bother you both but Cook needs to know if she should be making the mince pies.”

  Prudence squared her shoulders. “Yes, Mrs Huggett,” she said, standing up and taking a deep breath. “People will be arriving for the Winter Festival and they will be expecting pies and hot toddies so we shall make sure they have them.” She knew it would do Henrietta no good if they all descended into maudlin self-pity.

  “Of course, my Lady,” Mrs Huggett said and hurried away to give Cook her instructions.

  “Come, Caroline. We must make sure that all is ready in time for our guests’ arrival,” Prudence said, sounding more like her old self.

  “How did you find me?”

  “I followed your ribbons,” the ogre teased. Now that the heat of his body had warmed her and she had stopped shivering, he was feeling more relaxed. The fog had lifted and the day was bright and clear. Henrietta had slept for part of the way; exhaustion had claimed her following her ordeal. He had looked down at her sleeping in his arms and wondered how he was going to let her go. In her sleep, her warm breath had played across his neck and her hands had gripped his shirt front as though she were afraid he would disappear.

  “I must seem such a fool for not seeing Hardwick for what he is.”

  “You are no fool, Henrietta,” he said sternly. “Hardwick is a bas … a blackguard.”

  “What did you do with him and his men?”

  “I hit them a few times. Not as much or as hard as I wanted but enough to make them think twice about what they did to you. I left them locked in the coach.”

  Henrietta nodded.

  “I looked for you.”

  She felt his chest rise and fall against her cheek as though he had sighed.

  “I know. Mala told me. I shouldn’t just have gone like that.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have,“ she said firmly. Then: “Tell me how you know Mala?”

  The ogre stopped. He looked away and Henrietta could feel him wrestling with himself.

  “There is something I should have told you.” He sounded unsure, not like himself at all.

  Henrietta reached up and put her hand on his face. “Tell me.”

  He looked at her; he saw the trust in her eyes and knew he was about to change that.

  “I did something terrible, Henrietta. People were hurt - died - because of me.”

  “Tell me all of it,” Henrietta begged. And so he did.

  People were beginning to arrive. Riverly tenants and local gentry alike were gathering on the lawn for the annual Winter festival. Prudence and Penelope mingled with the guests, handing out hot drinks and mince pies.

  “We are expecting quite the festival this year,” Lady Corbyn said, feeding a piece of pie to her little pug which was tucked under her arm. She leaned closer to Prudence and whispered, “Between you and me, can we expect wedding bells to ring for Lady Henrietta any time soon?”

  Keeping her mask of polite joviality in place, Prudence replied, “We mustn’t spoil the surprise, Mrs Corbyn.” She patted the dowager’s arm. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must speak with my younger sisters.” She hurried away before the elderly woman could make any further enquiries about Henrietta.

  Her aunt passed her and whispered, “I don’t know what we will do if your father doesn’t turn up soon.”

  “Just keep smiling and handing out drinks.” Prudence whispered back. “And keep Cecilia and Millicent in the house. The last thing we need are those two out here blabbing.”

  “Don’t worry! Caroline is keeping them busy in the kitchen. They’re making the mulled wine.”

  “My word! Wonders will never cease!” Prudence said, shaking her head at the thought of her sisters helping out in the kitchen.

  “Lord Pemberly!” someone called. Prudence whipped round as her father entered. She caught his eye and he gave an imperceptible shake of his head.

  He hadn’t found her.

  “Then you are not an ogre at all!” Henrietta said. She shook her head. “Of course you aren’t.” But for his size, nothing about him spoke of anything other than a gentleman.

  “But I am! Don’t you see? I will be this creature for the rest of my life.”

  She cupped his face. “You are not a creature. You are my ogre.” She kissed his chin, which was the closest she could reach to his lips even from her vantage point in his arms. “You were young and distraught at the loss of your mother. But you have paid for your mistake. Don’t you see? You are not that angry, young man any more. And neither are you a monster.”

  “My anger had terrible consequences.”

  “Yes, it did. But you can make amends to your people by being a great leader.”

  “If they will accept me. There is no guarantee they will.”

  “They will be wary at first, I’m sure, but, once they understand what a wonderful man you are, they will accept you as their King.”

  The ogre laughed. “Wonderful? I’m not sure that’s how I want them to think of me.” He hoisted her up in his arms so they were face to face. “Thank you, Henrietta. It was you who made me see I was more than just an ogre.”

  “Of course you are!”

  She leaned forward so that her lips met his. The sound of a horse’s harness broke the moment. Quickly, they pulled apart just as a rider came into view.

  “Mr Briggs!” Henrietta called out.

  “Lady Henrietta!” Briggs replied, frowning at the sight of Henrietta nestled in the ogre’s arms. “You are well?”

  “Yes! Don’t look so worried!” she said affectionately. “Hardwick tried to abduct me but Ogre saved me.” She wriggled her stockinged feet at him. “Hardwick threw my shoes away.”

  “Well done, Sir!” Briggs said respectfully. “Where is the scoundrel now?”

  “About ten miles back. They are all tied up in Hardwick’s coach.”

  “I can send some men to collect Hardwick and his rabble if you would like me to take you back to Riverly, my Lady.”

  “No, Mr Briggs. I want Ogre to take me home,” Henrietta said, looking up at the ogre with a smile. “You may have the fun of dragging Hardwick in front of the magistrates.”

  Briggs bowed in acknowledgement of his task. “I will take the others with me,” he said. Only then did Henrietta become aware of the men on horseback, who had stayed a little way back to give them some privacy. “Your family will be much relieved to see you, my Lady,” Briggs added and he turned his horse in the direction of the road.

  Once they had gone, Henrietta looked up at the ogre. “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Papa, you’re back!” Millicent called out, causing several guests to smile indulgently. “Did you find Henrietta?” she bellowed, running towards him. “Had Sir Hardwick run off with her?”

  An awkward silence followed.

  “Dear God!” Prudence muttered and slapped a hand to her forehead.

  Cecilia rolled her eyes. ‘There go any chances I had for a good match,” she groaned. Aunt Penelope sighed and hurried over to muzzle her niece.

  Millicent looked at her family. “What?” she asked, before noticing the silence that had descended.
“Oh!”

  Lord Pemberly scrubbed a hand across his weary face. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he began, “clearly … I have an announcement to make.”

  Someone screamed.

  “Even I’m not that upset,” Cecilia muttered to Prudence. Then there was a second scream.

  “What on earth?” Prudence said and nearly swooned at the sight that greeted her. An enormous … creature … man … something … was crossing the lawn towards them and her sister was in its arms. “Henrietta!” she squeaked, leaving her with no air left to breathe. Miles was quick to reach his wife and caught her just before she succumbed to her first ever faint.

  Lord Pemberly took a moment to regain his composure before running to his daughter and snatching her from the creature’s arms. “Darling! We thought … “ he cried as he hugged her to him, overjoyed to see his eldest daughter was still alive.

  All around them, pandemonium ensued. The Riverly guests were either running away screaming - presumable fearing for their lives - or staring in dumbfounded fascination at the scene that was playing out before them.

  “I’m fine, Papa,” Henrietta said, returning her father’s hug.

  “Did Hardwick …?”

  “The ogre saved me. Hardwick … he didn’t hurt me, Papa.”

  “Thank God!”

  As though only now noticing the enormous proportions of the creature who had carried his daughter to safety, Lord Pemberly momentarily lost his usual good manners. “What the devil is that thing?” he asked, stepping back to keep Henrietta out of its reach. “Do not touch my daughter again!”

  The ogre nodded solemnly and turned away.

  “Papa, no!” Henrietta cried. She tried to wriggle out of her father’s embrace but he held on to her, as if afraid of losing his daughter again. “Stop! Ogre, please! I love you!”

  Only the ogre missed what she said.

  There was a collective gasp of astonishment followed by a murmur of ‘Good Lord’ passing through the assembled throng. Even those who had been busy running for their lives now turned to gape. The Gypsy Queen, Mala, stepped forward.

  “You love the creature?” she asked.

  “Yes! I would rather spend my life in exile with him than live in a grand palace with another!” she said fiercely.

  The gypsy tilted her head and stared thoughtfully upon the ogre’s retreating back. “What did he do with those who took you away, my Lady?”

  “Hardwick and his men?” Henrietta asked, confused by the sudden question. “He tied them up and sent Mr Briggs to deal with them.”

  Mala nodded. “Prince Albern!” she called but the ogre continued towards the forest. The Gypsy Queen spoke in the ancient tongue of her people and the ogre fell and disappeared into the trees.

  “No!” Henrietta screamed. She threw herself out of her father’s arms and ran, stumbling across the cold, wet grass. “Ogre!” she called.

  Lord Pemberly chased after his daughter. “Henrietta!” he yelled as she vanished into the forest.

  The pain was excruciating.

  He brought his hands up to cover his ears but the roar was coming from inside his head. Images flashed before his eyes: his brother; the castle; baying mobs - and Henrietta crying out to him. He rolled into himself as though to stop his body being pulled asunder as every bone and sinew tautened.

  And then it was gone. But for the sounds of the forest, all was silent. He could feel the dampness of the leaves beneath him. He brought his hands down and looked at them. His hands - not the ogre’s.

  “Ogre!”

  Henrietta.

  He tried to stand but his body felt suddenly weak. He collapsed and stared up at the trees above him.

  “Ogre?” Her voice sounded tentative. He turned his head and saw her limping towards him. Her hand was covering her mouth and tears were flowing down her cheeks.

  “Henrietta, come away!” Lord Pemberly appeared behind her. “Good Lord! Who is this? What happened to the creature?”

  “This is Prince Albern,” Henrietta said quietly. “He was the ogre. My ogre,” she said and then burst into tears.

  “Why are you crying?” Prince Albern asked and his voice, though still deep, sounded like his own.

  Henrietta cried even harder. “Y-y-you-a-a-re-s-so … h-h-handsome!” she wailed and then turned into her father’s embrace and sobbed.

  Lord Pemberly looked down at the handsome young man at his feet and shrugged. “Women, eh?” he said congenially and wrapped his arms around his weeping daughter.

  At the touch of his hand, Henrietta turned and looked up into those familiar grey eyes. He was still big - but now she could reach up and brush the stray lock of hair that fell across his forehead. So she did.

  “Good day, Prince Albern,” she said shyly.

  Smiling, he tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear. “Good day, Lady Henrietta.”

  “A-hem,” Lord Pemberly said, to gain their attention. “I must see to our guests before they arrive with pitchforks and burning torches. I shall expect to see you both shortly,” he added - and the warning was clear in his voice.

  Prince Albern held out his hand. “You have my word, Lord Pemberly.”

  The men shook hands in a settled fashion and Lord Pemberly turned away and left them alone. Henrietta couldn’t take her eyes off the Prince. Would she ever be able to stop staring at him in wonder and fascination?

  “Are you going to tell me what you said to make Mala remove the curse?” Albern asked and Henrietta blushed.

  “Oh! That might have been because , well, I sort of told her that .…” She wrinkled her nose and looked away. “I love you.”

  Albern captured her chin and gently brought her gaze to him. “And do you?” he asked.

  She looked into his grey eyes and nodded. “Yes - of course I do!”

  He released the breath he had been holding. “Thank the stars for that!” he said and pulled her into his arms. Tucked up against his solid chest, Henrietta spoke aloud the words she was thinking.

  “And - you? Do you love me?”

  He pulled away - far enough that he could look into her eyes. “Henrietta Pemberly: I have loved you from the first moment I saw you waltzing with your imaginary beau!”

  “Oh,” she said but, before she had time to feel embarrassed, his lips had claimed hers. Her hands found the back of his neck and she pulled him closer. She opened her mouth to his kiss with a sigh of yearning. Wrapped up in his arms, with his lips on hers, Henrietta could have stayed in that moment forever - but Albern broke away.

  “We must stop,” he said with a fierce frown and a voice not unlike that of the ogre’s.

  “Why?” she asked pulling him back towards her. “I haven’t finished!”

  He laughed and pulled her arms from around his neck. “Because, if we don’t go back now, it will be your father coming for me with the pitchfork and the burning torch!”

  He swung her up into his arms and dropped a final kiss on her swollen lips. “Let’s go and face the throng, Lady Henrietta. We shall tell them that Prince Albern has found his Queen.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “You look just as stunning as I knew you would,” Prudence said tearfully, standing back to admire Henrietta in her green velvet gown.

  “Don’t you dare cry, Prue, or I shall start and I cannot look blotchy for my wedding!”

  “First William and Caroline and now you and Prince - oops, I mean King - Albern,” Aunt Penelope said, dabbing at her damp eyes. “I seem to do nothing but weep at weddings these days.”

  Henrietta smiled. Her heart was pounding excitedly in her chest at the thought she was to marry the man she loved and become Queen all in one day. Just seeing him again would be wonderful. It felt like an age since the day he had left to settle matters in Warwick. He had returned the day before, as the newly crowned King Albern, with his brother, Gabriel, at his side. Prudence had refused to let Henrietta greet him, telling her it wou
ld bring bad luck if she were to catch sight of him before the wedding.

  “Well I, for one, think it’s shocking unfair!” Millicent said petulantly. “First a knight tries to run off with her and then she bags a Prince! And becomes a Queen!.” Prudence glared at her. “What? I’m just saying! I bet if I met an ogre, I would have been eaten and that would have been the end of that!” she whined and then scowled furiously when her sisters and Aunt Penelope started laughing at her.

  Cecilia hurried in with the bridal bouquet and handed it to Henrietta. “Here - oh you look lovely!” she said in surprise and then leaned in to whisper, “So, Albern’s gorgeous brother, Gabriel: he’s a Prince too, right?”

  “No, Cecilia!” Prudence said crossly. “I will not have you - or Millicent - chasing after that poor man at your sister’s wedding!”

  Henrietta stood back, her eyes glistening, as her sisters began their usual bickering. “How I shall miss you all!” she said and opened her arms to them.

  “My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,” Lord Pemberly announced. “I would like you all to join me in congratulating the happy couple, my daughter Henrietta and her new husband, King Albern!”

  Everyone cheered and clapped as Henrietta and Albern descended the steps to the garden. The local villagers and tenants had turned up to wish their Lady Henrietta good luck and farewell. Also present were local dignitaries who had known Henrietta ever since she had been a little girl and who suddenly now found themselves bowing to the King and Queen of Warwick - a Kingdom of whom most had barely heard before now. And Henrietta’s family, too, of course.

  It was a glorious day and Henrietta drew in a deep breath to savour the unique scent of Riverly in the Spring. She still couldn’t quite believe she would soon be leaving and making her home far from here. She would miss it. She looked at her family standing at the bottom of the steps waiting for her … for them. Albern gently squeezed her hand.