Eduardo didn’t want her, and though she was relieved he wouldn’t be an evil husband and treat her poorly physically, she didn’t think she could handle continually being told she held no interest to him.
Maybe it would just take time. She couldn’t blame him for being upset about an arranged marriage. Especially if he wanted something more in his life. She’d read enough novels to know that men also wanted to be loved, to find their wife attractive and to be desired as well.
Maybe it was her hair color, or her face he didn’t like. Not that she could change it, but if given time, he might come to at least not despise her.
Her heart began to hurt and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from falling. She could not let him know he had affected her. She didn’t want to make him think she was trying to manipulate him by crying. Besides, if she showed weakness now, he might think her too weak to be by his side.
Eduardo opened the door to his chambers and motioned for her to walk in first. Far cry from being carried across the threshold, but they hadn’t even sealed the marriage with a kiss. Lily stepped into his room and moved toward a chair in the center of the room.
“It is large enough in here you won’t have to worry about me. Have your servants unpacked all your trunks yet?”
“I don’t know,” Lily replied.
“Send a message to them to be sure to pack enough for us to leave tomorrow. The sooner we get out of here, the better.”
“We’re leaving?” Lily asked, sure it wasn’t some kind of honeymoon trip.
As he explained the plans to travel from estate to estate in order to introduce her to the nobility, Lily nodded.
“I see. And what will my duties be?” Lily asked.
“To be seen, and assure them of your nation’s goodwill toward us.”
Lily nodded and watched him for a moment, still completely unsure of what to do. It was still early in the day, though getting closer to lunch time. Would they attend a wedding celebration, or would it be expected of them to stay hidden away in his rooms?
“What else are my duties?” Lily asked.
“Duties?” Eduardo turned to her. “What do you mean?”
“At home, I had things I was required to do in order to keep the castle running smoothly. I am sure your mother, the queen, is still incredibly capable of maintaining her duties, but I don’t know what would be the best thing to put my time to.”
Eduardo just looked at her, and Lily wondered for a moment if there really was anything that a princess or queen was expected to do besides whatever her husband wished.
Would Eduardo make demands of her? Would she be forced to just stay inside the castle at all times? No, that couldn’t be true. Not if he had plans to take her all over his kingdom in order to introduce her to the nobility.
“We’ll get to that later,” Eduardo said. “For now, perhaps you should just do everything you can to avoid angering my father.”
“Is he really that bad?” Lily asked.
Eduardo turned to face her. “I wouldn’t suggest you do anything to test it.” He walked toward her, but instead of stopping he continued on past until he came to a door in the section between the fireplace and the edge of the room.
“You can access your chambers through here. You are free to go to your own room. Make sure you have all items ready to leave tomorrow.”
“How long of a journey will it be?” Lily asked, wanting to be sure she had all she would need.
“A day or two between each estate.”
“How will we travel?” Lily asked.
“You’ll be inside a carriage. I will ride my steed.” Eduardo turned around and strode over to his far wall and pulled out a paper and ink well from a cabinet there. “You are free to look around. I have some correspondence to take care of.”
He waved her away with a shooing motion. Lily turned around and saw a doorway nearby. She moved toward it and saw a small sitting room that faced a window. Against the far wall was another open door. Lily moved toward it and found herself alone in her room from last night. A bunch of her clothes lay scattered across the bed and when she turned to find Ana coming out of the small closet to the side of her bed, she knew the girl would have her bags or trunks packed in plenty of time.
With the sounds of movement Ana made in shifting the trunk, Lily didn’t want it to disturb Eduardo as he worked, so she returned to the room he sat in and closed the door, then closed the second door that opened to her room from the sitting room in the middle.
If she could do anything to make him feel more at ease with her, she’d do it.
***
Eduardo tried to hold back the disappointment. In all his life, he had never expected his wedding to be so unpleasant. He’d been given a rare gem in the wife his father had chosen for him, but it would be almost impossible for her to come to love him. He couldn’t blame her.
He’d hoped maybe there could have been a little hint of romance for their future together, but she had pulled away from him the first moment she could. Then had implied she would only do her duty in regards to him. Things that she’d accept if told to, but not look at with any sense of interest.
And now, he found himself alone on his wedding day, working on his letters while she disappeared into her own room and closed both doors behind her. A sure indication she would not welcome him at all.
It would take a while, he had not doubt, but Eduardo would do what he could to woo his wife.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lily was surprised that the carriage wasn’t as uncomfortable as she’d imagined it would be. Apart from Ana, Lily was alone inside the carriage, so she placed a pillow and a blanket across the seat and lay down on it. She’d shrugged when Ana gave her a look and explained. “Why should I sit up and try to show proper manners, when no one is here to see it. Besides, you have to admit this is more comfortable than hitting your head against the walls of the carriage whenever we hit a particularly rough patch of road.”
Ana nodded her agreement and eventually was persuaded to try laying on her side as well.
“See,” Lily said. “So much better. And if we have to travel to four or five different estates, I’d rather not be worn out when we get there.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” Ana replied.
Lily closed her eyes and allowed herself to wonder what she’d really gotten involved in. Where was the romance? Why was she here?
Eduardo truly wasn’t interested in her. She’d been left alone last night, which in itself was actually a relief, because she had only met the man the day before. But he had made no effort to talk to her and when she’d tried to speak with him, he just waved her away as if he couldn’t be bothered to learn more about her.
Ana had awakened her early in the morning, informing her that she’d be leaving soon and had been bustled out into the carriage to go visit the other nobles.
It seemed odd the way they did it and Lily wondered why none of them had been in attendance at the wedding. Did they all despise the king that much? And would the king allow that, or if he truly was as horrid as Eduardo indicated he was, wouldn’t he rule his kingdom with an iron fist and demand all his subjects bow to him and attend the wedding of his son?
The whole thing seemed odd and Lily wanted to beg Lachele to come get her, but every time she considered calling for the fairy godmother-like woman, Lily felt the strongest impression that she should wait.
But wait for what?
Would she be in danger here?
As if her thought conjured it, a shout of warning broke through the air.
“Get her away from here!” Eduardo’s voice echoed just before the carriage rocketed forward as the driver shouted at the horses.
Lily tried to sit up, but was knocked back as the carriage bounced on the dirt road. She tried to look out the window to see what was happening, but felt Ana yank her down to the small spot where their feet would have rested.
“Stay down.”
“What’s happening?
” Lily asked.
“Bandits or robbers.”
“What about the prince and his men? Will they be all right?”
“I don’t know, Your Highness. They will have a fighting chance being on a horse that can run its own way. We have to stay on the roads. As long as the horse and driver aren’t injured or killed, we should be able to get away.”
Lily stared in horror at her maid. Did things like this actually happen in real life? Were there bandits that would kidnap her and hold her for ransom, or worse?
The carriage continued to rock and jostle them violently as the driver above them shouted for the horses to keep going.
When no sounds of pursuit could be heard, Lily gripped her maid’s hands in her own and the two slowly sat up, still keeping their bodies on the floor of the carriage instead of returning to the seat benches. As much as she wanted to look out the window and see what there was, she didn’t dare.
Eventually, the horse and carriage began to slow, and the driver above called out. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”
“Yes,” Lily croaked, then clearing her throat, spoke louder. “Yes. What happened? Are we still in danger?”
“There is no one in pursuit, Your Highness,” the driver spoke, sounding winded and still cautious.
“Who were they?” Lily asked.
“A group of marauders, looking for an easy target. They’ll not bother us again. Not after Prince Eduardo and his men have at them.”
“Did you see the prince?” Lily asked. “Was he harmed?”
“No, Your Highness. Have no fear for our Prince Eduardo. He can handle himself.”
Lily placed her hand across her chest, trying to calm down her racing heart. She looked at Ana who nodded and offered her hand to assist Lily in getting untangled from the skirts that had wrapped themselves around her legs.
When she found her seating on the bench, she heard the sounds of hoof beats closing in on them.
“Is that them?” Lily asked.
“Here!” the driver called as the horses neared.
“I think it’s the prince,” Ana said.
“I sure hope so,” Lily said.
Yet the sound of the horses pawing the ground right outside her carriage door terrified her. The door burst open and Lily squeaked in panic.
“Are you hurt?” Eduardo shouted.
Lily brought her hands to her throat and his eyes went there immediately before boring into her eyes.
“Are you hurt?” he demanded.
She shook her head. “No, Your Highness.” She looked at Ana then back to him. “We’re both fine.”
“Good,” Eduardo grumbled then slammed the door. She could see only a bit of him through the curtained window but saw him wave to the coachman. “Drive on. We need to get to safety. Diego needs care.”
“What happened?” Lily asked after sticking her head out the window.
“Was pinked with a dagger. Nothing deadly yet. But will need attention.”
Eduardo instructed his driver to head out again, making any other questions she had impossible.
***
Eduardo was incredibly relieved nothing had befallen his new wife. To be set upon by marauders on the way to Enseñada estate was unfortunate. He’d have to be sure to inform António that the lands he traveled through were not safe. If things like this happened often, he would have to be sure to do something about it.
He had let his mind to wander too much as they had traveled and did not keep as sharp an eye on his surroundings, allowing the ruffians to get too close in the first place.
If anything had happened to Liliana, he was sure he’d never forgive himself. When he’d opened the door of the carriage to see her sitting there healthy and unharmed, it made him realize he wanted her in his life. He had been fortunate to have her brought to him, no matter that it was against his will. With the look of relief in her eyes as he opened the door, Eduardo knew he would do anything he could to make her look at him that way again.
They would travel for more than another seven miles and be lucky to reach the estate before nightfall. They would need to stop in a few hours for a repast. Perhaps he’d be able to sit with her a moment and have a conversation. He wanted to know more about her and if she couldn’t get away, maybe he’d have a chance.
***
Lily adjusted her skirts in order to stand up and exit the carriage. When she lifted her head after she had a hold of the fabric, she saw Eduardo standing to the side of the carriage with one hand raised to assist her out. Lily placed her hand in his and smiled briefly in thanks, then looked down at her feet, moving the bulky fabric again in order to be sure she placed her foot on the step out of the carriage.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Lily said.
“Of course,” Eduardo answered.
Lily removed her hand from his, not wanting to make him uncomfortable at her touch and she turned to look at Ana as she descended from the carriage with the assistance of another staff member.
“Where are we?” Lily asked. The village in front of her was primitive and the smells of animals and fireplaces managed to overpower most other smells. Two men walked with a third who seemed to be limping and Lily wondered if that was the one who’d been injured. He was taken inside a building and she hoped he would be cared for well. The thought of not having a hospital or doctor around made her nervous.
“This is the village Soriseth. We will take a break for a moment and get ourselves a meal before continuing on. I felt you might like to get out and walk around a bit.”
“Sounds lovely,” Lily replied. “Riding for such long hours can get rather tiresome. I appreciate the chance to walk around.” She smiled at Eduardo and could see he was pleased with her comment.
One of the men who had accompanied them stepped out of a building. “I have engaged the mistress of the house to provide us a meal. Won’t be long.”
Eduardo nodded then offered his arm to Lily. “Would you care to join me?”
Lily looked around, wondering what they might do, or where they might go. The green hillside, not far from where the little huts were nestled at the base, looked inviting. Lily placed her hand on his arm and began walking with him.
“It is a lovely village,” Lily said. “I haven’t seen such natural beauty in some time.”
“Is Durham so much different?”
“The area around my home was different. I did not have much opportunity to go out and explore the surrounding lands. I thank you for taking me around your nation.”
Eduardo met her eyes and smiled. “I’m happy to be of service.”
“Though I must say, meeting up with those bandits on the road was a surprise. Does that happen a lot here?” Lily looked at him as she spoke and felt the muscles of his arm tighten at her question.
“I am ashamed to think you were put in danger. I can assure you, the matter will be rectified.”
Lily looked at him, but the anger in his expression worried her. Had she offended him? She didn’t mean to imply it was his fault. She knew things in the past had always been so much different than what she had experienced in a more modern society.
“Thank you for keeping me safe,” Lily said, hoping to put him at ease.
Eduardo only nodded curtly as they continued walking. She didn’t mind the silence as they stretched their legs and walked a short distance up the hill before turning around at the call from below that a meal was ready. As they neared the old road where the carriage and horses were, she looked at the prince.
“How much more traveling will there be today?”
“We should reach castle Enseñada by night-fall.”
“Will your man who was injured continue on with us?”
“Yes. Diego can still ride. It will pain him, but he’ll be fine.”
“Should he perhaps ride inside the carriage with us?”
Eduardo looked at her and she wondered if she had made a serious mistake. Would she be in trouble for asking that a man ride inside with t
hem? Was that something completely inappropriate?
“You would allow a servant to ride inside with you?”
“He’s injured. If the carriage would be easier on him, of course he should be allowed inside.”
“It would make things less comfortable for you.”
Lily tilted her head as she considered him. Did he think she was some spoiled and pampered little girl that didn’t care for anyone beside herself? Was that the impression he’d been given of her?
“There is enough room to spare. Ana and I could sit on one bench, and your man could ride on the other.”
Eduardo studied her for a few moments more, then turned toward the house where the meal prepared for them would be. “We’ll make the decision after we eat. By then we can see how Diego fares.”
The door of the house opened again and Eduardo allowed her to step inside first. Lily was surprised at the conditions inside. The floor was packed dirt. There was only a wooden table with a bench and a few stools, and a fireplace along a wall with a pot hanging from a metal hook.
It wasn’t filthy to the point she feared for her health or safety, it just lacked most anything that could be considered an amenity. The woman near the side of the stove had a small child that stood next to her, his face buried in her long skirts, while a girl, probably no older than seven, held a baby on her hip as she placed wooden bowls on the table.
There were no lights apart from the fireplace and a window with some light fabric stretched across it. But the woman seemed happy to have them in her home.
She lifted the pot of stew off the hook and carried it to the table, then used a long wooden ladle to scoop up a delicious smelling stew into the bowls.
Lily met the woman’s eyes briefly before she ducked her head and looked away as if afraid she’d done something wrong. Lily allowed Eduardo to lead her to the stool near the table and once Lily sat down, she looked at the woman again.
RELUCTANT ROYAL, THE Page 3