It was so peaceful, so quiet, so serene. She was dragged out of her reverie by the distinctive sound of hooves. Leaning forward, she stared in awe at the midnight-black animal with the man leaning over the saddle.
Prince Tomas, she guessed, watching as horse and rider easily cleared a tall hedge and then another. She might not think much of the man, but she could admire the way he handled his horse. They were like one. She stood there watching them until they were out of sight. Pulling her wrap around her, she went back inside to get changed and ready for bed. She was ready to start this new chapter in her life.
*****
"Easy," Tomas said, patting the horse's flank soothingly as he tugged on the reins. "Easy," he murmured in the flattened ear. "Slow now, slow." The gentle magnetic tone worked like magic and had the skittish animal steadying to a trot. Rubbing his gloved hand over the sleek coat, he continued to guide the animal along the narrow path leading to the river.
Coming to a stop, he vaulted effortlessly from the saddle and looped the reins over some saplings. Not that he had any fear of Zahra bolting. The animal was loyal to a fault and responded to his voice. Only his voice. The ride had emptied his head of troubling thoughts, but now they were back. He had had to go in to change into his riding habit. The place was large enough that he had no chance of a meeting with his mother or the woman she insisted on keeping on.
That was good. But the very idea that she was still here and that she was going to stay was enough to send him into a very dark mood.
He had gone to his suite, changed, and headed back out. He would avoid them both for as long as possible, though avoiding his mother might pose a challenge because they were both required to attend functions. Kicking at a stone, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared off at the winking lights of the town square.
He could try and adjust, he thought reluctantly. For his mother's sake, he could try and get along with this woman. After all, she was just an employee, and their interaction would be extremely limited. He had done that before with the others, but those times it had been for completely different reasons. They had fancied themselves in love with him.
He had a strict rule, one that had been laid down by his father. No sleeping with the help.
The king might have been a man of loose standards when it came to his marriage, but he was adamant about that sort of thing. "As soon as you start encouraging that kind of behavior, you start lowering your standards. We are royalty and we should behave as such."
Tomas had no love for the old man and had certainly not liked the fact that he blatantly cheated on his wife without giving a thought to her feelings, but he had agreed with him there. Yes, he decided. He was going to try and get along with the assistant. He would be polite and courteous when he came in contact with her, which wouldn't be often. He would see to it.
That decision made, he turned and walked back to his horse. It was getting chilly and the scent of rain was in the air.
*****
She jumped out of her sleep, the scream trapped inside her throat. The dream had been so real that she turned her head, expecting to see Brian propped up on the pillows next to her. But she was not at her place or his. This bed was bigger and firmer, and the room was larger with an entirely different décor. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and willed her heart to slow its beat.
She was going to get over him, she vowed silently. He was not worth one minute of her time. Rubbing her hands over her face, she took a good look at the view from the window.
The drapes were half drawn, allowing her to witness the pearly dawn of the new day. It had rained last night. She had sat on the window seat. A window seat! She had sat there, curled up on plump cushions and felt like a fairy princess, and watched the rain drumming on the pane. Now the place was washed clean, the green of the grass even more dazzling.
Water was dripping off the branches of trees she did not recognize. The queen had told her that they were prone to sudden bursts from the sky, which sometimes came without warning.
It was a lovely view. And she had nothing to do except enjoy it. She could ring for her meal when she felt hungry.
She had asked the queen about that special privilege of being waited on, telling the woman she was not used to it and could very well pick up after herself.
The queen had laughed, eyes twinkling merrily. "As soon as you start your job, you're going to be grateful that you have someone picking up after you. I happen to be a hard taskmaster." Shehad eyed Antoinette thoughtfully. "I hope you're up for the challenge."
"I thrive on challenges."
"Good."
Stretching languidly, she relieved the crick in her neck and shoved the quilt aside.
Padding to the delightful bathroom, she just stood there admiring the quaint claw-foot bath and promised herself that sometime today she would take advantage of it.
But first, she was going to wait for the sun to start rising before taking a walk. She wanted to explore as much as she could before the work consumed her. Queen Sofia had given her leave to go wherever she wanted to.
"That reminds me," she announced as soon as they were getting ready to leave the salon. "There are vehicles in the garage. You're to choose the one you're most comfortable driving. My son's toys are grouped over to the left. You'll know the ones belonging to him as soon as you see them. He likes fast cars."
And fast women. The thought had come unbidden to her mind.
"You'll be going on errands to the bank and other places. I entertain a lot as well. We have associates from out of town who come in every now and then for meetings. So, my dear, get as much rest as you can, because after tomorrow, you'll be quite run off your feet."
She would rest and have her meals brought to her room.
"Sundays are always relaxing. I sleep in and have brunch either in my suite or with my son, if he's around. And then I spend most of the afternoon taking care of personal correspondence."
Dragging her hands through her hair, she watched as the thick strands tumbled down over her shoulders. She had thought about getting it cut before she came as it would be easier to handle, but it was her best asset, and she had been reluctant to get rid of even a few inches.
"It's time to start living again, honey," she told herself firmly, looking in the mirror. "The past is all the way behind you."
