Chapter15
There's only one word to describe what it's like to sit with Lady Elizabeth in the mountain solar while her mother sits with Mama and Veronica at a separate table.
Awkward.
The other woman is sitting as if she has something down the back of her dress, and has barely touched her tea, neither of which seem to be good signs about how this is going.
"Would you like some tart?"I ask her, gesturing to the beautiful-looking frangipane that Nate and I made.
She looks it over."What is it?"
"It's a frangipane tart," I say."It's a sweet pastry case with..."
"I don't care for pastry," Lady Elizabeth responds.
"I can ask for some cake instead, I'm sure that there are some delicious options in the kitchen."I'm not sure what, but I know that Nate will have something.
"No, thank you.I don't like sweet things."
"Oh."I look around the room as if hoping to find something that can save me from the increased awkwardness now building.Mama gives me a look that I think is supposed to be encouraging, but doesn'tfeellike it is."I can ask the servants to bring something savoury, if you prefer?Our pastry chef makes delicious cheese scones."
"No, thank you," Lady Elizabeth responds."I prefer not to eat between meals."
I blink a couple of times."Aren't you hungry before dinner?"Even as I ask the question, I know that it's the wrong thing to say, but it's already out of my mouth by the time I realise it.
It's hard to read the other woman's expression, but she doesn't seem particularly impressed by my question."I'm afraid that my dresses wouldn't be as comfortable if I did that."
I frown, not really understanding what she means.If Mama is to be believed, her family has plenty of money and are perfectly capable of having her dresses fitted to her.
"I don't mind," she continues as if she hasn't just said something ludicrous."Some things are worth it.Surely you know what I mean, Your Highness.Don't you want to look your best in the latest fashions?"
"I'd rather have the cake," I mutter under my breath.
"Hmm."
I clear my throat, reminding myself of the list of questions Veronica helped me come up with."What do you enjoy doing, Lady Elizabeth?"
"I play the violin," she responds.
I grimace even at the thought of the screechy sound, though perhaps I'm being unfair thanks to my ineptitude on the instrument.
"And I enjoy watching the birds," she continues without acknowledging my reaction.Which is probably for the best, I think it's probably on the list of things Mama specifically doesn't want me to do when interacting with people.
"Do you have a favourite bird?"I ask, even though I'm not particularly interested, it just seems like the right thing to ask.
"Native to Falhaven, I would say that it has to be the sparrow.There's a nest outside my bedroom window, though I suppose if I were to move to the castle, that would no longer be the case."
I clear my throat.There's no doubt in my mind that Lady Elizabeth willnotbe moving to the castle.Even if I weren't in love with Nate, I don't think I could be with someone who has no interest in cake."I'm sure we have a nest here somewhere."
"You don't know?"she asks, potentially seeming a little disappointed.
"I don't even know what a sparrow looks like," I admit.
"Then perhaps we should go bird watching for our next engagement," she responds."Her Majesty has assured me that your social calendar has room for me."
"I wasn't aware of that."I resist the urge to look at Mama."I'm sure she's correct."Mostly because she's making sure that she is.
Lady Elizabeth smiles at me, and for the first time, it feels like it's genuine."I also enjoy swimming.In the summer that is."
