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"Well, this is it," my benefactor, whose name I had found out was Henry, said to me. He was still looking at me like he was unsure if he had done the right thing by bringing me here.
"You’ll never know how much you saved me today," I tell him in a quivering voice, a sudden onslaught of gratitude coming over me for this stranger who had taken a chance on me...the crazy girl.
His face softens. "I hope you find whatever you're looking for," he says to me kindly.
A tear slides down my face. "I hope so too."
Chapter 2
Ididn't look back at Henry as I approach the front gates of the palace although I could feel his eyes following me as I walk, I’m sure curious...and a little afraid at what I was going to do.
Armed guards are stationed all around the walls, much more than I had remembered from my time here before. Suddenly, I realize how stupid I was to think I could just waltz right in to see James. He was the freaking King of England now.
It was unlikely very many people at the castle remembered me from before. James and I had only been betrothed for a short time before I had disappeared, it hadn’t even been announced yet. I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince the guards to let me in as a nobody.
I hear Henry take off in his carriage somewhere behind me. It feels like a safety blanket has been ripped away from me despite the fact that I didn't even know him. I’m once again all alone.
But that was the usual for me.
I’m stopped outside the new, foreboding looking iron gates by one of the guards.
“State your business, madam,” the tow-headed guard says to me in a rough voice. This guard obviously did not recognize me.
"I need to see the King." I tell him urgently, crossing my arms in front of my chest self-consciously as I remember once again what I’m wearing.
He laughs at me. “Everyone needs to see the King," he says sarcastically.
"This is important. He'll want to see me." I say urgently.
"This one’s prettier than the last wench who tried to get in. Too bad the King’s bed is rarely empty these days or else he might want to give her a try,” he jokes with his brunette companion guard.
A sick feeling fills my stomach at his insinuation. I shake it off. Really, who am I to judge? I’ve been with several other men. Even married one.
In my defense though, hundreds of years have passed. He’s only been without me for six years. I push my selfish thoughts out of my head. Because that's what they are, selfish. I was kidding myself if I thought that James and I would have an immediate happy reunion. Six years is still a lot of time for things to happen.
My heart still aches from losing him. Not for the first time I wonder if he mourned for me the way I’ve mourned for him.
"Please inform the King that Juliet Caris is waiting outside the gates," I try again in what I hope sounds like an authoritative voice.
The guard shakes his head. "Madam, you’re not getting in. If you want to offer your services, we can try them out first and give our recommendations to the King," he says with a lecherous chuckle.
The gate suddenly creaks open behind him. An old woman steps through with silver hair that glistens in the sun. She’s dressed in a simple lavender dress with a tidy white apron tied in the front of it. She stares at me intensely. "Did you say your last name was Caris?" she asks suspiciously, eyeing me up and down. She frowns when she sees my strange outfit.
I’ve got to get some new clothes.
She stares at me waiting for an answer. I don’t recognize her, and it seems like she doesn’t recognize me. Only my last name.
"Yes," I respond cautiously.
"Did you know a Margaret Caris?" she asks, and my heart jumps a bit at the mention of my mother’s name.
“My mother’s name was Margaret Caris,” I respond quietly.
“Your Mother?” she asks with wide eyes.
I nod.
There were questions in her eyes...questions, but also knowledge. No one ever mentioned my Mother if they could help it. Abandoning your husband and child was frowned upon no matter what time period you were in.
