Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(7)

“Lady Pembroke has come to visit her sister,” she says.

I try not to let my irritation manifest. Bianca Bradshaw brought her own sister back to Athelia and accused Kat of identity theft, forcing Kat to attend a highly publicized trial. She had caused great pain to my wife, and being of an unforgiving nature (unfortunately), I never think of her without resentment.

“Have you any other reason coming down here and informing me of her visit?”

Amelie purses her lips, her face marred with an uneasy frown. I wonder what is troubling her, when she approaches my desk.

“Forgive me if it isn’t my place to say this, Your Highness,” she says in a low voice. “But where has my mistress gone to?”

She knows. Obviously. Having served Kat for more than a year, Amelie could tell that Katriona Bradshaw is profoundly different to Kat, no matter how much they may look alike.

“The woman in your suite, who is currently talking to Lady Pembroke, is not the same woman as the one you married.”

I raise my head. Amelie is staring at me, her eyes expectant, like I should provide her the answers.

“Has she been troubling you?”

“Not particularly, but…” Amelie shakes her head. “I… I was merely wondering…”

“Worry not about her.” I fold my arms. “As a matter of fact, I am planning to divorce her. She won’t be your mistress for much longer.”

Something like hope springs into her eyes. “And then our princess will be back?”

I look away. “You have duties to attend to, Amelie. Run along.”

The question remains in her eyes, but being discreet, as she has always been trained, she refrains from further speech. She curtsies and quits the room.



* * *



It is evening when I return to the suite. Much to my annoyance, Bianca Bradshaw has not gone yet. She is leaning against the back of the sofa while Katriona Bradshaw sits across her. I grit my teeth. They are occupying this place as though it were their property. If I had my way, I would turn them out in an instant.

For that moment, I am glad that Father had instructed me to keep my emotions in check, and to show a blank, emotionless face when necessary. This is what I must present to the Bradshaw girls.

“Good evening, Lady Pembroke.” I incline my head briefly. “I see that you have enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with your sister.”

She glances at me warily, and then flashes a brilliant smile. “It was pleasant indeed. How was your afternoon, Your Highness?”

“The usual,” I say.

“I suppose I should be going,” Bianca says with a tinkling laugh. Whereupon Katriona rises and touches her arm. “Please don’t go yet, Bianca. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“Not tonight,” I say. I will not tolerate the presence of Bianca Bradshaw at the same table. Not if I can help it.

“But…” Katriona looks reluctant to be parted from her sister. Perhaps this is a good thing. If she prefers the company of her sister, then she might be more willing to be released from this marriage. While I do sympathize with her plight, I cannot bring myself to act anything more than I would towards a casual acquaintance. For that is all I am willing to show. Nothing more, not even friendship.

“We need to talk,” I say. “Lady Pembroke, I suggest that you return another time.” There is a finality in my tone that both sisters dare not defy. However, were Kat to hear me, she would chide me and say there is no need for me to be so cold. My heart hardens when I think of Kat. Even though I know that Kat would be ripped away from me without the Bradshaw girls doing anything, it does not make my temperament towards them more amenable.

When Bianca has left, I place myself in an armchair as far as possible from Katriona.

“How do you find the life here?”

She colors and looks at her hands, darting a gaze at the furniture. “It…it has surpassed anything I had imagined, Your High… Edward.”

I cannot help but feel irritated when she calls me by my name. I want her to call me by my title, but I know the servants would be suspicious. “Did you know that you are also patron of the first girls’ school in Athelia?”

“A school for girls?” She frowns. “An extraordinary thing. How can there be a school for girls when there are governesses and tutors for their lessons?”

I explain the duties that Kat had carried out, and try to make them sound as onerous as possible. “Now that you know the numerous duties a princess has, why not consider an alternative?”

Instantly, she takes on a guarded expression. She may not attract as much attention as her sister, but she is no simpleton. “I am all ears.”

“You are well aware that I bear no attachment to you. I very much doubt you have feelings for me either. Therefore, I propose that we go separate ways. I shall have my accountant draw up an allowance for you. As former wife of the prince, I do not think you will have much difficulty acquiring another partner. If you…”

She holds up a hand. “Are you saying you do not want me here?”

I look away. There are times that I have to make myself look away. She looks so similar to Kat that I am afraid my acute longing for my wife may weaken my resolution to distance Katriona. “You know as well as I that a relationship between us is impossible.”