The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)(18)

“You’re the primary lady-in-waiting,” Nora said before I could reply. “Everyone would answer to you.”

“I expect you to be fair,” I cautioned her, “but, yes, you outrank everyone who comes after.”

She sighed. “Fine.” She looked at me, her eyes clearly disappointed. “If you’ll excuse me, my lady, I have a headache. And it seems you have someone else to tend you now.”

With that she stormed off, the slamming door echoing in her wake.

“I guess I couldn’t have expected that to go any better,” Nora admitted.

“It will take a lot to undo everything that’s passed between you two,” I replied.

“Yes. I have to say, with how . . . distant we’ve all been with her, I’m surprised you’re willing to give me a chance at all.”

I turned to her. “Well, I’m a big supporter of second chances. I’m hoping that Delia Grace will give you one as well. And that you’ll try to make a new start with her.”

Her discomfort was written across her face as she worked up the nerve to answer. “That might be nice. Sometimes . . . it’s easier being at court when all the negative attention is on someone else, if that make sense.”

I sighed. “Yes. Yes, it does.”

She gave a sad shrug. “My family has scandals of its own—almost all noble families do—but it made life here easier knowing there was someone to direct all the gossip at.”

“I understand. But that is all in the past. Sooner or later, you will have to offer her an apology. I need your help, but I cannot be without her.”

She nodded. “I won’t let you down, my lady. I’m pleased beyond words just to be a part of this. You’re going to be in the history books. Do you realize that?”

I took in a shaky breath through my smile. “I do. . . . I think that’s why I’m so nervous.”

Nora kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry. You have Delia Grace, and now you have me.”

Before I could thank her, my mother burst through the door, looking as if she was ready to wage war.

She looked between Nora and me, Nora’s hands still in mine, and pointed an accusing finger. “Did you really let that girl into your household?”

After a moment of shock, I understood. “I assume you ran into Delia Grace.”

“I did.”

“I wonder why you finally saw fit to take anything she says seriously. Could it be because she brought up a piece of my life you forgot to wrap your hands around?”

She didn’t deny it. She didn’t say she was looking out for me, or that there was a better way to go about it that I hadn’t considered. It was just one more thing that was meant to be mine but, in her eyes, wasn’t.

“What makes you think you have the capacity to arrange your own household?” she spat. “I expected you to keep Delia Grace; there was no way around that.” She rolled her eyes, bitter that the only friend I’d had at the castle chose to stay by my side. “And I’ll allow this because Nora is of a more reputable family than most, but from here on in, your father and I will be choosing your ladies. Is that understood?”

It was exhausting, bearing the weight of her constant demands. Was it not enough that I was all but betrothed to a king? No one else could have given her that; a son couldn’t have given her that.

She huffed and stormed out as quickly as she’d come.

“Don’t worry,” Nora whispered. “I’ve got an idea.”

Delia Grace was in the garden, stripping petals from the flowers and tossing them at the ground. It was a place we both loved and often retreated to. In a world where everything was fast and people were always chasing after something, the garden was a breath of quiet.

But not for long.

“How could you go complain to my mother?” I called, marching across the grass. “She’s now demanding to build my entire household. Don’t you think her choices would be far worse than anyone I could choose?”

Delia Grace rolled her eyes. “Your mother has some sense about her. That’s more than I can say for you.”

“We can’t stay alone in my room forever! Eventually, we’re going to have to find out who we can trust and who we can’t.”

She laughed shrilly. “And you think the best place to start is with the person who teased me the most for the last ten years?”

“Nora was wrong, and she told me so. I think she’s too ashamed to admit it to you yet, but she knows she has a lot to make up for.”

“Oh, yes, I’m sure you inviting her into your household has nothing to do with her sudden change of heart.”

I sighed. “Even if it does, shouldn’t we take it? This is why I didn’t tell you what I was thinking. Nora’s the only lady at court beyond you I thought I could ask for help. But I knew you would prevent it if you could.”

She just sat there, shaking her head.

“Didn’t you say I should make a household?” I reminded her. “Weren’t you the one who wanted me to learn more, be better?”

At that, she finally stood. “Would you please stop throwing my own ideas in my face?” She took a few deep breaths, wiping at her forehead as if she could erase the worry in her creased brow. “Next time, would you please tell me? Before you add someone, would you let me know? Then I can brace myself.”