Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
More than that, my father had loved my mother dearly, even though their marriage had been cut short by her illness shortly after I was born.
It was a low blow to use her name, but it was powerful enough to hit my father where it hurt.
Right now, with this sick, twisting knot building in my stomach, I wanted to hurt him.
Annie hurried after me as I stormed down the hallway. “Lady Alicia, are you—”
“When I reach my room, send for Bella and run my bath,” I ordered. “I will take dinner in my bedroom this evening. Instruct everyone that I do not wish to be disturbed, even if the house is burning down.”
“Yes, my lady,” Annie replied softly. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Yes,” I said, looking back at her. “Pray that I’m dreaming.”
Chapter Eleven
The Worth of a Woman
“Up.” Bella clapped her hands. “Annie, get those blankets off her.”
Annie yanked them away from me, but I reached out and grabbed them, engaging in a paltry tug of war that resulted in my win.
“No. Leave me alone,” I said, burrowing back under them.
“Absolutely not!” This time, Bella was the one who grabbed the blankets, and she was much stronger than me. “You’ve been wallowing in self-pity for the last two days and you must bathe. To speak frankly, you smell like the knights’ quarters, my lady.”
Annie gasped. “Miss Bella!”
My sentiments exactly, Annie.
I had a vague memory of visiting the knights’ living quarters once after a big training session.
Basically, Bella was saying that I smelt like a men’s locker room.
“You have no choice. You have guests coming this afternoon.”
“I don’t want to see them. Tell them to go away,” I grumbled.
“Lady Vivian thought you might say that, so she told me to tell you that she will break down your bedroom door if you do not receive her and Lady Sasha.” Bella sniffed. “We’ve already drawn your bath, so let’s not waste water.”
“You sound like my mother.”
“I’m not nearly old nor elegant enough to dare to dream of assuming such a position, my lady.”
The age part was true. She was the same age as me, after all.
“You will feel much better after bathing.”
“All right, fine, fine. I’ll bathe.” I dragged my heavy body out of bed and allowed myself to be steered into my bathroom. I shed my nightclothes and got into the bath, sinking down into the hot water.
It felt good.
Not that I was going to tell Bella she was right.
Annie and Bella got to work. Annie massaged my hand while Bella washed my hair, and I let my eyes settle shut as they pampered me.
This was one part of this life I could get behind.
I did not miss washing or drying my own hair, and the hair I had now was infinitely thicker and longer than mine had been in my past life.
“Forgive my impudence, but is a marriage to the Grand Duke really this disastrous that you must forlornly take to your bed, my lady?” Annie asked, massaging my fingers. “I would have thought him one of, if not the, most eligible bachelor in the empire. He is rather handsome and quite powerful.”
“He’s also quite fearsome, if the rumours are to be believed,” I replied.
“But you danced together at the ball.”
“I hardly had a choice. To reject his offer would be a slight against the Imperial Family.” I sighed. “Don’t misunderstand—he’s a perfectly suitable marriage partner, but he’s one I do not desire for myself. I don’t believe we are compatible in any way.”
“I’m not sure, my lady,” Bella said, massaging my scalp. “Does anyone really know anything for sure about the Grand Duke? All we have are rumours. Given that the nobles are split into two factions between the princes, there’s every chance those rumours might have been exaggerated.”
No, Bella.
I’ve read this book.
They’re not all exaggerated at all.
“I heard he cut off a servant’s hands after they were caught stealing from the kitchen in Stein Castle,” Annie said, moving to the other side of the tub for my other hand. “And that he beheaded one of his aides in His Highness’ own bedroom after they were found to have been spying on him for the Empress.”
Yeah.
The second one was true, at least according to the book.
Maybe I was a little cuckoo in the head, but I thought it was a relatively reasonable reaction. Although I might have chosen a room without a carpet.
Blood was a pig to get out of fabric.
Huh. Maybe we were somewhat compatible after all.
“Then perhaps his aide shouldn’t have been spying,” I replied blithely.
“It would serve as quite the deterrent for others, my lady.” Bella rinsed my hair. “That said, Stein is quite beautiful. The winters can be harsh, and I believe there’s snow on the ground there even now as we enter spring, but the community in the local towns and villages are unlike any other.”