the
aforementioned cousin when she met him by chance, but that she
could maneuver herself into a position within the Palace via
William. She could then be privy to whatever conversations might
take place that she could then warn her family about. Gertie had
her mind set on winning the heart of William and thus presented to
the monarchy as his girlfriend.
Ophelia had to smile when the man who had
come to the front gates informed them that it was his wife who was
second cousin to the King and that William was only a servant
traveling with them to help with the horses and other chores. She
had to admit that Gertie’s face kept well the surprise that Ophelia
knew that she must have felt.
The sisters were extremely lucky that the
actual cousin to the King was with child and that Gertie might be
able to stay to help her. Ophelia also felt lucky that she had
traveled to the Palace today with her sister. If she hadn’t, she
would not be standing next to this very nice looking young man
right now. Ophelia had been deep in her head with these thoughts
and almost missed what William was now telling her.
“We shall be here for quite some time. I have
known Julia since I was a small boy and fell on hard times. It was
Julia who let me help out with the chores and horses at her home. I
was all alone in the world and Julia saw me one day at a market
place. She took pity of my poor appearance and asked me if I would
be willing to help her carry her purchases. I was happy to do so
and since that day, Julia and I have been close.” William paused
for a moment as if going over every detail of that day in his mind
before he continued.
“When they decided to make this trip, Julia
asked me if I could accompany them. I believe it helps her to have
a friendly face around her while she is with child.” William
said.
“Other than her husband’s friendly face?”
Ophelia teased, remembering the scowl on the man who had just taken
her sister into the Palace.
“If your sister stays to help Julia, I shall
keep a watchful eye on her. I know that Julia’s husband, Mathew, is
planning to leave soon with the King and his men, but I don’t trust
him around any young maiden. Your sister possesses a beauty that I
have never seen before.” William stated.
Ophelia did not comment and then William
turned to her and said “Of course, all that red hair blinds you in
the daylight. I rather like the shine of your hair much better.
Your sister is not the only one with beauty.” He said, also finding
the dirt of the stable floor very interesting all of a sudden.
“Thank ye, William, but I would be blind not
to see what a special radiance follows my sister. She shines from
the inside out. She likes to have fun and tease, but that one has a
heart of gold to go with all of that red hair on her head. I am
proud to be her sister, and do not feel her great beauty makes me
less.”
When Gertie walked out of the Palace gates
she did not see her sister, nor William. She felt a stab of fear
for her sibling, but then she heard laughter.
“There you are.” Ophelia called to her
sister. “You were gone a long time. Did you get to meet the King’s
cousin?” Ophelia said smiling, clearly teasing her sister for
believing that William was not only the King’s cousin, but also her
future husband.
“I did. Julia offered me the job and she is
heavy with child.”
“And you are to do, what, exactly? I forget
Gertrude, tell me again what is it you are so qualified to do?”
Gertie ignored her sister and instead turned
to William. “William, Julia said to take one of the smaller wagons
and make sure my sister gets home safely. I will be staying
here.”
“With no clothes?” Ophelia asked.
“It should be fine, Ophelia. Tell momma I am
sorry I did not get to say goodbye. William, may I have a moment
alone with Ophelia?”
“Aye, I’ll go round up the wagons. Be right
back, Ophelia.” William said, smiling.
When he was out of earshot
aforementioned cousin when she met him by chance, but that she
could maneuver herself into a position within the Palace via
William. She could then be privy to whatever conversations might
take place that she could then warn her family about. Gertie had
her mind set on winning the heart of William and thus presented to
the monarchy as his girlfriend.
Ophelia had to smile when the man who had
come to the front gates informed them that it was his wife who was
second cousin to the King and that William was only a servant
traveling with them to help with the horses and other chores. She
had to admit that Gertie’s face kept well the surprise that Ophelia
knew that she must have felt.
The sisters were extremely lucky that the
actual cousin to the King was with child and that Gertie might be
able to stay to help her. Ophelia also felt lucky that she had
traveled to the Palace today with her sister. If she hadn’t, she
would not be standing next to this very nice looking young man
right now. Ophelia had been deep in her head with these thoughts
and almost missed what William was now telling her.
“We shall be here for quite some time. I have
known Julia since I was a small boy and fell on hard times. It was
Julia who let me help out with the chores and horses at her home. I
was all alone in the world and Julia saw me one day at a market
place. She took pity of my poor appearance and asked me if I would
be willing to help her carry her purchases. I was happy to do so
and since that day, Julia and I have been close.” William paused
for a moment as if going over every detail of that day in his mind
before he continued.
“When they decided to make this trip, Julia
asked me if I could accompany them. I believe it helps her to have
a friendly face around her while she is with child.” William
said.
“Other than her husband’s friendly face?”
Ophelia teased, remembering the scowl on the man who had just taken
her sister into the Palace.
“If your sister stays to help Julia, I shall
keep a watchful eye on her. I know that Julia’s husband, Mathew, is
planning to leave soon with the King and his men, but I don’t trust
him around any young maiden. Your sister possesses a beauty that I
have never seen before.” William stated.
Ophelia did not comment and then William
turned to her and said “Of course, all that red hair blinds you in
the daylight. I rather like the shine of your hair much better.
Your sister is not the only one with beauty.” He said, also finding
the dirt of the stable floor very interesting all of a sudden.
“Thank ye, William, but I would be blind not
to see what a special radiance follows my sister. She shines from
the inside out. She likes to have fun and tease, but that one has a
heart of gold to go with all of that red hair on her head. I am
proud to be her sister, and do not feel her great beauty makes me
less.”
When Gertie walked out of the Palace gates
she did not see her sister, nor William. She felt a stab of fear
for her sibling, but then she heard laughter.
“There you are.” Ophelia called to her
sister. “You were gone a long time. Did you get to meet the King’s
cousin?” Ophelia said smiling, clearly teasing her sister for
believing that William was not only the King’s cousin, but also her
future husband.
“I did. Julia offered me the job and she is
heavy with child.”
“And you are to do, what, exactly? I forget
Gertrude, tell me again what is it you are so qualified to do?”
Gertie ignored her sister and instead turned
to William. “William, Julia said to take one of the smaller wagons
and make sure my sister gets home safely. I will be staying
here.”
“With no clothes?” Ophelia asked.
“It should be fine, Ophelia. Tell momma I am
sorry I did not get to say goodbye. William, may I have a moment
alone with Ophelia?”
“Aye, I’ll go round up the wagons. Be right
back, Ophelia.” William said, smiling.
When he was out of earshot
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