Chapter 48

Hours later, hand in hand, Curtis and I walked back to the rose gardens. The music still wafted out of the open doors. I could see that people were actively leaving the party. It must be close to midnight. Surely Mother and Comfort would be wondering where I was. Curtis and I were just at the edge of the rose bushes when we heard a monotone voice.

“I am smitten with you. From the second I laid eyes on your beauty, my heart belonged to you alone,” the voice droned. “Will you marry me and become my queen?”

My mouth and Curtis’ fell open. We both knew that voice. I couldn’t stop myself; I peered around the rosebush. There, on one knee, was Hubert. And in front of him, her hands covering her mouth, was Cynthia!

“Yes!” she squealed and flung her arms around Hubert. He stood and stiffly patted her on the back.

“Very well, we must inform my father at once,” he said, and walked straight-backed to the open doors, Cynthia bobbing alongside him.

Curtis and I stood stunned, mouths still agape. Hubert and Cynthia? Hubert and Cynthia? I couldn’t believe what I had just seen!

I turned to Curtis. “Did that really just happen?”

Curtis shook himself. “Just… wow. Wow! I know Father told him to choose soon, but I didn’t think it would be that soon. Who knew tonight’s ball would spark so much romance? Two engaged couples—the Council will be thrilled. But I’ve never even seen that girl before.”

I gasped. Of course he hadn’t met her. “That is my stepsister, Cynthia!” I cried out, a little louder than I had intended. I hoped that the new couple were far enough away that they didn’t hear me and realize we had been eavesdropping, even if unintentionally.

Curtis goggled at me. “You know her? Wait, you have a stepsister? Your mom remarried?”

I nodded. “And Cynthia hates me.”

“Well, well, well, what an interesting turn of events this evening has had in store.” Curtis was clearly amused. “Who knew Hubert had it in him?”

“You know, as much as Cynthia and I don’t get along, I’m not sure I wish that future on her,” I mused.

“Why don’t you get along?” Curtis asked, gesturing me to sit.

“Well, it is a long story,” I answered, again kicking off my shoes.

“I have time,” Curtis smiled at me. “I will always have time for you.”

I grinned. Curtis always made me feel so confident and important. “Well, after we moved, there was a widower who lived not far from our manor,” I said. “Cynthia was his only child. She and Comfort used to talk a lot. That is how Cynthia’s father and Mother became acquainted and eventually got engaged. Because of my injury, I didn’t like to go out very often. I had only heard about Cynthia from Comfort. When we finally met, well, she said a couple things that… that…I am sure she didn’t mean. She was just surprised by my appearance, I guess.” I paused, using my toe to draw in the dirt, not wanting to look up. Curtis remained silent, waiting patiently for the rest of the story.

“Anyway,” I continued, “Comfort got all upset that Cynthia said those things, and they aren’t friends anymore, even though we are sisters now, and I think maybe she was too embarrassed to talk to me much. And then after her father and Mother married, he died not too long after.”

Curtis let out a long breath. “I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged. “I really didn’t know him that well, to tell you the truth. But after he died, Cynthia just kind of broke. I think having both her parents die and leaving her nowhere else to go made her very bitter. She didn’t want to stay with us but had no relatives.”

“So she hates you because she said something mean years ago?” Curtis asked, a little confused.

“No, that isn’t it,” I replied. “After her father passed away, we had to find a way to support ourselves.” It was a little awkward talking about our family’s financial situation with Curtis, since he would never worry about such things.

“Mother and Comfort opened a finishing school for girls. Dance lessons, hair styles, fashion and calligraphy, that sort of thing.”

“They would be good at that,” Curtis acknowledged.

I nodded in agreement. “And I would translate for people writing letters and business propositions, but again, people aren’t able to pay a whole lot in a small town, so I was working all the time too. We didn’t have the money to afford household help, so the bulk of it fell to Cynthia. I guess she feels like a servant, doing a lot of the cleaning and cooking.”

I felt like I needed to explain myself. “That wasn’t what we intended, I swear! We were just all so busy working all the time that we didn’t have time, and Cynthia didn’t have any marketable skills, so we just figured it made sense to… You know, have her do the stuff that she could.”

Curtis remained silent.

“I think Cynthia really is a nice person. She does a good job with cooking and the house is spotless. She just has a lot that she has been through. So… that is why she hates us I guess. To her, I am just an ugly stepsister. I bet she will be thrilled to leave our house now and become queen.”

I finished my story. Curtis sat digesting the information about his future sister-in-law, then slowly began to smile mischievously. His grin broadened until I could see every one of his teeth. I couldn’t understand what was so funny until he burst out, “Hubert is marrying a MAID???” He began to laugh until tears leaked from his eyes.

“Curtis, no!” I cried. “You mustn’t tease him about it. Cynthia would be so embarrassed!”

Curtis continued to laugh. I groaned. Just my luck to ruin the one good thing Cynthia had going for her. I grabbed Curtis’ jacket front and held on, shaking him slightly. “Please Curtis, don’t say anything about it. I don’t want her to feel bad!”

Curtis wiped at his streaming eyes. “I dunno, I don’t think I can keep quiet about that one! I wonder who will be the MAID of honor at their wedding?” and then he cracked up again, rolling around with hysterical laughter.

I rolled my eyes. Really. I had thought Curtis had matured over the years. But here he was, the same impish boy he had been when I had lived here.

I stood up, “I really should be on my way.” I turned to leave, holding my shoes in my hands so I could walk more quickly.

Curtis stopped laughing. “Aw Truly, don’t leave. Don’t be mad! I promise I won’t tease Hubert. Much.”

“Curtis!” I reprimanded sharply.

“Fine, fine, I won’t say anything about it.” Curtis stood up too and took my shoes from my hands. Without my shoes on, he was a full head taller than I. “Will you stay?”

I couldn’t stay mad at Curtis. “I suppose. As long as you behave yourself!”

Curtis shot me back a calculating look. “Hmmmm, behave myself. I’m not sure I can do that with you around.” He leaned forward and kissed me quickly. “Does that count as me behaving myself?”

I giggled. “I suppose.”

He kissed me again, longer this time. “Am I still behaving?”

“Less so than before,” I teased playfully.

Curtis let out a long pretend sigh. “Alas, milady, it is like I said—I cannot always behave myself around you.”

It was so refreshing to forget the life I had back at the manor, to have fun, to feel attractive. I hadn’t felt that since before the attack. Since Curtis and I had been together. “Well, as long as you behave whenever other people are around,” I teased.

Curtis made a show of looking all around at the concealing rosebushes. “Hmmm, I do believe we are very alone.” He stepped close to me, “Can I misbehave now?”

I leaned in for a kiss. “I suppose just a little.”

I felt Curtis pressing close to me, kissing me, and warmth flooded my body again. How I had missed this! Feeling wanted and desired, with nobody else but us in the world.

I stood on tiptoe, arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around my waist, which suddenly felt small and delicate in comparison to this new, muscled Curtis. I curled my fingers through his hair, reveling in the moment. Curtis tucked some hair behind my ear and traced my face. “You are beautiful,” he whispered.

I smiled, unable to help myself, and kissed him again. He responded enthusiastically, picking me up and twirling me around, then dipped me low, his lips still sealed against mine.

A sudden voice butted rudely into our private world. “Pardon the intrusion—”

Curtis snapped straight. I swiveled around and nearly choked. There stood an entire entourage of people! Mother and Comfort were at the front, looking delighted. But behind them were Hubert, with his usual expressionless face, Cynthia looking outraged, the king and queen, both looking amused, and several courtiers.