Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Jewel
DINNER WAS A short, hurried affair, as no one was terribly hungry and the cousins were anxious to go skating. Aunty Kendra and Uncle Trick were both irritable, amusing Jewel to the point where she hardly thought about marrying Henry at all.
But afterward, back in her chamber, she did think about him while she pulled on her warmest clothes. She couldn’t seem to help herself—her life seemed reduced to making this decision. She felt so close.
Why couldn’t she just commit? What was she waiting for?
With a sigh, she grabbed her new skates and headed out of the room. Or rather, she opened the door, intending to head out of the room, but found Margaret there waiting.
The maid beckoned her back inside. “Are you in a rush, my lady?” she asked quietly. “I’m wondering if you could help me with something. I don’t think it should make you too late for the skating.”
It had to be something to do with the prank. Jewel smiled. “Of course,” she said, beginning to remove her cloak.
“No, my lady, you’ll want to keep that on.” Margaret’s eyes danced conspiratorially, making Jewel like her even more. “We’re heading to the stables.”
“Oh!” Jewel shrugged back into the garment. “This sounds like fun. By the by, may I ask you for a favor?”
Margaret looked puzzled. “Anything, my lady. Anything at all.”
“I’d like to keep my involvement in this a secret from my father for now.”
The maid’s eyes widened. “I’ll not say anything, unless he asks me directly—”
“He won’t,” Jewel assured her with a grin. “Shall we go?”