Chapter 7 #2
“And you mine,” Bella replied with warmth. “I feel I am quite the outcast at home.” The boys only wanted to claim her for her face, and the women her age resented the attention she received from them. ‘Twas a lose/lose situation.
“I find that hard to believe.”
Bella raised a brow. “How do you feel about women who read for pleasant diversion?”
“Is there any other reason? I myself have two novels behind my desk, which is my pleasant diversion after running sums.”
Happiness bloomed inside Bella at finding a kindred soul. “You might be my first real friend.”
“Then why return? I am sure you could find employment here, and I would even rent you the extra room in my home. It is quite safe here, I assure you.”
The extension of hospitality was so touching that Bella felt the burn of tears behind her eyes.
Preferring books over ballrooms and tools over utensils and puzzles over people did not make Bella the most sought-after friendship in town.
“Thank you. If things do not go as planned, I will definitely take you up on that offer.” Bella could not plan her life around a bullfrog, though she would certainly do her best to help him.
They got back to the task at hand, chatting merrily all the while. Suddenly, Henriette’s eyes lit with excitement. “Have you read the scandal sheets about the prince?”
Bella shook her head. “I know nothing of this town.”
Henriette nodded, nigh bursting to share.
“The queen claims her son has abandoned his station in favor of revelry. She offers a full crown to anyone who can produce him to the royal guardsman.” She fanned her face.
“Oh, to be part of his revelry! I have heard he is quite deft on a mandolin, and I trow, the most pleasing of men on the eyes.” Hers twinkled, making Bella smile.
A crown! Based on Henriette’s reaction, a crown was a sizeable sum, which meant Bella would be able to purchase a fast coach home. “Pray tell: what is the prince’s name?”
“Prince Riven. Firstborn male and eventual heir...behind his half-brother, that is.”
Riven? “How long has this devilishly handsome prince been absent?”
“All the day. He had an important guest, and none have seen him since.”
“Oh? Who was it?”
Henriette looked around, though they were quite alone. “A servant said it was an enchantress! Believe you that?”
“Truly?” All the puzzle pieces suddenly dropped into place.
Bella knew exactly where the wayward prince was, which made her question every conversation they had had.
Why would the prince be so kind to a peasant?
Why had he not acted, well, princely? What had he to gain?
Instead of voicing her concerns, Bella asked, “What would an enchantress want with the prince?”
“Well, he is the most handsome of men.”
Thinking of the handsome-yet-boorish men in her own hometown, Bella suppressed a groan. “Looks do not fine character make.”
“Nor does his substantial income, I wager,” Henriette giggled. “He has shown no substantial favor to any of the ladies in court, from baroness to duchess, yet he has kissed plenty of maidens.”
“And filled their homes with his children?” she asked, assuming as much. After all, was she not an eventual product of such an affair?
“None have so claimed. He seems to hold his heart for only one.”
“Who? A duchess? A princess?”
“No one knows. But the castle servants have uttered he yearns for a love match.”
“A romantic male?” Bella felt her heart race. How thrilling!
Her eyes darted around them again, and then Henriette leaned forward. “‘Tis said he made a bargain with the enchantress. Think you it is to locate his one true love?”
Bella caught her breath. “A bargain? Bargaining with enchantresses is nigh as risky as bargaining with fairies. One never knows what latitude will be taken with the wording.”
Now doubt filled Henriette’s visage. “Think you something ill happened to him?”
She did not want to lie to her new friend, so she took an angle based on fact in the hopes of dissuading a search. “An enchantress shows up, and then the prince goes missing? I would have no interest in searching him out based on those facts alone.”
“Hm. I see your point.” But her eyes twinkled again. “What would you wish for, had an enchantress come to you?”
“That depends. Are you an enchantress or fairy? I need to know if I am about to be trapped into an agreement I do not want.”
Henriette laughed loudly. “Nay, I am not.”
“Then you shall have no problem donning your lead thimbles,” she said, and they giggled as Henriette placed all within reach on her fingers and wiggled them for her. “See? Not a fairy.”
Bella laughed at her tease. Since the conversation had turned whimsical, Bella considered the request. “To answer your question: I would wish to make a change in the world. Not rule it, and certainly not marry for the sole purpose of bearing children. I feel there is more to life than existence and procreation.”
“What would you do?”
Bella held her eyes, nigh bursting to share.
“I would open a school, where all children regardless of station could learn. No, not just children.” She glanced at the ceiling and gestured expansively.
“Adults would be welcome, too, everyone, anyone, from any station. Reading, writing, learning their sums. Maybe even learn to start their own trade.” Her eyes drifted down to meet Henriette’s wide ones. “You do not agree?”
The woman looked pale. “Peasants reading? You would be hanged within a week.”
Bella giggled. “See? That is why I would never make wagers with magical beings.”
They both laughed.
“Your turn,” Bella said. “What would you wish for?”
“Well, obviously to be the most sought-after seamstress around, but even that has its limitations.”
“How?”
“I would need to hire a protégé who matched my skill and designs. If a product comes from my store, it needs to be flawless.”
“And that is quite commendable.”
“Yet unrealistic with these accusations now hurled upon me. I know not how to combat them, for I know not who started the gossip.”
“Would that their hair would turn green and their eyes fall out of their heads for their lies!” Bella said, making Henriette nod.
“That would certainly let me know the guilty party.”
“I am sorry you must deal with this. It must be insufferable.”
“It is. But enough about me. I wish to know more about you. For instance, are you the type to hold out for love?” Henrietta asked, clearly curious.
Bella blew out her cheeks. “I fear no man will see me beyond this visage.” She drew a circle to encompass her face. “I am resigned that I shall never meet my match.”
“Well, that is tragic indeed. There is an enchantress nearby who might offer you a wish,” Henriette teased in a singsong voice, making Bella laugh.
They got back to the task at hand. It must have taken two full hours, and Bella was positive she had tried on every single dress in the shop before making her final selections.
When she was done, Henriette added three undergarments, stockings, and a fresh corset, then wrapped everything in brown paper tied with string.
Bella spun in her new clothes, enjoying the soft feel of the rich fabric against her skin.
“Do not leave without your change, Bella.” She tinkled the coins in her hand.
Bella shook her head and smiled. “You have earned every bit of that with your extraordinary help and insight. I thank you, my friend.” She pressed the coins onto the counter and pushed them back.
Henriette blinked at the offering. “Truly?”
Perhaps the money was a greater boon than Bella knew, but Albert said two shillings, and two shillings it was. “My pleasure.”
“And mine. I hope to see you before you head out of town, but if not, safe travels.”
“May we meet again.” Bella said, then impulsively leaned forward and wrapped her new friend in a tight hug, which was warmly returned. She then ducked out before the burn of tears struck.
She hated goodbyes.
Albert poked his head out of the safety of his new bucket. “You... look... amazing.”
Bella stared at him, wondering how many ladies of high standing he had said those exact words to. “Thank you.”
“Truly. What magic happened inside that store?”
In light of Henriette’s accusations against her, Bella scolded, “There was nothing more magical than enjoyable conversation with a very talented woman.” She yanked hard on the leather ties that bound her new garments to the saddle. “Why did you choose this clothier for me?”
Wum. Wum.
Bella huffed at his deliberate silence. Was he afraid of discovery? A glance showed no one walked this street. “Did you know she has been unfairly charged with witchcraft? She has discovered a way through a happy accident to make her colors stay fast, and her competition resents her for it.”
“I did not, though I had heard she had been shunned. I just wanted a place with less people likely to look into a bucket on a saddle.”
Bella held Albert’s eyes, wondering if he truly was the wayward prince, but his bulging orbs did not blink.
“Let us get you back to your pond.”