04

"Of course." I smiled at Mother and then quickly walked outside, shutting the door, before she could ask me another question about it.

I went to the stables and found Walter brushing down a large bay gelding. He looked up and smiled when I entered the stables. "Can I help you, My Lady?" He asked.

I asked him if he could drive me to the palace. He agreed to without asking questions, which I was grateful for. After harnessing the horses, he helped me into the carriage and drove me to the palace, stopping just outside the gates.

He helped me out of the carriage and I gave him two gold coins to keep quiet about where we actually went. He tried to refuse the coins but I placed them firmly in his hand, and told him he had to take them.

I didn't actually think he would have said anything to Mother, it was just a little extra incentive, just in case. Walter told me he would be back at almost six o'clock, which was just before dinner, and then he drove away.

Checking my pocket watch, I found that I was a few minutes late, having underestimated the time it took to get from the Lovet estate to the palace. I looked up and found a person leaning against a tree just outside the palace gates. From far away, I could only see that it was a man, tall and lean. I assumed it to be William, because there was no one else out there.

The boy looked up as I walked toward him, revealing crystal blue eyes. It was, indeed, Prince William. He smiled when I reached him.

I curtsied, bowing my head. "Your Highness," I murmured.

He shook his head. "Call me William."

I straightened, raising an eyebrow at him. We hardly know each other. He's royalty. And he is telling me I can call him William? "But I hardly know you. Won't people get the wrong idea?"

"I don't care about that." He said, brushing it off quickly.

My face warmed and I found myself nodding. "Alright, William."

He nodded, smiling. "Better." And then his eyes fell to my hands and he raised an eyebrow. "What, no book?"

I laughed. "Well, I didn't think I would need it."

"That's ok. If you get bored, I have loads of books you could read. I'll try not to be all that offended."

My face heated slightly, and a smile tugged at my lips. "I didn't know you could read." I teased good-naturedly.

He laughed and shrugged. "Surprised? Yes, I love reading."

"What kind of books do you like reading?" I asked.

He sat against the trunk of the tree, and I sat next to him. "Anything and everything. I really love Shakespeare, though. And you?"

I nodded my head excitedly, causing him to laugh. "Me too. I love Shakespeare. He is an excellent writer."

"Which play do you like best?"

"Macbeth is my favorite work of his." I replied.

"That's quite a morbid play." He commented with a raised brow.

"I know, but I enjoy reading it. I've read it several times. It has a good message. Which play of his do you like best?" I looked up at him.

"Hamlet." He said immediately. "Though, A Midsummer Night's Dream is also one of my favorites."

I let out a surprised laugh. "Those two have absolutely nothing in common."

"Exactly! If I wanted to read something serious and thought-provoking, I would read Hamlet, but if I wanted something a little more light-hearted and fun, I would read A Midsummer Night's Dream."

The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about our favorite books and authors. We ended up liking most of the same. And all too soon, Walter arrived with the carriage.

My heart sank a little. I did not want to leave quite yet. I looked back at William. "I have to go."

"Oh," he said, and I was pleased to hear that he sounded a little disappointed. He stood and pulled me up, but did not let go of my hand immediately.

"Would you like to . . . erm . . . meet again?" I asked awkwardly.

He laughed softly and nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow at this time?"

"Yes, that would work." I agreed.

"Good. Until tomorrow." He said.

I smiled. "Until tomorrow." That was when I realized we were still holding hands. I felt my face flush as I let go of his hand. I walked back toward the awaiting carriage, feeling those sapphire eyes on me the whole way.