Free Arcana by Jessica Leake

letter-writing to a carriage ride in the park each day. She has my entire day planned, so I will scarcely be able to draw breath before going on to the next thing.
    She points to tomorrow’s schedule. “You see I have added a visit with the dressmaker.” She smiles at Lucy. “We shall show her your drawing and see how well she can replicate it.”
    “How wonderful,” Lucy says, her eyes bright.
    “So I am to go to the park today?” I ask. That is one good thing.
    Grandmama glances at the paper. “Yes, and I dare say, you’d best get ready. We’ll leave in an hour.”
    Just before I leave the room, she says, “Oh, and Katherine? Wear the violet carriage outfit. I know for a fact Lord Thornewood will be there.”
    “Yes, Grandmama,” I say.
    Let the parade begin.
    Hyde Park. The place where society goes to gossip and husband hunt with exercise as a thin excuse. Even worse, it’s just Grandmama and me. Lucy remained behind with Miss Watts, studying art from the Renaissance period.
    It’s unseasonably warm today, and I long to remove my coat, lovely as it is.
    “Do not even think of removing your coat,” Grandmama says with a little glance my way. “It is meant to be worn over your blouse and skirt.” I close my eyes to keep from rolling them.
    She guides the horses through the park’s entrance and slows them to a sedate trot. I fret with the edge of my coat as I take in the number of people already here. Ladies dressed in elaborate hats perch in high open carriages, elegant men ride by on their sleek horses and tip their hats to us, while others stroll down the paths for promenade.
    Grandmama greets each person by name as we pass, and my face soon becomes tired of holding a smile. I stare longingly at the river that runs parallel to the driving path, and when the horses slow even more, I have to fight the urge to simply jump down.
    “Grandmama, do you mind if I go for a walk?”
    She doesn’t answer me right away, and I fidget the entire time. “Yes, I think that would be a good idea. You will be able to meet far more people that way. I’ll drive the horses around once and come back for you.”
    She guides the phaeton off to the side, and I climb down as gracefully as possible in my long skirt with its sturdy fabric. I stride off before she can change her mind.
    Many people smile and nod at me as I make my way to the shining lake, and I return the smile briefly but avoid making eye contact for long. I would rather not be caught in a dull conversation on the weather or how I’m enjoying my stay in London.
    As soon as I reach the water’s edge, I let out a breath and relax my tense shoulders. Though it’s only been a day, I can already feel the gilded cage of the city closing in around me. I miss the fresh, open air of the country. Even in this park, with its open fields, trees, and idyllic lake, there are more people than I would see in a week at Bransfield.
    The water rushing past me is cold, but I long to dip my feet in. I step closer to the bank and tilt my head up to the warm sun. A breeze teases a few tendrils of hair loose from my chignon, and I smile at its caress. My skin soaks up the sunlight, replenishing my lost energy. Yet another reason I feel so restricted in the city. Without regular time spent outdoors, my stores of power reduce drastically. And as they are irrevocably tied to the energy that keeps my heart beating, I’d rather not find out what happens when I am denied my time in the sun.
    The trod of horse hooves alerts me to someone’s presence, but I am loath to turn around.
    “You would do well not to get too close to the water,” a man’s voice says behind me. “Many have drowned before.”
    I turn and shield my eyes with my hand. I have to look up to see him as he is astride a lovely bay mount. “My lord,” I say and drop into a curtsy. “You are concerned for my safety?”
    That came out more flirtatious than I intended, and I watch a grin bloom across his face. In one