Free The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows Page B

be treated like you’d treat any other young lady. I do not want to forever be the sad duchess from a fallen kingdom, too fragile to befriend or tease. That’s why Melanie and I came here tonight: to show that we won’t allow our tragedy to define the rest of our lives. The pain of what happened—it won’t last for eternity.”
    A lie. I knew very well how pain could last, and fester, and shape a person in unnameable ways.
    But James squeezed my arm. “Tobiah’s miniature was sent to many families a couple of years ago, including some in Liadia. Perhaps your family received one.”
    â€œI wasn’t yet out, so probably not, but I must have had an older cousin or friend who received one.” I shivered. “Details like that are hazy now, like they’re filled with wraith.”
    â€œIt’s all right.” James’s voice was soft and comforting, and if I’d been the real Lady Julianna, I might have fallen for him right there.
    â€œSo.” I made my voice a little husky. “You were concerned that I might be interested in Prince Tobiah. Even though he’s engaged, apparently.”
    Color rose up James’s throat and cheeks. “I wasn’t concerned , but I was thinking that the fastest way to get your mind off him and on to me would be to tell you something truly appalling about him.”
    â€œBy all means, tell me something truly appalling about him.”
    James glanced across the room, and for a heartbeat his smile fell away, revealing a young man too used to checking on his prince to make sure nothing was wrong. “Well.” He gave an exaggerated sigh and spun me. My gown flared, a desert of silk at my feet. “I bear a great burden. As Tobiah’s bodyguard and best friend, I know all his worst faults.”
    Best friend? That made me doubly glad I’d concealed my real feelings. “You do know how to keep a lady in suspense.”
    He grinned. “Prepare to be scandalized. The prince is a terrible swordsman. He sleeps through breakfast almost every day.And once I saw him chew with his mouth open.”
    â€œJust the once, though?”
    â€œHe was ten.”
    I nodded solemnly. “I see. These are unforgivable offenses and I’m deeply scandalized.”
    A smile lit his eyes. “At last, I’m not the only one to see his true nature.”
    â€œAnd now he has a fiancée. What will she do when she discovers these dark truths? Didn’t you warn her?”
    â€œThe fair duchess would not be swayed from her decision to accept his proposal. No matter how often I complimented her beauty, she still chose him. Ah, to be a prince.” He pressed his hand to his heart.
    â€œLieutenant Rayner, do I perceive that you are something of a flirt?”
    â€œMy heart is simply more open than most people’s.” As the first dance ended, James offered a deep bow. “You’re not as terrible a dancer as you claimed, Lady Julianna.” He offered his arm.
    Face ducked as though to hide a blush, I let him lead me off the dance floor. “You’re so kind.”
    â€œSo kind I’d like to get you a drink while we wait for the next dance, if you’ll honor me again. Wine?”
    â€œPlease.”
    He left me by a gilt-framed mirror, which showed couples pulling closer and others seeking conversation partners. I caught glimpses of Melanie smiling shyly at a man, Lady Chey parading around in her exquisite lavender gown, and Tobiah listening to someone speak, a thin mask of politeness across his features.He looked ready to drop from boredom, in spite of Meredith’s presence beside him. She looked lovely, her hair all in tight coils, save a few pale tendrils that brushed her golden gown.
    No doubt she was engaging in the long-celebrated tradition of marrying up, but what did he get from this? A lovely wife? Her family’s wealth?
    â€œHer name is Julianna,” a woman nearby