Free Essence Of The Heart (The Royal Tutor) by Daris Howard Page B

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departure. They obviously were to escort Alexander to the military training
camp. Louise liked Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Richins. They were
both kind men and very loyal to her family. Though they were very
professional, neither one was beyond stopping to visit with her.
     
          The cook came out with some food for the men that were leaving,
and what Louise was sure was a bag of candy. Many members of the court
were there. The people were visibly upset as the three men mounted. It was
obvious how much they loved Alexander. Instead of making her hate him,
as it would have before, she found that her heart grew tender.
     
          As the men reined their horses toward the gate she felt panic strike
her heart. Where was the messenger from her father? What if he had
changed his mind? What if he had seen right through her? It wasn't as if
everything she had said wasn't true, because it was. She hoped she had
successfully hidden her feelings for Alexander from her father. But her
mother wasn't fooled. What if her father hadn't been fooled either? Surely,
if they were really leaving, Duke Reginald, or at least Lady Margaret, would
be there to bid farewell. But what if her father had forbidden them from
being there. Maybe Alexander had thought it would be too hard to have
them there. Her mind raced with many dreadful thoughts.
     
          The three men continued walking their horses toward the gate.
Alexander sat tall and straight on Lady. The people were waving, and, as
they reached the gate, Alexander turned in his saddle to wave back. He
seemed to be searching the crowd - gazing among the people. She suddenly
realized he was looking for her. Where was the messenger? The doubts
started coming faster and faster. She was ready to deliver the message
herself when, as Alexander was disappearing from sight, a young man came
running full speed through the court yard. Dodging through the people, he
ran swiftly after the three men. The crowd, sensing something was
happening, collectively held their breath.
     
          It seemed like forever to Louse before the men returned. The crowd
cheered as news spread that Alexander would be staying. Alexander
searched the crowd more vigorously, as if he knew why he had returned,
and then he saw her. Their eyes met, and he smiled. She returned his smile
as she melted into the shadows of the balcony.
     
          Louise's parents stayed for two more days. She made sure not to
show any kind of affinity for Alexander. That was hard for her, because she
now found herself yearning to be with him as much as possible. Louise
tried very hard to get along with her father during those two days, and,
indeed, found a closeness to him she hadn't enjoyed in a long time. He
even accompanied her and Alexander on a ride up into the mountains. The
king watched Alexander closely and seemed satisfied both with Alexander's
manners and his ability to work with horses and deal with the situations they
encountered.
     
          As her parents were saying good-bye, she felt a slight twinge of
homesickness. It was different than she had felt before. It was the feeling a
person feels when she knows what she calls home is making way for a new
life, as she, herself, is changing from a girl to a woman.
     
          Her father told her they would be back to take her home in three
months, at the end of summer. She said she would be glad to see them. He
then turned to Alexander. "You take good care of my daughter."
     
          Alexander bowed. "I will, Your Majesty."
     
          Then the king looked from one of them to the other and smiled for a
brief moment. Louise wondered if he truly knew more than she thought.
As she hugged him good-bye one last time, and he kissed her, she truly
knew her father loved her, despite their differences, or perhaps, more likely,
because of their similarities. As she waved their carriage