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  Two servants entered, both carrying buckets of steaming water. They went into the bathing chamber. A minute later, they exited. “We’ve started a fire in there to keep you warm as you bathe,” one woman said. “Do you need any help getting out of your clothes?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  “Princess Idina will be along shortly with a suitable dress. If you need anything, pull the bell next to the door.”

  The servants exited, leaving Reid alone. She stripped off her smelly clothing before entering the bathing chamber. Climbing into the steaming bathtub, she let out an involuntary moan. After traveling for so long, this felt like a dream. She removed her cap, then tossed it to the floor. Running her hands through her hair, she tried to untangle it as much as possible. When the water started to cool, she used the soap and scrubbed her body and hair. She finally rinsed, stood, and then dried off. Since she didn’t have anything clean to wear, she kept the blanket wrapped around her body and sat on the edge of the bed to wait for Idina.

  Someone shook her shoulder.

  “Reid, wake up.”

  Her eyes flew open. She must have fallen asleep.

  Idina hovered next to the bed, holding an armful of blue and gold fabric.

  Pushing into a sitting position, Reid rubbed her eyes.

  “I think this will fit you,” Idina said, tossing the dress on the bed. “You’re only a tad shorter than me. Honestly, I don’t know how you pulled off being a man for so long.”

  “I have clothes in my bag. They just need to be cleaned.”

  Idina laughed. “I looked through your bag. There is nothing suitable in there.”

  Reid stood, clutching the blanket around her body. “But…” She’d never worn a dress before. “Wouldn’t it be better if I kept pretending to be a man?” Not only was that all she knew, but that was also what people expected. Lord Reid Ellington.

  “There are undergarments in the armoire,” Idina said, ignoring her question. “After you put that dress on, my lady’s maid, Sierra, will cinch it up so it fits better. She’ll also arrange your hair.” Idina reached out, caught a lock of Reid’s hair, and examined it. “While it’s a little short, I’m sure Sierra will be able to do something to make you presentable.”

  “Am I going to wear that dress in front of people?” Reid asked. What would people think of her?

  Idina rolled her eyes. “Yes. The herald will present you as Lady Reid Ellington. I thought I already explained all of this.”

  There wasn’t enough time to practice moving in the dress, walking in anything other than boots, or even how to carry herself. Reid had spent so much time mimicking men that she’d never learned how to be a woman. Panic filled her.

  “You look like you’re going to be sick.” Idina scrunched her nose.

  “When Prince Ackley said he needed my help, I assumed I’d still be pretending to be a man.” Reid rubbed her throbbing forehead. He’d never said anything about being a proper lady. Pacing back and forth, she tried to wrap her head around what she needed to do. “I don’t think I can do this.” If Ackley had warned her ahead of time, she could have spent the journey preparing for the task.

  “You’ll be fine. I need to finish getting ready.” After opening the door, Idina paused. “When it’s time for supper, I’ll return to escort you to the great hall.” An amused smile spread across her face as she closed the door, leaving Reid alone.

  Letting out a frustrated growl, Reid eyed the fabric. She didn’t even know how to put the dress on. Why was there so much material? Why did it have so many layers? Most of the dresses her sisters wore were not nearly this intricate. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she considered her options. Run home—which would solve the dress fiasco, but it wouldn’t help her family. Or she could stay here and do as the royal family asked—which meant stepping out of her comfort zone. However, it also afforded her the opportunity to save her family from ruin. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her resolve. She would wear the dress, pretend to be a proper lady, and impress Ackley, thus earning her father’s pardon and deed.

  After putting on some undergarments, she stepped into the dress and yanked it up. The weight of it surprised her.

  As soon as the dress was on, Sierra, Idina’s lady’s maid, entered. She was a middle-aged woman with dark blonde hair pulled into a tight bun. Not bothering with conversation, she came over and cinched the dress around Reid. It was so tight she had trouble breathing.

  Then Sierra ordered Reid to sit on a chair. Once she was settled, the maid twisted, pulled, and tugged on Reid’s hair. After Sierra finished and seemed satisfied with her work, she began applying Reid’s makeup. Reid tried not to wiggle or sneeze, but it was extremely uncomfortable having someone so close she could feel the woman’s breath. This was far too much work. And for what? So she looked appealing?

  The door flew open, and Idina flounced in. “Good gracious,” she exclaimed. “You don’t even look like the same person.”

  “My work here is done,” Sierra said. She curtseyed, then left the room.

  Idina circled Reid, observing her.

  “You’re making me nervous.” Reid still hadn’t seen her hair or makeup in the mirror, so she didn’t know what she looked like. However, from what she could see of the dress, she was deeply concerned. Raising her hands, she attempted to cover the top portion of her exposed bosom. “Do you have a wrap I can wear?”

  Idina’s eyes narrowed. “No. And move your arms out of the way. The purpose is to show off your womanly figure. That’s why the dress is pulled so tightly around your waist.”

  “But don’t you think it’s too revealing?” Granted, Reid’s sisters wore dresses with similar cuts. However, Reid felt exposed with so much of her skin showing.

  Placing her hands on Reid’s shoulders, Idina forced her to stand. She pushed her toward a full-length mirror. “Today will be like every other day,” Idina said. “You will be playing a part. Only this time, you are playing Lady Reid Ellington instead of Lord Reid Ellington. You are the daughter of a duke, and you are elegant and refined. Now look.”

  Reid eyed the mirror. A stunning woman gazed back at her. The dark blue dress complemented her skin tone. While it did reveal some cleavage, she realized it didn’t expose too much when she saw the outfit in its entirety. Delicate gold embroidery edged the sleeves, the scoop of her neck, and her waist. “It’s stunning,” she murmured, turning to the side and watching the dress sway as she moved.

  The shadowing around her eyes made her face radiant. Tilting her head, she examined her soft curls and the jeweled pieces Sierra had placed at the crown of her head. “Do you think my hair is too short?” Most women had waist-length hair.

  “I won’t lie, it is short. However, I think you’re going to start a new trend.” Idina wore a striking green dress that matched her eyes and highlighted her dark red hair. The sleeves covered the top portion of her arms, then draped dramatically to the ground. A gold necklace rested just above her bosom. “Take a deep breath. The moment you leave this room, your test begins.”

  Reid shoved her nerves aside so she could focus on what Idina was saying.

  “My brother knows you’ve never worn a dress such as this, acted like a woman in society, or even been to court. He wants to see how you handle the situation.”

  “Don’t you think he should have given me time to prepare?”

  “Ackley wants to see how quickly you adapt to the role you’re given.” Gazing in the mirror, Idina adjusted her necklace. “Tonight, he wants to see if you can handle yourself with grace and dignity no matter what is thrown at you. In other words, do you have control over your actions? Your emotions? Can you be easily manipulated?”

  Reid nodded, understanding the expectations. At least there would be other women she could observe and emulate.

  “Be forewarned. The members of court will devour you if you let them.” Idina opened the door, then strode into the hallway. “Let’s go. The fun is about to start.” A wicked gleam shone in
her eyes as if she were enjoying this far too much.

  Idina hooked her arm with Reid’s as if they’d known each other for years and were the best of friends. As they walked down the hallway, the princess explained that the dukes and their immediate family members were welcome at the castle any time they pleased. There were usually a handful of people visiting, trying to gain favor with the king or negotiate some new deal. She pointed out people they passed by, making sure to tell Reid their names, occupations, and tidbits of gossip.

  Since everyone knew Duke Ellington had several daughters, Idina insisted no one would think twice about Reid’s identity. Regardless, Reid felt uneasy about using her real name and being a woman out in public since her father’s land wasn’t yet properly deeded. What if Ackley decided she was of no use to him? What would happen to her father and his land then? The only option Reid had was to make sure she did a phenomenal job.

  They entered the great hall, which consisted of a spacious sitting area at one end of the room. Three long tables dominated the other end. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, candles lighting the room.

  Idina squeezed Reid’s arm as she steered her over to where everyone gathered around the sofas. “May I present Lady Reid Ellington,” Idina said in a soft, delicate voice before stepping to the side.

  The three dozen or so people in attendance smiled and bowed their heads in greeting. When King Eldon and Queen Harlow approached Reid, she pretended to curtsey. Thankfully, the dress hid her legs so no one could see her fake attempt.

  “Welcome, Lady Reid,” Eldon said. “It is good to finally meet you.”

  “Yes,” the queen said. “We’ve heard so much about you. It is nice to put a face with the name.”

  Reid was never one to make small talk. Her sisters always took care of that. However, she knew they expected an answer. “I am pleased to be here. I hope to have the opportunity to explore the City of Buckley tomorrow.”

  “You’ll have to visit the bakery on Middleton Street,” Harlow said with a sweet smile. “They have the best honey cakes.”

  Reid couldn’t get over how young the queen looked—the king probably had five years on her. Not that their age difference mattered so much. It was just that Harlow came across as innocent and inexperienced. For some reason, Reid expected the queen to be more along the lines of the strong-willed Idina. Reid glanced at the king, who carefully watched her with his intelligent eyes. “I’ll make sure to stop by there,” Reid replied, hoping to end the conversation.

  The king and queen went to speak to some of the other guests, and Reid felt like she could breathe again. For some reason, realizing the king wielded so much power at only a few years older than she was threw off her sense of order. Reid had always thought of herself as a child. Her father and the people his age were the ones in charge. She did what she was supposed to do, and she never questioned doing more or becoming an actual leader who could make positive changes in the world. Shame washed through her at her own naiveté.

  “You’re Duke Ellington’s daughter?” someone asked from behind Reid.

  She twisted around, finding a plump man a few inches taller than she was. His cheeks were red, his brown hair combed away from his face. “Yes,” she answered. “And you are?”

  “Duke Lyndr.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she lied, feeling ill at ease around this stranger. His rigid posture exemplified his beady eyes and crooked nose. When he didn’t respond, she asked, “What brings you to the City of Buckley?”

  “Business,” he said. “Where’s your father? He didn’t let you come alone, did he?” Raising his eyebrows, he leaned toward her.

  “My father is recovering from a minor injury and is unable to travel.” Lacing her hands together, she tried to figure out this man’s true intentions. It probably had something to do with power. Her job was to put him at ease. “I am here in my father’s place. While the city is beautiful, I am eager to return to Ellington to be with my family.”

  He nodded a little too vigorously. “Splendid. Well, enjoy your time here.” He darted away, going to talk to someone else.

  The king and queen spoke quietly with a middle-aged couple. Leigh sat on a sofa next to an elderly woman, and Idina stood near the corner, her head bent toward Ackley. Gordon was nowhere in sight.

  Not wanting to stand there by herself, Reid headed over to Idina and Ackley, forcing a pleasant smile on her face. How long did everyone plan to stand about talking? When would they eat? Reid was starving. Her stomach even kept making embarrassing sounds.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” Idina asked.

  “Immensely,” Reid replied. She had a few questions for the siblings. However, surrounded by so many people, she held her tongue. She’d have to wait until they were alone and could speak freely.

  “It’s about time,” Ackley said. “Now that Gordon is here, we can eat.”

  Surreptitiously peering at the entrance to the great hall, Reid examined Gordon. His dark gray tunic fit snugly over his broad shoulders. His hair was washed and combed, his face shaven. The hard, rugged exterior she had come to know during their travels was muted, and a more refined man had emerged in his place. The only thing unchanged were his eyes. They were still vivid and intense. And they were staring at the woman draped on his arm.

  It felt as if someone had punched Reid in the stomach.

  Chapter Nine

  “Who is that with Prince Gordon?” Reid asked, her voice shaking.

  “That’s his fiancée, Lady Dana,” Idina replied. “Come, I’ll introduce you.”

  As Reid followed the princess across the room, she examined Dana. She was a skinny woman about Gordon’s age, with light brown hair that hung in soft waves down her back.

  “Lady Dana,” Idina said. “I’d like for you to meet my friend, Lady Reid.”

  “Lady Reid?” Gordon interjected, squinting at Reid as if she were an insect. Then he blinked, the confusion in his eyes clearing. “Of course. Lady Reid. My sister’s dear friend. She’s visiting my sister. Here in the castle.”

  Idina tilted her head, smiling at her brother. “Are you done?” she asked, her voice barely concealing her amusement.

  He nodded.

  Dana curtseyed, so Reid did the same.

  Since Dana didn’t say anything, Reid decided to. “I’m pleased to meet you.” She wanted to ask the woman where she was from. However, Reid should probably already know that information, so she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to reveal her ignorance.

  People started meandering over to the tables.

  “As usual,” Idina said, “it was a pleasure to speak with you, Lady Dana. Your conversation is always so enthralling.” She seized Reid’s arm, steering her over to the tables. “You can sit next to me.”

  “You don’t care for Lady Dana?” Reid whispered.

  “Was it that obvious?” Idina rolled her eyes.

  Reid glanced over her shoulder at Gordon, who was still watching her, his eyebrows scrunched together. “Why is your brother acting so strange? Didn’t he know I’d be here dressed as a woman?”

  “He knew you’d be presented as Lady Reid.” Idina’s smile was almost mischievous as she sat near the head of the middle table.

  Taking a seat next to her, Reid asked, “Then what’s his problem?” Was he upset she was there? Or was he simply surprised she cleaned up so well?

  “That is a conversation for another time.”

  Servants started bringing out trays piled high with food.

  Ackley plopped down next to Reid. “Hopefully, no one gets the wrong impression.”

  “And what impression would that be?” Reid asked curiously.

  “That I’m interested in you.”

  She laughed. While he may be fascinated by the fact she could fight with swords, she knew he wasn’t interested in her in any romantic way. The mere idea was absurd. They were just friends.

  Ackley placed his right hand over his heart. “It’s not that funny,” he said with wide e
yes, feigning hurt.

  “It is,” she replied, “and you know it.”

  Gordon and Dana took seats directly across from Reid and Ackley.

  “Speaking of which,” Reid said, lowering her voice and putting her hand over her mouth so no one could overhear her. “Do you have a fiancée I should know about?”

  Ackley lifted one eyebrow, his expression conveying he thought her comment was stupid. “Of course not. I can’t believe you asked that.”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t know Gordon was engaged. I thought perhaps you were, too.”

  Leaning unnecessarily close to her, he whispered, “I am married to my job. I would never let a woman tie me down.” He winked before straightening.

  Everyone started passing the food around. Reid took some pheasant, potatoes, and green beans. “You know, that doesn’t surprise me.” Ackley seemed like the type of man who preferred roaming the countryside to domestic life. Of course, he was still young. Only a year older than she was, and she couldn’t imagine being tied down right now either. While she longed to be herself instead of the lie her father created, she had no desire to be married.

  “Are you unwell, Lady Reid?” Gordon asked.

  She snapped her head up to stare at him across the table. “I’m fine, why do you ask?”

  “You had a funny look on your face.”

  Why was he still watching her? “I was just thinking about how much I miss my family.” She forced a smile and resumed eating, being sure to take small bites so nothing would fall on her dress.

  “You know, Lady Reid,” Ackley said, an odd teasing quality in his voice, “I just might change my mind.”

  “About what?” She reached forward and took hold of her goblet, about to take a drink.

  “I could see myself marrying if the right woman came along. Someone feisty and strong-willed. Someone who challenges me.” He kept his focus on Gordon as he spoke.

  Reid took a sip of water and set her goblet down, trying to figure out what Ackley was up to. Surely this was a test to see how she handled the situation. Was Ackley referring to her? If so, why? Whatever he meant, she had to remain calm, so she channeled her inner grace and dignity.