Chapter 9
Nicole knew she would eventually have to confront Lady Waverly Earp and elucidate her peculiar behavior and indirect disavowal of being in the bathhouse the night before, though the younger girl has yet to say that she know that the prominent King had seen her bare-naked, it would be disastrous if she were to fabricate another lie.
It was, in all honesty, an accident; but if she were to speak whose fault it was, it would be the younger Earp’s – for being in her private bath and utilizing what is not of hers. If it would have been someone else, Nicole would be unrelenting in giving a punishment; but it was Lady Waverly Earp, her mother’s guest and one of her potential spouse, so she walked away and pretended not seeing the younger girl on a state of undress.
She would like to clear the air by telling her the truth, though it would also mean disclosing what her eyes had witnessed that night, she just hope that Lady Waverly Earp will not think of her as a voyeur afterwards.
When her Aunt Mercedes insisted that they should stay for the night and proposed to entertain the two lovely lass her Queen Mother had invited, but she knew there laid another intention – her aunt’s forthright inclination in knowing the girl who had caught her eyes whom she did not forenamed yet.
And since the Queen Mother agreed thinking that it was a good suggestion, she was then forced to be in the presence of the Earp ladies, yet again.
All throughout supper, Nicole could feel intent gazes both coming from the Earp siblings. And whilst she understands Lady Waverly’s reason for staring, she couldn’t help but wonder about Lady Wynonna’s reason behind her unsubtle stares. Surely, she did not do anything amiss to upset the older Earp for her to warrant such unwanted eyes on hers, did she?
“You were awfully quiet during dinner, Nicolas.” Nicole’s mother stated as she sat on a lounger opposite to her on the mezzanine where she fled for a needed respite. “Are you still in pain?”
“No Mother, my leg is quite well now. I was just buried in my thoughts again.” She admitted, but before she can voice out what else she was distressing herself about, Lady Wynonna entered the mezzanine carrying a tray of a bottle of wine and goblets.
”If I may your Majesty, do you reckon if the King can get drunk this evening?” the older Earp inquired the Queen Mother. “Madame Mercedes had shared this precious wine with me but I would rather drink it with King Nicolas, it would be such a waste to drink it alone.”
Nicole wanted to decline but her mother already gave her permission. “I suppose a drink would not hurt.”
The queen left; announcing that she would be retiring early to her bedchamber before everyone else but not without assuring them that her sister would host for the remainder of the evening.
“So...” Lady Wynonna started as she poured the alcoholic beverage into the goblets. “Whilst I am fully aware that something odd had transpired between you and my younger sister in between the walk last night and the horse ride earlier, I would so prefer to hear it from you Nicolas.” She sat on the same lounger that the queen occupied earlier. “My sister would never disclose her personal matters with me.”
“And you think I would?” Nicole solicited back, but seeing the stern look on the older Earp’s face, she said, “Wynonna, if your sister so wish to share whatever it was that happened between us as you speak it out to be, I would gladly share it with you. But as I see it, she has not told you a single word, so why would I? But for your mind’s peace, nothing happened.” She was telling the truth, at least a part of it.
“Fair enough.” Lady Wynonna had raised her glass to the King and guzzled its content. “Can I seek for your kindness though?”
“What for?” Nicole asked back, staring intently at the older Earp in front of her.
“My sister, Waverly, she’s the best of my family.” Lady Wynonna spoke so admiringly of her younger sister, but Nicole saw through it as the older Earp continued, “It’s a shame that our father would marry her off at such a young age. She’s barely an adult, yet here she was being introduced to a King she hardly know.”
“Wynonna, I…” Nicole wanted to say that it was not what she initially wanted either but stopped midway her sentence when Lady Wynonna dismissed her with a wave of a hand. “Please let me finish first.” She nodded, urging the older Earp to continue.
“I’ve seen a lot of men whom desired Waverly’s attention and sought after her affection, and a few of them already asked our father for her hand in marriage long before you have written to us and prior to our voyage to England. But our father was keen to only hand his daughter to someone worth her life, as he did so with our eldest sister, Willa. He married her off to the richest Baron in Scotland. He will do the same to me and Waverly.” Lady Waverly paused to drink the contents of her goblet before continuing, “Please do not misunderstood, our father love us so dearly he cannot let his daughters marry someone who is not a gold richer than our family. He wants what is best for us, although sometimes, it was not always what we want.”
“But what does that have to do with me?” Nicole inquired, not knowing where she lounges in the older Earp’s story.
Lady Wynonna shook the wine bottle, checking if there was more for her to feast on. “I already promised myself to someone, a Marquee in France. His family is richer than us despite being a rank lower than my father, but I am quite certain he could convince him to give me up for marriage.” Nicole’s face must have given away a hint of perplexity, the older Earp smiled before continuing, “I see how you look at her when you think no one is looking.”
A tint of rosy blush appeared on Nicole’s cheeks which she tried to hide by reaching for her own cup. “I have eyes Wynonna and your sister is not exactly awful to look at.” She admitted truthfully. She was already halfway donning her wine when she choked on the liquid, immediately after Lady Wynona replied, “Then marry Waverly, Nicolas. Marry her, so she wouldn’t have to be married to someone else.”