199. It Begins

The physician was seated in the corner at the end of the carriage and he gave her a bow as she entered. "Princess," he said.

"Jean," she replied and quickly hid her surprise. It was that she was surprised that he was going with them, she was just surprised someone was in the carriage.

Jael got in behind her and pulled her onto the seat while Jean sat directly in front of them. He was riding with her? Mauve couldn't help the excitement that warmed her stomach.

"Your Grace," Jean said with an even low bow in the confined space. His voice was a little too loud. Mauve wondered if he would be able to last the journey in the company of Jael.

Jael merely grunted his response and pulled Mauve closer so that she was almost on his lap. She bore it with a stiff smile, the fact that there was an audience meant she couldn't cause a scene.