All the Grace

That night, back in my suite and once again exhausted, Ash waited in the sitting room while I bathed and changed with Abigail's help.

The trill of nerves was dancing in my stomach. Would tonight be the night I fell asleep and woke up back in my old, miserable life?

Abigail gave me a considering look in the mirror, but I just held her gaze and waited—a strategy I had learned would keep most people quiet when they were uncertain.

"Well," Abigail said as she finished brushing my hair, "Best you rest my dear. It will be an early start in the morning as we'll need to dress you before we go to the stables for horse riding with the King."

"Horse riding?"

"Yes, weren't you listening to the schedule?"

"I guess that part escaped me." Thank God I'd taken lessons when I was a kid. I was sure I could sit the saddle well enough not to embarrass myself. I hoped so, anyway.