"Good morning," he greeted, following behind her. He caught the gate and slipped inside the coop as she walked around, holding the top layer of her dress in front of her to hold the eggs she carefully collected. He looked away and cleared his throat, looking up at the clear sky.
Snow crunched under his feet as he shifted his weight. "The Grand Princess should be well enough to see me."
"She's sleeping, my lord."
He stopped when she did, watched her steal two eggs before walking away again. "When she wakes, I'd like to see her."
"I'm not sure. She's still a little upset."
"About the chicken?"
"Henrietta wasn't just a chicken. She was family."
"I'm sorry about the chicken, but I've given you enough time to grieve, as you call it. Now, it's time I meet the princess."
"I'll see what she thinks." She gave him a quick smile. "But no promises."
"Then I'm afraid that I must impose."
She faced him fully, frown on her face. "Unless you're the king, the Grand Princess cannot be imposed."
"I am here in the name of the king—"
"And how certain am I that you are who you say you are?" she interjected, looking him up and down.
She never bowed to him, not even once. She freely left any room as she wished, without regard for his presence. The way she eyed him, it was as if they were equals. If she only knew who he was, and if he cared for such things, she had done enough to be thrown to the gallows.
How she acted was confusing him. It was as if she was more than who she said she was, but he could also see what she was: the cousin without responsibilities; the one who could just give up on anything without consequences; who could just walk away from it all if she wished. Just like Henry.
"I don't have to prove anything to you," he said, replying to her question.
She smiled at him, as if she could see through his soul. For a brief moment, he wondered if she knew the truth. Had they met before by chance? But surely, he would remember this woman if they did. "Of course, you don't." She smiled wryly. "I'll tell the Grand Princess you insist on seeing her."
"Today."
"I'll try," she said as she walked away.
"My lady, please don't make me demand—"
"I'll pass your message as soon as I'm done with my tasks, my lord."
He ran after her. "And when will you be done?"
"I'm not sure."
"You're deliberately avoiding it."
"I'm deliberately trying to survive the day as efficiently as I can, and you're slowing me down." She talked as fast as she walked. "Are you going to keep following me?"
Emory looked around and realized they had already exited the back of the manor. "Where are you going?"
"To deliver eggs to Mrs. Fitzwilliam."
"I'll accompany you," he said.
"You don't have to."
"I insist."
"It won't make me do my tasks faster if that's your intent."
"I have nothing else to do."
"Well, if you insist. But I warn you that the Fitzwilliams call me Florence now and again. Poor eyesight or memory."