Kiera Cass will be returning to readers hearts before too long.
Cass has emerged as a pillar in the field.
Im so excited to publishThe Betrothed.
Credit: Photography by Gustavo Marx/MergeLeft Reps. Design by Erin Fitzsimmons and Alison Donalty
Read on.The Betrothedpublishes May 5, 2020.
Me, too, she replied.
Crowning Day is on the horizon.
Her tone implied I should be more excited than the average girl, but I still had my reservations.
I could feel her exasperation in the movement of her hands.
Hollis, you will undoubtedly be His Majestys partner and escort for the festivities!
I dont know how you could be so calm.
You say that as if your courtship were a game, she commented, sounding surprised.
It is a game, I insisted.
Hell move along soon enough, so we need to enjoy this while we can.
I watched Delia Grace chewing her lips in the mirror, not looking up from her task.
She quickly perked up, lifting her lips into a smile.
Just perplexed by your casual attitude toward the king.
I think theres more to his attentions than youre seeing.
I looked down, thrumming my fingers across the table of the vanity.
Id be mad not to.
He was handsome and wealthy and, for goodness sake, the king.
But I was no fool.
Id watched him flit from girl to girl over the last several months.
At least Id have these days to look back upon when I was a bored old lady.
Hes still young, I finally replied.
I dont see him settling down with anyone until he gets through a few more years on the throne.
Besides, Im sure hes expected to marry for political advantage.
I cant offer much there.
In our decade of friendship, wed always supported one another, but it was different these days.
As ladies at court, our families had maids.
But the highest-ranking noblewomen and royalty?
More than servants, your ladies were your confidantes, your attendants, your escorts .
It meant more than I knew how to say, more than I knew how to handle.
What is a friend but someone who thinks youre capable of more than you do?
She returned with a letter in her hand and a glint in her eye.
Theres a royal seal on this, she teased, flipping the paper over in her hand.
Delia Grace, you wicked girl, give it to me!
I was nearly breathless from running and laughing when I finally caught her around the waist.
She held the letter out as far as she could.
Hollis Brite, have you lost your senses?!
Delia Grace and I pulled apart, placing our hands behind our backs and curtsying quickly.
I could hear you girls shouting like animals through the walls.
How can we hope to have a suitor matched with you if you insist on behaving like this?
Sorry, Mother, I murmured contritely.
I dared to peek up at her.
The Copeland girl got engaged only last week, and the Devauxes are in talks now as well.
Yet youre still acting like a child.
I swallowed, but Delia Grace had never been one to stay silent.
Dont you think its a little premature to pair Hollis with someone else?
She has as good a chance as anyone at winning the kings heart.
My mother did her best to suppress her condescending smile.
We all know that the kings eye is prone to wander.
And Hollis isnt quite queen material, wouldnt you agree?
she asked with a sharply raised eyebrow, daring us to think otherwise.
Besides, she added, are you really in a position to talk about anyones potential?
Delia Grace swallowed hard, her expression stone-like.
Id seen her don that mask a million times.
And there you have it, Mother concluded.
Having made her disappointment with us clear, she turned on her heel and left.
I sighed, turning to Delia Grace.
Its nothing I havent heard before, she admitted, finally handing over the letter.
And Im sorry, too.
I didnt mean to get you into trouble.
I took it from her and cracked the seal.
If it wasnt this, itd be something else.
She made a face that said I was right, and I went to reading the note.
Oh dear, I said, patting at my loose hair.
I might need your help pulling this back again.
I smiled over at her, waving the letter like a flag in the breeze.
Because His Majesty requires our presence on the river today.
How many people do you think will be there?
He does enjoy having a crowd around him.
I pursed my lips.
Id like to have him to myself just once.
Says the girl who insists this is all just a game.
I looked over at her, sharing a smile.
That Delia Grace, she always seemed to know more than I ever wanted to admit to.
We rounded the hallway and saw that the doors were already open, welcoming the new spring sun.
I fell into a deep curtsy.
And I watched as a pair of glossy black shoes turned to face me.
**
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