The Runaway Princess

Chapter 9

“She understood what you said, milord,” Elena translated. Elena rose from the table as well and left the dining room with Gabriela, wishing everyone a good night. Together, they climbed the stairs to the second floor and made their way to Gabriela’s bedchamber. The hallway was quite dark and daunting, only illuminated by the candles on the walls.

Elena helped Gabriela out of her gown and jewels and then into her night clothes. The removed the pins from her hair and then fixed her hair in a braid ready for bed.

“Did you want me to accompany you to the cricket match tomorrow?” Elena asked as she covered Gabriela with the blanket.

Gabriela furrowed her eyebrows. “Elena, what is cricket?”

Elena knew that a game of cricket was happening the next day as she had heard the men discussing it, but she could not tell Gabriela what it was. “I have no idea,” replied Elena. “A game of some sort.”

“Either way, yes,” Gabriela replied, nodding. “I want you to accompany me always.”

“Good night, Gabriela,” Elena said as she walked towards the door. “I will help you dress in the morning. Just ring the bell.”

“Good night, Elena,” replied Gabriela in English, smiling widely.

Elena smiled as she shut the door. This was not the same Gabriela that she had grown up with in Spain. Had Elena’s disappearance changed her? Had marriage changed her? Either way, Elena could like this sister.

“Elena,” breathed a masculine voice.

Elena yelped, jumping with fright. Standing against the wall was David, the flickering light of the candles lighting up his face.

David immediately came towards her with his hands up. “I am sorry if I frightened you,” he said sincerely.

“Why are you standing there?” Elena asked accusingly as she placed a hand on her chest to feel her thundering heartbeat.

“I came to see if you were alright,” he replied. “The way Prince Christian spoke to you was rude and unnecessary. It was not your decision to attend the dinner after all.”

Elena was quite touched that he had come to see her for that reason. If anything, she expected to be scolded for speaking disrespectfully to a royal. “I understand His Royal Highness’ frustration, sir,” said Elena. “He cannot communicate with his wife. It would be terribly difficult to be married to someone when you cannot talk to them. He cannot ask her about herself, her interests and likes and dislikes, just as she cannot do the same.”

David nodded slowly. “I suppose that is true. Nevertheless, are you alright? If you wished it, I could speak with him. I could ensure that he minds himself.”

Elena’s eyes widened. David was prepared to ask a prince to mind his manners in front of a housemaid? England was a strange country. “I am fine, sir,” promised Elena.

David smiled. “I am glad to hear it. I also wanted to commend you on how quickly you learned the cutlery order.”

Elena furrowed her eyebrows. “I beg your pardon?”

“The cutlery order,” he repeated. “You knew which knife and fork belonged with which dish.”

Elena’s lips parted. The cutlery order, of course! One was given several different pieces of silverware to eat their meals with and Elena knew that one had to start from the outside in. But how would a housemaid know that? “Princess Gabriela instructed me,” she lied.

“I thought so.”

Elena felt relieved. He believed her.

“I will see you tomorrow, Elena. Good night.” David bowed his head and then left to go up to the third floor to his bedchamber. Elena left to go downstairs. She was sure she would be in trouble with Mr Clarke.