"Here, drink it while it's hot," Lucy said smiling, as she handed me a steaming cup of something that looked like hot chocolate. I took a sip. It was sweet and foamy, warming me right down to my toes.

"This is really good," I said, taking another sip. Pity we don't have drinks like this in England.

"Edmund made it," Lucy said, picking up some clothes off the floor. She held up the nightgown.

"Did you wear this out?"

I stared at the silky robe dangling in front of me. I needed to think of an excuse, and fast. "I… um, heard a noise outside in the hallway, so I went to see what it was," I babbled. "And I met Narcoth," I finished, feeling my cheeks blush. I am so bad at lying.

But Lucy didn't seem to notice. "Really? Oh, I'm so glad. Narcoth is a really good friend of Edmunds," she informed me, folding up the nightgown and placing it at the end of my bed. I smiled to myself. "Yeah, seems like it."

Lucy glanced at the wardrobe. "Do you feel like getting up?" she asked, and I felt nervous all of a sudden.

"Why?" I asked quickly. "Did you all want to tell me something?" I bit my lip after saying the words, remembering that I wasn't supposed to know anything.

Lucy looked at me curiously. "The doctor said you could get up today if you liked," she said, taking my hand and rubbing it gently. "Your bruise is almost gone."

I felt the bump on my forehead. Lucy was right, the swelling and discoloration had nearly faded. Maybe I should get up.

Lucy waltzed over to the wardrobe and scanned the rows of dresses. She pulled out a soft grey dress that flowed gently to the ground. It was trimmed with lace and even though it was simple, it looked stylish.

"Here, I'll leave you to put this on," she said, laying it on the back of a chair and smiling as she whisked out of the room. I slowly got out of bed, shivering as a cold draft hit my legs.

I picked up the dress, running my fingers over the smooth silky fabric and went behind the little changing screen. I hummed a little tune as I pulled my nightgown off over my head.

"Eloise?"

My arms flew wildly as I grabbed the nearest piece of clothing at hand and wrapped it around me.

"Who's there?" I called out cautiously.

"Um, Edmund of course," he replied, and I could hear the laughter in his voice. "Where are you? Playing hide and seek?"

"No, no!" I frantically tried to find the sleeves on my dress. Damn where are they?

"You're not doing a very good job of hiding," Edmund chuckled, and I gave up on the dress and grabbed a sheet hanging over the back of the screen.

"Where could she be?" Edmund mused, and I heard him take a step toward the screen. I wrapped the sheet around my body and flung the corner over my shoulder just as Edmund rounded the screen and stopped in surprise.

"Oh, I am so sorry," he mumbled, backing away with a red face. I burst into hysterical laughter and collapsed on the floor. Edmund stared at me, not sure if I were laughing or crying. He awkwardly knelt down and patted my back.

"Are you okay?" he asked, evidently worried about my mental health. I wiped my eyes, and shook my head, trying to get my breath back.

"No, I'm fine," I laughed, jumping up quickly. Too quickly. I hit something and Edmund was suddenly on the floor at my feet. He covered his eye and rocked back and forth, moaning loudly.

"Oh my gosh, Edmund?" I knelt beside him in a panic. I must have knocked his eye out! I stared around me wildly. "I'll ring for Lu – ooofh!" The words were knocked out of my mouth as Edmund suddenly wrapped his arms around me and grinned, pulling me down beside him.

"Gotcha."

"Youuuuuuuuuu," I laughed, struggling to free myself. Damn he's got muscles!

Eventually I gave up and we lay there, laughing till our stomach muscles ached. I suddenly noticed that my sheet had come undone, and my bare shoulders were showing. I felt a blush creep across my face, growing warmer as Edmund propped himself up on one elbow and looked at me. His eyes travelled over my pale shoulders and wandered back to my face. His own face was heated and his dark hair was standing up, tousled and messy. I had a sudden urge to run my fingers through it.

But suddenly there was a knock at the door. We flew apart, and I dashed behind the screen, rapidly slipping on my dress. Edmund quickly sat on the edge of my bed, running a hand over his hair and straightening his collar.

"Eloise?" Lucy called out, tapping the door again. "Are you almost finished dressing?"

"Almost," I called back, shaking out the folds in the fabric. "I'll be out in a minute."

Lucy left and I walked out from behind the screen and smiled at Edmund sitting on my bed. His look of relief mirrored mine, and his smile was both apologetic and mischievous.

"You like to live on the wild side, don't you?" he grinned up at me, shaking his head.

I arched my eyebrows and pretended to ponder his question. "Pretty much," I said, placing a hand on my hip. "Can't handle it?"

Edmund raised his eyebrows. "Challenge accepted, lady Eloise," he said, emphasizing the word lady. We laughed together. "But seriously, we should go," Edmund said, not sounding like he wanted to at all.

"I need to fix my hair," I said, turning to look in the mirror hanging on the wall. Little wisps of hair had escaped the loose bun that was swept on top of my head. Edmund suddenly got up and stood behind me. "Allow me?" he asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"You know how to do hair?" I asked in surprise.

"I'm the best out of my family," he boasted, then laughed sheepishly. "Lucy has made me do her hair ever since we were little."

I smiled at him through the mirror. "Well then, sir Edmund," I gave in, shrugging my shoulders.

To my surprise, it only took him a few minutes and soon my hair was piled on top of my head in a beautiful French twist. I stared at my reflection. "Thanks, Edmund," I whispered. He smiled broadly. "You're welcome. But…" he pulled my chair around so I was facing him.

"But?" I asked.

"We really have to go," Edmund said, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the chair. We exited the room hastily just before Lucy and Peter rounded the corner. Edmund dropped my hand and coughed, trying to appear as if he'd just met me.

"Oh, Edmund, you found her," Lucy said brightly, smiling at us. Peter came toward me, a smile stretched on his lips.

"How are you this morning?" he asked, offering me his arm. I shot a quick glance at Edmund as I took it, but he was busy talking to Lucy.

"Fine, thank you," I answered, smiling at him briefly. He led me down the corridor, toward the breakfast table. He chose a seat for me right next to himself, and I felt a little tightening in my chest. Why was he being so friendly again?

Edmund and Lucy sat down opposite us and a butler brought in the food. It was delicious; hot sausages bursting a little at the sides, and melt-in-your-mouth eggs, buttery toast and freshly squeezed orange juice. I ate hungrily as Peter and Edmund discussed the events of the day.

"I daresay Eloise would like to go for a ride sometime?" Peter said, smiling down at me. I smiled back. "I'd love to," I said, taking a sip of juice. It tasted nothing like the watery oranges in England – this was rich and sweet, with an intense flavour.

"Or we could go to the beach," Edmund cut in, looking at me from across the table. "Eloise loves the beach." He glanced slyly at me and I looked down at my plate, trying to hide my smile.

"I'm sure a ride would be more appropriate," Peter said a trifle stiffly. I frowned, and Edmund snorted slightly. "Taking a walk on a sunny beach is far less strenuous than a ride, believe me."

"Maybe, but it isn't sunny today and it will be too cold. We'll take a ride." Peter's voice was cold and left no room for argument. Edmund fell silent, and I shot a brief smile in his direction.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the door and the butler stepped in, holding a smooth envelope on a small silver tray. "Begging your pardon, your Majesties," he said, with a bow to Peter. "But this was delivered by a faun. He said it was urgent."

Peter took the envelope and nodded at him. "Thank you, Azaroth," he said shortly. He stood up and excused himself.

Edmund sighed and put his napkin down. Lucy placed her hand on his arm.

"We can go to the beach tomorrow," she said hopefully. Edmund smiled at her but looked back at me.

"That's not the point," he said, his intense eyes staring into mine. I stared back, wondering what he was thinking.

But before he could say anything else, the door flew open and Peter stepped into the room.

I stared at his face. It was a shade paler than usual, but his lips were set and his eyes were dark.

"Edmund, Lucy," he said quietly. "Please come to my office. Now."

He bowed at me and they left the room, leaving alone.

I got up and walked over to the large windows. Staring out over the mist falling on the hills, I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling inside. Whatever was written in that letter, I knew it wasn't good.