I push my face into Colton's shoulder to disguise my bright red blush. "That was so embarrassing,"
He grasps my hand and gives it a squeeze. "Worse for me than you. The Queen is going to be so mad at me!"
Ugh. He's right, there's a good chance Mother forces me to send him home. I return the squeeze, knowing that this could very well be the last time I hold his hand. "We better get decent," I say as I wade into shallower water. I emerge from the river, shivering. Colton hung our clothes over the saddle of our horses, and when I reach them, the clothes are only damp. I pull the blouse over my head, the damp sleeves sticking to my arms. The pants are a little bit more of a struggle; the fabric bunches around my ankles, and I almost fall over trying to pull them up.
When both of us have our shoes on, Colton boosts me atop Raindrop. Taking a deep breath in, I urge Raindrop forward to meet the guards. "I would appreciate your discretion," I eye each of the four guards in turn. Two visibly gulp. One looks to the ground. One meets my gaze; I am certain he will be the one to tattle on me to mom.
"Her Majesty is very worried about your whereabouts," he speaks, matching pace with me as Raindrop walks on. "She wished me to convey that Sir McDermott is supposed to accompany you at all times,"
"What is your name, Sir?" I turn my head.
"Jonas Leger, Your Highness,"
I squint my eyes, trying to put together where I have heard that name. "Leger?" I repeat.
"Yes, Your Highness. My grandfather, Jemmy Leger, is the brother of retired General Aspen Leger,"
"Oh!" I exclaim. "General Leger is well loved around the palace,"
"Yes, Your Highness, it was he who helped secure me this position,"
We continue on in silence, Colton and the three remaining guards walking behind us, and Officer Leger and I leading the way. When we break through into the clearing beyond the woods, a swarm awaits us. At the front of it, mother and father stand with solemn looks on their faces.
"Dad? Mom? How are you doing today?" I chuckle.
They stay mute until Officer Leger leads the guards and Colton away. A man steps forward to help me dismount from Raindrop and guides her away.
"Please walk with us, Josie," Dad begins, urging me to follow as he and Mother walk away from the crowd of guards. His voice remains level, but a tone of disappointment underlies it. "We were more than fair by allowing you to attend dates with only the supervision of Sir McDermott. You took advantage of us. Nobody knew your whereabouts. Something serious could have happened,"
"But it didn't! I was still on the palace grounds and nothing happened!" I interject.
Mother silences me with a sharp look. "As long as you live under our roof, you will listen to our rules. For the time being, you can only attend dates with Officer Leger and one of my maids in attendance. It seems Sir McDermott has been far too pliable,"
"No, mother, please, he didn't do anything wrong. Please don't punish him," I protest.
"He has been assigned another role, he is not in any trouble," Dad reassures, touching a hand to my arm. "Josie! Why are you all wet?" He asks.
I mentally curse myself. It seems I almost got away with the swim. "We went for a little dip in the river,"
Dad turns blush red, realizing what it meant for us to swim without bathing suits.
"Josephine! That is hardly appropriate!" Mom exclaims, her voice raising an octave.
"Relax, Mom, we didn't do anything,"
"This is all the more reason for Officer Leger and Stacy to accompany her," Mother mutters to Dad.
"Is that all?" I roll my eyes.
"Yes, sötnos, you may go change," Dad dismisses me.
"Wait just a second, young lady," Mom orders. I pause mid-step and turn back towards them. "I think it is time to send this boy home. He clearly is not a good influence if he encourages silly ideas like swimming in the river,"
"Come on, Mom, it was my idea. Anyone of them would go along with anything I suggest,"
"Eadlyn, I'm inclined to agree with Josie here," Dad says. "We need to allow her some freedom to find a match," Mom opens her mouth to speak, but Dad holds his hand up. "I think having an accompaniment for now is the right decision, but we are not in any place to decide who can stay and who can go,"
"Thank you, Dad," I kiss his cheek as I walk away before I can be called back.
Before I enter through the palace doors, a hand waves me over from behind a shrub in the garden. "Colton?" I laugh as I see him crouching low. A worried frown covers his face.
"I just wanted to get the chance to say goodbye to you," he straightens his posture.
"I'm not sending you home," I chuckle.
"What? But the Queen…" his worried frown is replaced with a confused one.
"Is letting you stay," I finish. "Besides it's not her choice, it's mine." Out of the corner of my eye I see the mass of guards, and with them Mother and Father, approaching. "But you should probably get out of her before Mom has a chance to yell at you," I nudge my head towards the group.
"Thank you!" He nods as a smile erupts over his face. "I had a great time!" He calls over his shoulder as he jogs into the palace. I follow behind him, at a walking pace, in order to not have to deal with Mom and Dad again. When I get into my room, I plop down asleep on the bed before getting a chance to take any notes in my journal.