As the days flew by, Caroline regained her strength. The fever left her and it was such a relief to no longer feel such a sharp and constant pain. She returned to her duties as attendant to Queen Edith and the elderly queen was vastly relieved. During Caroline's absence, she had driven all the other inhabitants of the palace to distraction but now that her favorite lady-in-waiting was with her again, she was pleased. All was well with her world.
"Perhaps it is a good thing that Caroline didn't accept the prince's offer," the king remarked to his wife. "Poor mother can't seem to live without her."
"But she must be married and it must be a suitable match," Queen Elinor insisted. "What think you of the prince of Neuburg? That's a promising alliance?
"Perhaps, my dear, perhaps. But I think that we should focus more on Edward at the moment. Give Caroline time to recover, you know, now that Edward seems to have recovered himself from that last attempt. Perhaps Carolsfeld… that's an important consideration. The Princess Selena of Carolsfeld, yes. That's something to consider! I shall start seeing about negotiations as soon as possible."
"Excellent." Queen Elinor was pleased, though she still longed to make a match for Caroline. Of course, though, Edward was more important. If only he wasn't so stubborn! Why… he was more difficult than Caroline!
Although she had recovered her full health, it soon became evident that something was greatly changed in the Lady Caroline. She was quieter, solemner. Her eyes seemed always to be serious and troubled and a shadow seemed to have settled over her whole being. She hid it well but there were times when the wistful longing in her eyes could not be ignored. She was suffering in silence.
Months went by and, for a time, all seemed as it should be. The king and queen still quarreled daily over alliances and matches, usually resulting in the king going to puzzle over the whole confusing mess in the company of his chamberlain and chancellors while the queen went off to sulk in the company of her ladies-in-waiting. Caroline spent most of her time with Queen Edith but still took time for riding. It was only then that she truly seemed happy. It was now Edward's turn to be matched up and he resented this angrily. Negotiations with Carolsfeld had, indeed, been made and Edward would soon have to travel to the foreign kingdom to meet his prospective bride.
"And may she respond to your offer with more favor than did the lady Caroline to Prince David," the king had said.
"Not likely she'll have to respond at all," Edward had said, under his breath.
The summer had passed uneventfully. After the dreadful calamity that had occurred the winter before, the king and queen had been rather careful in their dealings with Caroline. Beauvai had been rather angry about the disturbing incident and many negotiations had to be made before peace was restored. The court seemed to breath a sigh of relief. The issue was past and now new plots could be made.
Winter was fast approaching again. Caroline was nineteen years of age by this time, and still unmarried. But she was not eager to be married. She had decided that if she could not have the one she loved, she would not have anyone at all. For she was discovering, more and more each day, that she had lost her heart… to a servant.
A few days before Prince Edward's journey to Carolsfeld, Caroline persuaded him and John to go for a ride through the meadow once more.
"After all," she had said, "You'll both be gone so long. And it will be rather lonely here. We won't get a chance to ride together again for a long while!"
It was good, so good, to be galloping along the river's edge and across the hills of the plains. Caroline tossed her head back to catch the last few golden rays of autumn sunshine. Somehow, when she was riding, she was always able to forget her troubles. They seemed to fly away with the wind that swept past her.
The day came for the prince's departure and the court was in a fever of excitement. As Edward entered the throne room to bid his parents farewell and receive their last-minute instruction, Caroline caught John's eye. He was standing not far from her and, as all other attention was absorbed in the prince, she left Queen Edith's side and slipped towards him.
"I shall miss you, while you are away," she spoke softly, knowing it would not do to be caught talking with him while in the throne room. Protocol was a bothersome thing, it was always getting in the way, determining where you should speak, what you should say, and with whom.
"And I shall miss you as well, Lady Caroline," he answered. "I hope all will be well with you."
"And with you," she returned, glancing nervously toward the monarchs. They were still busy with Edward.
"Have courage, Lady Caroline." he whispered. "Have courage and hope, always hope. God be with you."
"May He be with you also" Caroline murmured, blinking back tears as she quickly moved back towards the dowager queen. The prince was taking his leave now, he bowed to his parents, John followed suit, and then they were gone.