"How desolate everything looks today," Caroline murmured as she scanned the winter landscape. "And the funeral bell is tolling. I wonder who has died?"/
"Such a mournful, lonely sound," John reined his horse up beside her. "There's the funeral procession down below."/
'Twas a few days after Edward's disastrous return from Carolsfeld. The palace was a veritable hothouse of chaotic emotion. Carolsfeld was angry and was wasting no time in making said fact very clear to Euphrania. The king, likewise, was angry and was wasting no time in making said fact very clear to Edward. And so, to escape for a time the explosive atmosphere of the palace, Edward had all but dragged John and Caroline out for a ride. Unfortunately, the outside atmosphere was not all that better and drooping spirits can hardly be lifted by a funeral dirge.
The three riders stood on the hill overlooking the graveyard as the lengthy procession came winding down the path. As was custom, all dismounted and the men removed their hats while the procession passed. The casket came first, born by the pallbearers dressed in black. The family of the deceased followed, wrapped in dark cloaks. Four women, one older, three younger. One of the women followed the casket more closely than the others and her head was bowed while the others walked with heads held high in proud disdain. As the procession neared the three bystanders, the girl looked up at them. At first she turned to Caroline, her big, dark eyes brimming with tears, then she glanced at the prince and quickly turned her head away again but Edward stared after her until she had moved from sight.
As the procession moved on toward the little graveyard, one man, obviously recognizing the prince, stepped out of order and bowed.
"Your Royal Highness," he began. "We are honored by your presence." The prince bowed in reply as the man continued. "The good doctor will be missed by all."
"Doctor?" Caroline interposed. "Doctor Tremayne?"
"Aye, milady," the man nodded towards her. "His heart just gave out. He always did have a weak heart but he never complained. He was a kind and generous man, loved by all who knew him." With another bow, the man stepped back to the road to rejoin the procession.
As the mourners moved off into the distance, John helped Caroline remount Regina. As she picked up the reins, Caroline brushed a tear from her eye.
"I can't believe that the doctor is really gone," she said softly. "He was such a good man. I wouldn't have ever gotten through those dreadful days after the accident if not for him."
"Then I am grateful to him," John replied with a sad smile. "For he saved the life of my Lady Caroline."
Caroline felt her heart skip a beat at his words "my Lady Caroline", but she answered calmly.
"Nay, 'twas you who saved my life," she smiled. "And I will always be indebted to you. But… he certainly helped very much. That girl behind the casket must have been his daughter whom he spoke of. Poor little thing, she looked so sad and lonely. If only there was something I could do…"
"There was something in her eyes," Edward murmured as if to himself, still staring in the direction the procession had taken. "I've never seen anyone like her before." Then he shook his head and sighed. "We'd better be returning. Hopefully my father has cooled down from his last outburst… or rather my last outburst. If only I could learn to control my tongue…"
Anna1, Doctor Tremayne was for you. Thank you for your review... and the inspiration!