Read Online The Subtle Beauty by Ann Hunter - Free Book Online

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    Murtia waited for the footman to help her from her perch within the carriage. She opened her arms to her sisters, motioning them over. They knew she was too lazy to take two steps toward them and closed the distance between them politely.
    Murtia, who looked strikingly similar to rotund, umber Portia, hugged all of them and rolled her hand in some abstruse wave. “Do tell the servants to bring our things up.”
    It would not have been hard for Murtia to say this herself with the servants only inches away, but the younger girls dared not muddle with either of their two eldest sisters. The servants had heard her clearly and grabbed her things.
    They watched her make her way into the castle. “We better get back inside,” Odessa said.
    “Oh, good,” Portia smacked her lips, “I am hungry.”
     
    More and more guests arrived throughout the day. Nearer to dusk, Glory found some idle moments as the princesses awaited the arrival of their father who was journeying home with the groom from the region of Council’s Realm.
    Glory adjourned to her room to change dresses for Lucullia’s wedding. When she was ready, she examined herself in the mirror and thanked her servants. She began to brush her hair in long, fluid strokes, counting each one. She was only halfway to one-hundred when a servant entered and announced that her father’s carriage had been seen a short distance from the castle.
    Glory put her brush down, grasped the garland crown that had been made for her, and wound her way down the darkened hall. Ribbons fluttered behind her from the garland, and torch light from the wall flickered and shuttered. She placed the garland on her head and smoothed it all out, stopping before a hall mirror to make sure it looked perfect.
    When she turned again, Colin was there. He grinned and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her around a corner.
    “Colin, what are you doing here?”
    He squeezed her playfully. “Readying the doves.”
    Glory squealed and squirmed. “Stop it. Father will be here any second!”
    “Let him come.” He removed the garland from Glory’s head. “I want him to see.” He kissed her passionately, dipping her back a little.
    Glory giggled through the kiss.
    Colin pulled away. “Let’s fly away tonight.”
    “Tonight?”
    “Right after Lucullia’s wedding. I do not want to wait any longer.”
    “Colin…” Glory started.
    “Well, well,” came a catty voice. “What have we here?”
    Glory pushed Colin away. “Alexa!”
    Alexa sidled up to Colin and almost purred. “Hello, handsome. What’s your name?”
    “Colin,” the young falconer squeaked, then cleared his voice and spoke in a deep, exaggerated tone. “Colin.” His back straightened and his chest puffed up. Glory pulled him to her and dug her nails into his arm.
    “Who is this boy you are being so cozy with, Glory? Do not tell me you are falling for a commoner.”
    Glory scowled at her oldest sister. “He is Father’s royal falconer.”
    “Still, I do not think Father would be pleased with the idea of such a tryst. After all, he beheaded mine.”
    Glory glanced at Colin. The expression on his face was that of both intrigue and terror.
    Alexa stroked Colin’s bicep and “oohed” a little.
    Glory felt Colin flex as he tried to show off. She gave him a sound elbow in the ribs to remind him of his place.
    “Imagine Father’s dismay when he arrives, and you are not there to greet him. He will wonder where his baby girl is. Will I have to tell him?”
    “I was planning on telling him.”
    Alexa’s ebony eyebrow arched. “Really?”
    Glory stood her ground.
    “Was that before or after you ‘ fly away ’ together?” Alexa’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile. “Are you sure, little sister? I believe an arrangement could be made to keep me quiet.”
    “Leave us,” Glory snapped, “I’ll be right behind you.”
    “Very well.” Alexa turned and glided off.
    Glory’s blood curdled. “Ooh, that witch! She thinks