Stephanie Laurens Read Free Page B

certain.
    It was his job to make sure of it.
    T o Nell’s relief, Frances woke the next morning with renewed enthusiasm and no hint of any lingering nerves. That, of course, wouldn’t last, but Nell was ready to accept whatever boons fate granted her. Over breakfast, they learned that a tour of the town had been arranged for that morning; duly fortified, they met Frederick and Robert in the front hall, and left the palace in an open carriage with an escort of six mounted soldiers, more, Frederick assured Frances, for ceremonial show than out of any need for protection.
    With Robert’s presence on the bench seat beside her once more pressing on her senses and her mind, Nell determinedly distracted herself by looking around at the neat squares, the well-tended houses, and the cheery flowers in window boxes hanging over the cobbled streets, while simultaneously keeping an ear on the conversation between Frederick and Frances, who were sharing the forward-facing seat.
    The weather remained gloriously fine, and Frances’s mood continued in similar vein through the various organized halts. The first was at the Rathaus, the town hall, where they were welcomed by the mayor, bedecked in his robes and weighted down by gold chains, and a bevy of aldermen. Nell, hanging back in Frances’s shadow, was pleased by how graciously her sister dealt with the gentlemen—but then, in her usual state, Frances was customarily serenely assured.
    After partaking of refreshments and chatting amiably, they departed for the town marketplace. There they walked among the populace—a delightful detour that had Frances laughing, setting Frederick beaming at the silvery sound. From the market square, they walked along a route lined with the town’s best shops, a diversion guaranteed to absorb Frances. She grew animated; there was so much to see and enjoy, and she openly shared her delight with Frederick.
    So well were matters progressing that Nell started to wonder if, perhaps, the family failing had struck, but was now loosening its grip on her sister, even waning. She could only hope.
    Robert had been striding along beside her, silent and far too observant for her liking. As ever, she was intensely aware of him physically filling the space next to her. For some irritating reason, her susceptibility to that awareness hadn’t died; she’d fully expected it would have after nine years of starvation. Refocusing on the couple ahead of them, she asked, “What’s next?”
    “The cathedral. I thought it might be helpful for Frances to see the place before the wedding.”
    Nell wasn’t sure how to respond. Yes, it might be helpful—but then again, it might not.
    Robert’s gaze hadn’t left her face. “Is that all right? I know you went through the rehearsals in London, but walking into a large and overwhelmingly ornate space for the first time . . . I thought she might prefer it see it first.”
    Nell forced herself to nod. “It’s a good idea.” And it was. She just had to hope there would be no unintended consequences.
    The street they were walking along led into the cathedral square. An imposing, richly ornate stone edifice with a tall spire topped with a cross, the cathedral towered over the town, but was in turn overlooked by the castle, visible atop the hill behind the church.
    The prelate and his deacons were waiting at the top of the steps before the carved wooden doors. Frederick led Frances up and introduced her. The prelate, a white-haired ancient, exuded kindness as he patted Frances’s hand.
    Nell watched closely, surreptitiously sighing with relief when she detected no stiffening in Frances.
    Robert dragged his attention from Nell long enough to greet the prelate and introduce her. She responded with her usual calm composure; she was one of those females who could simultaneously do several things at once and perform well on all fronts. She was tracking Frances like a terrier, alert to every little nuance of her sister’s mood,