Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,63

muttered, before swirling around to face her fears.

The older man laughed, closer than she had anticipated. An orange scarf hung down his well-patched open coat. “What have we here?” His voice grated like sandpaper across an old rusty chain.

“Go about your business and stay out of mine.” Marissa stretched herself as tall as she could as she searched the area for a weapon.

“But you are my business, Princess.”

She backed away as he stepped forward. “You’re a rabble-rouser with too much drink in his belly. You’d be wiser to sleep it off.”

His laugh sent shivers coursing across her skin, but she refused to show weakness.

He moved quick, nabbing her hair.

Marissa gasped against the boorish smell emanating from him. She raised her foot and stomped down on his, but her dainty shoe glanced off his leather boots without harm. He shoved her, and she fell to the ground, scrambling out of his way. “All I have to do is scream and that bevy of soldiers out there will come in here and tear you to bits before you can even beg for mercy.”

“You got a mouth, I’ll give you that. Will be my pleasure to teach you some better ways to use it than screeching like a harpy.”

“Lay another hand on the lady and you’ll screech like a stuck pig when I run my sword through you.”

Marissa gasped at the familiar voice of Captain Standish.

“Mind your business bloke and let me mind mine.” The stranger growled without letting his eyes move from Marissa.

She shuddered as candlelight flickered in them.

“She is my business.”

The sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard roused the drunk. He turned with a growl, but then faltered. Marissa couldn’t blame him. Standish held his weapon with ease, and though his wavy hair was streaked with silver, there was no doubting his strength. Marissa almost felt pity as the stranger’s shoulders drooped and he stumbled out of the way.

Marissa grinned at Standish and raised her hand for assistance, but he scowled at her, eyes dark with anger.

“What were you thinking? You waltz in with your royal carriage and soldiers and then go off on your own? Did you honestly not expect to get accosted?”

She drew her hand back as though he had slapped her. “I came to get my journal. I didn’t think I required protection for a two-minute errand.”

“You are not safe alone, Lady Marissa. There are dark forces working against you.”

“She was not alone, Nicholas.” Mrs. Boyde stepped into view.

Marissa lowered her face and picked straw from her skirt.

“You were aware of the danger?”

Marissa peaked to see Captain Standish glare at Mrs. Boyde.

“I meant for her to receive enough to learn a lesson but not so much as to be harmed. I am aware of my charge, Nicholas. What are you doing so far from yours?”

His charge? Marissa looked at him closer. What did they mean?

“I am not a Guardian, and Robert insisted I follow the two of you. Since you agreed earlier that Robert’s life is not the one in danger, I allowed him to persuade me. Seems like the princess may need more than one Guardian watching over her.”

“I’m not a princess.” Marissa interjected, then turned away as they both glared at her. “Well, I’m not.” She muttered, dusted herself, and pulled herself to her feet.

“Your service will be required no longer tonight, Nicholas. I will see Lady Marissa to her room and make certain to lock her door.”

“I’d check the windows as well,” he chuckled, and feigned a cough at Mrs. Boyde’s glare.

“You know Captain Standish?” Marissa asked as they stomped across the yard once more. She didn’t like feeling as though she were a scolded child.

“We have crossed paths on occasion.”

“His name is Nicholas?”

“You will address him as you always have. Do I need to reprimand you further for your actions this evening?”

“I promise I won’t go off on my own again. I did not realize the attention we garnered with our royal entourage.”

Mrs. Boyde’s warm hand on her shoulder offered comfort, though her words remained firm. Marissa shook the feel of unease as they reentered the parlor room. Mustering courage had not prevented fear souring her stomach. She ate little before retiring to their sleeping quarters. Mrs. Boyde remained at her side until the door closed and Marissa turned the key in the lock. She thought the events of the evening would prevent sleep, but she drifted soon after touching her head to the feathered pillows.

35

Soldiers led them along the main