Page 30 of The Midnight Blizzard
“But that’s when the next event begins,” I protested.
“I guess an hour with the prince matters more to you than keeping this gentleman out of prison then.” Valencia shrugged. “How telling. If you change your mind, I’ll still be available. Have a good afternoon, you two.” Her lip curled. “There are still plenty of other closets to hide in. You may want to choose more wisely in the future. Not everyone is as understanding as I am.”
While Jack met with Valencia that evening, Octavius showed me to the room I had been assigned, grumbling allthe while about how everyone made so many demands on him all the time.
“I appreciate it,” I called after him, and he irritably raised a hand as he stalked back down the hall.
“Noelle?”
I turned. Vallia was there, holding the bag I’d left in the carriage when we first set out together, what felt like a month ago.
“Hello,” I said cautiously.
“I brought you your dress,” she said, holding the bag out to me and scuffing her slipper-clad toe against the hallway rug. “I really am sorry about before.”
“I appreciate you saying so.” I accepted the bag, glad that I had one more day’s worth of clothing.
“Can I ask you something?” Vallia didn’t look at me and addressed the doorknob instead.
“Go ahead.”
“Do you even like the prince?”
“Why does that matter to you?”
She finally lifted her gaze to meet mine. “Because I really do.”
A twinge of regret mingled with my anger at the rest of my stepfamily. Had Valencia told her about Jack and me breaking into their suite earlier in the day?
Vallia nibbled her lip before speaking again. “Why do you want to marry him?”
“I’ll do anything to get my school back, you know that.”
“I know. But don’t you think it’s unfair that you’re taking the chance away from someone who does have feelings for the prince?”
I tilted my head. “Why are you so willing to speak your mind around me but not around your sister or mother? Did you agree with them when they left me on the road?”
“No. I told you that during the ball.”
I sighed. I wished it was easier to navigate what was right and wrong. It would be so much simpler if all three members of my stepfamily always behaved horrendously, but while I didn’t want to ostracize the only one who showed me kindness, I also didn’t want her to think that what she had let happen was acceptable.
“Thank you for my dress, Vallia. That was kind of you to return it.”
“You’re welcome.” She hesitated, then added, “Mama said you may drop out of attending the future balls. Is that true?”
Had she weaseled that information out of Jack? I didn’t think he would let that sort of information slip. “I’m planning on attending the balls. Why do you ask?”
“I just really like the prince, and I don’t want to compete against you if I don’t have to.”
“I’m staying in the competition until I get my inheritance back. I wish you the best, but I’m not planning on dropping out.”
She nodded miserably. “I thought as much.” She turned to go back to her room.
I closed the door and pulled the dress out of the bag. I would need to get some of the wrinkles out, but at least I had one more gown for one more day. What would Valencia demand of me the next day? What was she asking Jack for and when would I see him again?
As if in answer to my questions, there was a knock on my window. Looking around, I saw Jack’s face inches from the glass. I hastily unlocked the window and shivered as both he and the frigid winter air entered. Poking my head out, I saw an ice ladder that stretched from the ground floor all the way up to my window.
“Did anyone see you?” I asked breathlessly, snapping the window closed again and rubbing my arms.
