Page 487 -- LVII.

Mrs. Edith lowered her brow. “What is your relationship with this boy, exactly?”

“I’m planning to marry him,” said Lynnette.

Her mother’s eyes widened, as did her father’s, her sister’s, and even Mrs. Goffe’s, who was still within earshot. “You’re planning to what?!” said Mrs. Edith.

Lynnette smirked at their faces. “I’m joking. I hardly know him. He doesn’t talk very much.”

Mr. Edith interjected now, looking almost as stern as his wife. “Young lady, that was not funny.”

“Pretty sure it was,” she said, earning a titter from her little sister.

Her mother shook her head. “You insufferable--”

“You can’t be mad at me. I’m injured.” Lynnette clutched her ribs and hunched over a bit.

“Not injured enough, I’m thinking.” But Mrs. Edith couldn’t suppress her slight grin.

It was Mrs. Goffe’s turn to interrupt. “How did you come to meet my son?”

Lynnette stood up straight again, though felt a bit light-headed and decided to lean on the red BMW behind her. “He just showed up at the castle,” she said. “Completely out of nowhere. Saved the Queen’s life. And mine. Did he not explain to you?”

Mrs. Goffe frowned. “As you said, he doesn’t talk very much.”

“Well, yes, but I would’ve thought--”

“We don’t talk very much,” she corrected.

That left an awkward silence in its wake.

Isabelle was the one to break it, addressing Hector’s mother. “You must have had a difficult time with his infamy.”

Mrs. Goffe’s eyes glazed over. “Yeah,” was all she mustered in reply.

“I heard his father was also one of the victims. You must be--”

“Honey, she probably doesn’t wish to talk about it.”

“I only meant to offer my condolences. I can’t imagine what you must be going through right now.”

Mrs. Goffe looked over the family with an utterly blank expression. “You’re right,” she said. “You can’t imagine.” And she walked away.


Chapter Fifty-Seven: ‘Thy royal passing...’
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Nathaniel received an extravagant funeral service. There were so many flowers that the casket was almost hidden from view. David wasn’t sure where they’d all come from.