Once Enchanted by Marie Higgins

Author:Marie Higgins [Higgins, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marie Higgins
Published: 2016-04-24T05:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Clarissa tiptoed down the stairs in the main hallway, heading toward the kitchen. Ryder was probably hungry, and she was slacking in her duty as his prison guard if she didn’t get food and water to him quickly. However, she couldn’t alert her parents of her plans. They would ask too many questions, and she didn’t want to answer them. She hated lying, but telling them the truth wasn’t wise, either.

She made it to the kitchen and cracked the door open just enough to peek in. Three cooks were busily preparing the morning meal. All Clarissa wanted to do was grab some fruits and vegetables, and maybe even a loaf of bread and some cheese. She hoped that would satisfy Ryder until she could sneak more food for him this evening.

She stepped away from the door and frowned. How could she convince the cooks to give her the food without questioning her?

Suddenly, an idea occurred to her, giving her the encouragement needed. She hurried and entered the room before she changed her mind.

When all three ladies looked at her, Clarissa grinned. “Good morning. I hope you don’t mind if I make a request.”

All three curtsied. The oldest cook, Beatrice, scratched her neck with her flour-dusted fingers. “What kind of request, Princess?”

“I’ll be going on an outing today with some friends, and I would like you to pack me an assortment of fruits and vegetables, a loaf of bread, and some cheese.”

“Yes, Princess,” they mumbled with a smile.

“Splendid. I shall return in a few minutes to collect it.”

“As you wish.” They curtsied again.

Clarissa left the room before she sighed with relief. She didn’t exactly lie. She was going on an outing...and she’d be with friends. Well, at least one friend.

Although she had locked Ryder in the tower, she still considered him a dear friend. In fact, this morning while she dressed, guilt weighed heavily on her chest. Her heart argued with her mind, urging her to return and release the poor man. But then she remembered Ryder needed to be locked away so he couldn’t stop her from marrying Ormond.

And for certain, Ryder would stop her. She’d seen his determined expression before, and he wouldn’t quit pushing her until she had doubts about Ormond. Truly, it was best to keep Ryder away. All she could do was hope he’d still forgive her after she was married.

Unfortunately, she still held a segment of doubt in her mind. She had been very attracted to Ryder the other day. She had enjoyed kissing him very much. For heaven’s sake, she’d even considered marrying him before Prince Ormond arrived. And then everything had changed.

Most of her confusion stemmed from knowing she’d never been like this before. When she made up her mind, she stuck to it. Yet, ever since returning from her cousin’s house, Clarissa had not been able to think straight.

She quickly found the footman and asked him to prepare her horse. She still had a few minutes before returning to the kitchen to

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