The Bruised Princess by A.G. Marshall

Author:A.G. Marshall [Marshall, A. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avanell Publishing
Published: 2021-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

Rachel made a token protest when Grace brought her to the bath, but her muscles cried out for the warm water to sooth away their pains, and she agreed with them.

Grace’s breath came out in a slow hiss when she helped Rachel out of the nightgown and saw the bruises. Rachel glimpsed herself in a mirror and quickly looked away. It was not a pretty sight.

Grace waited to comment until Rachel was fully submerged in the warm bath. She poured a scented soap in, and the water filled with bubbles. Rachel stretched as far as she could in the tub and tried to unravel what had happened.

Somehow, she had mistaken the castle for the church, and everyone here thought she was someone important. When she tried to tell them who she really was, they said it didn’t matter. That the queen would still want to see her.

Whatever was happening, this bath might make it worth it. Before this, Rachel’s experiences with bathing had involved water that was either frigid or scalding. Bette didn’t believe in coddling.

“The mattress left you black and blue all over, miss,” Grace said.

As if a mattress could cause her injuries. But it would be easier to play along than admit the truth.

“It really was quite uncomfortable.”

Three ladies came in carrying gowns. Courtiers if you judged them by their clothes. Two looked friendly, and one looked furious. Grace curtsied to them.

“This poor lass is bruised all over from sleeping on that bed. Only look at her!”

The ladies looked. The bubbles preserved most of Rachel’s modesty, but there was plenty of skin visible. Plenty of bruises.

The ladies gasped in unison. Even the angry one.

“Poor child!” she said. “I’m sure Queen Veraline had no idea it would cause so much damage. That you would be so delicate!”

“They will fade,” the oldest of the ladies said. “Perhaps in time for the wedding, even.”

Rachel ignored the comment about the wedding. She was unlikely to be invited.

“What did Queen Veraline have to do with the bed?” she asked.

The ladies ignored the question. They were too busy discussing gowns.

“The green silk has too wide a neckline,” Grace said. “It might show the bruises.”

“Perhaps that would be for the best, though,” the formerly angry one said. “Queen Veraline will trust my testimony, but I’m sure she would also like to see a little proof herself.”

“You are right. She’ll wear the green silk, then.”

Grace nodded, and the matter was settled without anyone asking for Rachel’s opinion. She sunk her head into the bath, trying to enjoy the last of the warmth. She was used to having no say in what she wore. Maybe this place wasn’t that different from home after all.

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