not promised e’en now,” she thought, and did not make reply.
“Who is it rides so early?” she murmured, gesturing towards the window.
“John,” said Aubrey, sighing. “He means to ride away on Fernanda, and put an ocean between us, I fear.”
“But I must speak to him,” said Drusilla, feeling a sudden concern. Gathering up her skirts, she nearly ran the length of the hall, and scarcely drew breath until she had pulled open the heavy front door of the Chalet and stepped outside.
“He would not leave without a ‘fare thee well,’” Drusilla told herself, but hastened toward the stables all the same.
John had just dismounted when she approached. “Good morrow, John,” she said. “I did not think to see you ride so early.”
“I must put Fernanda through her paces,” replied John gruffly. “After yesterday’s misadventure, I feared she would not be fit for journeying , but she hath ta’en no harm.”
“I am glad to hear it. She is a noble-looking creature…though of an unusual color.”
“Aye, she is noble.”
“John, I hoped that you would ride with us to Court.”
“William is as steady a man as ever breathed and shall convey you safely.”
“But if there were some mischance, you could be of service. And Father shall wish to reward you for all that you have done.”
“More like, he shall clap me in irons. Nay, ‘tis best that I be travelling as I’d planned. You are a stalwart lass, and equal to any mischance.”
Drusilla took a deep breath. “But shall you not be lonely as you wander?”
“That I shall,” he said, looking her full in the face. “Would that I had a suitable companion….But ‘tis hard to find such a one as would join her life with mine. For you see, I long to take a bride.”
“If you were to stop at Court, mayhap your wife might there be discovered,” said Drusilla, blushing. “And prithee do not mistake my father. Though yestermorn, he spoke to you in anger, his Majesty holds you in high esteem and deems you very able. I know that he would offer you employment.”
John hesitated, looking down a moment.
“Forgive me,” said Drusilla sadly. “Of course you must not delay your journey.”
“I wonder,” said John slowly, raising his eyes to meet hers, “if I ha’e not misjudged William.”
“I know not what you mean.”
“The man is foolish and prone to adversity—”
“—Nay.
“—Aye. Whatever thou sayest, lass, a greater dolt I have never known. ‘Tis a great inconvenience, but I find that I must accompany thee to Court.”
“‘Tis regrettable,” said Drusilla.
“Indeed,” said John severely. “Prithee wait until I have stabled Fernanda, and then we shall awaken Cook. For I must eat a vast breakfast if I am to right the coach when it hath overturned….Nay, do not laugh, my beauty. Mayhap one day thou shalt ride Fernanda, ‘an thou dost not tease and vex me.”
Three hours later, Aubrey awoke from his nap in the solar chamber to find a young page standing at attention. “Your Highness,” stammered the page. “The Princess…she that is so broad and tall…bade me deliver this into your hands.” Taking the proffered sheet of parchment, the Prince began to read.
Dear Aubrey, the letter began….
The End
Dear Reader: “The Very Large Princess” starts with a letter from Aubrey and ends with a letter from Drusilla. Romantic stories often end with a proposal or even a wedding, but this one didn’t. Do you think you know what happened next? If not…if you’re still wondering…keep reading….
Here’s what happened next: Drusilla left Aubrey a “Goodbye” letter and went home with John and Margery. She was still a little bit in love with Aubrey at this point, but over time, as she came to know John better, she fell in love with him and eventually became his bride. A good relationship takes time to develop, right? But clearly John was the better man for Drusilla, because, unlike Aubrey, he loved her exactly the way she was.