Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key (15 page)

Lillian laughed,
“See, Simone, you have nothing to worry about, she was nowhere near your
precious Levi.”

 
Reece closed her eyes in sheer annoyance; she was
reaching her limits of being able to tolerate them and their odd personalities.

  “Lillian,”
Simone spoke in astonishment, “You know I was not concerned about that! We all
know neither Levi nor Harrison would choose anyone outside of royalty for their
bride; Levi has already made that perfectly clear. So for any of you to believe
he would choose someone from outside of the realms of Pemdas…” She stared at
Reece with a mischievous grin, “Well, let’s just say, it would never happen.
Levi is far too superior for that.”

 
Bride!? Is
this what these women worry about all day? Who’s going to marry Prince
Charming? What a joke!
Simone’s gaze didn’t leave Reece’s face. “Well, now
that that’s all cleared up, can we talk about something else?” Reece asked.

  Simone’s dark
eyes appeared wicked when she responded. “Oh, well of course we can talk about
something else; this is probably making you uncomfortable.”

  Reece exhaled.
She was strongly considering feigning an illness and going back to the Palace
alone. The three women went on and on for the entire trip. Listening to the
superficial girls talk had her ready to jump from the carriage. She sighed with
relief when large buildings finally lined the horizon before them.
I either
ditch them now, or figure out how to deal with them,
she thought as the
horses made their way into the large town.

 As soon as the
coach stopped in front of a large building, a footman was opening the carriage door,
and lending a supporting hand to help the women out of it. As she stepped out
of the coach, she immediately understood why the young women did their shopping
here. Tall, stone buildings stood side by side. Each building was unique in its
own way; some were covered in ivy, while others had elaborate designs carved
into their polished stone surfaces. Elaborate windows showcased everything from
clothing to household furnishings, and many other trinkets.

It seemed as though
the merchandise that was offered for sale was similar to that being sold at any
other boutique shopping area on Earth.

 She was enjoying
taking in the sight of the magnificent shopping street, which was filled the
scent of freshly-baked goods, when a high-pitched voice cut through her quiet
moment. “Reece, quit dragging behind! I will not be scolded again by her
ladyship for your lack of attention.”

The women laughed,
and waited for Reece to catch up. They all turned into a large building, filled
with various fine objects—from saddles to sapphires, dresses to diamonds. The
young women went ahead; Reece became so caught up with displays of porcelain
and silver that she almost forgot about them.

They went through
dozens of shops like the first. They had lunch on the balcony of a large inn in
the middle of the village. So intrigued with being in such a unique town, Reece
was finding it easier to deal with the women. She had given up trying to answer
the women’s rude comments, and without a target, they gradually ceased. They
did continue to point out the beauties of the scenery, and Reece was glad to
agree, to nod, and to be impressed. It was the truth; the town was beautiful,
and agreeing with them made a more peaceful afternoon for Reece.

On the way back,
Reece learned, to her dismay, that this shopping adventure would not be her
last with the women. Shopping was pronounced to be their favorite pastime, and
they were determined to drag Reece along in order to show Lady Allestaine their
care for her guest.

Upon reaching the
Palace, they retired to their rooms to freshen up for dinner. Jasmeen’s high
spirits amused Reece and strengthened her for dinner with the other three women.

At dinner, the four
young women were alone at the table. Simone entertained them with underhanded
comments about Earth, and about Reece. Catherine and Lillian laughed,
encouraging Simone further, while Reece kept resolutely silent.

Reece had hardly
ever been as relieved as she was when dinner was over. She opted out of joining
them in the sitting room. Their looks of surprise made her think perhaps she
should have offered an excuse, but she didn’t really care. She’d spent enough
time with them. She knew she would have to build some form of acquaintance with
them, or her days here would be miserable. As much as she didn’t want to, she
had to face these women, and deal with them.

“You know,” she
said to Jasmeen before getting in bed. “I think I want to start the morning off
with a run, and maybe a little exploring. Get me up early, will you?” Jasmeen
looked dubious, but Reece was determined.

“All right, if
that’s what you want. Will you wear your Earth clothes?”

“If they are clean,
then, yes. It may horrify the good Pemdai people, but I can’t run in a long
skirt.”

“As you wish,”
Jasmeen responded as Reece settled into bed, “sleep well.” Reece nodded
tiredly, and as her eyes closed, she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter
10

R
eece was up the next morning, and slipped into her running clothes
before Jasmeen appeared. Still annoyed about the previous day with the young
women, she wondered how she would make it through this one.

She found her way
easily from her room to the back of the house, and set off in the direction
from which Levi had brought her on the first day. A vigorous run was exactly
what she needed; she looked forward to getting back into some semblance of her
familiar routine.

When
she returned to the house, she showered and allowed Jasmeen to dress her for
the day, even continuing to agree on the Pemdai fashions. Fortunately, she was
in a much better mood; she felt refreshed, more like herself, and ready to face
what might come.

Breakfast was
surprisingly enjoyable, as Reece managed to ignore most of what Simone rambled
on about. The fact that the young women did not include her in most of their
conversations, made it easy for Reece to ignore them without seeming rude. When
Reece was addressed, she replied briefly, allowing them to move on with their
discussions.

After breakfast,
shopping was, again, the order of the day. Reece enjoyed getting out, despite
the company. She found the town delightful, and the inhabitants welcoming and
friendly. It amused her to watch the young women interact with the residents
and the workers. They acted like they were royalty, gracing everyone with their
presence, and the people seemed to good-naturedly go along. If anyone noticed
Reece, or found her interesting, Simone was the first to make them aware that
she would not be staying long.

Three days of these
shopping adventures had passed. The constant insult now coming from Simone was
about how Earth was so entirely beneath Pemdas. Simone would slyly maneuver her
way through insults, always subtly implying that Reece was equally as vulgar,
being from such a place. Reece shook it off, Simone had no idea the differences,
and she knew it. Having experienced both places, Reece had concluded that both
had their pros and cons; however, she would never get into that particular
argument with Simone. As much as she would love to shut the woman down
entirely, Reece was wise, and learned in the beginning that it was always best
to remain silent when Simone would start in with her insults. Reece inwardly
knew the truth, and that was all that mattered.

  It was on the
third night after the family had left the Palace, word came they would be
returning within a week, sooner than was expected. Elizabeth had been in a
carriage accident; she was thrown, and suffered a broken leg after a wheel had
come off. She was to stay behind until she was fully healed. Allestaine would
not have her travel until she was assured the ride home for her would be
comfortable.

Apparently, they
expected Elizabeth to be riding and dancing within a month. Lillian told a very
curious Reece that they use a healing lotion that mends such injuries expediently.

Two days before the
family’s scheduled return, Reece had finally reached her limit with Simone.

Every evening after
dinner, the young women settled in the sitting room. Reece enjoyed the soothing
environment, and it usually helped her unwind from a long day with her
companions. The weather had begun to cool, and so each evening, Reece sat in a
comfortable chair, between the windows and the fire, curled up with a blanket,
and found her serenity. On her lap, she usually had a book from the Palace’s
library, while the young women generally spent their evenings flipping through
pages of various books on fashion.

Reece
was perfectly content. She allowed her mind to drift from her book to gaze out
the windows before her. Relaxed and comfortable, she closed the book and
settled further into the chair.

Giggling and
laughter brought her attention to the sofa where the three women were lounging
in front of the fireplace. She smiled at their bond. Their personalities might
not match hers, but they seemed very close. She found herself missing her
friends back home. She faintly smiled and then returned her gaze to the window,
watching the moonlight sparkle in the grass and waters below it.

“Reece? Reece, I
must know this instant what it is that you are staring at!” Simone demanded in
her soprano voice.

Reece snapped out
of her relaxed state, and looked up to find Simone coming toward her. “Every
night that we have come in here, you end up sitting here, reading one of our
books. And now, here you are staring out of the windows; at what? Absolutely
nothing!”

Reece sat up in her
chair, slightly stunned. “I didn’t know that what I do, or don’t do, with my
time concerned you so much, Simone. I’m flattered that you’ve taken the time to
question what I’m doing.” She smiled gently, and waited for an answer.

“I’ll take that as
a compliment.” Simone said as she brushed the hair lying on her shoulder to her
back. “I simply find it amazing that one would consume her time gazing out of a
window into darkness, after hearing the news that in only two more days, a
certain family is to return to the Palace.” She winked at Reece, and Reece
stared at her in confusion.

Simone laughed her
usual high-pitched trill, which would have been contagious had there been no
malice behind it. “We all know Levi and Harrison return with them. I will admit
that it has been rather…well…rather boring and dull without them around,
wouldn’t you?” She cocked a brow and giggled.

 
Oh, please.
Here we go…the Levi and Harrison thing, again,
Reece thought, once she
understood what Simone was trying to imply. “Are you asking me if I find it
boring around here without two men I hardly know?”

Simone took a chair
opposite Reece, blocking the window. She cleared her throat as if preparing to
lecture her. “Don’t you find it stimulating to hear of their return? Why, I’ve
never met a woman who wouldn’t be excited about the return of two exceptionally
handsome men. After all, I’m sure you know they will be giving you their
undivided attention.”

Lillian stood and
came over to the conversation. In the last few days, Lillian and Catherine had
both seemed to change their attitudes toward Reece. They weren’t friendly, but
their insulting comments had ceased, and they no longer seemed disgusted by her
presence. Now, Lillian looked questioningly at Simone, but her friend willfully
ignored her, pursuing an agenda that Reece was unsure about.

“I have no idea
what you are trying to imply,” she stated as she set her book aside. “I have
put up with your rudeness long enough, and therefore, I’m not going to answer
your ridiculous question.”

She
stood up. Simone also stood, and used her tall, slender figure to tower over
Reece. Her face flushed with rage as she squeezed her lips into a fine line.
For the first time since she met her, Reece found no beauty in the woman.

Then Simone smiled,
with what seemed to be a great effort of will, and her features softened.
“Reece, I was speaking in jest, trying to lighten the evening.”

Reece didn’t say
anything.

  “You did not
think I was accusing you of anything?” Simone said, almost crooning the words.

  Reece looked at
her in disbelief.

“I hope I have not
upset you, Reece. We’ve enjoyed entertaining you for this past week or so.” She
giggled—a combination of amusement, malice, and perhaps, a touch of nerves.

“Entertaining me?
Well, I guess that would be one way to put it. And I have been entertained—or
at least, educated—by your pathetic spite. I’ve spent these last few days
listening to your ignorant contempt of me and my home. I think that if I hear
the words, ‘our beautiful Pemdas,’ one more time, I’ll lose my mind. You have
done nothing but treat me like a desperate fool from some other miserable land.
Then, you insult me further, by insinuating that I would sit here and daydream
of your men?”

Simone was
expressionless while Reece finished, “I’ve had all I can take. It’s a big
house; I don’t have to stay here with you people.” She turned to leave and then
stopped, looking back to find all three women staring at her in shock. “Don’t
forget, I didn’t choose to come to here. I was kidnapped, and forced to live
here by your marvelous Pemdas warriors, who are interested in Earth only as it
serves to keep ‘your beautiful Pemdas’ safe. Believe me when I say, I would far
rather be home with my friends.”