Post by Mariette Deveraux on May 11, 2016 12:53:15 GMT -5
Those in her retinue, especially Nick, Sir Salvatore, and her uncle, definitely would not appreciate it, Mariette knew. In fact, they might very well do more than scold her if she surrendered to recklessness, a line she did not care to test. They'd made the restrictions on her movements clear, as well as the conditions if she wished to leave the castle. A nod preceded her reply to the Lindblumen man. "The city was rather calm when we arrived, but the tension has lessened, I have noticed when I've been able to go down into the city. Mostly, the people are cautiously hopeful that selecting a new Duke will help restore prosperity to the region and that there will not be significant changes to their way of life." That was part of why Nicolette insisted that the new Duke be chosen from the counts and barons of the region, a point Mariette very much agreed with.
The laugh shimmered free at his question as guilty color threatened to rise in her cheek. "Are you asking me to confess my penchant for satisfying a sweet tooth at midnight, sir?" Of course she was going to sneak out of her chambers to test the passage in the hopes that the cooks had cakes or cookies with some milk for her to pillage! "Sneaking is most unprincess-like, I am told." She gave a playfully haughty sniff of derision, then laughed. "My adventures are often on the small side, but they're no less enjoyable. Come, I will show you one of the passages. There are hidden rooms in this castle as well. I fear the Romanovs were a family with too many secrets."
The realization was sobering as she picked up her skirts, starting up the steps. Mariette private hoped the rooms themselves were empty. There were too many horrible secrets already revealed.
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Severin Rosenquist