Eleanora walked silently. The sky bright and warm, making her slightly uncomfortable. She did enjoy the winter so much more.
The streets were not pristine, but they were cleaner than the darker corners of London. It was actually cleaner than Paris.
The air was filled with little girls playing on the street and birds chirping. Â Eleanora looked around at the people, none appreciating the beauty of the day.
The men walked in a great debate probably heading to the bank. Women with each other gossiping. All upper class. Dressed in fine cloth and not bothered by the lower class trying to peddle their goods. The sad looking woman selling oranges in the corner caught her eye. Pretty but she reflected her class tattered clothes and dirty face.
Someone could use a bath. Was her first thought, even she admitted was mean.
She walked up to the young girl. Handing her a few coins.
"Here milady" She nodded in respect. Something about the girl seemed familiar.
She took the orange from the girl and tossed it to the girls playing tag near them. Eleanora smiled as they giggled and ran off to eat the sweet fruit.
She felt sad for the people, just trying to put food in their bellies, she
She turned her attention away from things that distracted her. Pity was a wasted emotion.
A cold calculation was her best weapon. Emotions cloud that, and it would be her undoing. It was once her greatest mistake.
"Well. Well. Well. Do my eyes deceive me, or did you answer my command?" voice soaked in arrogance.
Only one man could be filled with that kind of superficial pride.
"Command? That would imply respect, none of which I have for you." Eleanora did not turn to acknowledge him.
She heard his heels tap a little faster to match her pace. Keeping a respectable distance from her while they were in public. In the past, he would have made her take his elbow, so everyone knew he was her escort or chaperon. I sign of power over a lady. He did need that hand on her though. She was already here, he had her exactly where he wanted.
"Yet here you are. Why?" False naivety in his words.
Eleanora stuck out her chin defiantly. She would not be backed into a corner. "Curiosity. Plus I wish to do some shopping." She licked her dry lips.
"Ah, looking for a dress for the King." He paused and looked over at her as they continued to walk past shop windows.
"If you mean the very well know celebration he is having in the coming days? Then yes. I am." She kept her voice steady and uninterested in him. She paused to look at the dress. Soft lavender with a simple embroidery it was delicate and subtle.
"Looking to play the proper wife, is it? That dress is awful." William scoffed at her admiration.
She did not want to admit he was right, she was used to more elaborate dresses. But if she was to be in the presence of the King, she did not want to draw attention upon herself. "It is a very popular colour this season. All the ladies are wearing it."
"You are not ALL the ladies. You are a proud woman." He was feeding into her vanity. "A little too strong willed, most times, but my little Ellie is no subtle creature."
She was surprised by his compliments. She smiled at his passion. "What would you have me wear?" She used to love his input.
He looked around and pointed at another window in the distance. "That one he pointed."
Focusing on the single dress in the window, he always made bold choices. Red flower patterns with plenty of skirts to accent wide hips, and corset to narrow the waist. It did not escape her the dress lacked a handkerchief for modesty. The idea enticed her, but that was the influence of the woman she used to be.
"Such an eye catching dress. Especially for a matron as myself."
He swung his hands behind his back, a sign of him trying to hide something. "A lady such yourself might just catch the right eyes."
The right eyes.
"Why did you come to my wedding William?" She asked there was a twinge of hope in her voice. It was hope that he was just here to drive her crazy.
"Whatever do you mean sweet Ellie?" He absently grabbed a curl from her hair. Placing it behind her ear. I tendency he did when he thought he was preparing a girl.
She stepped back away from his reach. "I lived so long in peace, then you decide to show up on my wedding day. Strange timing."
"Maybe I wished to congratulate you."
She stopped "Do so. Then be on your way." She locked eyes with him. "Unless you have another purpose." She looked over at his blue eyes. Trying to see what he wanted from her. No, she wanted to demand information. But she was in no bargaining position.
"Congratulations." He said with a playful smirk on his lips. He was handsome. Unfortunately, he made her skin crawl. Once upon a time, she thought of him as a mentor and friend.
He was playing a game. "Well thank you and thank you for your opinion on the dress. Unfortunately, I think I will come down with a headache the day of the King's ball. Good day."
She turned, walking away slowly her corset causing her breath to be shallow. She wanted to get away from him but could not run. She wished for a simple life. Even though she knew that would never happen.
"Am I mistaken, or did the King himself sneak away from your wedding celebration?" His playfulness gone. His voice was steady and threatening.
Eleanora felt ice pierce her chest. Her feet stuck in place. She faced away from him toward a dressmaker's shop. She turned her head ever so slightly to look back at him with the corner of her eye. His hands behind his back, then she saw it the flower pinned to his shirt. She tried so hard to not acknowledge him and missed an important detail.
She held her breath as he made slow steps toward her. She tilted her chin up, she did not show fear.
"I was quite surprised when your husband embraced him as he left. Do you think he would embrace him if he knew what I know?" He took a step closer to her side. Then grabbed her hand. She tried to keep it by her side, but his perfect words were just what he needed. Her hand placed in his elbow he began to escort her away.
"Now about that dress"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please give constructive criticism. I hope you are enjoying Eleanora's, Journey.
We are just scratching the surface of her entanglement in English court.