The Very Large Princess Read Online Free

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.
     
    **************************
     
    If you enjoyed “The Very
Large Princess,” you might consider posting a customer review…just
one or two lines to let others know what you liked or didn’t like
about the story.
     
    Other stories by