A Kiss Before the Wedding - A Pembroke Palace Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page B

take place that very day, in eight hours’ time.
    Her heart had broken to pieces.
    Had William given up on her yet? Did he believe
she had changed her mind, or would he gallop through the chapel
doors on his great black steed in the morning, like a courageous
medieval knight, and spirit her away before the vicar could begin
the ceremony?
    Oh, now she was just being foolish, dreaming of
fairy tales and what could never be...
    Adelaide squeezed her eyes shut.
    William... if you can hear me across the
distance, know that I love you and I tried to reach you. I will
never forget the magic of our kiss in the moonlight...
    Then a cool breeze wafted across the bed and
fluttered her hair. There was a creaking sound, like a door opening
and closing.
    Adelaide sat up in the darkness and glanced at
the door, but it was still locked.
    A sudden panic filled her, for she had heard the
stories about the spirit monks who haunted the subterranean
passages of this palace. She had never believed in ghosts before,
but a keen awareness tingled down her spine—a sense of something
about to happen.
    Then a hand covered her mouth and her heart
leapt into her throat. Once she calmed, the hand loosened and she
knew in her heart who had come for her...
    “William?”
    Was she dreaming? Was he truly there, standing
beside her bed, or was it some spirit from beyond?
    He was cloaked in shadow, but somehow she knew
he was real. She could feel him in her soul.
    “You must be very quiet,” he whispered as he sat
down on the edge of the bed.
    She nodded in agreement, her spine ramrod
straight.
    He took his hand away from her mouth and cupped
her cheek. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I wanted to come to you.
I tried.”
    “I know.”
    “Father locked me in.”
    “I suspected as much.”
    She felt her forehead wrinkle in confusion. “But
how did you get in here? Did you come through the window?”
    He shook his head. “I have not yet learned to
fly, darling. When you did not come, I ran as fast as I could to
the palace, to the servants’ entrance, and tried to sneak in.”
    “What happened?”
    “The housekeeper took me for a thief and tossed
me out on my backside. I had almost given up and was about to
return to the village when a footman approached me. He told me
about the secret passages and offered to take me to your
chamber—for a price.”
    “That was very unscrupulous of him,” she
said.
    “I agree, but I paid him nonetheless. He had
just been let go, so I suppose he had an axe to grind.” William
glanced toward the large tapestry beside the bed. “Did you know
there was a door in the wall?”
    “No. If I had, I would have used it to sneak out
of here hours ago.”
    Overcome by curiosity, Adelaide slid off the bed
and went to examine it. Indeed, there was a secret door behind the
tapestry. It opened soundlessly this time to reveal a dark
passageway that led somewhere mysterious.
    “We can sneak out together,” William whispered,
“if you are sure this is what you want. My horse is waiting at the
stables. If we ride all night, we can make it to London by late
tomorrow and board a ship. I will take you to Italy, my love, and I
promise you will be very happy there. I have so much to tell you
about the discoveries I have made and what I have learned there,
what we can do there together––but not now, Adelaide. If we are
going to leave before your wedding, we must go.”
    She nodded, but hesitated and looked around.
“Should I bring anything?”
    She glanced at the locked door and felt a sudden
pang of remorse. Would she ever see her sisters again?
    “Your cloak,” he replied, “for it has become
cool outside, and whatever else you can fit in a small bag.”
    She hurried across the room, fetched a few
things from the wardrobe, and stuffed them into a valise. Then she
wrapped her cloak around her shoulders.
    William approached and fastened the clasp at her
neck.
    Their eyes met, and she felt a thrilling wave