Born to Rule

Chapter 2

The sun was setting over the hillside as I stepped outside. My skirt graced the stone-bricked path as I descended the stone steps. At the end stood a golden carriage with leaves detailing around the door and up the roof, as if holding it up. Next to the carriage stood Lord Nicholas talking with a man I hadn't seen before, both wearing their best suits and finest top hats.

They were in deep conversation joking around with one another, unaware of my immediate arrival. I was only a few steps away when they finally noticed me. They straightened their backs and turned towards me.

I stopped a few feet before them, "my lords," I said politely.

"Lady Blair," Lord Nicholas greeted me with a bow. I looked over at his friend, who was staring back at me. Nicholas put his hand on his friend's shoulder almost pulling him forward. "This is my good friend from boarding school, Lord Colinder," he said.

Colinder stepped forward and took my hand while greeting me, "My lady Blair, it is an honor to meet you." He bowed down and gently kissed the back of my hand.

I could not hide the shock on my face, or the red on my cheeks. "It is an honor to meet you too, Colinder," I said giving a short curtsy.

He looked up at me and smiled. "Please call me Colin and might I say you look lovely this evening," he said slowly letting go of my hand.

"You might," I said jokingly, not sure what the best response would be.

"So, where did you go to school?" I asked trying to get their attention of myself.

"We went to Lampolin boarding school, the greatest school there is!" he said proudly.

"Lampolin? As in Lampolin, Norlia in Torvelia?" I asked.

"Yes, only the most modernized city in the world! We have so much to learn from them," said Nicholas, taking off his hat as if it could not contain his aspiration.

"And such a beautiful country it is, truly the pride of the North!" said Colinder.

"Speak for yourself, I almost froze my as-" Nicholas quickly stopped himself remembering he was speaking in front of a Lady. "-My toes off."

"Nice save," I could not help myself but it was too fun not to point out, lady-like or not. The others thought so too, there was a moment of uncertainty quickly followed by laughter.

"I am a born and bred Torvailian you see, I am not much affected by the cold," Colin explained.

"And I promised to show him sensible weather," Nicholas teased.

"I see, well there is no better way to show off our country than the Hillsburry ball," I agreed. It was the greatest ball of the season; the Hendricks always opened the season with Hillsburry. Their house was grand with a large ballroom and a great garden they opened for dancing, performances, and walking about the garden. Last year there was a hedge cut to the likeness of Edward.

"Is Princess Janessa far away? I looked at Nicholas who was scouting the entrance for Jane.

I tried my best to hide the smile forming on my face, not that he would have seen it the way he was scouting the entrance.

Colin watched his friend with the same joy as I. Our gaze met and we immediately knew what the other thought. This young Lord had fallen hard for my Jane, his eyes nearly fell off his face how hard he stared and we could not help but laugh. Nicholas ripped his gaze away from the doors and I could see his face turn pink.

"Jane should be right out, Edward wanted to talk to her since it was our first night out alone," I said hoping to ease his nervous look.

Colin pushed his shoulder against Nicholas. "Don't be so nervous Nichy! I'm sure she hasn't forgotten you yet, am I right my lady Blair?" he said with a cocky tone.