Critique_This_WIP

TT Rules:
1. Read the previous Tuesday Tag Posts so you know what the story's about.
2. Write your scene - suggested word count is somewhere around 500 words.
3. Make sure your scene doesn't contain anything offensive and that it continues on in a sensible way from the previous post.*
4. If you're tagged (and we will make sure you're okay with it beforehand), you must write the scene in time for the Tuesday Tag Post - that means you'll have a week, no more, no less.
5. Tell us a little about yourself so we can do the introductory post right here, on Critique This WIP.
6. Have fun!
*we reserve the right to de-tag you if your scene is unacceptable.

**Note: This piece is not historically accurate. Instead, it is a prime example of Creative License.**

“Mo—mother! What…what are you—”

“Gracious, Jocelyn, open a window! It smells like the stables in here,” Mother said, pinching her nose in an exaggerated gesture.

Oh no, Colin! He must have tended to the horses before he came to see her.

“Mother, I—”

“Does your maid not air out your room once you come back from your afternoon rides? You really must punish the girl. How do you ever expect to run a house when your own staff is as lazy as a beggar?”

“Yes, Mother, of course,” Jocelyn said, perhaps too quickly. Her heart was racing in her chest; she needed Mother to leave. If she found Colin—

Don’t think about it. She won’t find him. Just get rid of her.

The older woman was impeccably dressed, even in the wee hours of the morning, and likely after very little sleep. Her hair was pulled back neatly, every strand in place. Gliding to the window, she jerked open the curtains and pushed the glass panels forward, letting in a rush of fresh air and faint morning light.

“What is it, Mother? Why are you waking me so early?” Jocelyn said with a hint of annoyance.

“What is it? Haven’t you heard? Everyone’s talking about it, Dear, it was all anyone spoke of at the party last night, and that’s saying something, given how your wedding went.” Jocelyn flinched at the jab but Mother didn’t notice. She waved her hand in dismissal, then muttered, “Not that you would remember. The servants practically poured you into bed, you were so taken.”

“Mother, what is it?”

“The Duke of Waldrick is here, in the city! He arrived just last night.”

Oh dear God. At the very mention of the name, all thoughts of Colin hiding under her bed vanished. In fact, all thoughts of Colin vanished.

“Waldrick? Prince James? The king’s younger brother?”

“Is there any other Duke of Waldrick?” Mother scoffed.

“But the Prince is in Italy. He’s been at the Vatican for nearly a year on the king’s business. They say he isn’t due back to London–”

“He just returned from Rome. According to Mrs. Richmond, whose husband is the financier of an Italian wine distributer, the Duke left unexpectedly after receiving news of an upcoming wedding. Apparently, the prince was in such a hurry to leave, he didn’t even bid farewell to the Pope! He left in the middle of the night and without completing the king’s business,” Mother shrieked in delight.

“King Charles won’t be as thrilled as you are, I’d expect.”

“He’s the King of England! He’ll find someone else to finish his talks with the Pope. Meanwhile, get up! He’ll be here in no time at all. You must get dressed. Have your maid spend extra time on your appearance. We want everything to be perfect.”

“What are you talking about?” Jocelyn asked; dread knotted itself in the pit of her stomach.

“James will be calling on you this morning,” Mother squealed, grabbing her by the hand. “He intends to court you, Jocelyn. You’re the reason he’s returned to London against his brother’s wishes. You’re the one he means to marry.”

“Marry… Mother, my wedding was just last night. You can’t expect me to go through all this again, not so soon.”

“Are you mad? Jocelyn, this is a Prince of England we’re talking about. Do you realize the kind of life you’d have? The kind of privilege you’d give to this family? Perhaps I’d understand if it were a lesser suitor, but the Duke of Waldrick? Prince James?” Jocelyn hesitated and her mother continued. “You remember the Prince, don’t you? I thought you got along rather nice with him at court. He is a fine looking man.”

“I remember him,” Jocelyn whispered, her mind flashing back in time. They’d met exactly three times before, always at court. Their first meeting had been only two months before James had left for Rome. Jocelyn was new to court life but he’d made her feel special. Before that, she and her mother lived outside of London while her father spent the majority of his time in the city. But just over a year ago, her father moved them all to a house in London and insisted that she attend court. No one had dreamed that Prince James would ask her to dance, and no one knew of the kiss they’d shared afterward in the gardens.

“I’ll summon your maid,” Mother said with a slight smirk. Within moments, the door shut and she was gone.

“So, first an Earl, now a Duke—a prince, no less.”

Colin.

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Do we have a nice little love-triangle in our future?? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!