Waking up in bed alone, with Nicholas nowhere in sight, I felt rejected.
I adamantly fought against the feeling, telling myself everything was fine, Nicholas was a very important and busy man. But the hurt was persistent, rooted deep within me.
Worse, I was now also humiliated. It was early, but still late enough for the servants and other candidates to begin to rouse and wander the halls. I had none of my own clothes, only Nicholas’s pajamas or Julian’s jacket.
I kept on the pajamas, but pulled the jacket into my arms to return to Julian later.
Then, with my cheeks burning red, I began the long trek back to my room. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, so I checked around corners and hid in alcoves to avoid all people.
I was nearly caught once, by a pair of servants dusting the
