Forbidde to Love You

Chapter Fifteen - Flashback

It had happened at a winter feast months ago. The great hall had been crowded, and Serena had spent most of the evening feeling invisible among her cousins and brothers. Ewan was surrounded by friends, Alexander was arguing with some young lord, and everyone seemed to have someone they belonged beside.

So she had quietly slipped away from the crowd and stood near one of the tall windows, watching the snow fall beyond the glass. She had chosen a simple dress that evening, pale blue with delicate embroidery along the sleeves. She had liked it because it reminded her of winter mornings in the gardens. Apparently, not everyone shared her taste.

"Serena?"

She turned as Lady Marianne Westbury stood behind her, accompanied by two other young ladies. Her eyes immediately traveled over Serena's dress, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Oh," Marianne said. "I wondered who had dressed you."

Serena blinked. "Excuse me?"

Marianne gave a little laugh. "The dress. It's rather... childish."

One of the girls beside her covered a smile. Serena looked down at herself.

"I like it."

"Of course you do." Marianne tilted her head. "It looks like something a little girl would wear to her first court celebration."

Serena felt the familiar warmth of embarrassment creep up her neck, but before she could answer, a voice came from nearby.

"I wouldn't worry about it."

They turned and saw William leaning against one of the stone pillars, a goblet loosely held in one hand. He looked completely uninterested in the conversation.

Marianne smiled. "Wouldn't worry about what?"

William glanced at Serena's dress. "Her dress."

Marianne's smile returned. "You agree with me?"

William took a slow sip of his drink. "No."

The smile disappeared from Marianne's face. William looked at her with the same bored expression.

"I was saying she shouldn't worry about your opinion."

One of the girls beside Marianne looked away, trying not to laugh. Marianne flushed.

"I was only making an observation."

"An unnecessary one."

There was no anger in William's voice. Somehow, that made it worse. Marianne crossed her arms.

"You seem very interested in Lady Serena's clothing."

William raised an eyebrow. "Not particularly." He looked back toward the snow outside. "I simply find it exhausting when people mistake cruelty for conversation."

Silence. Serena stared at him. William took another sip of his drink, apparently already finished with the matter.

Marianne's face had turned bright red. "Come," she muttered to her companions.

They walked away, but Serena remained by the window, watching William. After a moment, he looked at her.

"What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

"You were staring."

"I was not."

William's mouth curved slightly. "Of course not."

Then someone called his name from across the hall, and he pushed away from the pillar.

Before leaving, he glanced once at her dress. "For what it's worth," he said casually, "I like the blue."

And then he walked away as though he hadn't just made Serena's heart forget how to beat.