Chapter 6: Snow, Kittens, and His Name

Outside, I heard voices.

"Sir, just as you thought, the Governor's people are here, too."

"Father is here?" I called.

Both men turned.

I clutched William's coat and hurried over.

"Why did Father come? Did Mrs. Dorsey tell on me?"

William took the coat and pointed at a figure running toward us. "Not your father. Her."

It was Mrs. Dorsey.

I hid behind William.

She ran up, red-eyed. "Miss."

"Nanny, I'm not going back. I tore up the separation letter. It doesn't count."

William raised an eyebrow. He looked at me.

I looked back. "Your handwriting is beautiful, but I couldn't bear to keep it. If I didn't tear it, I couldn't call you William anymore."

He laughed and pulled me behind him. "If it's torn, it doesn't count."

Mrs. Dorsey looked anxious. "You..."

William's expression turned cold. "They'll arrive soon. Take good care of your mistress. I'll keep her safe."

When we reached the frontier, it started to snow.

Mrs. Dorsey led me into a small house. I saw a kitten shivering in the corner. I picked it up.

"Nanny, look, the frontier is nice. There are kittens."

She smiled at the kitten, then at me, and sighed.

"Miss, William isn't a good match."

I pouted. "William is a good person. Don't say that."

She just sighed again.

After she tidied up, I ran to find William with the kitten.

This place was much smaller than the palace.

I soon found his guard outside a room.

He stopped me. "Ma'am, he's having an episode. Don't go in."

I remembered his headaches.

I handed the kitten to the guard. "Hold this."

While he stood there, stunned, I darted inside.

No lamps were lit.

William sat in the dark, eyes bloodshot.

"William, I came to rub your head."

I massaged his head, chatting about the kitten.

The guard stood at the door, kitten in hand, looking torn between duty and confusion.

William said nothing.

"William, I found a kitten today."

The kitten meowed.

William opened his eyes. "Come in, show me the kitten."

The guard came in, whispering, "They're gone."

William stroked the kitten, who purred.

I felt a little jealous.

"Does your head still hurt?"

"It doesn't."

I smiled and sat beside him.

He seemed surprised.

I took his hand from the kitten and put it on my head.

He laughed, ruffling my hair.

"Lydia, you're amazing." His voice was gentle, as soft as the falling snow outside.

My heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time he'd called me by my name.

I looked at the kitten and asked, "Then can you sleep with me tonight?"

He hesitated, then said, "Okay."

I jumped up and scooped up the kitten.

"William is the best. I like it here."