Arabella bit down on her nails so hard that they threatened to cave.
The hour was nigh and yet no sign of her husband to speak of. Still out in the wind, as far as she knew, seeking the slightest trace of Allegra.
Ada's hand lay on her shoulder but it was barely felt. It was as though it weighed nothing, "Please, temper your breathing," her friend pleaded.
"How can I?" Arabella only stopped gnawing at her fingernails to retort, "What if he doesn't return in time? I will have to greet that halfwit all on my own!"
"He would never do that to you! He'd never let you face him alone. He wouldn't allow it under any circumstances," Ada shook her head, attempting to smile in her friend's face.
"Not if he is taken by something he cannot skip," Arabella murmured.
"Even then! You wouldn't be alone. We would all stand with you,"
With all of that, Arabella pushed her thoughts about their cryptic behavior in order to focus on the arrival of the prince.
