"Last one back gets to explain to mother!" Thomas shouted. Andrew was still holding me, releasing me only when I yanked my hands back from his arms. "Your mother is more than a little terrifying," I admitted. Andrew laughed. "She doesn't like strangers very much, but she's not all that bad," he said, offering me his arm as we made our way back towards our horses. The other four had already crested the hill when Andrew held a hand out to help me into the saddle. I swung up, turning my mare so I could take in the breathtaking vista one last time. Andrew mounted his stallion, turning it around to face the sweeping view next to me. "Thank you for showing me this," I said, wondering if I'd ever be able to break out of the palace to see it again. "Don't worry, there are a few more surprises I'd like to show you back at the palace," Andrew said, as if sensing my hesitation, "Although I'll have to claim at least one of my dances first," I turned to him with a smile, allowing my mare to follow his stallion as we broke into a gallop over the hilltop. We caught up with the rest of the party, Thomas running circles around them as they had slowed down to a trot. "I had a thought as we waited an eternity for you two to catch up," Thomas said, falling in next to Andrew, "What if our return race is a team race?" Both his siblings looked over at him, warily curious. "Anne and Libby have to take the road, while you and I have to go through the forest," Thomas said, "Let's make a real race of it," "And what of us?" James asked, amused. "You get to be the judges. James, you come with us, and Bessie rides with the ladies," Thomas said. "Only if we get the road," Anne said, stunning all of us that she'd want to participate. "Of course, the easy track for the ladies," Thomas grinned. Anne made a face at him. "On my mark then," James started, only for Anne to turn her horse and spur it down towards the winding road at the base of the hill. Miss Claridge was off before I could even wheel my horse around, Andrew and James laughing while Thomas swore. I heard their horses gallop away towards the forest behind me as I trailed the princess and her governess. Anne was leaning low in the saddle, Miss Claridge struggling to catch up with her. The road wove between the hilltops, curving up and down as we raced over it. The horses kicked up a suitable amount of dirt and, trailing the others, I was well aware that my riding outfit would need a thorough laundering before I could wear it again. The princess had crested another hill in front of us, only for Miss Claridge to spur her horse onward when the princess gave out a little shriek. I wasn't fast enough to pull back on my reins as my horse sailed over the hill and landed with a splash in a massive puddle, no doubt leftover from the rainfall earlier that week. Anne's shriek had turned into giggles as she shook off her soaking wet sleeves, her dress now thoroughly muddied. "Let's not let a little mud stop us," she said, urging her horse onward, "Come on, we're almost there!" We tore through Highcastle, eliciting even more stares now that we weren't simply three women riding astride, but three women riding astride whilst covered in mud. Miss Claridge's back was ramrod straight, which I took as a sign that she was not entirely pleased that she was returning her charge in such a state. Anne barely slowed as we reached the palace gates, thundering down the road before she careened off to the side, following the lawns rather than the road. I crossed my fingers that we wouldn't come across the debutantes playing croquet and thankfully we didn't, Anne pulling up just short of the stables. "We won!" she cried gleefully, only for the men to come thundering down the road around the other side of the palace. "Just barely!" Thomas admitted grudgingly, sliding down from his horse while his sister stuck her tongue out at him. Miss Claridge cleared her throat and Anne remembered herself. "I think we'd best be getting back, Princess," Miss Claridge said, dropping a stiff curtsey to the princes and James as she gestured for Anne to precede her towards the palace. "Libby should come too, she'll set tongues to wagging if she shows up covered in muck," Anne said as I slid off my horse and handed the reins to one of the gaggle of stablehands that had turned up to take care of our horses. I had attempted to wipe the puddle mud from my dress, but it was no use. It was already weighing me down, caked in mud and soaked with water. "Then we must hurry," Miss Claridge said, "For your mother will be expecting you for tea shortly," Anne reached out to give my hand a tug, dragging me away before I could say a proper goodbye to Andrew. Our eyes met and he grinned that special lopsided smile, his eyes crinkling as he took in my soiled attire. "I'll have my ladies' maid find you a dress, but we'll need to bathe and change quickly," the princess was saying, as Miss Claridge led us in through a door I'd never been through before. "Thank you, but I'm sure I'd be able to return to my room unseen," I said, thinking of the service corridors. "We won the race, it's the least I can do not to get you into...Mother," Anne froze, halting in her tracks. Coming down the wide hallway towards us was none other than the queen herself, two ladies in waiting trailing behind her. I realized with horror that one of them wasn't a lady in waiting at all, but rather Ashley Mayfair, whose blue eyes had widened in recognition as she looked at me. I dropped as deep a curtsey as I could muster in my sodden dress, Miss Claridge mirroring my reverence. "I presume you have an explanation," the queen said stiffly, running a coldly disapproving look over her daughter. "We...there was a puddle and..." Anne started, her shoulders slumping as she seemed to want to shrink into herself. The queen closed her eyes, sighing. "Anne," she said wearily, her eyes softening as she shook her head at her daughter, "Go clean yourself up," "It was my fault, your Majesty, for not stopping her," Miss Claridge admitted bravely, the queen's look hardening instantly as she glared at the governess. She said nothing, instead running her eyes over Miss Claridge's similarly soiled riding attire before her eyes turned to me. She looked me over as if trying to place me, none of the warmth she'd shown her daughter as she looked at me. Andrew's words echoed in my head and I dropped my gaze deferentially, fighting to keep from biting my lip out of shame. "I'll expect you at tea," the queen said sharply to Anne, "On time," Anne and Miss Claridge dropped into curtseys as the queen skirted around us, giving us a wide berth. I followed suit, but a beat too late. Ashley was watching me with barely masked glee as she covered her grin with her hand. I watched her go as my feeling of dread intensified. Suddenly my glorious day had taken a drastic turn for the worst.