Double the Love

He leaned on the table with hands under his chin.

very well.

He also proposed a visit to the town of Glinica.

Bujar was surprised and commented,

“He does not like to go out into Society or to be seen by the people. You surely have an effect on him.”

“I only suggested what is sensible,” replied Ariana, wondering at Bujar’s reaction.

The morning of the trip to Glinica, Ariana was up early. Gezim had laid out for her a gown of red brocade with a short red jacket and a hat with a veil.

It had been decided against Ariana’s wish, although she had said nothing, that Gezim accompany her Mistress and the Prince to the town.

“You must be seen to have a maid in attendance,” the Prince had asserted.

He eyed her approvingly as she descended the steps to the carriage.

“You are a vision this morning, Ariana,” he said in a low voice, handing her into the carriage himself.

Gezim climbed onto the box with the driver and the party set off. It was the end of May and the carriage was of an open type drawn by a pair of snow-white mares.

The Dukka estate was in full flower with endless rhododendrons and almond blossom.

‘If only the man beside me was Lorenc himself and not his double, how happy I would be,’ thought Ariana.

She regarded the countryside eagerly as the horses tripped along. It was very beautiful, if rather austere, once The Castle estate was left behind.

As they approached Glinica, the road then became thronged with the country folk carrying baskets of produce and farmers with carts of piglets or wicker cages of hens. It was obviously Fair day in the town.

Prince Stefan did not seem happy to discover this and cursed himself loudly for not remembering and Ariana saw with surprise that he was growing increasingly uneasy.

When people doffed their caps or curtseyed to the carriage, he did not acknowledge their greetings, but stared straight ahead.

When the carriage pulled up in the square before a large hostelry, he seemed impatient to go inside and out of sight of the crowds.