Chapter 224: A good friend (1)
Back at the Collins estate, Ally found her way to her mother’s side as the others walked ahead in the garden.
"Mother," Ally said, keeping her eye on Elijah. "Why don’t you want to be in the palace more? You are quite close to the queen."
Sally Chambers, Ally’s mother, laughed. "No, you are mistaken. The queen is kind to me, but I do not see us as friends. I was once the duchess’s maid, and during that time, I had the honour of being around the queen, but not as her friend. I was working."
"I understand that time in your life, but now, you do not work for the duchess, and you are around the royals," Ally pointed out.
"I am around the royals because the duchess invited me to her home. Your grandmother had a hand in teaching the king, but your father doesn’t consider himself a friend of the king. Why do you speak of this?" Sally asked, halting their walk to get her answers.
"Isn’t it obvious, mother? I want to learn more about the palace. I want to be inside it to attend the balls and social events there. That is where all the ladies will find good husbands," said Ally.
"I know, but the palace isn’t somewhere you should be. I’m sure your grandmother gave you many good stories about it, but your father has also spoken about the bad side. While we are at times surrounded by the royals, it is the duchess who is close friends with the queen," Sally explained.
Sally didn’t mind it since she always knew what her place was. She was lucky to receive the queen’s kindness at times, and there were moments her family was invited to special events, but Sally didn’t expect more.
"I do not understand it. The queen said that Julie could go to her for anything, but I did not receive the same offer. Why is that? I am the one who wants to be married," Ally said, needing answers right away.
"You already know why, Ally. It couldn’t have slipped your mind already that Eleanor helped the queen in the past. The queen feels forever indebted to Eleanor, so it is only natural that she wants to take care of Julie," Sally explained.