Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) (18 page)

Katharine's face whitened. "Even if that were true, Your Majesty, the child would be next in line for the throne of Falcon Bruine. What about my children if Ruyen should marry me?"

"King Henry wrote me a long account describing the matter. He insists that if there is a child, it will be the heir to Talshamar, rather than Falcon Bruine."

Katharine loved Ruyen, and it tore at her heart to think of him making love to another woman, even if she happened to be older, and even if she were as plain as Queen Melesant had suggested she might be.

"I am sure you have nothing to worry about, my dear," Melesant said, easily reading Katharine's thoughts. "Ruyen's feelings for you will no doubt be unchanged."

"Perhaps it will be too late for Ruyen to make amends," Katharine said sulkily. "My father was incensed about the marriage and has plans to send me to England." She looked teary-eyed. "It would be too humiliating for me to remain on Falcon Bruine with everyone knowing Ruyen passed me over for another woman."

Melesant was alarmed because she had not expected Lord Highclere to react to Ruyen's marriage with his pride instead of his head. "I will speak to your father, and convince him that no shame attaches to you. I can still see a future for you and my son, but not if you leave. Perhaps you do not realize that if Ruyen had not married this Talshamarian, he would now be dead."

The look Katharine gave Melesant as much as said she would rather see him dead than married to someone else.

There was the sound of voices at the door, and Melesant and Katharine turned in that direction.

Katharine rose, ready to face the woman who had taken Ruyen from her.

Melesant nodded toward the door that connected the throne room with a small chamber. "Wait in that room until I send for you. I will want to greet my children alone."

Katharine would rather have remained, but she did as she was told. No one disobeyed Queen Melesant.

Melesant waited with anticipation, the blood coursing through her veins. Ruyen was a worthy opponent, and she would savor his final defeat. He would want his father's throne—but it was hers, and she would not give it up for anyone, not even her own son.

20

Jilliana thought it would be best to allow Ruyen and Cassandra to greet their mother alone, so she remained in the corridor with Humphrey and Netta. When she noticed that Humphrey's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, she realized that he, too, was mistrustful of Queen Melesant.

Melesant watched her son and daughter advance into the room. She smiled, holding out her arms. "At last, the family is reunited."

Neither the brother nor sister went to her outstretched arms; instead they halted just inside the door.

"Not quite all, Mother. Our father is not here," Ruyen reminded her in a cold voice.

Melesant nodded and tried to look forlorn. "Tis a pity. We shall ail miss him."

"I am sure you grieve for him every day, Mother," Ruyen said without feeling.

Melesant decided to ignore Ruyen's sharp barbs, so she turned her attention to her daughter. Cassandra had always been so plain, with a thin, shapeless body and nothing remarkable about her. Now, however, she had filled out and her face was quite pretty. Melesant's first thought was that she might find a favorable marriage for the girl without having to disburse a large dowry.

"Cassandra, dearest child, come to me."

Reluctantly, the girl moved toward her mother, her steps measured, her eyes downcast. When she was near enough, she placed a quick kiss on the cool cheek that was offered her.

"Sweet daughter, how I have missed you."

Ruyen still stood near the door. "So much so that you allowed her to be taken by Henry's men and placed in the Tower, Mother? Cassandra and I were in prison and under the sentence of death. What we did not understand was why you remained free."

Melesant looked incensed. "How dare you insinuate that I would have allowed Henry to execute my own blood! If I had not bargained with him, I would surely have been locked in the Tower with you, and what purpose would that have served?"

"1 did not see you standing beside us pleading for our lives the day we were to die. Were you in England that day, Mother?"

"Ruyen, you know I was not. But Escobar was there. He would have acted on my behalf."

Ruyen threw back his head and laughed. "Oh yes, Escobar, confidant of kings, wielder of power—" He was no longer laughing and his stomach churned with disgust. "Castilian lapdog. Escobar had no power to save anyone that day, Mother, nor did you. There was only one person who could save me, and she did so by becoming my wife."

Mother and son stared into each other's eyes, so much left unsaid. But the truth burned in Ruyen's eyes, and Melesant turned away from his accusing gaze.

Ruyen took Jilliana's reluctant hand and brought her into the room. "Mother, may I present to you my wife, the queen of Talshamar. Jilliana, this is my mother, the regent of Falcon Bruine."

Melesant realized that Ruyen had just elevated his wife above her by emphasizing that she was only a regent, while Jilliana was a ruling monarch.

But as always, Melesant was quick to hide her anger. "My dear," she said, going forward to greet Jilliana, "how will I ever be able to express my gratitude to you for the lives of my children?"

Jilliana leveled her chin. "There is no need, Queen Melesant. I do not expect gratitude for what I did."

Melesant allowed her eyes to move up and down her son's wife. Why had she thought Queen Jilliana would be an older woman? It was apparent that she was younger than Ruyen, younger even than Katharine. And what was worse, she was a beauty!

Her skin was creamy and flawless, her eyes an unusual shade of blue. She was haughty and regal, looking very much like a queen. Burning with envy, Melesant looked at the purple silk gown adorned with diamonds and pearls. The crown that sat atop Jilliana's white headdress was a golden circle set with diamonds and the biggest rubies Melesant had ever seen.

Melesant knew nothing of Talshamar. She had merely dismissed it as some obscure little kingdom, never imagining that it might possess great wealth. She must not be too hasty in condemning Ruyen's marriage.

Jilliana had been watching Queen Melesant. With her dark skin and fine features she might be considered pretty, but there was something about her that was disconcerting—an insincere note in her voice, a condescending manner that set Jilliana's teeth on edge. Her eyes were a deep brown like Ruyen's, but there the comparison ended. Ruyen's eyes were warm with feelings and often came alive with hidden passions, while his mother's were cold, mistrustful, and cunning.

"You are welcome at Falcon Bruine, Queen Jilliana." Melesant put her cold hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder. "Or might I call you Jilliana?"

"Please do. And may I present to you my most honored palatine, Lord Baldridge."

Melesant turned to the redheaded giant who stood protectively beside Jilliana. As always, when she was near a man, her eyes sparkled and her smile was girlish. "I have never heard the term, palatine. What does it mean?"

Jilliana spoke. "Palatine has great significance in Talshamar. It means trusted adviser and true friend."

"Welcome, Lord Baldridge," Melesant purred. "We shall make certain that you are made comfortable. Shall I have a servant show you to your quarters?"

Humphrey shook his head. "Thank you, no. I remain with my queen until she dismisses me."

Melesant had not been prepared for the events that were unfolding before her. Perhaps it was not such a bad thing that Ruyen had married into the Talshamarian royal family.

At that moment, the connecting door off the throne room opened, and Ruyen watched in surprise as Katharine entered in a flurry of yellow silk. There was a pout on her lips, and her eyes stabbed into his accusingly.

When he did not approach her, she spoke in a hurt voice: "Ruyen, have you no welcome for me?"

Ruyen stood undecided between the two women, one his legal wife, and the other his chosen betrothed. At last, he moved to Katharine and took her offered hand.

"I had not expected you to be here," he said, noting the smug smile on his mother's face.

"And I," Katharine said snippily, "did not expect you to return with a wife."

She turned angry eyes on the woman who was the object of her hatred, but blinked in astonishment when she saw the lovely Talshamarian queen, who stood before her unflinchingly, as if to notice her would be beneath her dignity.

Jilliana had not been prepared for the hurt that took possession of her. However, she would not allow these people to see how she felt. "Queen Melesant, would you allow someone to show me to my quarters? I find I am very weary."

Cassandra rushed forward, taking Jilliana's hand and sending poisonous looks at Katharine. "I'll take you," she said, quickly leading Jilliana out of the room, but not before casting her brother an angry glare.

Ruyen realized that he still held Katharine's hand and he dropped it, not knowing what else to do. Why did he feel as if he had done something wrong?

"What an uppity bit of baggage," Katharine said. "How rude, not to wait to be introduced to me."

Melesant chuckled. "What a tangle. It cannot be pleasant for you, Ruyen, having to explain your betrothed to your wife. Perhaps you would like me to talk to Jilliana."

"Do you think that I am not aware of what you are trying to do? Must you always manipulate people without a care for their feelings?"

Katharine decided to play on his sympathy. "To be snubbed by the woman who has everything I wanted—you especially. It is difficult to bear."

Ruyen took pity on Katharine, whom his mother had used, to what end he could not guess. "I will have someone take you home. It cannot be pleasant for you here."

"Why did you do this, Ruyen?" Katharine demanded.

"We will talk another time." He turned to his mother. "You will both excuse me."

Katharine wanted to protest, but Melesant waved her to silence.

"I have invited Katharine and her father to sup with us. At that time, the two of you can talk. I shall be very discreet and place you beside each other at the table."

Ruyen could feel trouble in the air. No man should have three women who wanted to control his life.

"If you will both excuse me, I have matters that need my attention. You and 1 will speak later, Mother. There are many questions I still want answered."

As he left the room, Melesant's laughter followed him. "Think you he will not squirm tonight when he sits beside you under the watchful eye of his wife?"

"I wanted to scratch her eyes out. Who does she think she is to—"

"She, my dear," Melesant interrupted, "is a queen. You might want to remember that."

"I detest her."

"I do not think she holds you in high regard either. This evening should prove to be interesting."

"She was by far too haughty."

"As suits her station."

"She is not beautiful."

"No," Melesant said tauntingly, "she is more than beautiful. And from the looks of her jewels, wealthy as well. I must find out more about Talshamar and its queen."

"Ruyen has changed. He was…distant. I fear he loves that woman. How could he when he pledged his heart to me?"

Katharine's complaints were beginning to bore Melesant, but she decided not to alienate her just yet. She would play one woman against the other, and both of them against Ruyen, and her son would have no time to confront her.

"I am sure he still loves you, my dear, and who wouldn't?" A clever scheme was forming in her mind and she smiled as she spoke. "I would ask that you extend an invitation to that handsome cousin of yours. I will sit him next to Ruyen's wife. Perhaps he can entertain her."

"James will be pleased to attend. He has been curious about Ruyen's ... wife."

"As I recall half the women on the island are enamored with him."

"He takes it as his due, Your Majesty."

"You have a handsome family, my dear. I will be glad to have you all grace my table tonight."

Katharine looked meditative. "I shall wear my most beautiful gown, the blue one. And I shall not cover my head. Ruyen always liked my hair. Yes, that is what I'll do."

Melesant watched the foolish woman bow and rush through the door. Did she really believe that Ruyen would notice her gown? All women were simpletons where men were concerned.

But not Melesant. She had decided long ago that no man would ever hold sway over her, and no man ever had—not her husband, and not any of the many lovers who had filled her bed but left her heart stone cold.

She thought of Jilliana's palatine. He was so tall, muscled, a powerful man, but a bit too proud. It had been apparent that he disliked her. No matter. She would charm him and he would soon come to her at night when she sent for him.

At that moment, Jilliana was keeping a tight hold on her anger. It was obvious that Ruyen's mother had arranged for Katharine Highclere to be present today. She had seen how quickly Ruyen had rushed to the woman. Were they together now? Was he explaining to her how he had been forced to marry merely to save his life?

Netta was unpacking a trunk, and she watched the queen move absently about the chamber. It was a small room, devoid of warmth or comfort. The two wooden chairs had no cushions, and the bed was lumpy and smelled as if it had not been aired in a long time.

Netta dusted off one of the chairs before draping clothing across the back of it. "The servants here are malingering in their duties," she remarked huffily. "When I finish unpacking, I will remove the musty-smelling linens and tell the housekeeper that you will require clean ones."

"I feel as if I am in a cage with no escape, Netta. How is it that Queen Melesant takes no pride in her home, and provides no comfort for her guests? I believe she meant me to be uncomfortable. I have a feeling everything she does is done for a reason."

"I do not know of such things. Shall I lay out the green for tonight, Your Majesty?"

"No. I have no wish to dine with these people. I shall keep to my room. I want nothing better than to leave this horrid place as soon as possible."

"Tis a cold, uninviting castle, Your Majesty. It makes me long even more for Talshamar."

"Fear not. The moment I know that I am with child, we will go home."

Netta nodded with satisfaction. "Shall I send word that you will be dining in your chamber?"

"Yes."

Before Netta reached the door, Jilliana called out, "Wait! I shall not cower in this room like a frightened rabbit. And I will not wear the green, but the white and gold of Talshamar, and all the trappings that go with it."

Netta smiled. "Aye, Your Majesty, you will dazzle them all."