‘Holy Virgin, this gets worse and worse! Where was your escort that you had to call on a Frankish knight to help you?’ Her father glared at her. ‘There is no need to answer that, I can see from your face you had no escort.’
‘No, Father, the Princess did not wa—’
‘Anna, for God’s sake! What happened?’
‘The knight fought off the mercenaries, my lord, and we went into hiding.’
‘Where did you go?’
‘We took refuge in the Basilica Cistern.’
Her father’s jaw dropped. ‘Anna, you cannot be telling me that the reason you missed our meeting yesterday was because you spent the entire night in the cistern, alone with a barbarian?’
Chapter Ten
‘Sir William overcame one of the mercenaries, but there were others on the prowl. Father, we had to hide somewhere—the cistern was the nearest place.’ Saints, Anna might have distracted her father from questioning her about the Princess, but she had no liking for this twist in the conversation. Her father had always viewed foreigners with suspicion, to his mind they were wild and uncivilised.
‘By the Rood, girl—’
‘My lord, would you rather I had been molested? Raped? Murdered?’ Anna gritted her teeth, wishing, not for the first time, that her father were not so prejudiced. ‘Sir William is brave and honourable—he got me safely away from the General’s mercenaries.’
Her father’s mouth worked, his cheeks suffused. ‘And who protected you from him while you were alone in the cistern with him?’ He brought his head close. ‘Did this barbarian touch you? Did he…tamper with you in any way?’
Anna’s cheeks scorched and she felt a rush of anger on William’s behalf. William might be a Frank, but he would not dream of hurting any woman. Heaven help her, she must lie again. ‘No, Father, he did not, he was a perfect gentleman.’ Perfect in more ways than one. She shrugged, pushing away the memory of William’s kisses.
The anger in her father’s face was diffusing. Relief flooded through her. Virgin be praised, she did not want to have to argue with him, not at this, their first meeting in years. She shot a glance towards the abandoned hall. Where are they? I thought they were going to wait for me…
‘Thank God for that, you were most fortunate.’ Her father lowered his voice. ‘Anna, I must advise you. Never make mention of your encounter with the mercenaries, nor of spending the night with a Frank. Your reputation…’ he jerked his head towards the handsome youth hovering in the background ‘…you put your marriage prospects at risk. It is simply not worth it. Anna, are you listening to me?’
‘Yes, my lord.’
‘Then you might look at me instead of staring towards that ruin, Constantine wandered off some time ago.’
‘You saw him?’
‘It was he who told me where to find you.’
Anna looked curiously at her father, wondering whether he would comment on the uncanny likeness between William and Erling. When no comment was forthcoming, she said, ‘My lord, did you see Constantine’s companion?’
Her father looked sharply at her. ‘Handsome brute, looks like a Viking?’
‘Yes, my lord…’ Anna spoke through a tightly clenched jaw ‘…that is Sir William, the Frankish knight who fought off the mercenaries.’
‘I didn’t wait to be introduced.’
‘Did he remind you of anyone?’
‘The Frank? Why on earth should a barbarian remind me of anyone?’
Calm, Anna, remain calm.
‘When I first saw him, he put me in mind of Erling.’
Her father’s eyes bulged. ‘Erling? Have you lost your wits? That man looks nothing like Erling!’
It was Anna’s turn to stare. ‘You don’t think so?’
‘Absolutely not. Anna, stop wasting time, I wish to know…’ her father’s gaze flickered to the spot where Constantine and William had stood ‘…whether Lord Constantine discussed anything of…importance when he came to greet you in the apartment this morning.’
‘Yes, Father, he did. Constantine mentioned that you have discussed the possibility of a marriage between us. He also said that he is not the only man with whom you have opened negotiations.’
‘That is so, I am indeed considering others.’ Lord Isaac drew her slightly to one side, before continuing quietly. ‘Did Lord Constantine tell you that I have decided it is you who will have the final choice?’
‘Yes, Father, I am very grateful.’ Anna smiled, it was such a relief to hear confirmation of what Constantine had told her. Thank goodness she had kept a rein on her temper. Except…in a corner of her mind, a pair of gut-wrenchingly beautiful green eyes were gazing steadily at her. Handsome, certainly, but not a brute.
‘Anna, I am giving you a choice because I feel you should have a final chance to prove that you have matured into a thoughtful and considerate woman… .’
In a trice goosebumps had formed on Anna’s arms, it was as though the wind from the sea had, in a moment, turned wintry. But it is spring, it is not midwinter. ‘F-Father?’
‘…I will be happy to guide you, Anna, and to that end you should know that I approached Lord Constantine first because we owe his family an apology after you so rudely turned your back on his brother. I must say I was somewhat surprised by his favourable response—it is more than you deserve.’
Anna rubbed her arms to get rid of the goosebumps as the dreadful realisation sank in. Father has not changed, at heart he remains the same. She felt cold, she felt sick. ‘Constantine and I have always had a fondness for each other, my lord.’
‘Yes, yes,’ her father said, testily. ‘I recall that very well, but that is of little moment.’
‘Father?’
‘Try to remember the honour due to your position. You are the daughter of the Governor of Heraklea. As such I expect your marriage to further the family’s interests.’
‘Lord Constantine’s lineage is impeccable!’
‘That goes without saying, although I have to say that Lord Constantine lacks the…steadiness of his older brother. You will not know this as you have been out of the City, but lately Lord Constantine’s behaviour has not been quite as…exemplary as I would have hoped. In short, I do not really believe he would make the ideal son-in-law.’
‘What can you mean?’
Lord Isaac grimaced. ‘Lord Constantine is far too interested in people whose affairs should not concern a decent man. In short, he spends too much time consorting with foreigners.’ He jerked his head towards the Hall of the Nineteen Couches. ‘Men like that Frankish knight.’
Anna’s jaw dropped. ‘William saved me!’
Her father’s face darkened. ‘William? You are so familiar with this…this barbarian that you call him William?’
Anna gripped her hands together. This was terrible! This meeting was going badly wrong, and not simply because it was dawning on her that the ‘choice’ her father was offering her was turning out to be no choice at all. ‘Sir William risked his life to help me, my lord.’
‘It is no use you looking at me like that, my girl. I want you to listen to me, and listen most carefully. Your reputation will suffer if it becomes known that you are consorting with foreigners. I am telling you this for your own good.’ He wagged his finger in time with his words. ‘For your own good. Understand?’
Anna knew she was frowning, but she could not help it. ‘Yes, Father, I understand.’ But I do not agree! If Constantine has persuaded William to stay I shall want to see him…and why shouldn’t I?
Her father’s face softened. ‘I want you to make a good marriage.’
‘A dynastic marriage.’ Anna’s lip curled.
‘That’s it in a nutshell. You are not a peasant. You are a lady with responsibilities to your family as well as to yourself. I well remember that you had a fondness for Constantine, and that is why, in part, I approached him first.’
Anna swallowed. ‘You have just admitted that your main reason for approaching Constantine was to red
ress the wrong you say I did Romanos. You do not want me to choose Constantine, if I do, you will forbid the marriage.’ My father’s approach to Constantine had nothing to do with my fondness for him, Father was simply setting the balance straight with the Angeli. And to think I had hoped that Father might have mellowed—to think I hoped he was going to let me choose a husband! When Father talks about allowing me to choose, he is only paying lip service to the idea.
In the corner of her eye, the young man shifted from one foot to the other. If I do not choose the man he wants—and assuredly, this is he—my so-called choice will be rejected. A lump of ice formed where her heart should be.
‘As I see it, Father, nothing has changed.’
Her father looked at her in a puzzled way. ‘Everything has changed.’ He took her arm and squeezed it gently. ‘You are my beloved daughter and you have at last come home where you belong. Later you shall tell me what you thought about life outside the Empire. You must have suffered great privations.’
‘Not at all, my lord.’
‘I see you have learned to be diplomatic.’
‘No, my lord, I meant what I said—I enjoyed my time in Rascia.’
He raised a brow. ‘You seem to have grown into a resilient young woman—one might almost say an alarmingly resilient young woman.’
‘Father?’
‘Later you shall tell me the whole. I have questions about the Princess, too, but this is not the time for them. First, Anna, you must think about your marriage. I am hoping that—with your agreement, naturally—we may soon have cause to celebrate.’
Anna sighed. Sometimes it was as though she and her father spoke different languages. It would seem that relations between them were going to be even more challenging than ever.
Oblivious of her disquiet, Lord Isaac gestured at the young man with the kohl-darkened eyes. ‘Anna, here is someone I should like you to meet.’
* * *
He is very young, far younger than I had at first thought. And I cannot like him, he will not meet my eyes…
Smiling to hide her misgivings, Anna allowed Lord Michael to lead her towards a grassy space between the trees and the sea wall. When she saw her father heading down the path away from them, her misgivings increased. Father has such a concern for the proprieties—why isn’t he escorting us? He must really want this marriage…
‘Your father tells me you have recently returned from Rascia,’ Lord Michael said, as they strolled up and down. The sunlight flashed on his cloak brooch, on his finger rings. ‘I hope the voyage was smooth, the wind can make the sea treacherous at this time of year.’
‘Mercifully, we were blessed with fair winds.’
‘You must be pleased to be back in Constantinople.’
‘Yes, it is good to be home.’ Anna stifled a yawn, she had barely slept in the past couple of days and had no desire to waste time exchanging niceties with Lord Michael. It had not taken her more than a moment to make up her mind about him.
What was her father thinking? The entire Court must know that Lord Michael had a liking for men—she could not marry him. She didn’t care if his family and his record as a soldier were impeccable. Lord Michael was also far too young, she needed someone like…someone like…
‘You couldn’t have returned at a better time, in my view,’ Lord Michael said, studying a large sapphire on one of his rings.
‘Oh?’
‘You will be here for the enthronement—’
‘Excuse the impertinence, my lord, but what age are you?’
‘Age? I am twenty, my lady.’
Twenty! He is younger than I. ‘How long have you served in the army?’
Lord Michael straightened his shoulders. Shoulders which were, now Anna stopped to observe, broad, although not quite as broad as Sir William Bradfer’s. Not that she could compare William with Lord Michael. With her father’s prejudice against foreigners, he would never accept a Frankish knight as a prospective son-in-law. Even she could see how unsuitable William was. He has no lands.
Constantine was her best choice, if she could only change her father’s mind about him. She liked Constantine very much, but remembering the hurt in his dark eyes as he had declared he was serious in his intent to marry her was giving her pause. I am fond of Constantine, but…what if he is in love with me? If he is, I do not feel I should marry him, it would not be fair to Constantine.
Instinct was telling Anna, very loudly, that she could never love Constantine in the way he needed to be loved. I love Constantine as a brother, not a lover. If it is wrong to marry a man who has a liking for other men, it must surely be wrong to marry a man knowing one cannot return his love.
‘Four years, my lady,’ Lord Michael said. He was staring at a ruby now, angling it so it glowed in the light. ‘I have served in the army for four years.’
She fought down another yawn. ‘Brothers and sisters?’
‘One of each, my lady. And you?’
‘I have a younger brother, he is fifteen.’ In truth, he looks about your age.
‘Is he in the army? Which regiment?’
If I were to marry Lord Michael, this is how it would always be between us. Polite questions and answers. No real meeting of minds. Nothing remotely like the instantaneous connection I felt when I saw William on that slave block.
How could Father not see the resemblance between William and Erling?
When Anna’s foot caught on a stick that had fallen from a plane tree, she realised that she had, all unawares, led them back to the wooded area near the Hall of the Nineteen Couches. She bent to retrieve the stick and stared wistfully at some green buds, which were on the point of unfurling. Gently, she touched one of them.
‘My lady?’
‘My apologies, Lord Michael—you were saying?’
He gave her a courteous smile. ‘I was asking about your brother, my lady, but it is of no moment. I can see you are…distracted. It cannot be easy returning to the Palace after so long away.’
‘I confess I am finding everything here rather…overwhelming,’ she said, seizing on the excuse he offered. She studied Lord Michael’s youthful features, wondering whether she could trust him to speak frankly. He is very young. This boy will not understand my fury with my father, nor will he know what to say if I try to enlist his help. Discretion is surely called for. ‘I did have a restless night last night, Lord Michael. If you will forgive me, I should like to return to the women’s quarters.’
I need to think!
Lord Michael gave her an immaculate bow. ‘I shall look forward to our next meeting, my lady.’
‘And I too, my lord.’
‘May I escort you back to the Boukoleon?’
‘Thank you, but that will not be necessary.’
Lord Michael turned and signalled for his entourage. His slaves had, Anna only now realised, been a few steps behind them the entire time. She watched them trail back up the path after their lord with a hard knot of determination taking shape inside her. I cannot possibly marry Lord Michael. How am I to convince my father to give me a real choice?
A movement by the entrance to the Hall of the Nineteen Couches caught her eye—William was sitting on the top step, arms resting on his knees. He gave her a quizzical smile.
‘William! How long have you been sitting there?’ He was watching me!
‘Long enough. Is that pretty boy one of your suitors?’ He came down the steps to stand at her side.
Anna tipped her head back to meet his gaze. Tall. William is several inches taller than Lord Michael. And much broader—I do like that in a man. ‘What of it? I am expected to make a good marriage.’
‘Your courting techniques look a little rusty.’ He gestured at the stick and grinned. ‘What did you think you were going to do with that, brain the man?’
Anna tossed the stick aside. ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Why did William take such delight in needling her?
‘I offer tuition in courtship rituals, should you require it.’ He shi
fted, bringing his lips to within inches of hers. His voice became husky and intimate. ‘Much of my time has already been spoken for, but I am sure I can make space for so charming a student…’
By this time, William was so close she could feel his body heat. She was looking at his mouth, her body warming in anticipation, when she recollected where they were. She jerked back, cheeks ablaze.
‘Don’t do that, William! We are in full sight of…’ Anna waved vaguely at the hall and surrounding grounds.
‘Of?’
‘Of everyone!’
He stepped back with a grin. ‘They’ve all gone, there’s no one here but us, my lady.’
She shook her head at him. ‘William, did you and Constantine come to an agreement?’ She had to ask. It wasn’t that she could ever number William among her suitors, but for all that he teased her, she was starting to feel a real fondness for him. I do not want him to leave, not for a long time…
Behind that thought was a darker thought, one that did not fit with the first. This man for whom you are learning to feel affection is still your slave, you have power over him. You may yet have a use for him.
The problem was, if Anna used that power, she would lose his good will. Her father might not care about losing the good will of a slave, but Anna did, particularly when that slave was Sir William Bradfer.
‘Hmm?’ He was smiling, staring at her mouth as though he wanted to devour it. Her stomach swooped.
‘Did you come to an agreement with Constantine?’
‘As I am sure you already know, Constantine asked me to tutor him in Norman French.’
‘And you have agreed?’
When the fair head dipped in acknowledgement, a rush of happiness had her smiling back at him. He is staying!
‘How long will you remain with us?’
‘I have promised him a couple of weeks. After that I really do have to leave.’ He offered her his arm. Warily, half-afraid of what he might do next, Anna placed her hand on it. Two weeks. I wish it were longer. As he led her up the steps of the Hall of the Nineteen Couches, she gave him a sideways glance. William’s sheer physicality was impossible to ignore, if she had not spent so much time alone with him, she might be afraid of him. But this was William, the Frankish knight who, even though he had been half-naked, had fought off a fully armed mercenary for her. The worst she had to fear from him was his teasing.
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