Amelia worried her lower lip with her teeth. “Which is why I must refuse. I couldn’t possibly learn the ritual part so quickly.”
“Fiddle-faddle,” said the Baron. “Everyone knows the story of Theodora. You especially. The Fantomes will be thrilled.” He seemed especially pleased with that last statement.
I eyed the Baron and Baroness carefully. When I’d met the Marchioness, it was clear how much she hated having a Fantome around. I liked that in a person. On the other hand, the Baron and Baroness spoke fondly of Fantomes. How could I trust someone who liked the Vicomte’s mages? I’d have to stay on alert for a hidden motive.
Amelia stayed thunderstruck, so I decided to step in. I gave the Baroness another curtsey. “What Lady Amelia means to say is that she’s honored to be selected.” I turned to Amelia, who nodded woodenly. “For my part, I shall watch your performance with pride. I’m sure you’ll do well.”
Philippe gave everyone a white-toothed grin. “And I’d love to play one of the poor starving beggars who’s saved by Theodora’s fire. I look exceptional in rags.”
The Baroness winked and tapped Philippe on the shoulder with her fan. A strange look passed between them and was quickly gone. Could Philippe and the Baroness be having an affair as well? I wouldn’t rule it out.
“I’ll show you where to prepare yourselves,” said Baroness as she hustled Amelia and Philippe off into the mansion.
We all passed the threshold. The Baroness guided Amelia and Philippe into the crowd. I held back. Once they were gone, then I could start to explore on my own.
The Baroness paused, spun on her heel, and faced me. “Come along now. The Vicomte warned me about you.” The way she said the word “you,” it was clear that I ranked somewhere between pond scum and pig slop.
“He did?” It didn’t bode well that the Vicomte remembered me at all.
“Stay close now,” ordered the Baroness. “I won’t have you causing any trouble.”
I curtsied and hurried to join their group. “I don’t know where the Vicomte would have gotten such an idea.”
Baroness stepped through the crowd, which parted for her without a word. “I don’t either. You seem like such a harmless little creature.”
“Well, I won’t give you any trouble.”
Yet.
Chapter Sixteen
The castle’s corridors were packed. As I inspected the mass of colorfully dressed Royals, every inch of me itched to cast a transport spell. Without magick, it could take forever to get out of here and reach the gardens.
I need to search those wells and find the entrance to the dungeons below.
The Baroness snapped her fingers, interrupting my worries. “Follow quickly now.” She took off into the crowd. All the Royals shifted out of her path. It appeared to be an unspoken rule: unless the Baroness acknowledged you, you didn’t get in her way. The deference was extended to Amelia and Philippe as well.
Not to me, though.
Everywhere I went there was an intricate dance of shoving elbows and stomping toes, followed by a chorus of false apologies and leading questions.
“Did I step on your gown, sweetling? How silly of me, uh, what’s your name?”
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people. Where did you learn manners?”
“Are you lost? The ball is tomorrow night. The play is a far more exclusive event.”
It was the most restrained show of outright hatred I’d ever encountered.
At last, we reached the gardens behind the castle. My shoulders slumped as I scanned the scene. A labyrinth of tall saplings and thick hedgerows seemed to stretch off into infinity. I stood on tiptoe, straining to look past the tall shrubbery.
Not a single well in sight.
I worried my lower lip with my teeth. These gardens were massive. If I ever wanted to find the well that led down to the dungeons, then I needed a true chance to explore.
The Baroness focused on Amelia and Philippe. “All the upper nobility congregate here. Never in the castle. I’ll introduce you to some of the more important families.” She glared at me. “You stay quiet.”
I nodded. Not a problem. I’d no desire to chitchat with Royals. I tried to appear calm despite the nervous energy in my limbs. When would I be able to sneak away? My hand rested on the inner pocket where Amelia’s witness watch was hidden.
Tomorrow night, little Ada ran out of time.
I had to find one of those wells and soon.
The Baroness led us up to a small group of short Royal ladies with wide waistlines and billowing purple gowns. She approached the gray-haired crone of the group. “Duchess,” she cooed.
The elder woman stepped forward. “Don’t stand on ceremony with me, Bertie. Call me Irena like everyone else.”
I fought back a smile. Irena was a woman after my own heart.
The Baroness pressed Amelia toward the clutch of ladies. Philippe stayed glued to his sister’s side, his suave smile firmly in place. “I’m sure you know the Lady Amelia Masson and her brother Philippe,” said the Baroness. “Amelia’s the sole heir to the Vicomte.”
Irena set her plump hands on her ample belly. “The one in all rumors?”
“Rumors?” The Baroness blinked innocently. “I hadn’t heard anything. However—” She allowed a significant pause to follow. “The Lady Amelia will play Theodora tonight.”
“Aren’t you the clever one, Bertie?” If she’d been a cat, Irena would have hissed and arched her back.
“Always.” The Baroness appeared overly pleased with herself. Amelia was about to become the Caster Queen. Rowan’s lands hadn’t been ravaged by war like ours had been with the Tsar. The Caster continent remained a rich and powerful place. Clearly, the Baroness planned to make the most of Amelia’s upcoming fortune.
Irena sighed. “Such a shame, though. No one important from the House of Theodora is here tonight, are they?”
“They’ll attend my next party. Mark my words.” The Baroness kissed Irena on both cheeks. It was a simple enough gesture, but it was done with icy intent. There was no love lost between these two.
The Baroness led us out of earshot of Irena before turning to Amelia and Philippe once more. “Stay close now.” She glared at me again. “Especially you.”
After that, we slowly made our way across the garden. Every few feet, the Baroness would pause and engage another Royal family. It was always the same conversation, which was essentially what we’d discussed with Irena. I wanted to pull my hair out. All the while, the sun dipped lower in the sky. Shadows lengthened around us. Time was running out.
A few Fantomes walked by. I did my best not to stare. They stayed to the garden’s outer paths as they scurried into the growing darkness. There was a short list of reasons why the Fantomes would be so busy tonight. The most likely? With this many visitors, prisoners like Ada would need extra guards, and no one could guard like a Fantome. I gritted my teeth.
I must steal away.
Philippe took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Patience, Fleur.”
I gave him a forced smile. Patience was never my strong suit.
At last, we stepped into a clearing lined with wooden benches. A stage stood at the far end of the space. White tents flanked either side. The Baroness focused on Philippe. “You’re expected in the far right tent. I’ve arranged for you to play one of the starving peasants.”
“Thank you, Baroness.”
In a flash, I pictured the perfect means of escape. In fact, my idea was so good I had to work hard not to grin. There was only one catch. I had to rely on Amelia’s quick mind to catch on or my plan would end before it began.
I eyed Amelia from head to toe and made a tut-tut noise. “You’re looking pale, my friend. We can’t have you passing out on stage, now can we?”
“What are you talking about?” The Baroness’s thin nostrils flared. “My family has hosted the Passion Play of Theodora for a hundred years. No one has ever passed out on our stage.”
“And they
won’t tonight.” I edged away. “I’ll simply get Amelia her tonic.”
The Baroness pursed her lips. “One of the servants can do it.”
“Oh, no.” Amelia’s face became the image of wide-eyed innocence. “They never get it right. Last time I asked a stranger to prepare the concoction, I became unwell.” She puffed out her cheeks.
I could have cheered with joy. Of course, Amelia knew exactly what I planned.
The Baroness gasped. If she thought fainting was outrageous, then the idea of Amelia vomiting sent her into a panic. She whirled on me. “And you know how to prepare this tonic?”
“I’ve done it a hundred times.” I took another half step backward. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
The Baroness pointed to the castle. “The kitchens are that way. You’ll find whatever you need there.”
“Of course.”
“Fine. Only be quick about it. The play starts in few minutes.” The Baroness grabbed Amelia’s arm and led her off to a nearby tent. The moment the canvas flap closed, it was as if I could finally breathe again.
At last, I’m free to search.
Hiking up my heavy skirts, I stole off along one of the garden’s outer pathways. On the carriage ride over here, Amelia had told me the precise location of every well that she could remember from her childhood visits. There was one that sounded particularly promising. It was large and located in the far corner of the gardens.
I navigated my way along the winding paths. It was slow going in my heavy gown, but eventually I happened upon a small clearing lined with tall hedges. A massive well stood in the far corner.
Unfortunately, it was in use at the moment.
A Royal woman in a bright yellow and green gown was seated atop the well’s edge. A gentleman stood between her thighs. Ugh. His blue longcoat hid the status of his pants, yet there was no question about what was happening. My face burned with embarrassment. I debated trying another well, but this really was the best location.
I began searching for a stone to toss in their direction. Just then, a servant stepped onto the garden path behind me. “All hail! Your presence is requested at the main pavilion!”
The couple immediately stepped apart and began tidying up their wigs and garments. I exhaled with relief.
Yes. Finally.
The servant kept on his rounds while the couple rushed off along the main path. With any luck, Amelia would convince the Baroness that she didn’t need the tonic after all. I didn’t want any servants coming after me.
My heart thumped harder against my rib cage. I couldn’t count on Amelia’s powers of persuasion, though. I needed to search that well and do it quickly. Once the clearing was truly deserted, I stepped closer. The well was a low stone circle with a huge copper basin sitting in its center. The bowl was shallow enough to serve as a birdbath, nothing more. I hooked my fingers in around the edges and hauled the basin out. Water slopped as I tossed it onto the nearby grass.
I leaned over the opening, feeling a rush of stale air against my face. A sense of triumph charged through my veins. It was just as Amelia said.
This was no well.
I picked up a few small stones and dropped them in. They clattered against a distant stone floor.
Some kind of chamber is down there, definitely.
I listened hard, hoping to hear voices. Everything stayed silent. I patted the inner edge of the well. The stones were wide apart. Excellent for climbing down.
There was only one problem, however. My dress. The well was large enough for a man. My gown was positively massive, however. I had worried about getting it dirty, which was why my top layer was an overdress. It was easy enough to remove. But everything underneath? That was a different story.
I patted my thigh. At least, I’d brought along a small dagger, just in case. There was no other option—I’d simply have to remove my overgown, cut myself out of my underdress, and worry about the rest later. My fingers trembled as I unlaced my overgown and set it carefully onto a nearby bench. I scanned the darkness. No one was about. Moving quickly, I hiked up my skirts and pulled my dagger from its sheath. After that, I stopped. The small hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
Someone was watching.
I flipped the dagger so the point of the blade pointed downward—all the better for an attack. I slowly swung around. “Who’s there?”
The barest rustling sounded from the nearby trees. It could be nothing. Even so, I felt it better to be wary.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist from behind. I gasped. How could anyone sneak up on me so quickly? No matter. They wouldn’t live long enough to do it again. I spun around and raised my weapon, ready to strike. That was when I saw a familiar face in the shadows. Rowan. I exhaled and lowered my arm. “You gave me quite a fright.”
“I didn’t mean to.” His thumb rubbed a soothing arc along my wrist. Tonight, Rowan wore his traditional brown fitted leathers. My favorite. An intense look gleamed in his green eyes.
My desire to smile became almost overwhelming. Somehow, I kept my features calm and pointed at Rowan with my dagger. “Don’t you know it’s rude to creep through the bushes?”
He gave me one of his crooked grins that warmed me to my toes. “It’s far worse to watch someone cut off their clothes without announcing yourself.”
“Oh.” My blush came back, even more fiercely this time. Thank goodness it was getting dark out. “This isn’t as odd as it looks.”
He raised his brows. “Tell me.”
“I have it on good authority that this well leads to the dungeons below. I’m afraid I underestimated the dimensions, however.” I gestured across the massive folds of my skirt. “This is far too unwieldy.”
“Allow me.” He set his hands on my shoulders, spun me about, and began to quickly open the elaborate sets of hooks and eyes that trailed their way down my back.
I tried my best to think of the impending rescue mission, however the situation was infinitely distracting. To begin with, Rowan’s bare fingers kept brushing my shoulders and spine. Also, I kept wondering how the man knew to undo these hooks so well. Most servants had trouble with them.
Rowan leaned in closer. His lips almost touched my ear. “I thought you’d never leave the Baroness.”
I couldn’t stop my smile. He’d been watching me. “The Vicomte told the Baroness to keep me close.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“It could have been worse. The Baroness is making Amelia play Theodora.”
Rowan stopped undoing my corset for a moment. “Indeed.”
I glanced at him over my shoulder. His features were unreadable. “What was that? What do you know about my friend?”
His face stayed still as stone. How I hated it when he did that. “It’s nothing I can discuss.”
The muscles along my shoulders tightened to painful levels. I didn’t like the idea of Rowan keeping things from me. “You don’t have to be secretive. The Vicomte already told us about Amelia and Rex.”
“Ah. I see.” Rowan slowly pulled me against him. My almost bare back pressed against the firm planes of his chest. Bit by bit, his heavy arms looped around my waist.
I frowned. Rowan was never spontaneously cuddly or sentimental. The other times he’d held me, it was because I was in danger or obviously upset. “What’s wrong?”
“Not a thing.” Rowan leaned his cheek against my hair. “What you say is the truth. Both Rex and Amelia are creatures of state. They always knew they’d have a marriage of convenience, just not to each other. And Rex is a good man. You don’t need to worry about your friend.”
It still didn’t explain his odd behavior. “And what about you? Are you a good man?”
“I try to be.” His arms tightened. “I have a plan for us, Elea. Believe it.”
His reply wasn’t very comforting. I try to be? “What is this plan, exactly?”
“Nothing I can discuss now, sadly enough.” Rowan released me and undid the last of the hooks along m
y back. My layered skirts fell from my body. I stepped outside the pile of fabric. Now, I stood only in my undershift and pantalets. Rowan stepped around to face me. The lines of his rugged face were tight. Our moment of intimacy was over. We were warrior mages again.
I stepped up to the well and hoisted myself up to sit along the edge. My legs dangled into the growing darkness. I looked into inky black below me.
My people could be down there. Ada. Veronique. I need to save them.
Rowan looked down the throat of the well. “The surface here looks uneven.” Reaching forward, he brushed his palms across the inner stone. “There are good handholds, though. I can climb it. How about you?”
“Not to worry.” My old Cloister was set into the side of a mountain. In the summer months, I’d often scale up to the peak. Mother Superior said it was good exercise. I think she just wanted me to see the sun once in a while. I did nothing but study in those days.
Rowan inspected me carefully. “How long since you last climbed?”
“Months.” Actually, it was more than a year. Still, I didn’t like the worried look in Rowan’s eyes. I was going down this well, whether he liked it or not.
“I’ll go first, then,” he said.
“And why’s that?”
“Landing on an unknown floor in the dark? That can tricky in slippers and pantalets, unless you have help. Or do you want to use magick?”
“The spells I’d have to use would be too powerful. Any Fantome within a league of here would sense that kind of casting. I accept you offer of help.” And, if I were being honest with myself, I liked the idea of Rowan grabbing me in the dark.
“Agreed.” Rowan slipped into the well. For such a large man, his movements were smooth and graceful. He quickly disappeared into the darkness below.
Concealed Page 14
