“He said he would try to help me.”
Robert touched her cheek gently. “Nay, it is me he has helped, though I pray that this will make you happy as well. I promise to be a good husband and to do everything in my power to make you love me as I love you.”
Mary put her hand on Pearl’s shoulder. “It’s the miracle I’ve been praying for,” she whispered, for Pearl’s ears alone.
Pearl had no words.
“Well, we’d best be off before the hour grows any later,” Robert said, taking Pearl’s elbow.
Mary picked up a basket and handed it to Pearl. “Here are some of your things. We’ll bring anything else you need the day after tomorrow.”
“But … what?” Pearl asked, looking from Mary to Finneas.
“The prince thought it would be a good idea if my fiancée came to the castle now,” Robert explained, “to start the wedding preparations. Your parents will follow in a couple of days so that your mother can be with you.”
Mary smoothed a strand of hair back from Pearl’s face. “Just imagine, dear: A week from today you will be a bride.”
The words chilled her to the bone. One look at Mary’s earnest face, though, and she didn’t know what to say to her. She was spared from having to answer by a voice at the door.
“Milord,” a guard addressed Robert.
“What is it?”
“We have captured the murderer!”
“Excellent,” Robert replied as Mary breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Where did you find him?”
“On the beach not ten minutes from here. He was half dressed and blind.”
“Blind, but how can that be?” asked Mary.
“In the struggle with the last girl, she was able to throw fabric dye in his eyes. It has apparently hurt his vision.”
“Murderer?” Pearl asked, panicking. “What is all this about?”
Finneas nodded. “There’s a man, not right in the head, been attacking women up and down the coast. He killed the last one two villages over. Apparently he’s looking for someone named Adriana. He meets pretty girls and then tells them he knew them from birth.”
“Oh my,” she breathed, sinking to a seat at the table.
“Aye, it’s a terrible thing,” Mary answered.
“There’s no need to worry, my darling. He’ll be dealt with swiftly. I assure you that you are quite safe,” Robert vowed.
She forced a shaky laugh. “He sounds like a monster.”
“He would have to be to do the things he’s been doing. But we needn’t worry about him, not when we have so many more pleasant things to think about.” Robert turned to Finneas and Mary. “And now I’m afraid we really must take our leave.”
“We will see you in two days,” Finneas confirmed.
Pearl rose to her feet, taking the basket Mary had packed for her. Outside, Robert patted the neck of a beautiful white mare. “Have you ridden before?”
“No,” she confessed.
He flicked the reins over the horse’s head and handed them to one of his companions. “Well then, best you ride with me this time.”
He moved over to the side of a massive stallion. The animal’s gray coat glistened. In one fluid motion, Robert mounted the beast. He extended his hand down to her. “Put your foot on mine and I’ll help you up.”
She did as she was told, placing her right foot on top of his riding boot. She hopped twice and then he pulled her up, helping her twist in midair. She found herself seated sideways on the horse in front of Robert. He put his arms around her and gathered up the reins.
He clucked, and the horse began to walk. Another cluck, and the mighty animal eased into a canter. The three-beat rhythm was unnerving as was the feeling of the wind stinging her eyes. She felt fragile, exposed, as though she could topple any moment to her death beneath the churning hooves.
Robert’s arms tightened around her. “I’ve got you,” he reassured her.
Somehow, that didn’t make her feel much better. Still, the ride passed swiftly, and soon the horses’ hooves were clattering on the cobblestones in the castle courtyard.
The castle took her breath away. It was magnificent, and larger even than she had imagined. Dozens of times she had dreamed of seeing it, but never quite like this, in the arms of another man and a stranger at that.
Servants ran up to take the reins. Robert dismounted and then put his hands on her waist and lifted her down to the ground. She grabbed his arm for a moment to balance herself and then stepped away. He let his hands drop.
“The banquet won’t start for about another half hour. You’ll just have time to change, if you hurry.”
“But I have nothing to change into.”
He smiled. “They should have something that will suit you.”
Two women rushed up to them. One, with a cheerful smile and round cheeks, exclaimed, “Dear heavens, we just have young ladies sprouting up all over today!”
“Sisters, I’d wager, from the looks of it,” the other affirmed.
“I have no sister,” Pearl told her, her stomach twisting into knots. Faye! Is she really here? What if that part of Kale’s story is true? Her head swam; too much had happened in too little time. She didn’t know what to think or whom to believe.
“Well, then there is a resemblance, but I reckon you to be far prettier than she is,” the first woman said with a wink.
Pearl couldn’t help but smile; the woman’s enthusiasm was infectious. “I was told I needed to change for dinner?” she questioned.
“Mercy, yes. I’m Sarah, and this is Martha. She’ll help you find something real fine.”
The next thing Pearl knew, Martha had whisked her off to a bedroom three times the size of the cottage that had been her only home. At least the only one I remember. She shuddered as her thoughts returned to Kale.
How could he be a murderer? He seemed so gentle, so kind. She trembled as she remembered the kiss they’d shared. Then he had spoken those words “I am your betrothed.” What had he meant by that? He hadn’t been the only one to say those words to her today, though.
She wanted to laugh at the irony. A week ago she had had no prospects as far as finding a husband. Now, she had three proposals: the blacksmith, the murderer, and the nobleman.
Faster than she would have thought possible, Martha produced a gown of exquisite beauty. As Martha helped her dress, her thoughts turned to Robert. Who was he? She had never seen him before or heard James speak of him.
James must have approved, though, if he told Robert to bring me to the castle, she realized. But if James had known that Robert intended to marry her, why had he acted so strangely yesterday? She thought back on the events. He had said he had found an answer to her dilemma about marrying the blacksmith. She had thought when he took her out in the boat that he was going to propose. He must have been going to tell me about Robert instead.
“What kind of man is Robert?” she asked Martha.
“He’s a nobleman, a marquis.”
“Yes, but what kind of man is he? Is he compassionate?”
“I don’t know, milady, I’ve only seen him a couple of times.”
“You must have heard something, though,” she pressed.
“I’ve heard he’s a great warrior. His father, the duke, owns extensive lands to the east and is a second cousin to the king.”
“Robert said he and James were cousins,” Pearl mused.
Martha glanced up at her with a look of horror on her face. Pearl flushed, realizing that she shouldn’t have called the prince by his name. She was saved from an explanation when Sarah bustled into the room.
“There you are, looking mighty handsome at that. How wonderful it will be to have two such ladies dining in the castle tonight!”
Martha finished with the hem of the dress and moved back. Sarah walked around her and looked her up and down. Pearl felt uncomfortable being on display.
“Well, you do look lovely. Now, let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”
&nbs
p; Trepidation filled Pearl’s heart as she followed Martha from the room and down to the main floor. She nervously fingered the black velvet of her gown. She had never before worn such a fine garment. I don’t belong here! she thought, fear gripping her. This is James’s world, not mine. When she entered the hall, Robert was the first person she saw. He moved forward quickly, a smile lighting his face.
“You are a vision. The angels must weep gazing upon your beauty.”
Pearl dropped her eyes. “Thank you, milord.”
“To you, I am just Robert.”
“Thank you, Robert.”
He took her hand and led her to the table. They stopped before an older man, and Robert introduced her. “Pearl, this is my father, Stephen, duke of Novan. Father, this is Pearl, my fiancée.”
“My dear, it is a great honor to meet you and to welcome you into my family,” the duke assured her as he kissed her hand.
Before Pearl could reply, there was a rustling sound as everyone who was already seated at the table rose. At the far end of the room, King Philip and Prince James entered. They moved to the head of the table and took their seats.
James looked as she had never seen him, dressed in all the finery of his station. At that moment she realized how he had always dressed down in her presence, even when he was in the market and was wearing princely clothes.
Everyone else sat, and Robert helped her to her seat. James was looking around the room as though he was expecting to see somebody in particular. At last his eyes fell on her and widened in surprise. Pearl, he mouthed.
She nodded her head. They were close enough to speak to each other, but she didn’t have the words. He, too, seemed at a loss. A servant scuttled forward and whispered something to him. James turned his head suddenly toward one of the Hall’s entrances, and Pearl turned as well.
There in the door was a young woman in a gown of deepest green. Long, silver hair fell in a braid down the center of her back. Her face was like delicate porcelain.
James rose hurriedly and went to her. She took his hand, and he led her back to the banquet table where room had been saved for her. As she sat down, Pearl noticed the adoring look that she was giving James.
Faye! It has to be. That part of Kale’s story, at least, is true. Her head began to spin. Too much was happening too quickly and it was all turning into a blur in her mind.
Realizing she was staring, Pearl forced her attention back to the table and to Robert. Just then, food began to appear, and though she did not feel very hungry, she was grateful for the distraction.
“The king’s chef is the finest in the land,” Robert told her. “I hate to admit that, for our own is quite excellent. I am afraid you will be altogether spoiled, though, by the time we get home.”
“Home.” It was a strange word to hear from his lips, knowing that it was to be his home as well. For thirteen years her home had been with Mary and Finneas; before that, she had no idea. What would home be like with Robert and the duke?
She glanced up to stare once more at Faye. After a moment the other girl lifted her head and looked at her. A look of surprise crossed her face as though she recognized her. Just then James said something, and Faye turned away again.
Pearl dropped her own eyes with a sigh. She found herself picking at a bird that rather resembled a goose. It was really quite good, and she wished she had more of an appetite so that she could enjoy it.
“That’s peacock,” Robert informed her. “The female is a brown color, and the male is bright blue with brightly colored tail feathers.”
He went on to point out other exotic foods on the table. When a tray of fish was offered her, she drew back slightly. Robert waved his hand, and the servant removed it.
“I apologize, you have probably eaten enough fish in your life to never want to eat it again,” Robert said solicitously.
She looked at him gratefully. “I really don’t care to eat fish at all.”
“Then you don’t have to, not now, not ever,” he said.
Soon, Robert was lost in the food and they both ate quietly. From time to time she could feel James’s eyes upon her, but, for the most part he seemed intent on the other woman.
A wave of loneliness swept over her. Mary and Finneas were home, asleep by now, and James, the only other person she knew, might as well have been a world away. She swallowed the lump in her throat and instead spooned a piece of fish onto her plate. Robert noticed and raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask.
The fish sat there while she stared at it. She wondered if Finneas had caught it and if Mary had prepared it for market. In truth, she had no intention of eating it. It was the little piece of home she needed, though. Everything was happening so fast, and the people she most depended on were not available for her to talk to. When at last one of the servants took away her plate with the fish still on it, she felt bereft, alone, and naked.
Soon after that, diners began to leave the table. She made her excuses to Robert and hurried up to her room, wanting more than anything to be alone. She undressed swiftly and donned the sleeping gown that Martha had left out for her.
She was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t come easily. Too much had happened in too short a time. Her mind kept going over the events of the day, seeking some kind of meaning out of it all.
Where had Kale come from? Was he really a murderer? Remembering the kiss they had shared on the beach made her cheeks burn in the darkness. She couldn’t believe that a murderer could kiss that way. Not that I’d know anything about kisses, she thought as she rolled onto her side.
She had known Kale less than an hour and he had kissed her. She couldn’t believe he’d had the audacity. Worse still, she couldn’t believe that she had let him. Why, then, had time seemed to stand still when he’d kissed her? And why did she find herself holding her breath when she remembered it?
Then again, she had known Robert for less than a minute and she was engaged to him. He hadn’t tried to kiss her yet, even though in a week he would have the right to far more than that from her.
She blushed more fiercely thinking about the wedding night. She had thought of marriage in the past, but never that aspect of it. Her stomach twisted in nervous knots, and she couldn’t help but wish that it would be James, or even Kale, whom she would give herself to.
But James was going to marry Faye, the woman who had saved his life. And Kale, she didn’t know where Kale was, but he was probably imprisoned somewhere. I wonder what’s going to happen to him. Could he have really done those terrible things?
She fell asleep, and the nightmares came back stronger. Only now she watched as James kissed Faye. A hand touched her shoulder, and she turned around to see Robert staring at her. He bent down to kiss her, and over his shoulder she saw Kale staring at her.
She closed her eyes so she would not have to see him, and kissed Robert.
The next day was the busiest in Pearl’s life. For three hours in the morning she was subjected to the not-so-delicate ministrations of the royal seamstress. The woman draped her with various fabrics, took measurements four times, and even managed to stab Pearl’s ankle with one of her needles.
The blood horrified the seamstress more than it did Pearl, though: The woman had turned ash white and muttered apologies for five minutes. Pearl just stared at her, bewildered. Does she actually think I’m going to do anything to her? she wondered.
No sooner had the woman left than Sarah was dressing her in a garment much simpler than the velvet one of the night before, which was still more elegant than anything she had ever owned. The dress was scarlet, and as Pearl looked at herself in the reflective glass in her room she couldn’t help but think back to earlier in the week when she had viewed the white of her skin against the red of the tomato she’d bought at market. Now I’m wearing the tomato, she thought with a shake of her head.
Once dressed, she was escorted downstairs by the excited maid. Robert was waiting for her in the hall. Walking up to him, she had to admit herself that he was
very handsome.
“I thought you could use some fresh air after your busy morning,” he told her. “I thought a picnic would be in order. It will also give us a chance to talk, get to know each other better.”
“That would be nice,” she said, warming to him slightly. He did seem to be thoughtful.
He held out his arm to her, and she took it. Together they walked toward the door. Halfway there, James walked through it, and Pearl felt her heart stop for a moment.
He looked at her, mouth slightly open as though he was about to say something. Then he closed it and dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“Robert … Pearl.”
“Highness,” Robert responded.
“James,” Pearl whispered, her mouth having gone dry.
He took a step closer. He looked like he wanted to say something, and she wished he would, anything to break the dreadful silence that suddenly surrounded them.
Finally he spoke, and his voice sounded hoarse to her. “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you both. Robert, there is no finer woman than Pearl.”
“A happy fact that I am well-acquainted with,” Robert answered.
“Pearl … the two of you are a handsome pair,” James said, staring deeply into her eyes.
There was something shining in his eyes, but she couldn’t read it. There was more that he wasn’t saying. Frustrated, she nodded to acknowledge that he had spoken.
He straightened up. “I wish the two of you all the happiness that this world has to offer.”
“We are most grateful for your wishes, Highness.”
James nodded and then smiled in a pained manner. “I shall not keep you.”
He left swiftly, and Robert patted her hand. “I thank God he gave me the courage to ask you,” Robert said, loudly enough that James could hear. “Shall we be on our way?”
“Yes.”
The picnic was pleasant, but at the end of it Pearl felt like she knew Robert no better than she had the day before. He told her stories of his childhood and of tournaments he had entered and won. Some of the stories were heroic, some funny, but there was something lacking in all of them. She had no sense of his true personality, his morals, his soul. That worried her.
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