by Lisa Heaton
This woman who appeared on the surface to be wide-eyed with innocence was actually a shrewd and calculating ally. Nothing about Isabel was dreadful. On the contrary, she brought new life into his decaying world.
The following night as they dined, Colin sat and watched Isabel. He had noticed her low spirits the moment she entered the room. Normally so bright and cheery, this Isabel gave him cause for concern.
Finally, he said, “You’re quiet.”
“My friend, Beatrice, is unable to come after all. A messenger arrived just this evening.”
“Is there another you would like to come to you? I will arrange her transport.”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Were you only close with her?”
“Only her and my sisters.”
He was quiet for a moment, pondering her dilemma. “Can you think of any way I can help?”
“I think you can.”
Colin rested his fork on his plate. “I’m listening.”
“Will you make Fina a lady-in-waiting?”
He hadn’t seen that coming. “Well…” Fina wasn’t of noble birth, which was the prerequisite for a lady.
Isabel waved her hand. “Forget I asked.”
“I don’t want to forget you asked. Tell me your thinking on this.”
She looked at Colin for a long moment. “Fina has an unexplainable loyalty to me. I’m not even sure why, but she’s fiercely protective over me. I’ve never known a more straightforward or wise woman. I believe she would make the best companion for me. If she were a lady, she would be able to attend meals and dances as my friend. I think I need that.”
Isabel glanced down at her plate and nudged a carrot with her fork. “I don’t believe I will find that here with the women of Kidian, at least no time soon.”
“Have they been unkind to you, the women here?”
“Not directly.”
“But they are?”
“Of course they are, Colin. Your wife was their queen and friend. I’m just some replacement, the one brought in to have your child. How could they respect that?”
Colin rested his napkin on his plate, knowing he wouldn’t be able to eat another bite. The thought that any of the nobility, man or woman, had been disrespectful to Isabel was infuriating. Even more, the fact that he had missed it made him only angry at himself. He should have watched over her better.
He leaned in, propped his elbow on the table, and with his other hand took hold of Isabel’s hand. “You are queen. If for no other reason than that they should respect you.”
“This isn’t about respect. Truthfully, I don’t care what they think of me. I care that I have a friend whom I can trust, one who has no history with…” She said no more.
“While it can be in title only, tomorrow you will have your lady.”
He cared so little for propriety that this was an easy decision. If the king couldn’t make one noble then what good was his power? He would make it so.
***
Fina untied the laces of her gown, while Isabel tried to find the words to tell her what she had done. Most any other woman would be excited over the news she was about to deliver but not Fina. Fina didn’t like most of the nobles and would normally do whatever she could to avoid them. Now, because of Isabel, she would be thrown in with them way too often for her liking.
“I have news that you will likely consider bad.”
Fina spun her queen around so that she could remove her dress.
“You are well, so I don’t believe the news can be so bad.”
“You haven’t heard it yet.”
Fina gave the queen her full attention. “So, tell me.”
One of the things Isabel liked most about Fina was that she was only formal in the way she addressed her if others were present. When alone, they were truly becoming friends.
“I want you to be my friend.”
“And that’s bad news?” Fina arched her eyebrows.
“There’s more.”
At her queen’s hesitation, Fina put her hands on her hips. “Well, tell me.”
“I need an ally, and I know I have that in you. I want you to go with me to meals and entertainment.”
“I am and always will be your ally, but that’s just not done. A lady’s maid is never brought into the company of the nobility. Only staff who are there to serve are permitted.”
“Tomorrow, the king will make you a lady-in-waiting.”
Fina took a step back. “A what?”
Puzzled by the look on her face, Isabel wasn’t able to surmise her feelings. “Are you angry?”
“Not angry.”
“But you’re not happy about it?”
“Of course, I’m not happy. Your world is ugly, no matter the fine attire.”
Fina bowed her head. “I will agree, though, without hesitation. You need me there to watch over you, but I’ll never be happy about it.”
She looked back up at her queen. “Will you replace me with another lady’s maid?”
“I could never replace you. If you are willing, I would like for you to still help me dress. I can’t imagine anyone else doing that with your great disposition and gentleness.” Isabel laughed since Fina spun her around this way and that. “But you will need your own lady’s maid to assist you.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Fina groaned at the thought. “I’ll have to wear a corset!”
“We will both be miserable together.”
Fina sighed and resumed helping Isabel with the next layer. “Some friend you turn out to be.”
After Fina left, Isabel climbed into bed, still giggling over the conversation. The one thing she never mentioned, and something Fina had not yet likely considered, was that her place as a lady would allow Phillip the opportunity to court her. If Isabel had any hidden agenda, it was that. Phillip was so attentive toward Fina that he was clearly interested. How could he not be? Fina was a simple beauty. Isabel couldn’t wait to see how Phillip would react to seeing her in finery.
Just as Colin had done for her, Isabel would have the same clothiers go to Fina’s new room tomorrow and measure her for proper attire. Isabel smiled to herself, feeling satisfied with her plan overall. No doubt, Fina’s love life was a true blessing, but having her stand at her side with so many against her would give her strength.
Isabel was so deep in thought that it took her a moment to realize Colin was standing in her doorway. When he made no move for a moment, she sat watching him and her heart began to pound. All the while as he approached her, she held her breath.
Colin sat on the side of her bed and moved her hair from her shoulder. “May I be with you tonight?”
“Of course you can.” The tender expression in his eyes further flustered her.
He traced his fingers along her cheek. “Tell me what will make this better for you. I never want to hurt your heart the way I did before.”
She opened her mouth but said nothing. While she knew the answer to his question, her answer embarrassed her.
He leaned in and kissed the bare skin where her neck joined her shoulder.
At his touch, she gasped and her eyes fluttered closed.
“Tell me,” he whispered near her ear.
“Take your shirt off this time. It felt cold and impersonal before.”
“Forgive me.”
Colin removed his shirt, and by the time he finished slipping it over his head, she had removed her nightgown.
The sight so surprised him that he sat for a moment staring at her. “So beautiful,” he whispered.
Isabel reached out and touched his bare chest. “And you are tolerable.”
He chuckled. “You will never allow me an inflated ego, I see.”
“No, never.”
Afterward, Colin rolled onto his back. “Just tolerable?”
Isabel flipped over onto her stomach, propped herself up on her elbows, and rested her chin in her hands. She grinned at him. “Barely tolerable.”
In truth,
he was so absolutely handsome, that often she had to force herself to look away from him when he gave her particular looks.
“Take me to the sea tomorrow.”
He propped himself on one elbow and smiled at her. “I will take you to the sea tomorrow if that’s what you desire.”
“I do. I’ve only seen it from afar as we traveled here. Other than in storybooks, I’ve never seen the sea. I want to feel waves crash on my feet.”
“If you want waves on your feet, you will have them.”
Isabel rested her head on her pillow and sighed. “I’m not sure how I know, but I love Kidian already.”
He smiled and traced his fingers along the soft skin of her back, making little circles every now and again. “Kidian will love you in return.”
When her eyes became heavy in between blinks, he leaned in. “I will stay until you fall asleep.”
She smiled and closed her eyes.
After some time more Colin moved from the bed, and though he tried not to disturb her, his movement caused her to stir.
“Will you hand me that red blanket there on the chair?”
Just that morning she had found it waiting in her room. One side of the small coverlet was the satin from her dress, and the other side was heavy red velvet. In between the two layers was quilting.
Colin brought the cover to her as she slipped her gown over her head. Once she was settled back in, he draped the blanket over her.
“Satin side down,” Isabel said.
Colin turned the blanket over and wrapped her up. “There, all snuggled in?”
She nodded.
“Have I hurt you tonight?”
How could she not feel hurt? Even though he avoided kissing her, he was surprisingly passionate, yet tender, making her feel more than was safe to feel. Different than before, he whispered in her ear, sweet things, and caressed her face. More than anything she wanted him to want to stay.
“A little hurt, but I will work through it.”
Colin leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I will stay longer.”
“No. I think it’s best that you go now.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. I don’t deserve a woman so understanding.”
“No, you really don’t.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll see you in the morning at breakfast.”
Once he was gone, Isabel’s mind began to replay their time together over in her mind, something she found to be a mistake. The memory only caused a sense of being deserted to grip her heart. So she thought, instead, of Elias as she rolled over onto her side. She did as he had suggested and imagined him holding her tightly and whispering sweet words of love into her ear. With his voice tinkling around in her head and snuggled in under her red blanket, she drifted off to sleep with a semi-smile on her face.
Chapter 11
Elias stood before his king, trying his best to show little emotion. He was being asked to arrange transport to the sea. In route, the royal couple would travel through the seaport city of Deslan. Because the city was different from the palace town in that it had a rougher sort as residents, the king was rightly concerned for the queen’s safety.
“I will personally accompany you, Your Majesty.”
“That’s not necessary, Commander. Feel free to assign men to ride alongside the carriage. We will only pass through.”
Elias smiled, noting that his king had yet to travel with Isabel. “I will escort you. You will have to travel on horseback. Your queen gets ill when traveling by carriage.”
“She gets ill?”
“Yes, sir. Stomach upset at being confined.”
“Oh, then I suppose we will travel by horseback after all. I’m glad you told me. I’m not sure she would have.”
“She wouldn’t have is my guess.”
Elias left the king and went to make arrangements for the trip. It wasn’t lost on him how protective the king was over Isabel, a fact that both reassured him and troubled him at the same time.
***
Isabel climbed atop Colin’s stallion as Elias and the soldiers waited nearby. During their trip to Kidian, it had been Elias who had helped her mount, but this time it was Colin who hoisted her up while Elias looked on. She dared not look at him.
Already, this was an unusual morning for Isabel. Excitement over seeing Elias surmounted any idea of seeing the sea. Since Colin had told her that the commander would accompany them, she had been nearly giddy in anticipation of it.
What she hadn’t considered, however, was that Colin would ride on one side of her and Elias the other. In order to corral her in for her safety, they both rode exceptionally close. Just as she had during their trip to Kidian when riding with the soldiers, she talked to those around her, Colin, Elias, and the soldiers near enough to enter into the conversation. Much of the time, they were all laughing, telling stories that would top the others.
Even if the sea proved to be a great disappointment and the feel of the waves on her feet was less than she imagined, the journey gave her such happiness that their destination hardly mattered. To ride alongside Elias was a gift.
“I see the queen is just as talkative as was the princess,” Elias said.
Isabel grinned at that, surprised at how Elias talked to her just as he had on her journey to marry Colin. Colin’s presence seemed to make little difference to him.
“If I recall correctly, plenty of hot air escaped the commander, as well.”
Elias chuckled at that. “True enough, Queen Isabel.”
While Colin seemed to be taken back at the onset, soon enough, he was joining in, laughing with them and at them.
The hour’s ride seemed like only minutes so that by the time they entered the city, Isabel’s heart fell at their arrival. She could have ridden all day.
Their entry caused a major stir along the main thoroughfare. People lined the street, watching in curiosity at first. They seemed alarmed that the king and so many soldiers were present. Finally, after a few more moments of silent observation, cheers broke out among the crowd.
At the site of the enthusiastic onlookers, Isabel began to smile and wave and throw kisses to the little girls standing and watching in awe.
Colin had told her as they traveled that this city housed the working people of the docks, while the ship owners primarily lived in the palace town or in the village of the nobles within the palace grounds. Indeed, this town was poor. Based on their attire, it was evident that many were in need.
“Can we stop?”
Elias smiled. “We may if that’s what you want, but you must wait for the men before you dismount.”
Colin looked over at Elias. “Are you sure she will be safe?”
“I will guard her with my life.”
“As will I,” said the young soldier immediately behind the queen.
Colin looked around and found the same sense of determination on the faces of all who were around them.
“May I?” Her question was directed at Colin.
He hesitated as he scanned the crowd. Eventually he nodded. “Since my mother, these people have not seen their queen so close. What a fine day this is.”
After dismounting, Isabel walked along the line of onlookers with Colin just behind and Elias in front. The people were interested and excited, but in no way were they pressing in on her or causing her to fear for her safety. She smiled and shook hands and asked names.
Once, Colin leaned in and whispered, “I have never known a royal so warm in heart.”
“These people deserve a queen whose heart beats for their welfare.”
From that first touch of an elderly woman’s boney hand, Isabel’s heart, indeed, did beat for these people and their wellbeing. They were kind and just as excited to have her in their town as she was in being there. The hope that Elias said she would bring was what she was experiencing. This moment sang of their hope for the future of Kidian and for their king.
There was a moment when she stopped to talk to a woman holding a smal
l child. Unable to help herself, Isabel reached out and traced her finger along the plump cheek of the baby girl in her mother’s arms. When the little girl grinned a toothless grin and reached her arms out to her, Isabel didn’t hesitate to take the child. Just as she had with her own niece, she nuzzled the neck of the baby, causing her to cackle aloud. Isabel squeezed her as tightly as she dared.
“What a sweet, sweet baby you are.”
***
At the sight of the queen holding a commoner’s child, the crowd fell silent. Colin stood mesmerized, watching the scene unfold. When Isabel handed the child back to the mother and the babe was once again resting on her hip, Isabel reached for the mother’s hand and tucked a coin into it. Isabel then leaned in and whispered something in the mother’s ear that caused tears to well up in the woman’s eyes. Colin longed to know what was said.
They moved along the line of people, but the encounter never left his mind. Isabel was someone so incredibly special that he hardly knew what to do with her. This affection she demonstrated for the people, his people, was something unique among the crown. It was his next thought that caused him to literally stop in his tracks. His mother would have more than approved of Isabel; she would have been proud of her. That could not have been said of Melody, a queen who would never have dared to greet the poor, let alone touch their offspring.
Soon enough they reached the docks, where Isabel insisted on touring one of the ships. She asked the captain dozens of questions while Colin watched in amusement as the captain stammered and stuttered his responses. Several times, Colin found Elias watching her with the same pleasure. It was clear to them both that the captain was entirely taken with the queen. On one occasion he was sure the captain blushed in embarrassment when Isabel smiled up at him.
After the tour of the ship, the party continued on to their destination, the beach area where Isabel could feel the waves on her feet. Without waiting on her companions, hesitating only long enough to remove her shoes, Isabel gathered her skirt in her hands and ran for the water.
Colin stood with Elias and watched for a moment as Isabel danced along the water’s edge ankle-deep. From the moment they had arrived, Isabel was like a fresh breeze blowing into the lives of the people, unexpected but welcomed. Not much happened in the sleepy seaside community, so this visit was something that set the hearts of the people ablaze for their queen. Colin imagined talk of this day wouldn’t die down anytime soon.
