by Traci E Hall
“Emperor Manuel is pleased to host a chariot race this afternoon at the Hippodrome, as the Romans did long ago. He’s invited the queen and her ladies. King Louis has already graciously accepted the invitation.”
“Can we come too?” Nikola asked, batting her lashes. “I love the races. We can wager on who we think will win.”
Leah, the shortest cousin, clapped. “What fun!”
“Of course you’re invited,” Empress Irene drawled. “You are family.”
The queen’s pinky twitched again. “What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon,” Eleanor said in her winsome way. “I will gladly come. I accept on behalf of my guard as well.”
“All of them?” Empress Irene looked from Bella to Catherine. “I would know how many seats to save.”
“I rarely bring all five with me to any one function.” Eleanor turned to Bella. “Is it your turn to stay behind or Sarah’s?”
Bella felt her throat tighten as the queen stared so innocently at her. Catherine tensed, and Raoul unobtrusively shifted his weight.
Tapping her chin as if in thought, Bella said, “I drew the short straw last, my queen. It’s Sarah’s turn to miss the merriment.”
“Four,” Queen Eleanor answered, turning to the waiting empress. “As you can see, we try to keep things fair.”
Empress Irene’s smile brightened as if Queen Eleanor were the cleverest of women. “I never thought to draw straws for my maid’s activities, but I will implement the system immediately. Less hair pulling that way, I imagine.”
CHAPTER 12
There was no chance to speak with Eleanor alone before the queen was whisked away to the palace. Bella told herself she waited for Raoul to give him an update on Sarah’s condition, not because she was drawn to him like a moth to that disastrous flame of—oui, she admitted it, even while in church—desire.
“I will send word later of where we can talk,” Raoul whispered as he strode away, his arrogance evident in the straight line of his back.
Bella’s secrets were personal, but most could be had by simply asking. What secrets did Raoul have? And would he ever share them?
Catherine sat with a priest on the front bench as she discussed the sermon. Bella knew her friend was using her mesmerizing skills to find out the priest’s true feelings regarding King Louis. And from the way she gestured with her ringed hands, perhaps something else was on her mind as well. Sarah? Or her mysterious sin?
Once Catherine finished, the five young ladies returned to the waiting carriage and the palace.
The former reticence was gone, and Leah suggested they all sit together at the Hippodrome too. “Will you wear your leggings, as you did the first day you arrived? I heard tales of your clothing, but I didn’t get to see what you wore.”
Bella smiled but shrugged. “We will do as the queen asks. If we’re officially guarding her, then we won’t sit down at all. We will protect her.”
Maria giggled, covering her mouth with a hand. “Are your weapons real?”
“Of course.” Bella formed claws. “Boo!”
Leah shrieked in pretend fear, while Nikola rolled her gorgeous eyes. “You are not strong enough to fend off a man, a knight, so why would you walk about in armor with weapons as if you could?”
“Nikki,” Leah admonished with an apologetic glance at Bella.
Bella leaned her head slightly to the right. “I understand what you are saying, yet in truth we are quite skilled at guarding our queen and protecting her from harm. There is more than just brute force as a means to victory.”
Nikola pointed in accusation. “You walk around in shameful garb, leading men to think sinful thoughts.”
Catherine’s grip on the bench tightened as she listened to Nikola’s accusations. Bella whispered caution, but Catherine cut her off. “Nikola, you don’t know what you are talking about. Men think sinful thoughts because they are men.” She took an ivory pin from the back of her hair and held it like a dagger. “Ignorance is a less attractive accessory on a woman than a short sword and leggings.”
Nikola and Maria both gasped at the outburst from the previously quiet lady.
Bella eyed Catherine with respect.
Leah laughed softly. “I’m not brave enough to do such a thing, but I would like to defend myself if I had to. The streets at night aren’t safe, and even though we are but lesser royalty, we’ve had the occasional ransom threat.” Leah folded her hands in her lap. “It would be nice to know how to use the knife I keep under my pillow.”
Nikola and Marie gasped again, but Catherine nodded. Bella, knowing exactly how Leah felt, offered to show the shortest cousin how to wield the blade in defense so she did not end up ceding her weapon to her attacker.
When they reached the palace, they said their good-byes to the young women but were stopped on their way to the kitchen by a French soldier, who told them the queen had gone to her rooms, and they were to meet with her there.
Bella and Catherine exchanged a look but knew they had no choice in the matter. “And now I am really hungry,” Catherine added with a longing look toward the source of the yeasty scent of baking bread.
“Probably from scaring the cousins half to death,” Bella teased.
“Nikola needs to be taught a lesson.”
“Oui, Catherine, but not by us. We’re here for a short time, not nearly long enough to undo a life filled with misinformation.”
”There is hope for Leah.” Catherine headed toward the staircase. “She should know how to protect herself from anyone wanting to cause her harm.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Bella stopped on the bottom stair. “I like her best.”
“Because she is shorter than you?” Catherine winked, quickly taking the rest of the stairs ahead of Bella. She reached the queen’s door first and knocked.
Larissa opened it at once and let them in.
Mingled scents of fresh fruit and hot pastries made Bella’s mouth water, and Catherine actually moaned aloud.
“Sit and break your fast. Services this morning filled me with divine inspiration, and we have much to plan for the day.” Queen Eleanor waved a plate of melon.
“While we eat?” Catherine sat on the long couch closest to the food tray.
“Help yourselves, darlings.”
Bella waited until Catherine had piled her plate high with all manner of familiar and unfamiliar treats; then she did the same. Figs, steaming biscuits spread with quince marmalade, raisins, and soft cheeses next to crisp apple slices. Sections of juicy orange and shining red grapes, and for the heartier appetite porridge drizzled with golden honey and topped with sliced almonds.
“Larissa visited Mamie and Fay this morning. Sarah woke for a short while, but she does not remember anything that happened last night.” The queen sipped her fresh orange juice. “Fay encouraged Sarah to sleep again. Maybe her memory will return when she wakes next.”
Catherine set down her plate with a clatter. “I am a terrible friend. Giving no thought to those left in our room before filling my belly.”
Bella paused midbite, wondering if she should feel guilty too.
“They have a tray as well, and they’re already apprised of the plan I wish to set in motion.” Eleanor plucked a red strawberry from Catherine’s plate and nipped the end with her sharp, white teeth.
No guilt, she thought as she swallowed. “Tell us before you burst. Does it have anything to do with drawing straws?” Bella’s stomach, filled with excellent food, settled. At last she could allude to the queen’s putting her on the spot without feeling ill.
“Quick thinking, Bella.” Eleanor laughed. “How else to explain that I would be one guard short this afternoon? I don’t want anyone to know an attempt was made on Sarah’s life until we know exactly what happened. The enemy could be anywhere.”
Bella bowed her head in acknowledgment, as did Catherine.
“When we go to the Hippodrome this afternoon, you will be in Queen’s Guard attire, full armor and weaponry.
Louis sent word that you should dress as ladies to appease the emperor’s sensibilities.” Eleanor rolled her eyes. “He has no concept of style. Flair. Irene asked that you dress as guards, so we will follow her wishes instead of Louis’s. I want our presence known in the same arena that the mighty Roman senate once sat in. I would show their memory honor.”
Catherine hid her sigh behind a swallow of biscuit, but Bella heard it anyway and smiled.
”The four of you will come with me, and Larissa will stay with Sarah. I’ll have you show as much discipline beside me as the emperor’s troops do. I have to remind Mamie not to ogle the soldiers.” The queen dropped the strawberry stem to the tray.
“And what then?” Bella prodded, wondering when the intrigue would begin. The queen was notorious for such things, after all.
Eleanor sat on the cushioned arm chair, casually crossing her legs. “And then …”
“Oui?” Catherine at last put down her empty plate.
“I want sketches, Catherine, of the Roman wall. The weak spots. The strong spots. All of it. You and Mamie can work together.”
Bella and Catherine exchanged a look. Bella saw her own uncertainty written on Catherine’s brow as her friend answered. “My pleasure.”
The queen pointed at Bella. “And you, my eagle eye.”
Bella stilled beneath the queen’s sharp gaze.
“You wish for me to knock the horsemen over with an apple, my liege?”
Grinning, Eleanor shook her head. “Leave the apples alone, Bella. I want to know how far you can shoot an arrow across the Hippodrome. Archers are excellent in battle situations because they can fight from farther away. I need to know how far back is enough.”
Bella lifted her chin. “I will do my best.”
The queen rubbed her hands together. “I want these pretentious Romanesque royals to see that we, too, are worthy of respect. Louis has shown none of the battle skills that impress men like Manuel, yet they’ve bonded in brotherhood over a bloodied thorn.”
Bella lowered her head to hide a smile. “I will do as you wish.”
“I’ve tried speaking privately to Manuel, but it’s no good. When we are all together, Louis talks of relics and religion until I want to scream … to God, whose ears must already be burning.” Eleanor fanned her face with a linen napkin, frowning. “I want to be alone with the emperor.”
“Alone? But that would be—”
“Difficult,” Bella cut in, overriding Catherine’s concern so as not to upset the queen further.
“Empress Irene makes it harder than it should be, constantly fawning over Manuel. I think she really loves him! Away from the commoners’ eyes, anyway. In public she’s so proper.” The queen shivered and grimaced. “Reminds me of when I married Louis and first came to Paris from my beloved Aquitaine. I went from dancing and singing to trudging and praying.” She cracked a mischievous smile. “Praying for release from boredom.”
Bella and Catherine laughed. Even Larissa stifled a chuckle. Aquitaine was sunshine and Paris a gray, cloudy day. French priests condemned any sort of pleasurable entertainment, while the southern Aquitanian duchess thrived on court amusements, such as poetry, song, and dance.
Eleanor tried teaching her knights and ladies chivalry and honor to re-create what she’d known as a child, but Louis and his priests, especially Odo de Deuil, disapproved. There was no love lost between the king’s chaplain and the queen.
“So,” Bella said, guiding the conversation to help the queen, “you wish to find a way to be alone with the emperor?”
“I don’t think that’s wise.” Catherine balanced her elbow on her knee.
Eleanor’s brow furrowed.
Catherine continued, her cheeks flushed. “Manuel seems … complicated. Let me come with you, even if in secret.”
Bella agreed. “I’ll hide too. He’ll never know we’re there, unless you need us to bear witness.”
The queen leaned back. “You’re taking your duties quite seriously. While I appreciate that, let’s create the situation first and consider the details later.”
Catherine groaned. “It’s the details that make the plan.”
“Ofttimes this is true.” Eleanor shrugged. “Other times one must be as fluid as the River Danube.”
“Having followed that river for a good portion of our journey here, we can attest to its changing direction,” Bella said with a rueful smile. “I will keep my eyes and ears open for opportunity.” Bella took a chance on making a forthright request. “It might help if you tell us what you really need.”
Eleanor’s mouth pursed, and she leaned in to whisper, “I have been in contact with Uncle Raymond. Letters that I burn after reading.”
“Prince of Antioch?” Bella’s adrenaline spiked, and perspiration dotted her forehead. She’d met the man once when she’d been a girl in Aquitaine. He was charming, handsome, and as slippery as an eel. What he wanted could not possibly bode well for his niece the queen.
”He has asked me for my support.” Eleanor made eye contact with Catherine, then Bella. “If we should go to war.”
Bella swallowed a multitude of bad feelings at the queen’s bald statement. “War with whom? The Turks? We’re already on Crusade to take Edessa back from the Muslims. Surely that is the war you discuss.”
“Non.” Eleanor pushed her hair back over her shoulder. “King Baldwin of Jerusalem is an ineffectual ruler. He rules with his mother, for God’s mercy. Edessa was lost, and we can’t risk losing Jerusalem too. My uncle is strong, and he could rule all four Christian states. The prince of Antioch could be king of all Outremer.”
Bella closed her eyes, wishing she’d prayed for a miracle earlier too. Dear God, she thought, understanding the ramifications of such a plan. There was no king of all the Christian lands. They were separated for a reason. Raymond held Antioch, Edessa had been lost to the Turks, and the king of Jerusalem would never cede power. Unless Emperor Manuel of Constantinople supported Raymond’s bid for supreme power.
What Queen Eleanor’s uncle planned was treason.
Catherine’s sigh filled the room.
Raoul’s frustration mounted. Jonathon had to be hiding under a rock. Another search of the knight’s room turned up empty. Save for pages of poetry written in the knight’s hand, which proved worth a chuckle or two.
Who had the weapon? Where was the bottle, and what in the hell was the motive? Jealousy. Did Sarah have multiple lovers? Was Jonathon one of them? If he could find the blond bastard, he’d beat the answers from him.
He survived his late-morning swim, his mind churning around the current problem instead of death. Who had written the note, if not Sarah? Any number of people wrote Latin, and scribes could be had for next to nothing.
Jonathon was there at the guard shack last night. While Raoul maintained that poison was a woman’s weapon of choice, the knight came from a silly love court that may have weakened him. As a Frank Crusader, he would have access to the Queen’s Guard. The biggest flaw in the setup for the suicide was the lack of a knife. How could Sarah have stabbed herself with a bottle of wine?
Raoul returned to his room angry. Annoyed. Refusing to think about a pair of violet eyes beseeching him for help even as she bravely stood her ground. Her lips as she’d shyly offered a kiss of thanks.
His reaction as he’d rudely brushed past her.
Swiping his hair off his forehead, he recalled how he’d told her he would have answers, but there were none. He sent a messenger, as he’d promised. It was possible she had information for him, though he doubted it. If there were answers, he would have uncovered them.
His gaze landed on the chest of drawers by his bed, where he’d tossed Sarah’s eating dagger the other night after she’d been too sick to meet with the emperor. It was embossed with a girly flower on the handle. There was no way he was keeping the damn thing.
It was gone.
CHAPTER 13
“You must never say that aloud again. Ever,” Bella cautioned in a
harsh whisper, her stomach knotted as she looked around the queen’s rooms. Empty save for Larissa, who would give her life for the queen. It didn’t make Bella feel any safer. “Couldn’t you have shared this with us outside in the middle of an empty pasture with only the cows to hear?”
“You worry too much, both of you.” Eleanor fluttered her hand, but her eyes remained alert as she watched their reaction to her news.
“It’s why you chose us to be in your guard.” Catherine wiped her fingers on a linen napkin. “I cannot eat any more. How much longer are we to stay here? It’s pretty, but I don’t think it is healthy. I like my head upon my shoulders, thank you.”
Bella gnawed the inside of her cheek, knowing that even if she disagreed with the queen’s tactics, she would do as Eleanor bade. “And the empress will not help you speak with Manuel? About your uncle?”
“Irene began as a possible ally, but she is extremely loyal to her husband. I’ve taken care since my initial probe to also play the dutiful wife. The final stroke came when I realized how closely she and Emperor Conrad are related. If the Greeks needed an armed ally, they would no doubt choose Conrad over us, despite the way he pillaged the country by not controlling his soldiers.”
“Hmmm,” Bella commiserated, willing her rebellious stomach back down.
Eleanor stood, spearing Bella with a sharp look. “Raoul was going to set up a private meeting between the emperor and Sarah. Can he not do the same for me?”
“Sarah was going to couple with him! Raoul cannot make the same arrangement for you.” Catherine rose in one abrupt move, her fair skin stained pink with concern. “You are my queen, and it is my duty to follow you, but please reconsider such a rash decision.” She wrung her hands. “Perhaps a chance meeting in the courtyard can be arranged.”
“In full view of everyone,” Bella quickly agreed, not able to imagine the queen and the emperor together in private. “It’s not suspicious if it’s done in the public eye.”
“But how will I find out if Manuel is”—Eleanor paused—”open to further conversation?”
