by Andrea Boyd
I looked over my right shoulder to find Garrett standing there.
“That is wonderful, Terence. I hope I get the chance to dance with Queen Brianna also.”
“But not the first dance, right Garrett?”
“Of course not. She cannot dance with the two of us at the same time, now can she?”
Terence enthusiastically shook his head sending his brown curls bouncing. He looked a lot like Dunbar but beefier and with a relaxed, childlike innocence showing in his face. He was the same age as me, but he towered over all of his older siblings.
Garrett finally looked at me. “My Lady, may I join you for breakfast?”
“You are most welcome to sit with us.” I gestured to the seat beside me. He sat down and began filling a plate with food.
“What are you doing here?” Rian was giving Garrett a scornful look through squinted eyes with his lips pressed tight. Rian had his mother’s features and honey blond hair, but his eyes were golden brown like Reagan’s. He would be a handsome child if he did not always wear a pinched, hateful look on his face.
“Watch your manners, and I am here for breakfast just like everyone else.”
The boy looked at me and then cut his narrowed eyes back to Garrett. “Terence, are you ready to go yet? You said you wanted to see the new colt today, and I need to talk to Father before we do, so we will head there first.”
“I am ready, Rian, but why do you need to see Father?”
“It is nothing you need to know about. We need to leave now.”
Terence had already gotten up and had taken a few steps away. He quickly returned, bowing several times before me. “Sorry, Queen Brianna, I forgot. By your leave, I will see you at the ball and you too, Miss Gwen.”
I noticed Rian had walked on without waiting for him.
“I am looking forward to it, Terence.” He hurried to catch up with his brother.
“If I ever live to see sons of my own, I hope none of them grow up to have the manners of Rian. I am sorry, Your Highness.”
I turned to look at Garrett. “You have no reason to apologize since you are not responsible for your brother’s attitude.”
“No, that responsibility belongs to my parents, and I am afraid they have failed where he is concerned. The rest of us are close in age, but there was an eight-year gap before Rian was born. He is the baby and likely to be their last. I guess that is their excuse for spoiling him so.”
I agreed about his being spoiled, but it would hardly be proper for me to comment. Reagan had sat down across from me almost as soon as Terrance vacated the spot. He had waited until I looked his way to speak. “Good morning, girls. I hope you both slept well.”
“Yes, very well.”
“Very well indeed, Prince Reagan. The guest suites here at Castle Gilvary are the best.”
“Especially after you finally find yourselves in the correct one. Isn’t that right?” Reagan winked at Gwen.
Garrett looked up suddenly from his coffee. “What are you talking about, Reagan?”
“Did you not hear? Your girlfriend, Ena, showed them to the wrong chambers yesterday.”
“She is not my girlfriend. Ena is married and has a child. She needed a job, so I helped her to secure one. That is all.”
In the middle of that little speech he had turned his attention toward me. “Queen Brianna, please forgive me. I just assumed all the servants knew who you were when I left you at the door yesterday, or I would have introduced you properly. It is entirely my fault. Was the matter straightened out to your satisfaction?”
“It was no problem at all, Garrett. I had hoped no one would have even found it out. I did not want her to get into any trouble over an honest mistake.”
“You will have to excuse Garrett. He is not usually this pompous. I take it he was in the stables when you arrived, so you know he usually acts the part of hired help rather than royalty.”
Garrett made no attempt to defend himself. He only glared at Reagan.
“If you will excuse me, Your Highness, Gwen, I will take my leave.” Garrett stood up and bowed.
“Oh brother, do not leave on my account. I was only joking around.”
“Trust me, I am not leaving because of anything you have said. I am headed to the chapel for morning services.”
“I guess it is getting to be that time. Wait up, I will go with you.” Reagan stuffed another sausage into his mouth and washed it down with coffee.
“Ladies, the pleasure has been all mine. I hope to see you later.” He gave a dramatic bow to each of us and then followed after his brother.
Unless things had changed since my last visit to Gilvary, the king and queen did not attend services, nor did they require their children to do so. I found it interesting that they were both attending, apparently of their own accord.
I waited until they were completely out of the room before turning to Gwen. “I think I will go to church this morning. What do you think? Would you like to join me?”
She laughed. “I know you cannot wait to hear another invigorating sermon from their vicar.”
We had both given up attending services while visiting the castle here, opting to do our own private study instead. I was sure Vicar Gilmore’s sermons were seasoned by the word of God, but you would have to stay awake to be positive.
We made our way into the small chapel just before the service began. There were less than two dozen people present. Garrett sat in the front section that was reserved for royalty, but Reagan sat midway back. I had thought to take Reagan’s seating preference, but the good vicar was gesturing and indicating a seat at the very front. We sat down on the pew across the aisle from Garrett.
“If I should fall asleep, pinch me.”
That brought a smile that Gwen tried to hide behind her hand, but the twinkle in her blue eyes and the display of dimples gave it away. “If I do have to pinch you and you yell out during services, it should liven things up.”
There was no music. The vicar began with a long prayer, his voice droning on to the point that I did not realize the prayer had ended and the sermon began. Gwen did not pinch me, but she did bump my arm to alert me. I did not look around to see if anyone had observed. If they had witnessed the mishap, hopefully they would just think my prayer had gone on longer than the vicar’s.
Neither of us had brought a Bible, but Gwen procured one from behind the pew and shared it with me. The vicar had chosen to read Proverbs 18:19. He explained how it was best not to offend another unless it was absolutely necessary. This was simple enough, but then he expounded on it for the next hour. My problem was being able to discern what constituted “absolutely necessary.”
I took casual glances around the room hoping no one would notice my lack of attention to the sermon. Of the few in attendance, none of the other kings or queens were accounted for. Reagan was slumped down in the pew with his eyes half closed. He smiled when I glanced his way, so he had not fallen asleep yet. I could not say the same for everyone else. I glanced across the aisle at Garrett who seemed intent on his own study, flipping a page occasionally as he continued to read.
That was not a bad idea. I read on from verse 19 just to see what I would find. I nudged Gwen and pointed to verse 22.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
We grinned at each other. Surely that verse put a smile on the face of every woman who had ever read it. I thought about my own situation and Parson Nevan praying for my future spouse. I decided I could not go wrong spending the rest of my time during this service in prayer.
I ended up missing my cue once again, and Gwen had to nudge me to get me to leave the pew. We made our way down the aisle with Garrett right behind us. When I came even with Reagan, he fell into step beside me.
“Did you catch a good nap?” I could not help but smile at his imprudent question.
“I will have you know I did not fall asleep once, but I doubt the same could be said for you.”
“You have figured me out. I attend church every Sunday to catch up on my sleep from the late night before.”
“Well, I had wondered what a naughty boy like you was doing in a place like this.” I could tell that my face must have turned beet red. I could not believe the words that had just escaped my own mouth.
“Did you hear that, Garrett? She called me naughty.” Reagan wiggled his eyebrows, and we all laughed.
“No, but I did hear the part where she called you a boy.” Garrett thumped him on the shoulder. “Hey, we should go horseback riding after dinner.”
I was unsure if the invitation had been extended to all of us or just Reagan.
“You just want to show off that horse of yours. What about it girls? Are you two up for a ride?”
I looked over my shoulder at Gwen, and she smiled letting me know she was okay with it. She would go along with whatever I decided, but I considered us equals even if I did outrank her.
“Sure, that sounds like a great idea. We will change into our riding gear and meet you in the dining hall so we can eat dinner before we go, if that is all right.”
“Are we talking about the same gear you were wearing when you arrived at Gilvary?” I looked back at Garrett to catch his reaction. He had a lighthearted grin on his face. It changed his features so much from the serious look he usually wore.
“You mean my battle gear? Do you think I will need to defend myself?”
Reagan looked back and forth between Garrett and me. “Wait, what battle gear? Why do I get the impression that I really need to see this?”
Garrett ignored him, his gaze locked with mine. “Not at all, My Lady, if you need defending, I assure you that I will be armed and capable.”
“Is someone going to answer me?”
Garrett finally looked at Reagan. “I guess you will have to hang out around the stables like hired help the next time the queen of Aisling arrives.” The fact that Garrett had parroted his words from breakfast seemed to be lost on his brother.
Just as we made our way back to my chambers, a young boy stepped up to me and bowed. “Queen Brianna, a message for you from Queen Finelle.” He promptly left after handing me the letter with the impression of Queen Finelle’s personal stamp in wax visible on the outside. The disappointment was already settling in as I broke the seal with everyone standing there. It was as I had feared, our plans were to be broken.
“I have been invited to dine with Queen Finelle. I am sorry, but I am unable to go riding at this time.” As much as I tried to hide it, my disappointment must have shown. This would have been another chance for me to get better acquainted with these two princes.
Plus, I was not all that thrilled about the Queen’s Luncheon that was held every Session. I had been attending since my mother’s death and had always felt out of place, being much younger than the other two women.
Reagan spoke up to save the day. “We will plan to go around three o’clock then. Do you think that will give you enough time?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “That would be excellent. I can hardly wait.”
Reagan took up one of my hands and one of Gwen’s, kissing the back of each of them. “Until then.”
Garrett bowed. “I look forward to this evening, Your Highness, Gwen.”
I gave myself a small moment to watch them walk away before hurrying into a frenzy to get ready. Gwen was already ahead of me pulling out one of my best dresses and everything I would need to go with it. I sat down at the dressing table and started pulling the pins from my hair. The simple hair style I had worn this morning would not do.
She helped me strip down to my shift so I could do a quick wash and then helped me get dressed once again. I would never understand how she managed to make fast, easy work out of an elaborate hair style. She dressed me in sapphires to match the royal blue silk dress I was wearing. Lastly, she placed the matching tiara on my head.
I looked at myself in the full mirror. Even at my best, I would never come close to Gwen’s beauty. “How do I look?”
“Like a queen. You look stunningly beautiful as always. Hopefully you will happen to run into one of the princes on your way. One look at you right now will have them declaring their love and making the choice for you.”
“Let us hope I do not run into Dunbar then.”
“Off with you now. You are going to be late.”
I rushed to the door and then slowed to a hopefully graceful walk as I made my way to Gilvary’s royal suite. Even if the building were on fire, it would not do for a queen to go galloping down the hallway.
Six
QUEEN BABREE, OF Dermot, was already there talking quietly with Queen Finelle when I arrived. Babree Mahon was not the most beautiful with her dark hair and eyes coupled with a rather large nose, but she had such a sweet nature that she seemed better looking than she actually was. Even though she had lived in Kearnley for most of her life, she still dressed in the elaborate style worn in the neighboring country of Cordelia where she was born. The cut of her lavender dress was very simple, but it was covered with tiny beads and silver embroidery. Today her jewelry and tiara were all made up of diamonds and opals.
I felt more comfortable in the presence of this particular queen. I think it was because at times she seemed just as unsure of herself as me, but it was nothing that would build a strong relationship between us. Besides cultural differences, there was a huge gap in age with her being twenty years my senior. These things alone could be overcome if we had more in common otherwise. There was also the fact that we only saw each other every six months during Session. I did not like the cold weather Dermot had to offer, and her husband did not like Aisling’s heat.
In contrast, Finelle Barnali was tall and graceful with honey colored hair and pale green eyes. She made every other woman in her presence look like a troll in comparison. No one would ever guess she was just over forty years of age. She never wore any color other than green, and all of her jewelry was peridot and diamonds. It did make her seem even more stately, if predictable. Every time I felt the least bit of jealousy toward Finelle’s beauty, I would just remind myself that she was married to Coman.
For the most part, the royal suites at Gilvary had remained unchanged over the years. It was as if someone had set a home fit for a noble down inside the castle. They had their own large sitting room, a separate family dining chamber, and all of the children’s bedchambers let out into the apartment. The only thing missing was a kitchen. The entire decor was made up in different shades of brown, just like the rest of the castle seemed to be. There were several tapestries depicting hunting scenes, and the heads of various animals protruded from almost every wall. The whole effect was very masculine, but I guess it made some sense with Finelle being the only female in residence.
“Queen Brianna, I am so glad you were able to make it. I sent the messages out earlier this morning, but I was told yours was delivered not twenty minutes ago. I was not sure that you would arrive on time.” Finelle’s smile never seemed to influence the rest of her face. Gwen had said she seemed content, but was she truly happy?
“Yes, I had just gotten back from church services when your invitation arrived.”
She ran her hands down the front of her dress as if trying to iron out nonexistent wrinkles. “Believe it or not, I attended on a regular basis as well when I was your age. But you get married, have a family, and life just gets too busy. Was it a good service?”
“Vicar Gilmore spoke on the importance of not being offensive when it was unnecessary.” I was glad I had paid attention to at least that much. I did not really want to say that it was not a “good” service.
“Oh well, I would say we all could have benefitted from that sermon.”
“Farris and I would have been in attendance, but our little Adrika was not feeling well this morning. Of course she has a nursemaid, but I am afraid the king and I cannot help but to dote on our daughter, perhaps a little too much. You know we waited so long for a child, and there is not
likely to be another.”
Babree’s story was well known to me. It was rumored that King Farris had gone to Cordelia to find a young wife that he would have complete control over. That had been many years ago, and his younger wife had been well into her forties before providing him with an heir. Regardless of Farris’ reasoning or method in finding a wife or the fact that she had appeared barren after years of marriage, they had seemed truly happy for as long as I had known them.
“Hopefully she will be back to good health in no time.”
“Thank you for your concern. She did seem much improved before I left her. I am so glad that Winter Session will be held in Dermot. It will be another year before we will have to travel again. I think she is just missing our home.”
“I hope you are right.” It was all I could think to say. I hated Winter Session in Dermot. It was so cold there. It was still very cool in June, but December was awful. I was used to the heat of the Southern coast.
“Ah, our men are here. Now we can begin.”
I looked at Queen Finelle in a moment of bewilderment before noticing the presence of not only the two kings but Dunbar as well. Finelle must have noticed my reaction. “I know these luncheons do not usually involve the men, but I thought it would be a nice change. Who knows, maybe we will like it so much more with the men in attendance that we will decide to keep it this way in the years to come.”
I was unhappy about it, but what could I say? Here I was trapped again with Dunbar. I watched as King Coman leaned in and unashamedly kissed his wife tenderly on the lips. How was it possible that someone so evil could openly shower his wife with such love and affection? It seemed impossible that anyone would ever feel that way toward me. The least I could hope for from the man I would marry was kindness—not just toward me but all of mankind.
He escorted his wife into the next room, and the king and queen of Dermot followed suit. I did not have to glance his way to see Dunbar offering me his arm. I pretended not to notice as I followed in behind everyone else.
We were seated in the royal couple’s private dining chamber with the women on one side of the table and the men occupying the other. Of course, Dunbar was seated right across from me. After the first course was served, the other couples started speaking among themselves while I ignored my table mate.
