by Andrea Boyd
I looked up, searching his face. “Maybe you should give me a little more information. What is this all about?”
“Do not look but Father is watching. If you would just put a smile on your face, I will tell you everything as long as you promise to be discreet. There, that is better. It seems that someone informed our father about your list of potential spouses, including their faults as you see them.”
My face burned. It was hard to fake a smile when I remembered what I had said about Reagan.
“Now do not allow it to upset you. I can only say in my defense that I am usually the one being chased and not the other way around. Regardless, it seems I do need to think about how I have been presenting myself.”
“Reagan, I . . . I am sorry.” What else could I say?
“I am sure you never meant for me to know, so you have no reason to be sorry, and do remember to smile.”
That was a hard thing to do, all things considered. I had never been more embarrassed. My mind raced ahead trying to figure out a way to fix this. Even if I did not end up married to either of the princes, I liked them both and did not want this between us.
I was stunned that Reagan had even revealed this to me at all. I understood his avoidance of me more than I did his blatant honesty. “Why are you telling me this?”
“First of all, I think it is only fair that you know, and I wanted to open up a chance for Garrett in case you decide not to marry Dunbar.”
“You want to give Garrett a chance but not yourself?”
He smiled at me for a second before answering. “Judging by your description of me, I would think it likely that I am already out of the running.”
“Not at all, I came here with an open mind and have made no decision where you are concerned.”
“That is good to hear, Your Highness.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Remember to keep smiling.” He backed away and bowed as the song ended.
I wanted to pull him back to me. There were so many questions left unanswered. I was almost positive Reilly had been the one to blab to King Coman. I had to figure out what to do about his indiscretion without letting him know where the information had come from.
As I stood planted on the dance floor right where Reagan had left me, Garrett approached with a bow. “Brianna, may I have this dance?”
I had no doubt that the brown suit with the pale green vest had been ordered by his mother, but the beat up leather top hat was definitely his. I would love to know what Finelle thought of his choice. “Certainly, Prince Garrett, I would be honored.”
My confidence seemed to have left the dance floor along with Reagan. I searched my mind to remember what I had said about Garrett. Anything was better than my description of Reagan. Was he thinking about my stupid list as well? I took several quick glances at his face. He never took his eyes off of mine, and soon I was staring back at him just as intently.
We began gliding across the dance floor, and here again I found myself comparing his style with the rest. Garrett held me close but not inappropriately, and he was smooth, like the music was moving him. His right hand was on my waist, and his left hand held mine but closer to our bodies than Dunbar had held it. Also, unlike either of his brothers, he wore a confident smile for a change and was looking at me in such a way that had me mesmerized, my conversation with Reagan momentarily forgotten.
“I am sure you have heard this before, but you are breathtakingly beautiful.” I could not help but smile. I noticed he had not added the word tonight at the end of that sentence. In fact, no one had ever said those words to me, but he made it sound plausible, like it was the absolute truth. I did not know how to respond. I could feel the heat radiating from my skin, and he was close enough that he could probably feel it as well.
He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “I love to see that blush coloring your skin. It gives me hope that I have at least some effect on you.”
I could not say anything as I took short glimpses into his moss colored eyes.
His own boldness must have slowed him down as it took a moment for the conversation to resume. “I know you have danced with most of the men in my family tonight. So, how do I measure up?” This question brought me crashing back to the conversation I had just shared with Reagan and of Coman’s orders that they only dance with me once.
“What is wrong? Are you still upset about last night? I want to apologize for me and Reagan. I really enjoyed myself. You must know, as callus as our statements, we were only trying to placate Rian.”
“So, what happened when Rian told your father that you spent the afternoon in my company?” I could see the struggle on his face as he tried to find the right words. “There is no need to answer. Reagan already informed me of your father’s instructions. Just one dance and your duties will be fulfilled. Then I suppose you will just pass me back off to Dunbar. Is that not the plan?”
I remembered to give another fake smile. It was unfair to take this out on Garrett, but my chest was suddenly tight with anger, and I could barely hold it in any longer. I would be heading to my chambers as soon as this dance was over.
He placed my hand on his chest and held it there. I could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath my fingertips. “Brianna, I swear to you that I would not be dancing with you if I did not absolutely want to. The only reason I was complying with my father for tonight was because with the way he has been acting lately, I would not put it past him to make a scene. I would not want him to embarrass you. But for tomorrow, I was hoping maybe there was a chance . . . Brianna, I . . .”
“What is going on here? Garrett what have you done to bother Miss Reaner so? Maybe I should take over this dance.” I turned slowly to the right and looked into the face of King Coman. He stood there with a smile that did not reach his dark eyes. I wondered how much he had overheard. One hand was still entwined with Garrett’s, pressed to his chest and the other was now being held by someone I was starting to view as a true enemy.
We both just stared at him. I did not know what was going through Garrett’s mind, but I was furious. I wanted to shout I am a queen! I am a queen, and you address me like a chambermaid! I felt hate boiling inside of me for the way he was trying to control my life, and I did not like the sensation.
Garrett looked into my eyes and then took a bow over the hand he still held. “My Lady, I hope you enjoy the rest of the ball.” He let go and stepped back giving a stiff nod toward the king. “Father.” Then he was gone, and for the second time I was left questioning, what had he been about to say?
I raised myself up to my full height and pulled my hand from Coman’s. “If you do not mind, Mr. Barnali, I am very tired, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I think I will retire to my chambers at this time.”
His face turned red, and his eyes were blaring at my disrespectful address. What could he say when he had done the same to me? His eyes shifted to look around the room before he remembered to paste the fake smile back on his face. “I see that I have insulted you by addressing you as Miss Reaner. Let me assure you that it was a mishap on my part, and I do apologize. It is just that with you being so young I sometimes forget. Please forgive me, Queen Brianna.” He gave a slight bow.
“I was a princess before becoming queen, so I have never held the title of Miss Reaner. Goodnight, King Coman.” I gave only a half attempt at a curtsy before walking away. I was sure he expected an apology from me, but that would never happen. I was not sorry. Neither was he for that matter.
Owen was standing near the door leading out into the hallway. He looked very dashing tonight and very uncomfortable. Several women stood nearby sending sly smiles his way, but I knew he would dance with none of them without his wife present. “Is everything all right, Your Highness?”
“I am just overly tired, and I think I will retire for the night. Would you inform Eamon and Reilly that I would like to see all of you in my chambers for a brief meeting, say a half an hour before Session starts tomorrow? You do not have to worry about telling the
m tonight. It can wait until morning.”
“It will be as you wish, My Queen. May I escort you to your room?”
It would probably have been a relief from the unwanted attention he was receiving if I allowed him to accompany me, but I needed to be alone. “Thank you but that will not be necessary. Enjoy your night, Owen.”
Nine
THE NEXT MORNING Gwen and I were about to enter the dining hall for breakfast when Dunbar was suddenly there with his hand on my elbow. “Queen Brianna, might I have a word with you, alone.”
I was reminded of another aspect of his personality that I did not care for. He had not even looked at Gwen. In all the time I had known him, he had never acknowledged my friend as more than a servant. Further evidence to me that we were not meant to be together.
As far as I was concerned, his timing was perfect. I was more than ready to get this over with. “Sure, Dunbar, I had planned to speak with you sometime this morning, and right now would be fine. Gwen, I will join you shortly. This should not take long.”
He only hesitated for a moment before a smile lit up his face. No doubt he had taken my wanting to speak with him the wrong way. This would not be pleasant. “There is a small garden just outside the kitchen. Would you accompany me there? It is very pleasant out. I think we are in for beautiful weather again today.”
The weather again, Dunbar? It seemed to be all he could think about. I wondered if someone had told him it was going to be a beautiful day or if he had come up with it all on his own. We walked outside, and he gestured for me to sit on a small bench in the busy kitchen garden. Then he immediately went down on one knee in front of me. I knew what was coming, but there was no stopping it now.
He had reached for one of my hands while he dramatically placed his other over his heart. I could just imagine how many times he had rehearsed this proposal. “Brianna Reaner, Queen of Aisling, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
One of the nearby workers in the garden threw a hand over her ample bosom and ran into the kitchen with a huge grin on her face. I had to hold back a groan. This proposal would be spread all over the castle before I could even make it back in to breakfast.
“While I am very flattered, I cannot accept your offer.” His smile melted in front of me. I patted the bench beside me, and he sat down dejectedly.
“But I thought . . . I do not understand. Our whole lives have been leading up to this. I have allowed the last year to go by in reverence to your father’s passing. In the last few days I have given you special attention as we have spent time in conversation at meals and at the dance. It was thought that the time to ask was now. What else must I do? Please tell me what I must do to win your hand?”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have thought this through, and in fact it is what I wanted to speak with you about. I know your parents have their heart set on the two of us being together, but we seem to have nothing in common. I am sorry. I am sure there is someone out there who will be perfect for you, but I am not the one.”
I really was trying to be nice, but he was not taking it well. He pressed his lips together, and his face turned red. He seemed to be making a great effort to get his feelings under control as he stared straight ahead for several seconds. Dunbar was showing more emotion at that very moment than I had ever witnessed from him before. His voice was clipped when he finally spoke. “According to the law, you must marry soon. I suppose you have decided to wed one of my brothers then. I know Reagan and Garrett are both on your list.”
Again with that confounded list. I wish I had never had that conversation with my advisors. At least now that Dunbar had mentioned it, I would not have to worry about revealing Reagan as my source. “I know what the law says, and it is a poor reason to be forced into marriage. Let me assure you that I have not chosen my future husband as of yet.”
“But you have decided it will not be me?”
“Yes.”
He turned and looked at me with those dark brown eyes that were suddenly full of hate. It was as if his father had taken possession. It was unexpected, and I leaned away from him. He pointed his finger just inches from my nose, but I could not pull my eyes away from the contempt showing on his face. He spit his words out through bared teeth. “You will live to regret this.”
He stood up and stomped back into the castle, slamming the door behind him. I sat there for another minute or so to calm my nerves. My body shook. I had thought for a second that he was going to hit me. I had not expected him to take my rejection well, but this was unreal. Eventually I made my way back to the dining hall to find Gwen and let her in on the news. I was sure she would be just as shocked at Dunbar’s reaction as I was.
THE FIRST ASSEMBLY for this Session would start at two that afternoon. My three advisors entered my sitting room just after dinner for the meeting I had called for after the ball last night. “Come on in and have a seat, gentlemen. I will be as brief as possible.”
I sat down in the armchair across from the three men. I made a point of looking each of them in the eye before I began speaking. Eamon looked as relaxed as always, leaned back with his arm up on the armrest. Owen sat in the middle on the edge of the couch with a piece of parchment, quill, and ink sitting on the coffee table in front of him. He probably thought we were here to prepare for the Session meeting that was about to begin.
Then there was Reilly on the other end of the couch with his arms folded over his chest, his lips pressed tightly together and a scowl across his brow. I could guess the reason for his anger. He had probably found out that I had rejected Dunbar, the one whom he had favored. I stared at him until he looked into my eyes. I watched as he visibly forced the angry expression from his face.
“Let me get straight to the point. Reilly, did you tell Coman or anyone associated with him about the list of marriage prospects that was drawn up during our last private council meeting?” The heads of the other two men whipped around to look at Reilly.
His mouth fell open. He clearly had not expected this. “Of course I did. It is my job to interact with the rulers of the other kingdoms on your behalf.”
“Yes, you are to represent things concerning Aisling to the other kingdoms, but discussion about who I may marry is no one’s business but my own. It was a private matter. Not only did you share the list of men, but you shared my own personal opinion about each of them.”
“Queen Brianna, I am sorry for stepping out of line, but let me assure you that I only meant it for your benefit.”
“How so?”
“You said you needed time to get to know them all. As I told you before, Dunbar had planned to propose as soon as you arrived. I felt it was necessary to head him off by sharing your plan with King Coman. Naturally he wanted more details about the list, and it seems I went too far. Please forgive me, My Queen.” Reilly stood and bowed low before me.
“I forgive you Reilly, but you should know you went too far by sharing any part of that conversation. From now on I will tell you specifically what to share with the other kingdoms. Everything else is confidential. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You can sit back down. All of you might as well know that Dunbar did ask me to marry him this morning, and I said no.” I did not give my reasons for this choice nor did I talk about his reaction. I did not feel as free to discuss my personal life with all of my advisors as I had in the past.
I could tell Reilly wanted to say something, but he held back. Eamon was the one to speak. “Have you chosen another?”
“No, I have not. Does anyone else have anything to add to this meeting?” I know I was being short with Eamon. I would apologize to him later in private. He would understand that I needed to show my authority at this particular meeting.
Eamon just shook his head, and Owen gave me a “No, Your Highness” as he gathered up the supplies he had brought with him.
Reilly still looked at me as if he had something on his mind, and I nodd
ed in his direction. He might as well have his say. “Forgive me if I overstep, My Queen, but I do not believe King Coman will let go of this easily. He will probably push even harder now for you to change your mind and marry Dunbar.”
“Thank you for the warning, but I will just have to deal with that when or if it happens. If there is nothing else, I will see you all at the meeting.” He looked disappointed that I had not allowed him to say more. There was no need to discuss Dunbar any further. My mind was made up.
After they left I made my way back to find Gwen who had been hiding out in my bedchamber during my brief meeting. She was stretched out across my bed reading a book, and I dropped down beside her. “So, how did it go?”
“He admitted to telling Coman everything. He said it was to benefit me so Dunbar would hold back on the proposal, giving me a chance to get to know the others. Personally, I think he did it to give Coman more ammunition to force me and Dunbar together.”
“Why on earth would he do that? What could Reilly possibly gain if you were to marry Dunbar?”
“I do not believe Reilly would personally benefit. I think he is thinking of the power it would bring to Aisling if I were joined with the heir of Gilvary. He mentioned it in the last council meeting, and he shares that goal with Coman. He seems to be missing the fact that Coman plans for that power to be all his own.”
She shook her head and looked back down at her book. “I hope to never see the day when King Coman has power over all of Kearnley.”
I reluctantly got up from the bed. “I might as well head to the meeting. Say a prayer for me, will you? Coman will be in a fine fit over my refusal of his favored son.”
“Of course I will.”
Of all things, Dunbar was waiting for me again just outside the doors of the dining hall where the meeting would be held. His earlier anger was either gone or well hidden. I was starting to believe the usual blank look on his face was just a mask to cover his true feelings. I tried to keep my own expression neutral, acting as if nothing had happened between us. “Queen Brianna, may I speak to you for just a moment? I know you have the meeting to attend. I promise it will not take long.”
