Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "God's blood, not that milksop."

  "It is no longer your concern. As soon as your sister is well, we shall take her to Falcon Bruine. Then I will release you from this marriage."

  He felt that he had disappointed her. "It would be most generous of you to release me without gaining the one thing you desire."

  She had not heard him. "I will have to hide again so Philip cannot find me, and of course Henry as well. I would not mind so much, but there are people in Talshamar who will think I am abandoning them to French rule." She raised her eyes to him. "What do you think I should do?"

  He turned away, feeling his resolve slip. She had valiantly come to his rescue, saved him and Cassandra, and he had offered her nothing in return. He could sense her intelligence, although she was still very young and inexperienced. Seldom had he seen a woman with such a noble heart, certainly not his mother, perhaps not even Katharine. Talshamar would have a magnificent ruler in her; in this Eleanor had done well.

  "What shall I call you?" he asked.

  "I believe it would be appropriate for you to call me Jilliana ... Ruyen."

  "Jilliana, how can I make you understand that any child that would issue from you and me would also have a claim on my throne? Can you not see this?"

  "I have learned that your father is dead. Does that not make you king?"

  "You heard Henry say that he made my mother regent. Of course, she cannot remain in power without Henry's support."

  "I find it difficult to comprehend why any mother would wrest power from her own son."

  "Then you have not closely examined your Eleanor. She could tell you much about betrayal and deceit within her own family."

  "If you continue with your cruel accusations, I shall no longer speak to you." She moved to the bed and sat down. "You may do as you please, and I will trouble you no more. You may find somewhere else to sleep."

  He smiled. "I do not believe that Henry would allow me to leave this room tonight. Should we not pretend to play the loving pair? Our lives hang by a very thin thread."

  "You hold your life much more precious than I do mine," she said haughtily. "Like my mother, I would rather die than live under the dictates of Henry Plantagenet."

  "Life has little meaning to me," he told her, "as long as my people are not free. I was prepared to die this morning, and would have, had you not arrived with your preposterous tale."

  Suddenly she felt pity for him. "These last months could not have been easy for you."

  "You would have to know my mother to understand my concerns for my subjects. She loves only herself and is fond of beautiful and lavish trinkets. If my people are left to her mercy, she will impoverish them within a year."

  "My mother died that I might live and one day rule Talshamar. That is the kind of love I understand."

  "It is a kind of love I have never known. I would much rather my mother had died honorably than live dishonorably."

  Jilliana agreed with him, but she did not say so. "What shall we do?"

  "Go to bed. You must be weary."

  "Would you like to lie beside me?"

  "Yes, but I shall keep to my side of the bed."

  "If that is your wish."

  She moved under the covers and lay her head against the pillow. Was there something wrong with her that Ruyen did not want to give her a baby? It must be that he did not find her desirable. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep, not even aware when Ruyen lay down beside her, turning his back to her.

  If Jilliana but knew it, Ruyen was exceedingly aware of her nearness and found her very desirable. How easy it would be to reach out and touch her, take her in his arms and make love to her as she wished.

  But he knew something that she had not yet realized— if she had a child by him, it would complicate both their lives.

  It was a very long time before he fell asleep.

  11

  The golden light of dawn spilled into the room, filling the shadowy corners with light. Jilliana opened her eyes and carefully turned to her side, so she could study Ruyen.

  In sleep he did not look nearly so fierce. Dark velvety lashes lay against his tan cheeks. His black hair fell across his forehead and curled about the side of his neck. His face was handsomely defined, his nose in perfect harmony with his full lips.

  She had never been this close to a man, and she felt breathless. His hand was lying across his chest, and she noticed his long tapered fingers and the strength in those hands.

  Jilliana had the strangest urge to press her lips to his, to reach out to touch his dark hair, but she dared not awaken him. She was disturbed by the strange emotions that had taken possession of her.

  Quietly, she moved off the bed, lifted the lid of her trunk and removed a sapphire-blue gown. After struggling with her laces, she finally succeeded in dressing herself. She ran a brush through her hair, covered it with a white wimple, then set her golden crown on her head to give her courage to face whatever happened today.

  Softly she opened the door and stepped into the corridor. She glared at the guard that had been posted there.

  "I am going to see about Princess Cassandra and I do not need an escort," she told him imperiously.

  "I am here only to guard Prince Ruyen, Madame. I have no orders to restrict your movements."

  She moved away from him and then turned back, undecided. "How will I find Princess Cassandra's chamber?"

  "Madame, you have only to follow this hallway to the end and then turn right. Princess Cassandra's rooms will be the last door on the left."

  She was surprised to see the girl sitting up and eating breakfast while Netta looked on with satisfaction.

  "Your Majesty," the maid said smiling. "Princess Cassandra's fever broke last night, and when she awoke this morning, she demanded food."

  Jilliana sat on a stool beside the girl. "We have not met formally, but I am Jilliana."

  "I remember you. You made some strange disclosures about my brother to King Henry. I do not know why you would do such a thing when I know that my brother had never seen you before yesterday."

  "What I told Henry was untrue, but I had to do it to save you and your brother from death."

  Cassandra spoke softly. "I still do not understand."

  "Think only of growing stronger and you will soon be on your way home. Will you like that?"

  "Oh, yes." Cassandra looked at the beautiful woman with the golden crown of Talshamar upon her head. "You married my brother, did you not? I thought I heard someone say so."

  "Yes. That, too, was necessary so the three of us can escape Henry. Do you mind so very much?"

  The young girl lay back against the pillow. "I am glad you married Ruyen because I do not like Kath—" Cassandra looked down at her food as if she had said too much. When she looked into Jilliana's eyes, she was clearly distressed. "I believe Ruyen only married you to save me. Do you mind?"

  "Nay, we both did what was necessary."

  Cassandra looked at Jilliana in admiration. "Netta told me that it was your potion that healed me."

  "Nonsense. It was your youthful resilience that made you throw off your illness."

  Cassandra smiled weakly. "I like you and I hope you stay with Ruyen forever."

  Ruyen awoke quickly and sat up, looking about him in confusion. It took him a moment to realize that he was no longer in the Tower. Remembering the events of the previous day, he turned to his side to find that Jilliana was not there.

  He quickly dressed, then flung open the door to find one of Henry's guards posted there. Apparently his movements were still to be curtailed.

  "I want to see my sister," he said, glaring at the man.

  The guard lay his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I will escort you to her quarters."

  Chafing at his imprisonment, Ruyen fell in step with the Englishman. When he stood before the door of his sister's quarters, he dismissed the man with a curt nod.

  "I will not be needing your assistance any longer."

 
The guard avoided his eyes. "I will be standing just outside on His Majesty's orders."

  Feeling angry, Ruyen opened the door and closed it firmly behind him. It did not sit well with him that he was still treated like a captive. But his concern for his sister drove every other thought from his mind.

  As he advanced toward her bedchamber, he saw that the door was open, and he could hear voices coming from within. Stepping into the archway, he could only stare at the scene before him.

  A very healthy-looking Cassandra was laughing at something Jilliana had said. Jilliana, with hands on hips, was speaking in an exasperated voice. It was not difficult to tell that she was mimicking King Henry.

  "Nay, do not thank me. It will be my greatest delight to give the bride away."

  Cassandra collapsed against her pillow in a fit of laughter. "You imitate the king so effectively. If he could only hear you, he'd most probably have an attack of apoplexy."

  "He was rather condescending, do you not think?" Jilliana asked. "Poor Henry knew something was not right, but he could not discern what it was." Jilliana laughingly curtsied. "I am not yet finished with Henry Plantagenet."

  Cassandra's eyes held a light of eagerness. "What will you do?"

  "I have not yet decided."

  "I am loath to interrupt this little tryst," Ruyen said, trying not to show his amusement. His eyes fastened on his bride, who was blushing prettily, embarrassed because he had caught her mimicking the king.

  "Your sister is much improved," Jilliana said in a rush. "Is that not wonderful?"

  "Indeed."

  Cassandra threw her covers off and stood, turning around to show her brother how strong she felt. "I am all but well."

  "So it would seem."

  "Jilliana has a wonderful wit, and is so humorous, Ruyen. She has been entertaining me and making me laugh. Do you not find her amusing?"

  "Oh, yes," he remarked drolly. "She has kept me amused since I have known her, which is all of two days."

  He pointed to the bed. "Back you go. I will not have you overdo until you are completely well. The sooner you heal, the sooner we can leave."

  Cassandra slipped beneath the covers, looking doubtful. "Do you really think Henry will allow us to return to Falcon Bruine?"

  Jilliana plumped up the pillows. "He may not want to, but he will. He'll have no choice."

  Ruyen handed his sister a tankard of apple juice that he found on a tray and indicated that she should drink. "I will believe it only when we put to sea."

  Cassandra paused with the juice halfway to her lips. "Will you be going with us to Falcon Bruine, Jilliana?"

  Jilliana met Ruyen's inquiring gaze. "I have little choice in the matter—I fear I must." She moved to the door. "Now if you will both excuse me, I have asked for and been granted an audience with Henry."

  Ruyen caught her arm. "I should go with you. I do not trust him."

  "He has asked that I come alone." She pulled her arm from Ruyen's grasp. "Besides, I believe you will find your movements are restricted."

  He bit back an angry retort. She was right, of course, he could go nowhere without the guard following.

  "Beware of Henry," Cassandra said in concern. "He is a devious man."

  Ruyen started laughing. "It is Henry who should beware."

  Brother and sister watched the brave young queen move regally out the door, never suspecting that inside she was trembling with uncertainty and fear.

  Henry had arranged for his chamberlain and the Archbishop of York to stand behind the tapestry to witness his meeting with the young queen. Feeling confident that he now had the means to thwart Jilliana, he nodded to his guard to admit her.

  As she walked toward him, he was touched by her delicate beauty. When she drew near, he could see that her blue gown seemed to reflect the blue of her eyes.

  "It is good to see you looking so rested, Jilliana. Come sit beside me," Henry said, indicating the chair next to his.

  "I prefer to stand, Henry. I will only require a moment of your time. I want to leave England."

  "I hope when you do go you will remember how well you were treated, and that I am your friend."

  "I'll remember everything I have ever heard about you."

  "Ah, Eleanor again," he said. "How fares my lady wife?"

  Jilliana was untouched by his pretense of solicitude. "You know that I did not come here to speak of Queen Eleanor. I want to know when I can leave."

  "I might be generous if you suggest to Rome that I be made overlord of Talshamar until such time as you give birth to an heir. This would surely stay Philip's hand from harming you."

  "But who would stay your hand?" Jilliana asked. "Do you think I have no knowledge of how my mother died?"

  "That was unfortunate, I admit, and none of my doing. My men had orders to bring her to England. It was she who chose death. She impaled herself upon her own man's sword."

  "Yes. Death over imprisonment. It is the same choice I would make, and I hope that if I am ever placed in such a position, I shall be as brave as my mother."

  Henry's face whitened. "Are you saying that you would choose death over remaining in comfort here in England?"

  "I am saying exactly that, Henry. Can I be less a queen than my mother?"

  She watched his reaction carefully. First he was angry, then resigned, and then amused.

  "I will allow you to leave as soon as I have proof that your husband has bedded you. You see, the servants that cleaned your bedchamber recounted that while you and Ruyen occupied the same bed, that is all you did."

  Jilliana glanced down, pretending to study the hem of her gown. How could anyone know that she and Ruyen had not made love unless they had spies in the room? Nay, 'twas not possible, there would have been nowhere for them to hide.

  She raised her head and glared at Henry, anger her best defense. "It is not for you to know what happens between my husband and myself."

  "Those are my conditions," he said in a hard voice, determined not to be outmaneuvered again. "And I am sure you will admit it is a much better solution than impaling yourself on Sir Humphrey's sword."

  Jilliana took a step backward, suddenly wanting to put distance between herself and the man she despised.

  "We have nothing else to say to one another."

  "I did not dismiss you."

  "And I did not ask your permission to leave." She remembered what Eleanor had told her just before she left Salisbury. "And, Henry, you might remember that my ancestors were ruling while yours were still heathen."

  Henry exploded with rage. He had often heard Eleanor use the same argument, mocking him with her ancient lineage. "You dare say this to me—you cannot even know the duties of a queen."

  Jilliana raised her head haughtily. "I admit I have much to learn, but I will not learn it from you."

  For a moment they stared at each other, neither willing to be the first to yield. Finally, Henry smiled.

  "Gad, what a wife you will make. You are too much a woman to waste on that rebellious prince from Falcon Bruine."

  "Nevertheless, I am his wife. You saw to that yourself." So saying, she turned away and walked regally toward the door.

  "Remember," he called after her, determined to have the last word. "I will expect proof that your husband has bedded you, Jilliana."

  She forced herself to take slow steps when, in truth, she wanted to run.

  After she had gone, the two men stepped from behind the tapestry.

  "Will you allow her to leave London?" the archbishop asked.

  Henry smiled slightly. "All is not as you might think. Queen Melesant is my confidante and ally. I must send a dispatch to her at once. She will know how to deal with her son and his new bride."

  Once out of sight of the king's chamber, Jilliana leaned against the wall, hoping her trembling legs would support her. She was not certain if she had won or lost, she only knew that Henry had not been the complete victor. He wanted something from her, something more than Talshamar, and
she did not know what it was.

  She walked slowly down the corridor past the Great Hall and out into the fresh air of the courtyard. She moved down a well-worn path, needing to be alone so she could gather her courage.

  Tonight she would have to beg a man to make love to her, and that thought was distasteful. She knew she was pretty, but there must be something the matter with her to make Ruyen reject her.

  Perhaps it was thoughts of the woman he loved that made him resist her. Well, all she wanted from him was a child. Did he not see that he was the only one who could impregnate her?

  It must be tonight.

  12

  Jilliana sat on a stool, wearing nothing but her shift, while Netta brushed her ebony hair until it sparkled in the candlelight. Until yesterday, Jilliana had only known old men, priests and scholars, no one who would awaken maidenly thoughts of love. Now her brow was furrowed with worry.

  It should have been so simple to marry Prince Ruyen and save him from the executioner's block, then have his child to save herself from the machinations of Henry and Philip. If Ruyen would not teach her what to do, she would have to discover for herself how to proceed.

  "Netta," she said to the maid, "I believe that you are married, are you not?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty, my Tom and I were wed over ten years ago. He is steward of Sir Humphrey's estate, Longworth."

  Jilliana was momentarily diverted. She had never thought of Sir Humphrey as having a home or a life away from her. He had always served her so well and been so attentive to her needs that it was difficult to realize that he had a past which she knew nothing about.

  "He must have given up a great deal for me," she said, bemused by the loyalty of Sir Humphrey and countless other people she did not even know who had sacrificed so much to keep her safe all her life.

  She realized that many Talshamarians had endured great hardships on her behalf, and she was determined that their suffering would not be in vain. But to be of use to her people, her first duty was to produce an heir, and she could not do it without Ruyen's cooperation.