Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Night was falling when Jilliana returned to camp. She saw Sir Edward waiting for her in front of her tent, and she greeted him with a smile. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "Your Majesty, I have come to ask something of you."

  She saw Ruyen talking to another knight nearby, but his eyes were on her, his expression inscrutable.

  "Stand, Sir Edward, and tell me what it is that you want."

  "Your Majesty, I beg you, give me the right to accompany you to the Isle of Falcon Bruine. Allow me to place my sword at your service."

  Jilliana glared at Ruyen, who had crossed his arms and was now giving her and Sir Edward his full attention. Deliberately, she turned to look into Sir Edward's earnest blue eyes.

  "I require you to travel to Talshamar and help with the preparations for my return. I will want you to see that the castle is made ready."

  Disappointment was clearly written on his face. "I will do as you bid me, Your Majesty."

  She moved to her tent and paused, looking back at the young knight. "And, Sir Edward, I will ask something else of you."

  "Anything, Madame."

  "I will want to meet your wife when I arrive in Talshamar. 1 believe I was told that you were betrothed to a Lady Jane."

  He bowed to her. "I will always do as you ask. But may I speak honestly with Your Majesty?"

  "You may."

  "I love not Lady Jane, nor have I seen her since I was but ten and two. The marriage was arranged by our parents, and I have heard that she has no more liking for our joining than have I."

  Jilliana thought for a moment. She believed the young knight spoke the truth, and she relented. "Very well, Sir Edward, you may accompany me to Falcon Bruine. My husband and I have need of those who are loyal to us. Do you understand my meaning?"

  He could not meet her eyes. She was telling him that he had stepped over the bounds of chivalry. She was reminding him of his place—and it was not at her side.

  "I want only to be your liege man."

  Jilliana moved into her tent, not wanting to see Ruyen's smug reaction. She was somehow angry, and she could not have said why.

  Princess Cassandra had witnessed Sir Edward's devotion to his queen. She thought him the most noble and handsome of knights. When he glanced at her, she smiled shyly, but he merely gave her a quick bow and hurried away.

  Jilliana looked at Ruyen's pallet and kicked at it, wishing it was her husband himself she was kicking.

  They had not shared a bed since the night they had quarreled about Sir Edward. Tomorrow they would sail for Ruyen's country, and she was more than a little apprehensive about what awaited her.

  A brisk wind swelled the silken sails as Jilliana stood on board the ship that would take them to the Isle of Falcon Bruine. Her cloak was billowing in the misty breeze and she breathed in the salt air. She had never been on board a ship that she could remember, and she found it exciting. The crew all scurried about as if they had nothing in mind but her comfort and safety.

  When she glanced to her right, she watched the three ships that were departing for Talshamar. It had been difficult to say good-bye to those she had come to know so well.

  Humphrey stood beside her, sensing much of what she was feeling. "The world has never seen the likes of the celebration Talshamar will have to welcome their queen home."

  "Are you certain they will welcome me?"

  "Aye, more readily than you can imagine."

  "Humphrey," she said without conceit, "it is not easy to know what is right."

  "You speak of Sir Edward?"

  "Aye."

  "I was surprised that you are allowing him to accompany us to Falcon Bruine."

  "I tried to send him home, and I suggested to him that he should marry his betrothed once he reached Talshamar, but he said they were not suited to one another. I thought that if I sent him away after showing him such marked attention, the others would ridicule him. Did I do wrong?"

  Humphrey chuckled. "You did no wrong. I think the young nobleman has learned his lesson. And you are right, the others would have mocked him."

  "This is all so new to me, and it is difficult to know what is to be done, Humphrey."

  He placed his gloved hand over hers. "Since the crown was placed on your head, you have behaved as a queen should. I should think that the difficult part of ruling is in knowing when to be forgiving and when to stand fast." He smiled. "You have done both, and very well."

  She drew in a trembling breath. "I am unsure of many things that I do, Humphrey. And, I am most assuredly frightened."

  "But you do not show your fear, and that, too, is the mark of a queen."

  "Humphrey, it seems as though my life has never belonged to me. Until now, I have been under the dictates of others. But when I reach Talshamar, that will change. I shall need you beside me at that time more than ever."

  "I shall stand at your side as long as you need me," he assured her.

  "What do you know of Ruyen's mother?"

  "I know nothing good of her. She was the younger daughter of an unimportant lord from some obscure Castilian province—Visby 1 believe was the name of the holding. It is said that her husband never knew a peaceful day after marrying her. It is also said that she betrayed her husband and son to Henry, but this I do not know for certain."

  "Eleanor warned me against her, and I can see why. I cannot imagine any woman allowing harm to come to her own children."

  "That woman is ambitious and malevolent, and Eleanor was right, you must be wary of her. If she sees you as a threat, she will not hesitate to harm you. I have heard it whispered that she has knowledge of herbs and plants and is a master at the art of poisons."

  "Eleanor chose me to save this family, and it looks as if I am not yet finished. They may be in as much danger in their homeland as they were in England." Jilliana stared pensively into the distance. "I like Cassandra, and I pity her because she seems so sad, but I do not know what can be done to help her. Ruyen is reluctant to accept anything from me, but it is not in my nature to stand back when someone is in need."

  "I have noticed that about you, but sometimes you should think of your own needs. You should rest now, you look pale," he said gently. "There will be arduous days ahead."

  Jilliana had been feeling light-headed, and the churning sea made her feel ill. "Yes, I shall go to lie down now."

  Jilliana raised her gaze to Prince Ruyen, who stood in the bow of the ship. When their eyes met, he turned away.

  She took a step toward the curtained area that had been erected to give privacy to her and Cassandra, then glanced over her shoulder at Humphrey.

  "How long will it take us to reach Falcon Bruine?"

  "With a fair wind, within the week."

  Cassandra lay on her pallet, wondering how her mother would greet them when they arrived in Falcon Bruine. Would she be repentant, beg to be forgiven, or deny that she had helped the enemy? And how would her mother accept Jilliana? Henry would have made certain that she knew about Ruyen's marriage.

  Cassandra had never met anyone like her sister-in-law, and the more she came to know Jilliana, the more she admired her. She was not quite certain how Ruyen felt about Jilliana though. Could he not see that his wife was worth three of Lady Katharine Highclere?

  The young girl's mind moved to the Talshamarian knight, Sir Edward. Today she had watched him as he stood on board ship. He was like a golden god with golden hair and skin. She was sure that she would love him until the day she died, even if he hardly noticed her. If only he would look at her once the way he looked at Jilliana. But then, every man stared at Jilliana in awe. She was so beautiful that no woman could hope to be noticed when she was about.

  Netta was plumping Jilliana's pallet to make certain there were no lumps, when the curtain moved aside and Jilliana entered, holding her hand over her mouth.

  The maid rushed to her. "Your Majesty, you look pale. What is amiss?"

  Jilliana unfastened her cloak and the maid took it from her. "I have
been feeling sick since stepping on board, Netta. I did not want Humphrey to know because he worries so."

  Jilliana dropped down to her pallet and closed her eyes. "Truth to tell, I feel extremely ill."

  Netta touched Jilliana's forehead and was relieved that she had no fever. "It could be merely seasickness, Your Majesty, or it could be something quite different."

  Jilliana sat up, running a trembling hand across her face. "What do you mean?"

  Cassandra moved nearer, taking Jilliana's hand. "I have heard that one symptom a woman has when she is expecting a child is nausea."

  Jilliana's hand tightened on Cassandra's and she looked at Netta for guidance.

  "Ohhh," she suddenly cried, clamping her hand over her mouth. "I am going to be ill. Secure the curtains—I cannot allow the others to see me thus."

  Netta had been kneeling beside her worriedly. "Can you wait until I return?" she asked, jumping to her feet and hurrying past the curtains.

  Jilliana was sure this was what it felt like to die. Just when she thought she could hold back no longer, Netta was beside her, pressing a damp cloth against her forehead and placing a wooden pail beside her.

  Jilliana retched until she was limp and then fell back on the pallet, groaning. Cassandra held her hand and talked to her encouragingly.

  At last Jilliana smiled. "I believe the sickness has passed. I am sure it was nothing more than seasickness. There is no need to tell anyone that I was ill."

  Cassandra and Netta exchanged doubtful looks.

  "Jilliana," Cassandra said at last, "since I was raised on an island, I know much about seasickness. I have never known it to pass so quickly."

  Jilliana sat up slowly. "I know so little about many things, Netta. Can it be that 1 am with child?"

  "I cannot say for certain, Your Majesty. But if you are, the sickness will come again on the morrow."

  18

  The voyage stretched into nine days. Each morning, Jilliana was ill, a fact that was difficult to hide from anyone on board the small ship.

  The men merely thought she had come down with bouts of seasickness, while Netta became convinced that the queen was with child. She prayed that it was so, for then they could return to Talshamar, where perhaps the queen would be happy.

  It had not escaped Netta's notice that Prince Ruyen paid little attention to the queen. Even on board this ship with its limited space, he managed to avoid her.

  The maid's loyal heart beat with anger. To her thinking, no prince of some small insignificant island was good enough for the queen of Talshamar. Her dear, sweet queen deserved someone to cherish her and love her. Not once had Prince Ruyen inquired about Queen Jilliana's health.

  * * *

  Humphrey was watching the rocky shoreline of the island rise out of the mist. He had never been to Falcon Bruine, and were it not for the circumstances of this voyage, he might have looked forward to exploring the island.

  Ruyen stood beside him, his eyes dark and brooding, his jaw clamped together tightly. He thought of the morning he had sailed away with his troops to defend Falcon Bruine. He had not known that before he could return he would suffer the death of his father and the betrayal of his mother.

  "I can see a tower in the distance, be that the castle?" Humphrey asked.

  "Aye. That is my home."

  The ship's captain lowered the billowing sails and the craft caught the tide, drifting toward the shore. Dropping the anchor in deep water, the captain ordered the small boats lowered over the sides.

  Jilliana came forward, looking at the island with misgiving. There was a long pier jutting seaward, and in the distance she could see a road winding its way through a dense forest.

  She felt Ruyen's hand on her shoulder and turned to him. "Falcon Bruine is lovely. You must be delighted to be home."

  He did not answer her inquiry because he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. "I knew you were ill," he said with a frown, "and I was concerned, but I assumed you would not welcome my company."

  She would have welcomed him, but she did not say so. "I believe men are of little use when a woman is ill. Cassandra and Netta proved to be admirable nurses."

  He smiled faintly. "If you will allow it, I will assist you to the boat."

  Jilliana nodded, looking down in trepidation at the small craft bobbing in the turbulent water.

  Ruyen easily lifted her into his arms and descended the rope ladder. Once in the boat, he seated her on a cushion. Before she could thank him, he had climbed up the ladder to aid his sister.

  With rowers plying the oars, four boats caught the current and made their way toward land.

  Queen Melesant descended the narrow stone steps, her splendid purple robe trailing behind her. Her headdress was a stark black, and the golden crown of Falcon Bruine sat atop her head. As regent she had no right to the crown, but little she cared; it was within her grasp and she would wear it.

  She entered her private chamber to find her minister, Escobar Hernandez, waiting for her. Escobar had been her father's steward and had come to the Isle of Falcon Bruine with the wedding party thirty-five years ago. On Melesant's request, he had remained, gradually making himself indispensable to her through the years.

  Escobar was not a tall man, but he was lean and carried himself straight. His skin was olive in color, and he had a great hooked nose and slightly irregular features—a plain man, who no one would ordinarily take notice of, and he often used that to his advantage.

  A year after Melesant gave birth to Ruyen, she discovered that Escobar was a skillful lover who knew exactly how to set her body on fire. He had made himself useful to her in other ways, as well. She had made him her adviser after her husband's death, and where once he had crept into her chamber late at night, he was now free to come to her whenever she summoned him.

  Melesant had made it clear to him, however, that when he was not in her bedchamber, he must treat her with the proper decorum her rank required.

  "What news have you, Escobar? Is it true? Have the ships landed?" she asked, swirling her long robe aside and ascending the throne.

  "Aye, Majesty, but there is only one ship."

  Queen Melesant frowned. "I was told they left London with nigh a hundred Talshamarian knights. Can there be some trickery?"

  "Nay, Majesty, my informant tells me that the queen of Talshamar travels with but twelve armed guards."

  Melesant felt the tension that had been coiled within her slowly ease. She had been dreading her son's arrival. By now, he must know that she had aided King Henry, and she had expected him to return with a large fighting force.

  "Does my son believe he can unseat me with a mere dozen soldiers?" she sneered. "How pitiful he will be against my Castilian knights."

  Escobar bowed slightly. Everyone, even he, was hesitant to speak the truth, fearing it would throw the queen into a rage if she disagreed.

  "It was wise of you to send for troops from Castile since most of the populace of Falcon Bruine remains loyal to your late husband. I have heard rumblings of dissent, for many of them believe that Prince Ruyen should be king."

  Melesant's eyes narrowed, catlike, and her long fingernails dug into Escobar's arms.

  "Ferret out the names of any who support my son against me, and I will have them thrown in the dungeon and beaten like curs."

  Escobar watched as blood shaped from the gashes left by her claw like fingernails. "It is not always easy to find traitors. While the people talk among themselves, they protect each other from outsiders. But we shall watch them more closely in the future. For now, they seem to fear our Castilians, and that alone should keep them from aiding the prince."

  "Imbecile, you trust too easily. Set spies in the village and discover who incites trouble. Must I think of everything? Can you not take this situation in hand?"

  Escobar knew that when the queen was in this mood it was best to humor her. He might be her lover at night, but in the daylight hours, she scorned and ridiculed him. He knew her moods be
tter than anyone, and would endure what he must to be near her—she was like wine to his blood.

  "Majesty," he said placatingly, "1 will see to it at once."

  "Do you think she is beautiful?"

  "Pardon, Madame, of whom do you speak?"

  "Ruyen's wife, of course. God, Escobar, you have only just returned from England ahead of them. You should be able to tell me something."

  "I did not see her or talk to anyone who could give me a description of her."

  "What you mean is, that you were merely a messenger. I should have sent someone else."

  He bowed. "I did my best."

  "I recall her mother," Melesant said thoughtfully. "All the men thought her beautiful, but I did not. She was too tall for a woman. Men do not like tall women."

  Escobar knew when to flatter Melesant and when to keep his own counsel. This was one of those times when she needed reassurance that only he could give her. She had always been preoccupied with her appearance—it was her only feminine weakness, as he saw it.

  "No one could compare with you, Majesty. You are most comely."

  She looked pleased. "I was once reputed to be a beauty. 1 met my husband when my father took me to Paris. Papa was a diplomat and my husband was a guest of King Louis at some court function in honor of Falcon Bruine. I made certain that Broderick saw me to my best advantage. I wore my only decent gown and acted the coy maiden with him. Men always seem to fall for simpering innocence, and I played it well. He was so taken with me that he made me his queen, even though I had not a drop of royal blood in my veins." Suddenly her voice hardened. "But that is the past. Once I turned men's heads and they would do anything I asked of them, now it seems I must obtain their loyalty with force."

  "You have always had my loyalty, Madame." His dark eyes held a hidden meaning. "You also have my heart and body."

  Melesant recognized the passion that still raged between them.

  "Yes, throughout the years you have been constant and loyal. But like everyone else, the day will come when you will betray me—they all do."