Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Ruyen grabbed the little man by the doublet and yanked him so hard, he came sprawling across the desk.

  "You will do as I say, and do it now, or you will find your throat slit from ear to ear. Your belly is full, but my villagers are hungry. I will not suffer them to wait until it pleases my mother. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes…Highness," Escobar sputtered, "I will see to it at once. But you must tell your mother that this thing was done on your orders."

  Ruyen flung Escobar back and he rolled across the desk and tumbled to the floor. Escobar was slow to rise and his eyes were wide with fright. "Your mother will not allow you to treat me with such disrespect. I am her chief adviser."

  "You are a fool if you do not know that you are merely her toy," Ruyen said with contempt. "She uses you, nothing more. I wonder how my father tolerated you all those years. I better understand why he spent little time on the island."

  Escobar had reached the doorway and was looking in the direction of the queen's study.

  "Do not think you can go running to my mother, Escobar. Not until you have taken food to the village. I shall have men watching you to make certain that you do exactly what I have ordered." Ruyen walked toward him. "Do it now!"

  "Yes, Highness—at once." The man pressed his body against the wall, sliding through the open doorway, trying to keep distance between himself and Ruyen.

  Ruyen clamped his jaw shut, suppressing the urge to strike the craven little man. He had known for years that Escobar was his mother's lover—he was certain that his father had known it too.

  He moved to the window and watched Escobar hurrying past the herb garden and down the path to the steward's cottage. The people of the village would have food before nightfall.

  * * *

  Ruyen was not to see his mother until the guests began gathering for the banquet. When he entered the room, he went directly to her, hardly able to mask his fury.

  He nodded quickly to Katharine's father, acknowledging his presence, and then turned to his mother. "I want to talk to you."

  The tension between mother and son made Lord Highclere uncomfortable, and realizing this, Melesant gave the man a charming smile while she patted Ruyen's arm.

  "Forgive my son, my lord. You know that he has been away and we have much to discuss." She smiled at Ruyen. "But it will have to wait until our guests have gone—or perhaps tomorrow would be better."

  "I think it will be sooner than that. There is much to settle between us, Mother."

  Melesant felt sudden pride in her only son. He would make a worthy adversary, but she would win in the end. She had only to find the means to keep him under control—which she would do.

  Escobar entered the room, and Melesant smiled while Ruyen scowled.

  "Look, ye there, Mother," Ruyen said in a contemptuous voice, "your toad rushes to you. Mayhap he has something of interest to relate to you. 1 believe you will want to talk to me after you have spoken to him." Then Ruyen walked away in disgust.

  Queen Melesant turned to Katharine's father. "Forgive my foolish son his rudeness, my lord. Like his father, Ruyen has no notion that it takes delicacy and diplomacy to rule."

  Lord Highclere was a heavy man, in his late fifties. His first wife had died childless and he had married a much younger woman, who had given him his only offspring, Katharine. He spoiled and indulged his daughter and he was angered that the prince had married another while promised to his beautiful Katharine^ but he did not say so to the queen.

  "His Highness is fortunate that he has you to take that responsibility from his shoulders," Lord Highclere stated. "It was a wise move when King Henry made you regent."

  Melesant glared at Escobar as he bowed before her, interrupting her conversation. "Majesty, might I speak to you on a matter of some import?"

  Her eyes were chilling. "Anything you have to say will keep 'til the morrow."

  "But, Majesty, it concerns your son. He—"

  Her voice was hard. "Not now, Escobar!"

  Ruyen was right, Melesant thought, Escobar was a toad. She ignored him and turned her attention back to Lord Highclere.

  "As I was saying," she continued, "King Henry thinks he can control me, but he is mistaken. Know you why he made me regent?"

  "Because you are wise in all things," Escobar clamored for all to hear.

  Melesant sent the little man a poisonous look. "I was speaking to Lord Highclere." With cool assurance, she directed her speech to her guest. "Henry is accustomed to pitting his skills against his own sons, who are a rebellious lot. He thinks to keep Falcon Bruine in tumult and under his wide reach by causing trouble between my son and me. But he shall not succeed. Ruyen will not take the rule from my grasp, and neither shall I relinquish it to him."

  Ruyen was making his way out the door when he almost bumped into Katharine. He steadied her with his hand and she smiled coyly up at him.

  "Oh, Ruyen." She raised teary eyes to him. "I have missed you so terribly, and I am sorry for the way I acted this morning. It was all such a shock, and I will admit that I was angry with you for a time, but your mother has convinced me that you did not marry by choice."

  His mind was still on the villagers and their plight. "I am sorry, Katharine, what were you saying?"

  She placed her hand on his shoulder, her heart beating at the touch. "Knowing blue is your favorite color, I wore this gown just for you tonight."

  "You look lovely, Katharine," he said absently.

  "I also wore my hair down for you."

  "Ah, yes, very pretty."

  Jilliana and Humphrey descended the narrow, twisting steps behind the servant who led them to the room where everyone had gathered. Cassandra had been watching for them and she came forward, slipping her hand into Jilliana's.

  "I fear this evening will have to be endured. Do you mind that Katharine was invited?"

  Jilliana did mind, but she could not admit it even to herself. "She belongs here, I do not," she said at last, looking across the room at the beauty who seemed to have captured Ruyen's attention.

  Jilliana had to admit that Katharine was beautiful. Her unbound hair fell to her waist and her blue gown was elaborately adorned with seed pearls. She was petite, had golden hair and a rosy complexion—just the kind of beauty that men preferred. At that moment, Jilliana despised her own dark hair and wished she was not so tall. Why did she feel so awkward and unattractive?

  Every eye turned to Jilliana, who stood motionless in the archway. Humphrey, who knew her so well, guessed that she was ill at ease, although no one could tell it by looking at her. She was dazzling in white silk with gold trim. Her jeweled crown sparkled in the soft candlelight. She could not know that she presented a picture of grace and beauty that dazzled all those who looked upon her.

  Cassandra squeezed Jilliana's hand. "Do not take to heart anything my mother or Katharine might say. They are people who are not happy unless they can make others feel lowly."

  Jilliana realized that Cassandra was speaking from her own past hurts. The young girl must have been deeply wounded, and yet, she had a kind and loving nature. Why did her own mother not recognize Cassandra's wonderful character and treasure her?

  Jilliana drew Ruyen's reluctant yet admiring gaze. He did not even feel Katharine's grip tighten possessively on his arm.

  Katharine's voice was laced with malice when she spoke. "She would not be so pretty if the artificial paints were stripped from her face." Then she said in a loud voice that carried above the din. "I use neither rouge nor paint on my face. I need no beauty that can be put on in the morning and laid aside at night."

  Ruyen frowned, stepping away from her. Katharine suddenly seemed not only silly, but vindictive as well, characteristics he had never been aware of before tonight. He still loved her, but she had changed—or was he the one who had changed? His eyes moved over Jilliana, who was talking to his sister. She was witty and intelligent, and could hold a man's interest not only by her beauty but with her knowledge as well. And he
had been close enough to her to know that she wore no paint on her face, as Katharine had suggested.

  Humphrey watched with silent fury. His queen was not being offered the homage she deserved. As of yet, no one save Cassandra had acknowledged her presence in the room.

  Ruyen was on his way to his wife when he saw Katharine's cousin, Sir James, approach her. The young gentleman placed his hand on his heart and swept a deep bow.

  Cassandra smiled at the young gallant. "Your Majesty, may I present Sir James Highclere, Katharine's cousin. Watch out for him, for he scoffs at life and views everything with humor. I look upon him as a friend, although he is something of a rogue."

  Sir James's eyes burned with the brightness of precious stones. "Pay little heed to this child," he said with affection. "She is but a minx and would have you believe I have little principle, when the opposite is true."

  Jilliana could not keep from laughing at the young man. He was nothing like his cousin.

  "Indeed, Sir James," she said with a smile as she offered him her hand and allowed him to raise it to his lips. "I know of no better recommendation than to be a friend of Princess Cassandra's."

  At that moment Queen Melesant brought Lord Highclere to Jilliana and presented him to her, thus giving Ruyen no opportunity to approach her.

  "Shall we dine?" Melesant asked, nodding to a servant who had just appeared in the doorway.

  Melesant offered her hand to Humphrey. "I have placed you on my right. Will you be my escort, Lord Baldridge?"

  He bowed to her. "It would be my pleasure," he said, more to be courtly than from any satisfaction he felt at being singled out for her favor. He suspected that she would ply him with questions in an attempt to learn about Queen Jilliana and Talshamar.

  The dining hall was well lit. Several squires served the meal, and Jilliana found it surprisingly delicious. One course followed another in rapid succession. The food was served on trenchers and wine in silver goblets.

  Jilliana refused to look at Ruyen, who had been placed beside Katharine. She found it painful to see him so attentive to the woman who possessed his heart. Was he confessing his undying love to her and assuring her that the marriage was not of his choosing?

  Jilliana was seated beside Sir James and she soon found herself being drawn into conversation with him and Cassandra.

  "What do you think of our island, Your Majesty," Sir James asked.

  "I... find it beautiful."

  "Do not be fooled by its beauty. We have many obstacles that must be overcome before it can be a paradise."

  Jilliana was interested in his ideas. "What obstacles, Sir James?"

  "You would think that being an island, we would be blessed with rain, but that is not so. We have three great rivers, but they reach only the center of the island, leaving the farmers on the outer regions without water to grow their crops."

  Jilliana took a sip of wine and then frowned in thoughtfulness. "I believe the answer to your problems would be aqueducts. The Castilians have mastered the technique quite well, and I am surprised Queen Melesant has not implemented this type of irrigation."

  "I had not heard of this. As you might have been told, we are isolated from the rest of the world. Because of the dangerous crosswinds, few ships come to our shores—" He lowered his voice. "Besides, the Castilians that guard the castle are not a learned lot."

  "As it was explained to me," Jilliana said, "the river headwaters are harnessed and diverted through a rock base. Since the outlet is much lower than the water source, gravity carries the water to its destination."

  Sir James smiled widely. "Simple, yet I wonder that we have not thought of it. I must discuss your ideas with Prince Ruyen after dinner. Perhaps we can get more information and implement the aqueducts on our island."

  Jilliana raised her eyes and found Ruyen glaring at her. Did he detest her so much that he would shame her for all to see?

  She felt suddenly weary. The only people she liked on this island were Cassandra and Sir James. She wanted more than ever to leave, and perhaps she would soon.

  Melesant was at her most charming with Humphrey. She offered him special tidbits from her own plate and flirted with him outrageously.

  "Tell me about your queen," she said slyly. "Is she popular in Talshamar?"

  "I know of no one there who would not gladly die for her," Humphrey said. "We only await the day when she returns home to rule her people."

  "I had worried when I heard about this marriage that Ruyen had been yoked to some poverty-stricken monarch who would be a drain on our treasury. If her jewels are any indication, Talshamar must be prosperous."

  "My queen has no need of anything from Falcon Bruine," he said, choosing his words carefully.

  "That is not quite true, Lord Baldridge, she wants an heir from my son." She placed her claw-like hand on his arm. "Is it true that the Talshamarians actually prefer a female ruler to a male?"

  Again he chose his words carefully. He had a feeling that this woman never asked meaningless questions. He would not be drawn into her game, however, and would tell her as little as possible. "Our strongest rulers have been women. Queen Jilliana's mother was a great example of that."

  "Ah, yes, but she died, did she not? Foolish for her not to cooperate with Henry."

  "Foolish, Your Majesty? We in Talshamar think of her rather as a queen who placed the good of the people above all else."

  "Yes, but she is still dead. What good can that do for Talshamar?"

  "I wonder," Humphrey said, gauging his words carefully so that they would not appear to be an insult, "how many queens could be so revered after death as Queen Phelisiana."

  Melesant became silent as she pondered his words. When one was dead, one would not care whether they were hated or adored.

  "Is it true," she said at last, "that Talshamar is a wealthy realm?"

  "Our children play happily and our people go to bed at night with a full belly," Humphrey told her.

  "How can this be when Talshamar has been without a ruling sovereign since the death of Queen Phelisiana? I know not who was the steward in your young queen's absence."

  "Before her death, Queen Phelisiana appointed a man of the Holy Church, whom she trusted above all others to oversee Talshamar until Queen Jilliana returned."

  "Rome has been known to dip its hands indiscriminately into many treasure houses," Melesant said cynically.

  "Queen Phelisiana chose her man well, and thanks be to God, under his stewardship, Talshamar has prospered."

  Melesant's eyes glazed over with greed. She must find a way to control Jilliana. She glanced down the table at the diamond crown that sat atop the head of her son's wife, its brilliance sending prisms of light flashing across the walls.

  Melesant's hand tightened on her wine glass. She would not be happy until that crown sat atop her own head.

  22

  After dinner, Jilliana watched Katharine hang on to Ruyen's arm, and she felt humiliated by his disregard of her feelings. She could not blame Lady Katharine for the poisonous looks she cast her way, but she did blame Ruyen.

  She looked at Ruyen, his dark head bent to hear something Lady Katharine was saying to him. How had he explained their marriage to his ladylove? Whatever he had said seemed to have appeased Katharine.

  After conversing for a time with Sir James and Cassandra, Jilliana took leave of Ruyen's mother and left the room as quickly as she could.

  Katharine watched her departure enviously. "Her gowns are quite nice, Ruyen. When a woman has a large nose, she must dress grandly to draw attention away from that defect. I believe her eyes are uncommonly dull, too, do you not think so?"

  Ruyen looked down at Katharine, wondering what she was talking about. Jilliana's nose large? He had never thought so. He saw expectancy in Katharine's eyes and knew he was expected to make a comment.

  "She dresses as a queen." He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "Now if you will excuse me, I have something that requires my attention."


  Katharine's voice was hard. "You have not missed me at all. You are going to her?"

  He had not seen Katharine jealous before, and he blamed himself for bringing out such an emotion in her. His voice was kind when he spoke to her. "No, Katharine, I am not. I am going into the village."

  On his way out, Ruyen encountered his mother.

  "Your little queen is quite lovely. I would like to know her better, yet it has not escaped my notice that she seems distrustful of me."

  His words were cynical. "Why ever can that be, Mother? Perhaps she has felt my distrust for you and taken it as her own."

  "Do not be bitter, Ruyen, it does no one any good. I know how you are feeling."

  "You know nothing about me, Mother."

  Melesant decided she must win her son's trust. She laid her hand on his. "Would you like me to dismiss the guests so we can have our talk now?"

  He moved his hand away from hers. "Now is not a good time for me."

  She stared after him as he moved out the door. He truly disliked her, and she wondered why she cared—but she did.

  While Netta was helping her undress, Jilliana was becoming more annoyed by the moment. Ruyen had not spoken to her all evening, and the others must have noticed. Perhaps he had ignored her to placate Katharine, but whatever the reason, she felt the insult to the core of her heart.

  "What kind of people are these, Netta, that they speak in riddles and hidden innuendos, never saying what they mean, and leaving one to puzzle on their purpose?"

  "I have found the servants nervous and watchful of every word they speak. I have heard enough to know that they are fearful of being overheard by the spies who have been planted among them by that man called Escobar."

  "We must be very careful, Netta. I trust no one here save Princess Cassandra. That child is like a rose growing on a thorn bush, an innocent living among vipers."

  They both lapsed into silence while Netta brushed Jilliana's hair.

  Jilliana could not keep her mind from straying to Ruyen. That he did not like his mother was easy to see, but was he so different from her?