Happily Ever Afters

by Melanie Cellier

  Chapter 7 - Sarah

  I watched Evelyn’s face as we stood in the doorway of the ballroom and smiled in satisfaction. I had been right. She was glad to be here.

  It was the smaller of the castle’s two ballrooms and already largely filled with dancing couples. Just hearing the lively music had Evelyn tapping her feet beneath her full skirts. I knew how much she loved to dance.

  Her eyes stayed locked on the dancers, but I dragged her across the room to a small group of nobles standing next to the refreshment table. Miles stood prominently at their centre and, after a week, I knew them all.

  I introduced them to Evelyn and could tell from her expression that she was matching each one with their parents. Between her attendance at Ava’s meetings and my social dealings with the younger nobles, we were getting a good feel for all the members of the Rangmeran court. Which was exactly how I wanted it to be.

  Sometimes, in the middle of a dance, or during a particularly exhilarating conversation, my mind would flash back to all the years I’d spent in Caravan Hargrove. No matter how I joked to Evelyn or Ava, I had never really imagined myself here, in a royal court. But at the same time, I knew that I was better suited here than I’d ever been in a caravan. My only regret had been leaving my best friend and cousin. So when Evelyn accepted the role of Ava’s personal guard, any hesitation vanished. I was utterly determined to carve myself a place here.

  While I was thinking, my eyes wandered to Miles’ face, and I saw that he was watching me, a half smile lingering around his mouth. I grinned impishly back, wondering how much of my thoughts he was able to guess. Despite our poor beginnings, he’d so far shown himself to be as astute as I’d expect an Adelmar to be. Several times I’d wondered if our initial conversation had been a test of some sort.

  The thought only fuelled my grin. If it had been a test, I seemed to have passed. Miles had welcomed me into his group, and none of the others dared gainsay him.

  Evelyn watched our silent interaction with a veiled expression. I knew she was wary of Miles and didn’t want to get involved. She was right, of course. It was a game. I had every intention of using the nobleman to gain the acceptance into court he could so easily offer.

  I wasn’t quite willing to admit, even to myself, that I might want something else from Miles. He was both the highest ranked and the most influential of the younger nobles, and my aim wasn’t set that high.

  Evelyn’s eyes strayed back to the dancers.

  “It looks like you ladies are in need of a dance,” said Miles when he saw the direction of her gaze. “And you promised one to me, Sarah.”

  “Oh, did I?” my forgetful tone was entirely put on, and I could tell from Evelyn’s expression that she could tell.

  “You certainly did.” The twinkle in Miles’ eyes suggested that he wasn’t fooled either.

  Evelyn smiled, but she was the only one. The other ladies in the group looked very sour indeed, and I had to repress my own smile. Some segments of the castle populace might resent our arrival, but they would soon learn that we were a force to be reckoned with.

  Before I could accept Miles’ outstretched hand, I noticed a new face amongst the crowd.

  I grabbed Evelyn’s arm and hissed, “There he is!” in her ear.

  He was one of the lowest ranked noblemen and barely involved with the court. In fact, he seemed like a bit of an outcast, although no one had a bad word to say about him. It was as if he just didn’t fit with the rest of the nobles. Possibly it had something to do with the fact that he preferred physical activity over court intrigue. Apparently he was a skilled swordsman.

  In other words, a perfect match for Evelyn.

  The grin dropped from her face, and I almost sighed in frustration. She hadn’t even seen him yet. Clearly she was determined to be difficult.

  I watched him make his way over towards us.

  “Why, hello,” he said, his eyes on Evelyn’s back.

  She whirled around and stared at him in surprise.

  My eyes darted between the two of them. “Do you two already know each other?”

  He ignored me and addressed himself to Evelyn. “I don’t suppose after your defeat earlier, you’d be interested in joining me for a different sort of dance?”

  A sudden suspicion darted across my mind, and I quickly poked Evelyn in the ribs. “Of course she would!”

  Evelyn didn’t even seem to hear me. “What are you doing here?” she demanded of him, apparently too shocked to be polite.

  I stood up on tiptoes to whisper in her ear. “This is the noble I was telling you about!”

  “Noble?” Evelyn replied at full volume, and I glared at her. So much for subtlety.

  “Guilty as charged,” said the man, with an easy smile. “Sir Jacques at your service. It seems we’re both full of surprises.”

  Evelyn raised her eyebrows at him.

  “I hear you’re Her Majesty’s new personal guard.”

  I looked back and forward between them. So Evelyn hadn’t told him who she was. Interesting.

  Jacques. Jake. I smiled at how well things were turning out.

  Evelyn, meanwhile, shrugged and ‘Jake’ responded with a laugh.

  “Exactly,” he said. He held out a hand imperiously. “Now show me if you dance as well as you fight.”

  I wasn’t sure if she actually meant to do it but somehow Evelyn’s hand found its way into his. Miles, who had been watching the interchange with great interest, was quick to snatch up my own hand so that we were led into the dance side by side.

  I looked at Evelyn inquiringly and was relieved to see a small smile on her lips.

  That settles it, I thought. Somehow or other I have to prove to Evelyn that Sir Jacques can be trusted.

  “You know I’m generally considered to be both intelligent and charming,” said Miles.

  “What?” I asked, my focus still on Evelyn and Jake.

  “Exactly,” he said with a small laugh. “You’re not listening to a word I’m saying and you haven’t paid me any attention all night.”

  I turned my attention back to his laughing face. “You’re not the only interesting thing in the Four Kingdoms, you know,” I said with a laugh of my own. “I was thinking about something else.”

  “But that’s just it.” He assumed a hurt expression although the laugh was still lurking underneath. “I’m not used to dancing with women who are thinking about something else.”

  “Well, I’m sure it’s doing you good then.”

  “You know, there are several girls back at the refreshment table who would love to trade places with you…” His self-mocking smile was back, but I still shook my head at his boundless confidence.

  “Well, you should certainly feel free to trade partners,” I said, letting go of my grip on him. “I certainly won’t make a fuss.”

  He didn’t let go of my hand or waist. After a moment I returned his clasp with a satisfied grin.

  “I didn’t think so.”

  He shook his head. “What am I going to do with you, Merchant Girl?”

  I affected an expression of surprise. “Do with me? Why, nothing at all! If you haven’t yet noticed, I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”

  Miles pulled me closer against him and leaned down so that our faces were almost touching.

  “But what if I want to do something with you? What if I want to…” his voice trailed off, and his eyes moved down to my lips.

  My heartbeat sped up and I suddenly realised that while we were dancing, he’d manoeuvred us right out of one of the many open doors that led on to the long terrace.

  The noise and lights of the ballroom were just behind us, but for this one moment we were alone beneath the moonlight. My breathing hitched and my mind scrambled for a suitable response.

  Miles was just as intelligent and charming as he claimed to be, and I enjoyed every minute that I spent with him. But he was also heir to one of the most powerful titles in court. He was very useful to my attempt
s to establish myself in court, but I had no serious hopes of a future with him.

  Even as I remembered the disparity in our positions, my own gaze drifted to his mouth. I gasped and wrenched myself out of his arms.

  “Miles!” I put my hands on my hips and glared at him.

  His own breathing had quickened but at my exclamation, he gave his head a single shake and then flashed me a cheeky grin.

  “You can’t blame a man for trying.”

  “Oh, can’t I?” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, we need to get back into the courtroom before Evelyn notices I’ve disappeared.”

  Miles offered me his arm with an exaggerated bow.

  “But surely she wouldn’t be concerned about you, she knows you’re with me.”

  “I think that’s what would worry her the most, actually,” I said, without thinking.

  “I’m hurt!” Miles clapped his hand to his chest as if wounded.

  “No, no,” I shook my head quickly. “She wouldn’t be worried about you harming me. She’s just worried about me being caught up in something aimed at your family.”

  “My family?” Miles’ whole demeanour became instantly serious. “What are you talking about?”

  I bit my lip, unsure what to say. I was still flustered from our interaction outside, or I would never have slipped up and mentioned the matter at all.

  Miles stopped and spun me around to face him, his hands gripping my shoulders. “What are you not telling me?”

  I scrunched up my nose and then sighed. The Adelmars were our allies, after all. Maybe I should have told him already.

  It only took me moments to tell him the whole story of what Evelyn had overheard at the wedding and coronation celebrations. His expression darkened, and by the end of the tale he was scowling thunderously.

  “You’ve told my father of this?”

  I shrugged. “Evelyn reported it to Ava and Hans. I assume they would have passed it on to Lord Adelmar.”

  “I don’t know why he didn’t tell me.” Miles looked annoyed, but his eyes were focused above my head, so I assumed his anger wasn’t directed at me.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to go,” he said abruptly. “Excuse me.”

  With a quick squeeze of my shoulders, he turned and walked out of the room. I watched him leave a little guiltily. I hoped I hadn’t stirred up too much trouble between him and his father.

  “What in the kingdoms did you say to Miles?” asked a snide voice behind me.

  I turned to see three of the noble girls who usually hung around him.

  “He certainly couldn’t get away from her fast enough,” said one of the others, and all three of them laughed behind their hands.

  Before I could reply, Evelyn appeared at my elbow. “That’s strange,” she said, “from where I was standing it looked like he spent the whole evening with her. Or perhaps I’m wrong, perhaps you danced with him before we arrived.”

  She raised one eyebrow challengingly.

  Three identical glares were levelled at her, but none of them could think of anything to say. When Evelyn continued to calmly meet their gaze, the first one snorted angrily and then stormed away. The other two were quick to follow her.

  I turned to my cousin.

  “Thanks, Eve, but I don’t need you to fight for me, you know.”

  “I know.” She gave me a wide smile. “But I can’t let you have all the fun.”

  I felt a little heartened by her response. She must have had a good time with Jake. I hated to pull her away, but I also thought it was time we retired for the night. There had been altogether too much excitement already.

  I linked my arm in hers and led her around the edge of the ballroom towards the doors that led to the rest of the castle.

  “So Jake is Sir Jacques, hey?” I asked, my voice light and teasing. “What do you have to say about my matchmaking skills now?”

  “Sarah!” She pinched my arm. “I’m not interested in him! I don’t even know if I can trust him. I haven’t forgotten what I saw at the celebrations even if you have.”

  “Of course I haven’t forgotten,” I said, indignant. “But I’m sure he wasn’t in league with Anhalt or anything. Why wouldn’t he have joined them if he was?”

  “I don’t know why. I don’t know anything,” she said, her face crinkling with concern. “And that’s exactly what worries me. We need to find out some more information, Sarah.”

  I sighed. “Well I might have accidentally let something slip to Miles tonight.”

  Evelyn raised both eyebrows at me. “So that’s what that was all about.”

  I nodded. “He left to confront his father about it.”

  We had stepped out into the relatively quiet corridor at this point, and Evelyn gave a low whistle that seemed to echo off the stone walls.

  “Well then,” she said. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see what he has to say next time you meet. If anyone’s been able to get more information, it will have been Adelmar.”

  Chapter 8 - Evelyn

  As much as I was itching to find out more about the potential conspiracy against Adelmar and the crown, I was significantly restricted by my duties as personal guard to the queen. I could hardly go off investigating on my own when I was required to accompany Ava at all times.

  It was at least a relief to hear, the next day, that she had cleared her morning of meetings.

  “I’ve given a whole week to the nobles and officials,” she told me over breakfast. “It’s time I got back in touch with the populace.”

  In the week before Ava’s successful attempt to win the crown, we had spent every day mixing with the women who did their washing in the large square at the centre of the city. It was a hub of local activity, and Ava had done a lot towards winning the hearts of the people in the hours we spent there.

  It had also been an enjoyable escape from the suffocating atmosphere of the castle under her brother’s rule. The Square of Fountains was always overflowing with active children, and my only regret was that my new role wouldn’t let me join them in our usual game of quickball. I could understand why Ava wanted to return there.

  Ava saw the understanding on my face and nodded. “Yes, I thought we could visit the Square again. Do you think Sarah would want to come with us?”

  “I think it would do us all good to get out for a few hours,” I said firmly. “I’ll just tell her it’s a royal command.”

  Ava shot me a wary look but then laughed when she saw the smile on my face.

  “Being queen is wearing me down, and it’s only been a week.” She shook her head. “I used to live like this all the time, back when my father was alive. I hadn’t realised how much I’d gotten used to a different way of life in the weeks I was on the run with all of you. I miss it.”

  She sounded wistful, and I wished there was something I could do to lighten her load. I had been angry and mistrustful of her when we last travelled together, but I had come a long way in my thinking since then. And her poise and patience in the last week had only increased my admiration for her ability to rule.

  “Well,” I said, making my voice as light-hearted as I could and rolling my shoulders, “when I’m standing behind your chair for the sixth hour straight, I rather miss it too.”

  Ava laughed. “Hans always made an excellent statue back when he was my personal guard, and I’m afraid I never gave him much thought. But then I didn’t attend nearly so many meetings when I was just a princess.”

  Her expression turned sympathetic. “He feels bad for you, you know. He told me so yesterday. In fact, he thinks we need to assign a second personal guard, so the two of you can take shifts. I think it’s a good idea.”

  I shook my head. “I wasn’t meaning to complain, Ava. I can assure you, I’m up to the job.” I had merely meant to make her smile, not to make her question my competency! I felt a little sick. I’d initially doubted that I had the experience for such an important role but, up until now, I’d thought I was performing well.

&
nbsp; “Oh no, no, Evelyn!” Ava reached out to touch my arm reassuringly. “Your competence is not in question, I promise you. It’s a sensible suggestion regardless of who’s in the role. No single person can be vigilant all day, every day. It’s simply impossible. Plus you need time to maintain your training and fitness. I have no idea how Hans managed it all those years. From what he says now, I think he was the only one willing to take the job.” She grimaced.

  I could hear the sense of her arguments, but Hans had managed it for years. It had only been a week, and already they had seen what I had been afraid of from the beginning – the role was too big for me, my merchant guard training wasn’t enough.

  “Well, if that’s what Hans thinks is best, then you should certainly take his advice,” I said, keeping my voice free of emotion. “He’s the one with the most experience in the role after all. But there’s no hurry from my perspective. Take however long you need to find someone you trust.”

  Ava smiled at me warmly. “I’m just glad I have you, Evelyn.”

  She stood up, brushing off her hands. “Now, why don’t you go and drag Sarah out of bed? The guards outside my rooms can keep an eye on me for now. Plus Hans should be getting back from his run any time now.”

  Sarah was already up and dressed and as enthusiastic as Ava and I about a morning excursion into the city. Half an hour later, we were riding through the streets.

  In what I suspected was a momentary fit of equal parts rebellion and nostalgia, Ava had dispensed with her ceremonial guard. So it was only the three of us making our way to the Square of Fountains.

  I felt a little uneasy with her decision. It made me solely responsible for her safety, and I was still unfamiliar with the city. But we attracted no attention as we rode through the streets, and the grey cobblestones and houses seemed just like they always had before.

  Rangmeros, the capital of the kingdom of Rangmere, was a grey, square city, and I had disliked it when we first arrived. I had grown up surrounded by nature, always on the road with the merchant caravan. But, to my surprise, the city was already starting to grow on me. The uniform grey of the stone only served to enhance the splashes of colour that accented it. Every window box of flowers or brightly coloured dress stood out.