Throne of Threats (Ducal Detective Mysteries Book 5)

by Sarah E. Burr

  Unaware of the storm he’d drudged up inside her mind, Charles innocently continued, “I would love to be able to shadow his practices whilst I am here. Not that I am not learning much from my master in Isla DeLacqua, but Vyanti is a legend amongst the physicians’ guild.”

  “Then Uma must arrange a time for you to speak. I, for one, am hopeful that there won’t be any work for you to shadow. I’d hate for anyone to fall ill during the celebrations,” Jax commented with wry humor, but the truth of her words rang clear.

  As if speaking her name magically summoned her, Uma appeared in the gaping doorway. “Your Grace? Might I remind you that the banquet is set to start in two hours?”

  Jax gave her a blank look. “Yes?” A moment passed before Uma’s words registered in her brain. “I really need two hours to get ready?”

  “It gives you ample time to prepare,” Uma said with careful consideration.

  As her lips drew into a thin line, Jax turned to her guests, a deep frown set across her face. “Well, that takes the wind out of my sails. It seems I’m being summoned to my chambers to prepare for the evening. Conrad!” She motioned to one of the seasoned palace scholars milling about the room. “See to it that my guests are given a proper tour of the castle, please.”

  Perry held up a hand. “Jax, why not let me do it? I don’t need as much time to get ready for tonight. I’m happy to show Charles and Giovanna our home.”

  Her stomach flipped at the way his voice caressed the words our home. After a quick look at the scholar she had summoned, Jax turned to the siblings. “I hope you don’t mind if Perry shows you the lay of the land.”

  “Of course not, Your Grace,” they both said in unison.

  “We shall see you at the feast,” Giovanna said with a wave as she and Charles moved toward the door to give the couple some privacy.

  “I’ll try not to give away too many palace secrets.” Perry’s lavender eyes twinkled with mischief.

  Jax responded with an impish smack on his arm.

  “I’ll come collect you before dinner, so we can peek in on the chapel to make sure the lighting is just right,” he said, bestowing a soft kiss to her blushing cheek. He gave her a wink before hurrying away to join his guests.

  Jax felt Uma’s eyes on her. “I don’t think I need to remind you, Your Grace,” Uma said, hesitation written all over her face, “but with all the guests we have in the palace…”

  “I’m not allowed to have any fun,” Jax said, her eyes glowering with annoyance, disappointed she couldn’t even show her friends her ancestral home. “I thought I’d be able to sneak in a few hours as a carefree hostess, but between Carriena and the Cetachi delegation already being here, I have to remind myself that being Duchess comes first.”

  Uma cringed, her small body shrinking beneath Jax’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not blaming you, dear one.” Jax tucked a strand of honeyed hair behind her ear, her fingers brushing the side of her jeweled crown. “I just don’t know if I’m ready for all this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jax suddenly felt like a boulder had been dropped on her shoulders. “To be the center of everyone’s attention. To have all eyes on me. Everything I do will be analyzed and criticized. How is that a good way to begin a marriage?”

  Uma’s delicate hand rested on her arm. “You’ve been the center of attention before, Jax. You’ll be fine.”

  “Not really. I mean, my coronation was still laced with the deaths of my parents, so even then I was not the focal point. And since? I have attended many events, yes, but as a guest, an observer. Never as the main attraction.”

  “When are you ever not the main attraction?”

  Uma’s teasing pulled a slight smile across her face. “You do know what I mean, don’t you?”

  Brown eyes narrowed in response. “I get it, Jax, I really do. But I also know you are capable of handling this, which is why I think it’s pointless to spend time worrying about it. Everything will be fine. I mean, the worst that could go wrong is that your dress falls apart in front of everyone.”

  Jax’s mouth dropped at the horror of that thought.

  “And even then, all people will probably talk about is what a lovely figure you have,” Uma said, poking at her trim waist.

  Throwing her head back, laughter consumed the Duchess. “I hope you realize you’ve made life extremely difficult for Monsieur Duval. I’ll have him reviewing the seams up until the moment I walk down the aisle.”

  “I’m fairly certain your tailor has the dress under royal guard.” Uma chortled.

  Jax rolled her eyes. “I’ll bet George loves signing off on those orders,” she said, picturing the stoic Captain assigning his men to protect a dress.

  “Speaking of George and walking down the aisle…” Uma’s voice trailed off as she led the way out of the library toward Jax’s bedroom. “Have you asked him yet?”

  Jax’s face paled. “No. And before you give me another lecture, I just haven’t found the right moment. I know I said I was going to when we arrived back home from the Lysandeir summit, but things just got away from me.” Since her beloved father was not here to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, Jax had decided to ask George Solomon if he would accompany her.

  Having enlisted in the Ducal Guard at age sixteen, George had known Jax since she was nine years old. At first, his entry-level rank meant he did not interact with the ducal family on a regular basis, but he proved his loyalty and courage the day he thwarted the kidnapping of a young Jacqueline. A rogue nobleman named Gabriel Reinbeck had planned to hold the princess hostage, demanding the throne of Saphire in exchange for her life. George had protected the young Jax with a fierceness Duke Saphire greatly admired, and he promoted the boy to his inner circle. It only took a few more years for George to be named Captain of the Ducal Guard, the most senior military officer in all of Saphire. On top of it all, he was her oldest friend and the closest thing she had to family in Saphire with her parents gone.

  “You’d better ask him soon, or he won’t have time to find something presentable to wear,” Uma said with feigned admonishment, holding open the door to Jax’s lavish and grand apartment.

  “All right, all right.” Jax held her hands up in defeat. “You may send for him once we’re finished.”

  “Of course. Do you need anything further?” Uma asked, clasping her hands before her.

  Jax couldn’t resist a reflective sigh. “I miss the days when this was you and me.”

  Uma’s features softened, her cheeks growing pink. “As do I, Your Grace. But Vita takes good care of you, no?”

  Before Jax could answer, a figure darted into the room. “Duquessa! I was beginning to worry we wouldn’t have adequate time,” the young woman said, her lilting Savantian accent a mere purr.

  Vita Bellerose had recently been selected to fill Uma’s old position of lady’s maid. Hailing from a small earldom in southern Savant, Vita was the daughter of a noble house that was struggling to keep their vineyard afloat. In exchange for their daughter’s services, Jax had provided Sir Bellerose a loan to save his family’s business. A loan Duke Savant had refused to give, citing that if his nobles could not manage their money effectively, he did not want them associated with his duchy. However, through Jaquobie’s spies, Jax had learned that Duke Savant’s own treasuries were floundering, as wine production had decreased in recent years due to dry weather. Since wine was the main export of the small nation, it had been a major blow. As the proclaimed protector of the realm, Jax knew she had to intervene, or risk Savant falling apart. She had bailed out several vineyards nearing bankruptcy in exchange for various favors and agreements. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the Bellerose vineyard produced a wine too bitter for her tastes, and therefore, Vita’s services as her lady’s maid had been the outcome.

  Tucking her long, dark hair behind an ear, Vita’s brow furrowed as she studied Jax. “I still cannot decide whether to put you in purple or green tonight.”<
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  Even though their relationship was still developing, Jax was pleased so far by Vita’s attention to detail and devotion to her role. She had been hesitant as to whether the daughter of a noble house would find this work to be beneath her station, but Vita genuinely seemed to enjoy her new position. More than once, she had thanked Jax for saving her family’s reputation and mentioned how proud she was to play a role in their salvation.

  Tapping a long finger on her chin, Vita’s amber eyes suddenly brightened. “Oh, I know just the piece!” Dashing out of sight for a moment, she returned holding a voluptuous ball gown.

  Examining her lady’s maid’s choice, Jax smiled. “It will be perfect. I’d nearly forgotten about this one.”

  “So had I,” Vita said, laying out the lavender gown, its hem lined with intricate stitching. Spindle-like vines of emerald ivy wrapped around the bottom of the dress, blending both Saphirian purple and Pettraudian green together. “But with the number of gifts you received when your engagement was formally announced, I suppose something was bound to fall through the cracks.”

  Jax’s fingertips stroked the silky skirt, falling in love all over again with the gown designed by the royal tailor of Pettraud. She had received it as a gift from Perry’s youngest aunt, welcoming her to the family. Duke Pettraud was the oldest of five siblings, and with his seven sons, his line was one of the largest in the realm. Where Jax had been an only child, nearly unheard of in a ducal line, she was curious to know what it felt like to be a part of such an expansive family tree.

  “Shall I prepare a bath?” Vita’s question broke through her thoughts.

  “Yes, that would be lovely,” Jax answered, sinking down into a plush armchair.

  ǂ

  Vita had just finished tucking a gold and amethyst crown into Jax’s caramel curls when a knock sounded at the door. She rushed over to open it, almost tripping on an ottoman in her path.

  Jax concealed a snort behind her raised hand, finding Vita’s lack of grace at times to be quite endearing.

  “Captain Solomon! Yes, we’ve just finished,” Vita exclaimed from the apartment door, beckoning Jax to leave her bedroom vanity and greet her friend.

  George Solomon stood tall with his hands behind his back, giving Vita a curt bow of thanks as he walked into the room. Spotting Jax, he grinned, his handsome face lighting up. “You look breathtaking.”

  With a subtle nod to Vita to give them some privacy, Jax floated over to his side. “Thank you, George. Why don’t you take a seat?”

  “Oh, dear. Am I in some type of trouble?” he joked, but she could tell she’d just put him on alert.

  “What’s this I hear about you wasting resources by guarding my wedding dress?” she asked, striving to keep her face blank and unreadable.

  George shifted in his seat. “Well, Monsieur Duval requested protection, and even though his claims about sabotage seem farfetched, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

  Her stony façade crumbled, and she burst into giggles. “Sabotage? He really thinks someone is going to attack my dress?” She quickly gained control of her laughter, worried that tears might spring from her eyes and ruin her carefully applied rouge.

  The tension in George’s shoulders seemed to deflate as he sank back into his chair. “One can never be too careful when it comes to high fashion, Duchess,” he said with a smirk.

  “I guess so,” she mumbled. “But in all seriousness, do you have any concerns about our guests?”

  George’s dark eyebrows lifted in question. “Do you have any concerns? From what you’ve told me, the ones I’m worried about won’t be arriving until tomorrow.”

  Jax knew who he referred to. With Dukes Crepsta, Pettraud, and Mensina all set to arrive within a day’s time, George was no doubt preparing his men for some of the realm’s most formidable leaders. While relations with Mensina and Pettraud were strong, Crepsta’s alliance had weakened ever since the Duke’s nephew had conspired to commit treason and overthrow Saphire in his name. While Jax and her advisors wanted to believe in Crepsta’s resolute support, the whole incident had cast a shadow over the smallest of Saphire’s neighboring duchies.

  Then there was the small matter that the rest of the realm’s leaders would be arriving the day of the rehearsal reception. Jax had extended the invitation to the rehearsal dinner to all the visiting dignitaries, meaning George and his guardsmen would be responsible for securing the safety of the entire realm. A daunting task, indeed.

  Feeling his eyes scanning her face for any indication, Jax shook her head. “It’s foolish, really. Muddied thoughts put into my mind by Jaquobie. He doesn’t necessarily trust Carriena’s motivations for being here. Apparently, Isla DeLacqua is having treasury issues.”

  “That seems to be a growing trend in the realm,” George mused, clearly referring to Savant’s money troubles.

  “It makes me wonder how secure our way of life is.”

  He looked surprised. “You think the people will exploit this and use it to overthrow the ducal families?”

  “It’s been on my mind since the peace summit. While I agree we did what was best for Cetachi, I wonder if Darian’s ascension to the throne has planted the seed of rebellion in some of the weaker domains. I mean, if a man can’t keep his own reserves full, does he really have what it takes to rule a dukedom?”

  “Those are dangerous words, Jax,” George said, his tone reprimanding. “Ones that I suggest you keep to yourself whilst you have guests within your walls.”

  “I haven’t even shared my concerns with Perry,” Jax admitted, wanting to assure George that she knew better than to speak so flippantly about rebellion. “But I wanted you to be on alert about the changing landscape.”

  “What will you do if Savant or Isla DeLacqua is thrown into civil war?”

  Jax shuddered at the notion. “There’s a difference in what I want to do versus what I can actually do.”

  George gave her an assessing gaze. “What do you want?”

  She folded her hands in her lap. “What I want is to unite the realm under one banner, led by a sovereign who won’t bankrupt her own people.”

  His words came out as a whisper, his breath stunned from him. “You want to rule the Realm of Virtues yourself?”

  “Before you think me a power-hungry fool, hear me out. I admire Darian’s way of running a duchy. I’ve found the elected premiers to be entirely capable of the day-to-day issues facing their people. In my perfect world, those elected officials would report to the overseeing governor of the region, who would then report to me. As Queen.”

  Chapter Four

  George’s whistle bounced off her sitting room walls.

  “The realm would be funded from one treasury. All taxes would go to the security of the realm, ensuring no nation goes without. The more I think about it, with the way things are being run by my peers, our people would be safer this way,” Jax stated. “Of course, this is all entirely theoretical. I could never act upon it.”

  “But if you had Pettraud, Mensina, and Cetachi backing your claim, who knows what you could accomplish?” George looked at her, the suggestion in his eyes.

  Jax flicked a hand. “Again, these are just musings of a woman whose head is getting too big for her own good.”

  “Your concerns about the health of Savant and Isla DeLacqua are valid, Jax. If there is to be prosperity across the realm, we can’t have duchies defaulting.”

  “A discussion for another day, George. I’ve gotten us way off topic.” She took his hands in hers, meeting his gaze. “The real reason I asked Uma to send you up here is that I have an important favor to ask you.”

  “A favor?” George’s forehead furrowed.

  “You see…” Jax trailed off, trying to find the right words to convey her request. “I have always valued my father’s incredible instincts, mainly because he saw your potential when you were just a boy. Not a day goes by when you don’t devote your entire life to the service of my family. I know you would do anything
for this duchy, as I was there the day you put your life on the line to rescue nine-year-old me from Gabriel Reinbeck’s assault without a second’s hesitation. That was the day you became a member of my father’s inner circle, and more importantly, an honorary member of the Xavier family.” Jax’s throat caught, her eyes tearing up. “You have been by my side for many years as a protector and friend. With my father absent, I would be honored if you would walk me down the aisle on my wedding day.”

  George’s brown eyes pooled with emotion. “Jax, it is I who would be honored,” he managed to say, his voice raw.

  Beaming, she threw her arms around him. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  Clearing his throat, George gave her a tight squeeze before pulling away and regaining his normally stoic composure. “Nice of you to give me enough time to find a suit,” he said dryly.

  “Oh hush,” Jax said with playful snark. “A Duchess runs on her own time and no one else’s. But I’m sure Uma has something waiting in the wings for you.”

  Pushing himself up from the sofa, George paced toward the door, his mood back to business. “I need to get down to the banquet hall before everyone starts trickling in. I want to make sure my men and I have a good vantage point for tonight’s festivities.”

  Jax almost wished she hadn’t warned him about Carriena. “Oh, I hoped you would be able to sit back and relax tonight before the real trouble rolls in.”

  George’s chuckling rumbled through the room. “With you, Duchess, there’s always trouble.”

  She knew he meant it as a jest, but she couldn’t help but wonder what she might be up against.

  As George departed her chambers, Perry’s figure replaced his in the doorway. “Doling out last minute orders?” he said with a smirk as he waltzed into the room.