Anna could see the angry flush mounting in Alfred’s cheeks as he glared at his wife. “Very well,” he finally ground out. “But let it be known that your blood will not be on my hands.”
Matilda nodded, then leaned back with a smile. “Come, my lord, that was not so difficult, was it?”
Alfred pushed himself to his feet with an angry scowl, and throwing his napkin on the table, stormed from the room. The chamberlain watched his retreating back, then rose to his feet, bowed at the queen and followed his angry monarch. Anna glanced at Matilda. One day, she thought, she will push too far, and she will have to suffer the consequences. For now, however, she looked as satisfied as a cat that had gotten the cream. She looked around at her ladies.
“I will not think less of you if you choose to remain behind when I go to war,” she said, “but if you will accompany me, I will be glad of the company.”
“Will you give us time to think on it?” Elizabeth asked.
“Of course,” Matilda said.
“I’ll come,” Anna said. Matilda looked at Anna with a smile.
“I knew you would,” she said.
Chapter 28
Anna stood behind one corner of the queen’s chair as she listened to a petition from the bishop to help fund new screens in the cathedral. Blanche stood at the other corner. “You should not have scorned Rupert as you did,” Blanche whispered. “Becoming his mistress would have given you both wealth and prestige.”
Anna turned to glare at Blanche. “I will not whore myself for money or position,” she said.
Blanche shrugged. “And how much are you willing to lose for your principles?” she said. “Because you may lose everything.”
“At least I will still have my self-worth,” she said.
Blanche sniggered. “Self-worth! Will that keep you warm and feed your belly when you are tossed on the street?” The queen turned and gave Blanche an annoyed frown, and she fell silent. Anna focused her attention on the bishop. His petition must have been successful, given his triumphant smile. The queen nodded at him, and he bowed his way out of the room.
“The two of you are like squabbling cats,” the queen said once he was gone. “If you cannot find a way to live in peace, then one of you may have to go.” Blanche turned an exultant look on Anna. “And don’t assume, Blanche,” the queen continued, “that it will be Anna that goes. I’m beginning to tire of your spiteful comments.”
A knock sounded on the door, and it opened to admit one of the guards. “There is someone in the courtyard asking to see you, Mistress,” Frank said to Anna. She looked at him in surprise.
“Who is it?”
“A man. I cannot tell you more than that.”
“He didn’t give a name?”
“He did not.” Anna glanced at the queen.
“Go,” she said with a wave of her hand.
Anna turned back to Frank. “I will come down in a moment.”
As Anna opened the door to the courtyard, she glanced around. It was drizzling slightly, but that did not deter the palace staff as they went about their duties. Visitors strode purposefully towards the palace doors, heads down against the gray day. One of the footmen had his arm around a young maid, who was giggling and blushing as she pulled herself away. Children chased dogs around the fire that blazed in the center of the courtyard, and one or two chickens wandered between legs, pecking unconcernedly at the slushy ground until a booted foot sent them flapping through the air, squawking angrily. Anna pulled her cloak closer around her shoulders as she searched through the crowd, looking for a familiar face, but it was only when she took a second look at the men standing against the low wall surrounding the courtyard that she saw him.
Garrick was leaning against the wall in the rain, his arms crossed over his chest, watching her scan the yard. His legs were crossed casually, one ankle over the other, but as she looked at him, he slowly pushed himself up to his full height and strode towards her. He wore a long, hooded woolen cloak that covered his brown tunic and leather breeches, with boots that reached his calves. A sack was slung over his shoulder, and his hair was pulled behind his neck, held in place by a leather thong.
He reached her in a few long strides. “Hello, Anna.” He dropped the sack to his feet.
She stared at him, surprise stealing her words. “What are you doing here?” she finally said. He glanced away for a moment.
“Are you not happy to see me?” he said softly. She swallowed hard. Pushing the cloak aside, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a letter which he held out to her.
“I brought you this,” he said.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, taking the missive from his hand.
“No,” he said. “Your sister asked me to give it to you since I was coming here.”
“Oh.” She turned the letter over, and recognized Keira’s neat writing. “Why did you come here?”
“I’m joining the troops going to war for the king.”
“What?” She stared at him in horror. “No. You mustn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because …” she paused. “Because you could be killed.”
“I could. Would you care if I was?”
“Of course I would!” she said. “You know that!”
Garrick glanced away. “I know.”
“When did you arrive?” she asked.
“This morning,” he said. “This is the first place I came.”
She glanced at the ground. “Where are you staying?”
“I will make my way to the Camp Commander as soon as I leave here. Master Drake gave me a letter of reference, as well as money to purchase armor and weapons.”
“That was … generous.”
“Yes,” Garrick said wryly. “He was spared the burden of having me join his family, so I think it was the least he could do.”
“Garrick –“
He lifted his hand to stop her. “I’m sorry, Anna. That was uncalled for. Master Drake has been very generous. I suppose I came here hoping … but you have made your choices, and I have made mine. It was not my intent to make you feel guilty. I just wanted to see you, and deliver your sister’s letter.”
Anna felt a wave of shame roll over her. “Oh, Garrick,” she said, but before she could continue, his hands were taking hers, pulling her closer.
“Shh,” he whispered. “I’m sorry. I do understand. I didn’t expect you to have changed your mind.” She looked up at him. “Perhaps …” He looked away. “Have you made a final decision?”
“I –”
“Well, well, the stablehand.” Max’s voice cut through Anna’s words, and she pulled from Garrick’s grasp to see him striding towards them. He met Anna’s gaze for a brief moment before turning his attention to Garrick.
“Dragon,” Garrick ground out. He glanced down at Anna, and his expression tightened.
“His name is Garrick,” Anna said to Max.
“Garrick? I had quite forgotten.” He drew closer and sniffed the air. “But I never forget a smell,” he said, “and you smell of, well, you smell of the stables.”
“Max!” Anna glared at him, her expression horrified.
“Am I interrupting something? A happy reunion perhaps?”
“Yes,” Anna ground out in annoyance. “Garrick is my betro–” She froze, her eyes wide, and slowly closed her mouth. No, no, no, she screamed to herself. Why could she not hold her tongue? She laughed nervously and turned to Garrick, determined to take back the foolish, unconsidered words, but the look on his face made her stop, groaning inwardly. He was staring at her with an expression of disbelief – and hope. She smiled weakly, then turned back to Max. “We were keeping it a secret.”
Max smiled in sardonic amusement. “I see,” he said, and Anna had a horrible feeling that he saw all too well. “Then let me be the first to congratulate you.” She nodded, and glanced back at Garrick. He was still staring at her.
“Is it true?” he said softly. “Do you mean it? I thought all h
ope was gone, but here you are calling me your betrothed. Am I really so fortunate?” Anna glanced down at the ground. She could not take back the words now, while Max stood watching. “I love you,” he whispered.
“Oh, Garrick,” she said. In one foolish moment she had rewritten her own future as well as Garrick’s. She heard Max snort, and looked up to see him walking away. She glanced back at Garrick. He had already dismissed Max from his mind.
“I’m sorry I doubted you,” he said. He was grinning. “I thought when I saw the dragon … but I was wrong. We will be happy together, you will see! And right now, I don’t think I could be any happier!” Anna forced a smile. It was not within her to destroy his moment of joy. Tomorrow, maybe, but not now.
Chapter 29
Anna sat in her chambers, staring unseeing out the window that faced the formal palace gardens. Icy tendrils of frost swirled over the cold glass panes, the delicate feathering glimmering in the low winter light. In the background the canaries given to her by Max – no, Aaron – were chirping brightly, competing with the crackling of sparks that leaped from the fire. She had parted from Garrick a short time ago, his joy unabated as he set off to find the Camp Commander and join the king’s fighting forces. She closed her eyes, remembering how he had looked at her, his vivid blue eyes sparkling with happiness as he lifted her hand and kissed it gently before he said farewell.
She had created a tangled web and ensnared herself completely. She could not untangle the threads without causing pain. She dropped her head into her hands. She may not love Garrick, at least not love in the way of lovers, but she still could not bear to hurt him.
She leaned her head against the cold surface of the window, her breath creating patches of steam against the glass. It was slightly uneven, and she could feel the ripples beneath her forehead. Was it so terrible to be betrothed to Garrick? How many men truly loved the woman they married the way Garrick loved her? And she cared deeply for him. He had been her friend at Storbrook when she would have sunk into despair. He always treated her with dignity and respect – something that seemed to be lacking between so many couples. He was easy to talk to, and she enjoyed his company.
No, she decided, it was not a terrible thing to marry him. They could build a happy life together. He would not leave her when things became difficult, or turn away from her when she used careless words. He would stand together with her, and they would face whatever the world had to offer, together.
The sound of voices through the walls broke her reverie. The queen had been meeting with her secretary earlier in the day, consulting her calendar, and had now returned. Rising to her feet, Anna went to the next room.
“I am planning a ball,” Matilda said as Anna entered the room. “We will delay the winter ball until spring, and make a celebration of our victory in battle. We will invite the officers!”
“But the battle will not have been fought yet, my lady,” Anna said, cautiously.
“Oh, pish,” she said. “Victory is already assured. Alfred says that our forces are far superior to Terran’s, and Rupert has assured him that our men are quite ready to face the enemy.”
“Well, I think it is a splendid idea, my lady,” Elizabeth said. She had followed the queen into the parlor. “We will have a military theme.”
“Yes! Yes!” said the queen. “All the ladies must wear red on their gowns to show their support of King Roderick – and Alfred too, of course – in this important mission. I will have a gown specially made for the occasion.”
When Anna saw Garrick again, he could not stop waxing lyrical about the superior forces he had joined. “The men train every day,” he told her. “I have been given command of a company of archers, and we spend six, seven hours a day in training.”
“Hitting targets with a bow and arrow for seven hours a day? That sounds exactly how you would like to spend your days!”
“I would like to spend seven hours a day with you,” he said, smiling down at her. They had left the courtyard and were heading towards the gardens, brown and dormant in the dull, winter light. The ground was damp from the rain that had fallen overnight, and the heavy bank of cloud left everything gray and colorless. “But I’m not shooting for seven hours. I am setting my men to marching, moving stones and digging trenches. They need to be strong and ready for a battle.”
“Oh. Well that might not be quite as much fun as playing at war.”
Garrick laughed. “I don’t mind. My muscles ache at the end of each day, but I am used to hard work.” He had pulled her hand through his arm as they walked, and he stroked the backs of her fingers where they rested in the crook of his elbow. “I wish there was somewhere we could go and be alone together,” he said softly.
Anna glanced back at the palace. “I know,” she said. “But I cannot be away for too long at a time.”
He nodded. “Have you written to your sister yet?”
Anna drew in a breath. “No, not yet.” She looked into his face. “I think we should wait until this war is over before announcing our news.”
“Wait? But why?”
“The queen may not let me stay if she knows that I am betrothed.”
“I see.” Garrick paused. “Very well. On one condition.”
Anna looked up at him, and saw a hint of a smile. “What condition?”
“You must give me a kiss.”
Anna glanced around in dismay. “What? Here?”
He grinned. “I’m sure there are some nooks and crannies that can give us a moment of privacy. Come!” He led her into the gardens, laughing as he dragged her along the paths. There was a small alcove overhung with vines that in the summer provided a leafy hiding place, but was now just a tangled roof of bare branches. There was no-one else about, however, and he led her beneath it. “Perfect,” he said with a smile. Placing a finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face. The dull day made his eyes seem darker, more brooding, and she stared up at him as he moved closer. He brought his hand to her cheek, then ran it along her neck to the base of her skull. He leaned a little closer, and she could smell campfires and damp earth. He brushed his lips against hers, a gentle touch like the wings of a butterfly. Her back was to the wall, and when he pressed closer, she could feel the cold surface behind her. He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, and then his mouth was on hers, gentle at first, then becoming more demanding. She could feel his lips move against hers, and the brush of his tongue. It was startling, and she closed her eyes. He drew away, and she opened them to see his staring down at her. “I love you,” he whispered.
He placed his forehead against hers, and took her hands in his. He stood still for a long moment, then took a step back. “Shall we continue our walk?” he said. He pulled her hand into his arm once more and they continued along the path. They passed the place where Anna had first seen Max at court. The hedges, bare of leaves, no longer blocked the view of the intersecting pathway, but the spot still brought back memories. She seldom saw Max these days, and when she did, he never seemed to notice her. Which was just as well, she thought. It made her decision to marry Garrick so much easier.
“Do you remember the bird I found?” Garrick was saying. She nodded. “Its wing healed beautifully, and I released it a few weeks later. It returned later to nest in the same tree it fell from.”
“How do you know it was the same bird?” she said.
He smiled. “I could see it in her eyes. She looked at me without fear.”
Anna laughed. “That doesn’t mean anything. There is no creature that fears you.” But she knew, deep in her heart, that that was not true. Because she feared Garrick, and the love he had for her.
Kathleen and Elizabeth were sitting on a bench in the parlor when Anna returned, quilts covering their legs as their needles flew through the canvases they were embroidering. They were deep in conversation, but at Anna’s entrance, Kathleen looked up, an expression of dismay crossing her features when she saw who it was.
“What’s wrong?” Anna said. Kathleen
glanced at Elizabeth, but remained silent.
“We heard a rumor,” Elizabeth said. “About the prince.”
“What about the prince?”
“It seems the king has threatened to send Rupert from court over an affair with a woman.”
Anna sat down heavily in the seat across from the two women. “What woman?” she whispered. Kathleen looked down at her needlework.
“We don’t know,” Elizabeth said.
“I’m sorry,” Kathleen whispered. “I know the prince was showing you his interest, and then to go off with someone else …” Her voice trailed off as Anna stared at her friend.
“Did you think I would be upset?” Anna finally said. She laughed dryly. “You can be sure I have no interest in Rupert whatsoever.” She glanced back at Elizabeth. “How do you know this?”
Elizabeth lifted a shoulder. “I heard it from Mary, who heard it from Hindley. The whole palace is seething with the news.”
“The prince won’t be happy about that.”
“No! Mary said he’s in a towering rage over the whole matter. Whoever this lady is, she had better make sure she stays far away from the prince.” Anna clasped her hands together. She was shaking slightly.
“I’m quite sure,” Anna said, “that is exactly what she is doing!”
Chapter 30
Anna had spent the morning in the chambers with the queen, checking the guest list for the royal ball. The secretary had drawn up the list, but Matilda was not convinced it was accurate, and so she and Anna had gone through each and every name. Anna was finally dismissed from the queen’s presence when Denton presented himself. He had stayed away for a few weeks after the last play, but was once more a regular visitor to the queen’s chambers. The previous play had not been as successful as he had hoped, but this one, he knew with complete certainty, was going to enshrine his name as one of the greatest playwrights of his time.
“I was thinking the lady could use poison this time,” he was saying to the queen as Anna closed the door behind them. Her head was pounding from the lists of names and the stale air she had endured all morning. She slipped out a side door, avoiding the courtyard, and headed in the direction of the wilderness. She had heard that Rupert was inspecting the troops today, or she would not go outside alone and risk a chance encounter with him.
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