“I’m sorry, your highness, I’m so sorry,” the maid practically sobbed in her ear, “but he has my daughter, and he’ll kill her. He’ll kill her.”
Bianca couldn’t even take a final breath, as the silky cords dug into the tender flesh of her throat.
Behind her she heard a roar of rage.
The pressure lifted from her back, there was a thud across the room, and then, blessedly, something sharp ripped through the corset strings. Bianca gasped and air came flooding back into her lungs. She lay there on her stomach, not caring, for the moment, what was happening around her, just enjoying the sensation of her heartbeat returning to normal.
Behind her she heard a snarled curse, and she finally rolled to her side to see her savior. Robin was standing there, arms spread wide, menacing Dora as she cowered against the far wall.
“Don’t…” Bianca had to gasp in air and try again, in order to be heard. “Don’t… Robin.” Her lungs heaved as she spoke. “Someone… has… her daughter.”
He looked over at the poor maid. “It could be a lie.”
“She thought I would die.” Bianca paused, overcome for a moment at how close she had come to death. “She had no need to lie.”
Robin mulled that over. “Who, then?” He stared hard at Dora. “Who took your daughter?”
The maid shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t. He’ll kill her.”
“Not if we get to him first. Just tell us who it was.”
“No. He’ll kill her, he’ll kill her.” Dora repeated the words like a litany, wrapping her arms tight around her chest.
“I can save your daughter.” Robin took a step towards the woman, rocking in silent misery. “But you must tell me who has her.” He took another step, and Dora shied away, skittering over to the window casement. “Please, you must tell me. Who took your daughter?”
“No.” It was a miserable whisper. “I can’t.” Dora looked at Bianca, and tears stood in her eyes. “I’m sorry, your highness.”
Those were her last words. Dora threw herself backwards, into the delicate panes that filled the windows. The mullions shattered, and the tinkling sound of breaking glass filled the room, as the maid fell backwards into the open air.
Robin rushed forward, but it was too late. She was gone.
“Is she dead?” Bianca was horrified.
“Yes.” He knelt down beside her and removed the corset panels, throwing them to one side in disgust.
“Why? Why wouldn’t she let you help?”
“She was afraid for her daughter.” Robin helped her sit up. “But I believe she was unduly influenced, Bianca.”
“What do you mean?” She wobbled a little, and Robin slid behind her, so she could lean back against his chest.
“Some of the Fae have special gifts, you know that.” He sighed. “One of the less savory talents is the ability to plant suggestions in the minds of others.”
“Like, ‘If you are discovered, throw yourself out the window’?”
“Precisely.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I agree, and I am sorry for the girl.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, and bent his neck until his head hung beside hers. “But I am glad you are alive.”
“You think this was the work of one of the Fae?” Bianca nestled deeper in his arms. “What are they doing here?”
“You cannot think my Grandmother and I are the only mistborn agents to walk the mortal realms?”
“I hadn’t really considered it.”
“There are more. Even Connelly, Lord MacTíre’s advisor, is one of us.”
It was almost too much to take in. She took a deep breath, and as the motion pressed their bodies more firmly together she realized just how intimately they were sitting.
Bianca closed her eyes, ignored the sensible part of her nature, and let herself relax into Robin’s arms. She had almost died. She could allow herself a few moments to enjoy him holding her. She pressed her cheek against his, and instead of pulling away, he returned the pressure, using his arms to draw her back fully against him, holding her close.
Bianca’s heart sped up again, but this time it was a pleasant feeling. Her hands crept up to slide along his arms, and she leaned back even further, to tuck her face into the hollow beneath his chin. She became terribly aware of how thin the layer of cloth was, that separated his hands from her body. She could feel his heart thudding in his chest, and a shiver of longing ran through her body. His arms tightened around her for just a moment, then he let out a sigh.
“You almost died, Bianca. How can you ask me to leave you, when your life is so easily snuffed out?”
Oh. She’d almost forgotten the letter. “Well, I wasn’t expecting an assassination attempt.”
“Perhaps that was foolish.” She made a noise of protest, but he went on. “No, I mean foolish of all of us. You plot a dangerous course. Your life may always be at risk.”
Bianca thought for a moment. “You think my father tried to have me killed?”
She could feel his shrug behind her back. “It would not be the first time.”
“But then why would Dora have been influenced by a Fae?”
“Brannon may have hired an agent without knowing what he was hiring.”
“It seems like a large coincidence.”
He shrugged again. “It does not matter. What matters is that you are kept safe, and I cannot do that if I am not here.”
“Robin…” She sighed, and pulled herself away from him. It hurt, to leave the sheltering confines of his arms, but she made herself do it. “How can you stay?”
He looked at her, and then reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt tears spring to her eyes, but she blinked them back.
“I will stay and guard you, Bianca. That is my choice. It is why I came here, this morning. To tell you that I would not leave, but I would not make this harder on you. You have taken up the mantle of champion, and I will help you as I can.”
Bianca was speechless as she watched Robin climb to his feet.
“I must tell the king what has happened and see to poor Dora; have you recovered?” She nodded, and he offered her a hand up. “I do not like to leave you alone—”
A gasp came from the doorway where the bath maid stood, looking in shock at the room.
“Go.” Bianca gave him a small smile. “Trish will be with me. Besides, I must dress for the picnic.”
Robin had turned to leave, but looked back. “You are still going?”
“I cannot let this stop me, Robin.” She said it calmly, but firmly.
He nodded. “Then I shall see you presently, at the stables.” Bianca waited until he was out of the room, and then turned to her maid.
“I’ll tell you what happened while I get dressed. But first we have to find something else for me to wear. I am not putting on a corset.”
Chapter 25
Vivienne had planned a spectacular picnic. She and Fain had arrived early, to act as the hosts, and were greeting the guests as they rode up. A bevy of servants were offering beverages, while the guests found spots on the blankets or low-slung chairs. Bianca was one of the last to arrive, with Robin faithfully at her side. Vivienne—who had just settled the still-eligible suitors beneath a lovely old maple tree—narrowed her eyes when she caught sight of Robin. Then she spotted Bianca, and stood a moment gaping at her cousin before hurrying to her side.
“Bianca, why are you wearing a walking dress?”
“Because it doesn’t confine me in any way.” Indeed, the loose, flowing gown was superbly comfortable, if entirely unsuited to the occasion. Bianca, however, did not care in the least. “Come, let me get settled, and I’ll tell you about it.”
Vivi’s eyes were dubious, but she led Bianca over to her chair. Prince Anders and Lord Edicus ignored her state of dress with great chivalry, but Tig’s face grew puzzled, and Prince Felix grinned at her openly.
“Nice dress.”
Bianca smiled back at
Felix. “Yes, I thought so.” She’d thought carefully about what to say, so she went on. “This morning one of the candidates to be my maid tried to kill me. I’m afraid my other outfit was quite ruined in the scuffle.” Which was true. The corset was technically part of the outfit. She didn’t have to explain that she never planned to wear one of the blasted things again.
They stared at her, aghast. Vivi, predictably, was the first to recover.
“Fain!” she yelled for her husband, heedless of propriety. When he came running over, she looked at Robin and demanded, “Tell us the whole story.”
He did, with the exception of the fact that he suspected tampering by one of the Fae. That was a piece of information that could only be shared with a very few people. He also didn’t mention the minutes after the attack, when they sat entwined on the floor together. Other than that, he gave a faithful accounting, and despite her distress, Bianca was amused to see Edicus blush at the mention of her corset.
“So you see,” she chirped, when Robin was done, “I really must be excused for appearing in a walking dress. I’ve had quite a trying morning.”
Eyes widened. Jaws dropped. And then, almost simultaneously, Tig and Felix started laughing. Edicus wasn’t far behind them, and Anders, though he shook his head, chuckled as well. Vivienne only smiled, but she leaned over and gave Bianca a fierce hug.
Fain also hugged her, and then reached out to shake Robin’s hand. “Thank you, Master Goodfellow.”
“Now then,” Vivienne said, drawing everyone’s attention, “to the business at hand. Who would like to fill a plate for the Princess?”
***
Bianca had eaten far more than she should. Each of the four suitors had insisted on bringing her a plate of food, and she had dutifully sampled a bit of everything they brought her. Two bites of each dish had been a gracious plenty, but then they all had left to fetch her a dessert, as well. After trying some of Edicus’ syllabub, Felix’s torte, and Anders’ strawberries and cream, she beamed in gratitude at Grantig, who brought her an armload of daisies instead of an edible.
“Thank you, Tig, these are beautiful.” She picked up a few and began plaiting their stems. “Now, what were you saying?”
The conversation had been friendly while they ate, but not lighthearted. The coming invasion of Toldas loomed too large for them to discuss banal matters.
“Revolutions work better than wars, your highness.” He paused to munch on a daisy, and Bianca hid a smile. Apparently he’d brought her an edible, after all. “No king holds his throne without the consent of the people.”
Tig was much more lucid, today, but Bianca still had a hard time following his train of thought at times. She supposed her confusion showed on her face.
“I think what Prince Grantig is saying is that history shows us that a stable, long-lasting peace is achieved when a kingdom supports the new, rising power. Those who are viewed as invaders can take generations to solidify their hold on the throne,” Edicus explained.
“Because the people do not support them?”
“Precisely.”
“So if I lead an Albian army into Toldas …?”
“I am very much afraid, Princess, that you will be seen as nothing more than an invader. A puppet for King Regal.” Felix said the words, but the other three nodded with him.
“What is the alternative? To leave my father on the throne?”
“No, that would be madness.” Edicus’s white head shook solemnly.
“What, then?” She looked around, frustrated when none of the men would meet her eye. “You tell me I should not attack, and I cannot leave it be. What use is your advice? Must I cause suffering, no matter what I do?”
“An army is the only way to take the capital, Princess.” Anders spoke with soothing sympathy. “Don’t let dire predictions of possible futures keep you from doing what you must, in the moment.”
Bianca ground her teeth in frustration, silently ripping a daisy to shreds. From behind came a quiet voice.
“You don’t need the capital.”
“What?” Bianca whipped around and stared at Robin. “What did you say?”
“You don’t need the capital, Bianca. You don’t care who sits on the gaudy marble throne, and you don’t mind what the nobles do in their little city. All you want is to free the people from your father.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Anders was taken aback. “She can’t rule without the capital.”
“She doesn’t want to rule.” Robin didn’t even look at the other man; his tranquil eyes stayed riveted to Bianca. “She wants to help.”
Bianca stared at him.
He was right.
She stood up, scattering all the daisies but the one she held in her hand. That one she handed to Robin.
“Thank you.” She looked down at the men still sitting at her feet. “My lords and princes, you must excuse me for cutting this short, but I would like you all to join me back at the palace immediately.” She suited actions to words and strode towards where her horse was tethered. “We’re going to go speak with Regal.”
***
“I am not going to invade.”
The words caused a storm of commotion in the council room, but with Robin standing at ease behind her, Bianca held firm.
Servants had ridden ahead of the returning party, sending word that the Princess Bianca wished to convene a meeting. By the time she sailed into the room, still in her walking dress, most of the relevant advisors were there. Certainly, there were more than enough to raise an awful din at her pronouncement.
King Regal called the room back to order. “What do you mean, Princess?”
“Precisely what I said, your majesty.” She gestured at Edicus, Tig, and Felix. “These men have shown me that an invading force will cause strife in Toldas for years, if not decades. It is not something I wish for the people.”
“So you will leave Brannon on the throne?” Regal’s voice held no censure, and Bianca blessed him for his kindness, even as she shook her head.
“If they are correct that an invasion is not what I want, Prince Anders was also correct when he pointed out that I could not refuse to do what must be done. I propose an alternative.”
“Which is?”
“I shall cross the border into Toldas without the Albian army, and invite the people to follow me instead of Brannon.”
The entire room began shouting. Bianca waited until one voice rose above the rest. She would handle them one at a time.
“You cannot go alone.” This was from Fain. She smiled at her foster-brother.
“Nor shall I. Connelly and Baines have been sending Toldans into Albion for weeks. They will ride with me, to help me convince the people.”
“The Toldan army will crush you,” Regal said.
“Perhaps not.” Bianca had been ready with her rebuttal, but both Felix and Fain spoke up in her defense. Fain nodded at Felix to continue.
“I was just thinking, it’s spring, and Brannon’s resources are already stretched thin. The summer harvest isn’t in, which means he doesn’t have the provisions to field an army. He isn’t actually ready to fight yet. In fact, he’s less prepared now than a few months ago, before Baines’ men began wrecking his work camps.”
The rest of the room was silent, staring at the boyish Felix.
He grinned. “I’m not just a pretty face, you know.”
Fain clapped him in approval on the shoulder. “I’ll add to that. A fair number of the men coming over the border are actually deserters from the Toldan army. If they’re representative of the way the army feels, Bianca may be able to sway them to her side.”
Some of the military commanders were disbelieving, and off the men went, roaring at one another. Bianca held quiet. She didn’t have to argue to make her point. Others were making it for her. Fain was shaking his large finger in Marcus Havilard’s face, and Felix was waving his arms emphatically at Lord Durns. The Chancellor was almost giddy with glee and relief—he’d been surly eve
r since King Regal had asked him to find the funds to outfit the army—and the Lord Captain of the army was laughing through the ruckus. Bianca took in the table with a glance, and her eyes came to rest on Regal. The king was sitting quietly in his chair, letting the noise rage around him.
When he saw she had noticed him, he raised his hand. It took a moment, but silence fell on the room.
“Shall we send your suitors home?”
The men in question started to speak, but Regal cut them off, his eyes on Bianca. She took a deep breath of her own. Over her shoulder she heard Robin, doing the same. It would be so easy to say yes, so easy to put this off, but she steeled herself and shook her head.
“This is not what they agreed to, and should any of them wish to leave I will bid them farewell without rancor. But, if my plan succeeds, I will still need a consort. Someone to rule at my side and help me provide heirs for the throne.” She looked at the men who had come to pay court. “Should you choose to come with me, I will wed one of you, once I am queen.” She let that sink in. “Please, retire, and think carefully on your decision.”
As a group, her suitors rose, and made polite bows. They filed from the room, casting glances back as they went. Unless Bianca was very much mistaken, very few of them would be riding into Toldas with her. That brought a thought to mind, and she looked back at Robin. The rest of the room hummed with chatter, and he leaned down so they could speak quietly.
“Will you be coming with us?”
“I said I would stay by your side until you were safe, did I not?”
“At this rate, I’ll be bent and grey before you can safely leave. By that time I’ll have children and grandchildren under your protection. You’ll be like your grandmother, and spend the rest of your long life guarding my line.”
He brushed a stray hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “There are worse fates.”
Once Upon a Romance 03 - With True Love's Kiss Page 18
