“Tahir keeps telling me the same. Lilian, I invited you for a reason.”
Lily raised her eyebrows but remained silent.
“Your husband has returned.”
“I am glad, Your Majesty.”
If Lilian hadn’t bumped into him the day before, she would've been very shocked to meet him. Right then, her adrenaline was low. Adrenal glands weren’t made of iron and couldn't produce it in industrial quantities.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“It depends on what my husband says.”
“Jerisson!”
A dark shadow rose from the corner of the study.
***
To say that Jess was shocked was to say nothing. He expected to see Lily as anything—except the golden-haired beauty with a royal demeanor and a slight smile on her pink lips. She wore a gorgeous dress, expensive jewelry, and had an elegant gait. Her every word and every gesture was endowed with confidence. At first, he could not even move.
Pink cow? I wish she looked like that before! Someone said Earton? Such women should be hidden with maximum security—inside the husband’s bed without the right to leave. There must be a lot of people who want her. What a woman! What a body! Yes, she is slightly plump, but she doesn’t look like a cow at all. A softness of figure, a smooth floating goddess!
His complete admiration for her figure was natural.
And this—is my wife? I cannot believe my eyes!
If Jess had seen such a beautiful woman at court, he wouldn't have been able to walk by. He’d have wooed her. And this woman was his wife.
Lilian, Countess of Earton—even then, she held herself like a queen.
It was true Lily was in complete control of her body. Everything that happened the day before was a thing of the past.
She dropped in a low curtsey and stretched out her hand, just like Lons taught her.
“I hope you had a pleasant voyage, dear Earl?”
“Erm, yes…”
Lily refrained from a snort.
A superman, a heartbreaker and—a rudderless dummy!
He looked just like one, with a bewildered and astonished facial expression.
“I am glad to see you’re well and safe. I hope that Jamie delivered his best?”
“J-Jamie?”
“Jamie Meytl, he is also the Baron of Donter. Tahir Djiamin din Dashar taught both of us, and the young man went to work as a healer on the Virman ship.”
“Oh, yes, if it weren’t for him, there would've been plenty more dead.”
Jess remembered how, swearing violently, Jamie had cleaned the Virmans’ wounds, disinfected them, bandaged them, and changed the dressings.
“Have you seen Miranda today? She is not in the palace, but I will free her from her studies today so she can spend time with her father.”
***
Edward snorted, not caring about dropping his royal dignity. Those two didn’t seem like they were going to kill each other right away. What else do I need? If they fight later, I won’t be able to stop them. From what he could see, Jess was confused. He hadn’t expected such a turn of events and was starting to devise a new course of behavior.
Oh, Jess, you will have to run after your wife!
Lilian was obviously having a little fun. Perhaps someone had let her know in advance, and she had prepared for the meeting. Who was so clever as to do that? I will need to send them a royal thank you! She was now calm and serene on the surface. Even Jess wouldn't be able to get to her easily.
“Jess, take your wife home. You have a house in the capital, go there and spend time with your wife.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Jess mechanically.
Lily bowed in a curtsey and took a step toward the door. Jess suddenly realized that he ought to follow her and take her by the elbow. Although Lily didn’t pull out her hand, it was as if Jess was holding a wooden doll.
***
They walked in silence along the palace corridor. Jerisson was trying to come to grips with such change. He left the cow behind and took in the queen.
Maybe the air in Earton has miraculous powers?
He wouldn't have recognized her on the street.
How do I behave in front of her?
She was calm. She walked, smiling to her own thoughts, replying to greetings.
What is there for me to do? Argue? There seems to be nothing to argue about. Besides, it would be silly to argue in the palace. We’ll speak once we get home. She is truly a beauty, and holds herself like a royal!
***
If Jerisson could read Lilian’s thoughts, he’d be much surprised. The beautiful woman wasn’t calm at all. On the contrary. There were two persons inside her, the former Lilian and the new Lilian, who felt contradictory things. Everything was pretty clear with the first Lily: unhappy love, lawful rape, and a staged suicide. It was, of course, the killers who made sure she was dead, but the reason for her death was clomping next to her as if nothing had happened.
One could understand the former Lilian. One couldn't take away the fact that Jess was handsome. His face was attractive. He wasn’t Leonardo di Caprio, but Lily never liked sweet-looking boys. Leave their faces for decorating chocolate bars!
Jess looked like a real man. There was something charming in him. On top of it all, his body was excellent. He wasn’t quite as large as Erik, but his muscles were big. She could understand her former self. It was easy to fall in love with such a handsome man.
On the other hand, no housewife could ever have as many cockroaches in her kitchen as the amount of ill-wishers the earl had.
His diagnosis was clear: reluctance to cut off his whims, selfishness, and self-admiration in aggravation and a deep disregard for women. His main advantage was that he loved Miranda, or maybe that Miranda loved him. The rest were flaws, apart from the pretty face and the earldom. I wonder what they think about separate habitation here? The answer wasn’t positive—only if a couple had children and mutually agreed to live separately. They needed to make children, after all.
Lily contemplated. The earl’s animalistic instincts played to her advantage. He licked his chops at the very sight of her. He wanted her like a cat wanted a bowl of cream. Even then, he was ogling at her breasts. It wasn’t a bad sign. She wanted to be honest with herself. She had had to leave her boyfriend, Alex, in another life. She hadn’t had any man in this world. She was a healthy, young woman, and her instincts were also healthy. She knew she couldn't allow herself to start a personal relationship at work. It was her sacred rule to keep work relationships professional.
Any sex, any love affair has to happen outside of work, the hospital or the factory, even if your office is a hut in the tundra. Otherwise, you risk creating an impression that any man can ash his cigarette in your ashtray.
Jess was, after all, her legal husband. How do I become his one and only and make it last forever? There is so much written and said about it, but there is no answer to this question. Every woman had to find the answer for herself. She would try to find that answer, too.
***
While Lily was contemplating her husband, he also thought about his wife and admired her. Her gait, her smile, her form! I would happily drag her into some secluded corner! Jess had altogether forgotten about the beautiful woman he had met the day before. I have my own beautiful wife! Only she doesn’t need me. Jerisson was very good at recognizing the signs that told him when ladies liked him. They tried to draw attention to themselves, batted their eyes, tried as hard as they could…
His own wife was indifferent to him. She walked beside him as if he were an old, impotent man.
I wish I knew what she was thinking. Her hands are covered in delicate lace, her eyes are calm and downcast, her lips smiling… Everyone wants me, everyone but her! It’s a shame, gentlemen!
A hunter’s instinct slowly arose in him, replacing resentment, anger, and irritation. Such is the world where men happily forgive a beautiful woman any sin. Lily broke the silence only
at the exit.
“I arrived here by horse. Are you in a carriage?”
“No, but I suppose I could find a horse.”
“I will ask one of my bodyguards.”
“Bodyguards?”
“After the attempt, my people don’t let me go alone anywhere.”
It was clear from her voice she wasn't lying or exaggerating.
“There is always a horse for me in the royal stables.”
“I will wait for you on the road then.”
Lilian turned on her heel. A couple of Virmans waited for her, one of them holding a gorgeous Avarian horse by the reins. Jess could immediately tell the breed. He was purebred and cost a lot of money.
“Is it yours?”
“Meet Lidarh.”
Upon hearing his name, the horse proudly bent his neck. Lily patted him on his gorgeous mane.
“He’s truly handsome, isn’t he?”
Jess nodded.
“He’s splendid.”
Jess said this looking at the woman, not the horse. Lilian gracefully saddled her horse.
“We’ll be waiting for you.”
The servant needed at least ten minutes before he could find Jess a horse. All the while, the earl tried to find a common language with Lidarh. Alas, feeling his mistress’ mood, the horse’s behavior was far from exemplary. He snorted, turned away, refused to take the apple, and almost bit the earl’s shoulder. Aren’t horses herbivores? Someone must have forgotten to let Lidarh know about that. Finally, the earl was given another horse, and the party left the palace grounds.
***
Alas, that day, the stars decided to mock the earl. A combination of several factors proved fatal. First, Miranda decided to head to the earl’s house in the capital, to see her father. Her father was away, and Miranda decided to use the opportunity to go to the stables and play with Shallah. The Virmans who guarded the girl’s safety followed after her to the stables. Second, having found out about the earl’s arrival, Baroness Ormt decided to pay a visit. She wanted to discuss his wife’s behavior with him. I, the poor baroness, was shamefully pushed away, out of the king’s favor, the place that I’ve been warming up for myself so diligently! If only the earl could give his wife a beating or lock her up at home, the place next to the king would free. The old love was better than the new. For some reason, many ladies didn’t like the countess.
Miranda jumped out of the stables for a moment to see to the noise outside and saw a gilded carriage from which emerged a lady in a luxurious dress. As for Mirrie herself, cleaning the horse wasn’t the same as sitting in the living room. Her wide and dirty apron securely covered her clothes. No one would have recognized the Viscountess of Earton with her hair tied up and her face covered in dirt. The lady looked around and saw a dirty boy standing in the yard. She demanded imperiously, “Hey, you! Come here!”
Mirrie wouldn’t even think of obeying.
“What do you want?”
She wasn’t scared. The Virmans were at her every beck and call. They wouldn't let her get hurt. It never occurred to Mirrie that someone might cause her harm.
The baroness flew into a rage. What on earth is going on? How does this low creature dare to be rude to me?! The woman nodded to her coachman.
“Bring him to me! Now!”
Mirrie didn’t even have time to squeak. Struggling against the cruel hands and overwhelmed with indignation, she forgot about everything—about the knife in her boot, about how to free herself from the grip, about the Virmans in the stables. The former favorite of the king watched her with evil eyes. In her opinion, everything was just. A couple of lashes will teach the boy. It’s unlikely that Jerisson will get angry over it—only a street boy.
“You, little rubbish, must obey instead of asking questions! I will order you beaten in the stables!”
“Let go!” yelled Miranda. “Let go now!”
The lady squinted and raised her hand. The only reason the baroness stopped was that she didn’t want to get her expensive gloves dirty.
“Jean! Give this midget ten lashes immediately!”
Jean grabbed Mirrie’s waist, and the girl screamed, loudly and desperately. She forgot to call for help; instead, she was calling for her mother.
***
Lily would hear Miranda’s cry ten miles away. Luckily, they were already close to the estate. It was a desperate, loud cry, and it made Lily forget everything. Her daughter was calling her. She is close by, but where? Lidarh flew into the courtyard like thunder, justifying his name. The Avarian was a weapon, especially since he’d been educated. Miranda was struggling in the hands of some big bloke with a great royal whore next to her. Lily wouldn't have remembered the baroness even in her most terrible nightmare. Right then, her only worry was Mirrie. Where are her guards? It doesn’t matter! Everything, later!
“Let go of her!”
Her order came out so patronizing that the coachman unwillingly flinched. This tiny movement was enough for Mirrie to break free. The sight of Lily restored Mirrie’s senses, and she bit the hand that held her. She tasted blood, rushed away, and nearly got hit by Lidarh. Lily jumped off the horse, picked up the girl, and held her close.
“I am here my baby, everything is fine.”
“I got so scared, Momma…”
Lily held her daughter tight.
“There, there. Everything is fine now. No one will hurt you again, kitten, I promise you.”
The girl let out a sob and grew calmer.
“Mother, who is this?”
Lily handed the girl over to the Virmans who arrived shortly at the scene, their eyes seeking revenge. Lily gave the baroness an evil look, pulled a whip from her belt, and took a few steps forward. She was furious. She wouldn’t think twice about killing the woman who dared to hurt her baby girl.
Did you say your morning prayer, Desdemoron?
So terrible was Lily’s face that the baroness tripped backward. Only fangs would have made her more menacing.
“You louse, are you going to raise your hand to my child?”
Lily almost roared.
“But I didn’t know!”
Lily wasn’t reassured.
“If you had known it, I would've killed you altogether!”
“What’s going on here?”
Jerisson Earton finally arrived. The picture was deceiving: furious Lily, pale Baroness Ormt, a Virman with a ‘boy’ in his arms. Jess looked at Lily with genuine indignation.
“What happened, Countess?”
Lily hissed like a cat. One more minute and everyone would receive her wrath. Jess would be the first one to receive a whip across his charming grimace. Mirrie saved her father.
“Papa!”
She let herself free of Leif’s hands and rushed to Jess. Only then did he recognize his offspring and pick his daughter up into his arms. It became clear how similar they both looked. They had the same dark hair, the same blue eyes, and the same chin with a dimple. Lily sighed.
Her inner voice spoke to her. Don’t kill him, Lilian. Easy. At least he loves his daughter. Besides, he didn’t see what happened.
“Miranda Catherine Earton, did you clean the stables with your clothes on?”
“No, Papa! I cleaned my horse. He’s a foal! His name is Shallah. Lily says he will grow up to be a strong, fast horse, like a real Avarian! She also says that I have to take care of my own horse by myself.”
“You do,” agreed Jess who realized very little. Lily inhaled again. She could finally bring herself to speak without the fear of accidentally using vile language. That’s how much she was infuriated by the incident.
“Explain to this whore, my dear husband, that it’s not fit to boss around people in someone else’s house, and unthinkable to try to harm my daughter.”
“Your daughter?”
For a few seconds, Jerisson was taken aback. The situation was unfolding too rapidly. He would think of an answer, but Mirrie interrupted.
“Let go, Papa! Momma, what is a who
re?”
Great, the girl repeats everything I say.
“When boys are scared to sleep alone, and their wife is far away, they invite a special woman to their beds, so she warms them up and entertains them. These girls are called whores,” explained Lily to Mirrie, who broke free from her father’s arms and ran to her.
“Yes?”
“Of course.”
“Papa, why did you not take Momma with you if you were scared?”
Some sixth sense told Mirrie that Lily was in danger. The girl tried to protect her as well as she could. She was affirming Lily’s status.
This is my mother. Don’t touch her. I love her!
Jerisson realized it. Vile language froze on his lips. He looked at the angry Lily, at Baroness Ormt who was about to become hysterical, the Virmans who were genuinely enjoying the scene, and Miranda, who now clung to his wife so tightly that even three people would’ve struggled to separate them.
“My dearest wife, would you be so kind as to take our daughter and wait for me inside while I deal with the incident?”
Lily slightly bowed her head and pulled Miranda’s hand.
“Come on, baby.”
She turned on her heel, and her braid spun in the air. She picked up Miranda and arranged her comfortably in her arms. Jess heard part of the conversation.
“Miranda Catherine Earton, what did I teach you?”
“Momma…”
“If your hands are free, hit with the knife! Where was your dagger?”
“It got lost.”
“Got lost? I’ll make the training tomorrow an hour longer, so you can practice how to avoid being captured!”
Jess refrained from spitting on the ground.
“What’s happening here?” he asked the baroness. “What Maldonayan urge sent you?”
He received the answer immediately. Having quickly realized what she had gotten herself into, the baroness swore that it was a mistake. She didn’t have time to see the dear Jerisson and decided to pay him a visit on her way somewhere else. She saw the stable boy in the yard and didn't recognize the viscountess. When ‘he’ began to answer back, she took it for a great offense. She would've never touched the viscountess.
The Price of Happiness: A Strong Woman in the Middle Ages (A Medieval Tale Book 5) Page 22
