Cate and Sarah did not say anything for several seconds. Finally, Sarah blinked. “Well, yes.”
“Do you have any idea how crazy this is?”
“It's not crazy if it works,” she insisted. “We have to try. If you don't go to the ball, no one will stop Luciana. We can't just let her become queen. We're as good as dead!”
I closed my eyes, knowing I was beaten.
***
Sarah, who enjoyed subterfuge more than I felt was healthy, came up with an elaborate plan to sneak some powdered walnuts out of Mam's medicine basket. She was put out when I simply asked Mam for the sedative, claiming insomnia.
I proved less capable when the time came to put the powder in Lady Kingsclere's drink. It was Cate who measured out a pinch of the stuff and sprinkled it into the bottle, recorking it and fetching a glass from the cupboard. I took them both to Nancy, pretending to smile helpfully. I had become a very capable liar in a short period of time.
She met me on my way up from the kitchen, nearly running into me as I turned a corner. She looked at me disapprovingly—Nancy was always looking at people disapprovingly—and took the tray from my hands. “Thank you,” she said coolly, studying me in a way that suggested I might drop the tray if I held on to it.
“Of course. We finished lunch early, so I thought I would bring you the wine and save you a trip downstairs,” I explained, keeping my nervous eyes on the bottle.
Nancy grasped the neck of the wine bottle. “Is this the right one?” She shoved the tray and glass back into my hands so that she could hold the bottle with two hands. I watched with horror as she uncorked the bottle, lifted it to her lips, and took a long sip. She lowered the bottle, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
I grabbed for the wine just as Nancy's knees buckled and she crumpled to the carpet. I looked around to make sure no one else had seen the accident. Assured that we were alone, I dropped to my knees to check on the unconscious upstairs maid. I sighed with relief when I felt her strong heartbeat under my fingers.
Still carrying the open wine bottle in one hand, I ran back to the kitchen to find Cate and Sarah. They looked at me with identical expressions of surprise as I burst through the swinging wooden door. “Both of you, come with me,” I panted, making sure they were following me before hurrying back to Nancy.
“What happened?” Sarah's breathless question came from behind me.
“Nancy...the wine...she fainted dead away!”
“She drank it?” Cate squeaked.
“Right from the bottle.” We approached Nancy's curled figure. She was still resting on the floor.
All of us stood silently for several moments, with Nancy's limp form sprawled at our feet. “Well,” Sarah said, her voice unnaturally loud in the quiet hallway, “what do we do now?”
“I will take the wine up to Lady Kingsclere. There won't be another chance after this...”
“You're absolutely insane,” Cate muttered, but she did not disagree with me.
“She's got to.” Sarah picked up the tray and glass, which I had dropped on the floor when I grabbed for the wine. Their fall had been cushioned by the soft carpet, and they were unbroken. “Here, Ellie. Take these.” I took them with trembling hands as Sarah prodded Nancy with her foot. “She's well and truly gone.”
“Go, Ellie.” Cate put a steadying hand on my shoulder. “You need that dress.” And so I went, still shocked that we had accidentally drugged Nancy.
Lady Kingsclere's bedroom was cold. The chill ate into my bones and settled there. There was no fire in the fireplace, and the curtains were drawn, leaving the room dark. I could barely see the outline of Lady Kingsclere's body underneath the dark yellow bedsheets.
“Milady?” I called out, keeping my hands tight around the edges of the tray. There was no answer from the bed. As I stepped forward to set the tray on the small table beside the bed, the form under the covers moved. A thin, bony face peered out at me suspiciously like a bird from its nest.
If I studied her closely, I could see traces of the proud woman I remembered my stepmother to be, but with her skin pulled tight over her cheekbones and her once-beautiful hair let loose and wild around the crown of her head, she was almost unrecognizable. “Alastair?” she asked, her voice almost lost in the sheets. “Is that you?”
“No, Milady. I have your wine...”
Lady Kingsclere tossed aside the covers and stared at me with peering eyes. My heart pumped furiously against my ribs. “Oh, Luciana,” she said flatly. I could not stifle a gasp of surprise. First she thought that I was her long-dead first husband, and now Luciana? Lady Kingsclere was worse off than I had anticipated.
My stepmother was beginning to frighten me. I blinked back tears as I poured the wine into the glass that I had brought. My hands shook. Oh Lady, I thought, what has Luciana reduced you to?
“Why do you hate me, Luciana? I always loved you. I tried to love you.”
“Luciana hates everyone, Mother,” I told her. I lifted the full glass to her lips, and she sipped like an obedient child. I put a gentle hand on her shoulder, tears streaming down my face. I felt a wave of affection for this woman and a surge of hatred for Luciana.
“I suppose she does,” Lady Kingsclere said, her voice surprisingly steady. Her eyes appeared clearer for a moment, and she looked directly into my face before her head fell back onto the pillow.
Setting the half empty glass of wine on the tray, I walked shakily over to the wardrobe, my mind awhirl with the things I had seen. First Nancy, now Lady Kingsclere. What was I doing?
The dress I selected was quite lovely, with cheerful blue fabric in ruffles that complemented my skin well, but I scarcely studied it as I grabbed the neck and hurried from the room. I could not have told anyone what color it was until I saw it again later. I took three steps through the door before I remembered to return for the wine and tray. No one could know what Cate, Sarah, and I had done, and I did not want to get caught because I was too flustered to hide the evidence. Nancy's fainting spell would be difficult enough to explain on its own.
I did not stop to breathe or think until the wine had been emptied outside, the glass and tray had been washed, and the dress was tucked away safely in Belladonna's wardrobe. I assumed it would not arouse suspicion hidden among other dresses.
The sound of footsteps behind me made my breath catch and I clasped a hand to my chest in surprise as I whirled around to see Cate walking toward me. “You're all right?” she asked, concerned.
I nodded. “Yes, I survived. The dress is hidden in Belle's wardrobe.”
Cate looked at me curiously. “Belle's wardrobe?” My bright blush gave away my secret and the ever-perceptive Cate's face lifted in understanding.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Instead of reacting with confusion or anger, Cate burst out laughing. I watched her, dumb as a rock, as she shut her eyes and howled. “Belladonna is your lover and you didn't think to ask her to get a dress for you?”
I nearly imitated Nancy and fell to the floor. Helplessly, I joined Cate and laughed too, until Mam came in to see what we were up to and scolded us for wasting time in her kitchen.
CHAPTER 10
IT WAS FIVE DAYS before the ball. Belle and I were involved in a newly discovered shared interest—chess. She was a more experienced player, but I was familiar enough with the game to present her with a challenge, and I was enthusiastic about improving.
“Watch your knight,” she said. We were sitting at a table in the library, a crowded chessboard in between us. Belle tapped her finger on the head of the piece in question.
I studied the congested center of the battlefield, noting where her pieces of power were positioned. Then, I looked up at her. Thick locks of her glossy raven hair wrapped around the pale landscape of her neck. This was, perhaps, my greatest strategical weakness. Belle was always able to distract me while I tried to play.
“Ellie.” Belle's voice intruded on my thoughts. “Ellie. Your move.”
“Oh.” I shoved a pawn forward. Within two turns, Belle had taken my knight.
“Maybe if you started looking at the chessboard instead of me, you would win more often,” Belle teased, covering my hand with hers and rubbing her thumb over my knuckles. I smiled, purposely lowering my eyes and letting them wander over every inch of her upper body. Who could concentrate on chess with such a beautiful sight right above the board?
I turned my hand over, letting her trace patterns over the sensitive skin of my palm. “You are more interesting to look at.”
She laughed. “I am surprised you win at all, then.”
“Are you implying that I am a poor chess player, Belladonna Kingsclere?”
“I am implying that you are more interested in what is underneath my dress than in winning a game of chess. At least, right now you are.” The relaxed, almost coy expression on her face was unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome. I felt guilty that I had to ruin her good mood.
Belle leaned forward to kiss me, and I pressed my fingers to her chin, holding her head back. “No.” One kiss from her lips would make me forget everything I had to say.
“No?” She lowered her eyebrows, looking wounded. Perhaps she saw a flash of nervousness in my eyes. “Something bad?”
“If you allow it to be.” My voice sounded quiet, even to my own ears. Belle pulled closer to me. Her hand covered mine. “I am coming with you to the ball.”
Belle stared at me, setting her jaw. “No.”
I stared back. “You need me. Have you even thought about what you are going to do once you get there to stop Luciana?”
“Of course I have.”
“And did you come up with any ideas?” She gave no answer. “I thought so.”
“How can I make a plan when I have no idea what Luciana is going to do?”
“That is exactly why I need to be there. Two people working together have a better chance —”
“I don't care about our chances!” She stood in a flash, her hands clenched at her sides and nearly kicking over her chair. “I will not watch you go. You're staying here, far away from her.”
“Belle…”
“Ellie, I won't let you…”
Belladonna reached out, grabbing my wrist in a tight, frantic hold as she pulled me towards her. I winced in surprise and pain, struggling to pull my wrist out of her grip, but it was too late. Although she let go almost immediately, I could still see lines where her fingers had been.
Belladonna was badly frightened by her own strength, but still furious. Tears of anger welled in her eyes, but I knew she was not upset with me. She was angry at herself. I knew her so well that it was easy to read what she was thinking. If I had any doubts, her next words proved me right. “Oh Saints, I hurt you...Luciana will hurt you...You are NOT going.”
I opened my arms, reaching for her, but she pulled away violently, squeezing her eyes shut and storming from the room.
***
I searched for Belle the next day, hoping that a night apart had cooled her temper. I found her in the library, a book on her lap. She rose from the armchair as if she had been waiting for me, but did not reach out in greeting. I took a tentative step forward, watching her face for any sign of fright or anger. To my surprise, she looked defeated, almost cold. I lowered my eyes, unable to stare at that dead expression for another moment.
Belle stepped forward, too, until we were a foot apart. It felt as though there were miles stretching between us. One of us had to cross that empty space. I reached for Belle's hand at the exact moment that she reached for mine. I gave her a hesitant smile.
“I already snuck a dress away from your mother,” I said.
“Really? Why? I could have taken one for you.”
Belle watched me, puzzled, as I shook my head. Of course, I had to explain the conversation that Cate and I had shared, and soon, Belle was laughing. We did not need to discuss the subject of my attendance at the ball. It had already been decided without words. Belle knew I would go no matter what she did, because I loved her. Just as I knew she did not want me to go because she loved me.
Our hands gripped each other loosely; both of us enjoying the physical contact after our separation. “Would you really have taken a dress for me?” I asked.
Belle nodded. My face broken in a brilliant smile, and I squeezed her hand. Never again would I wonder if Belle respected my ability to make decisions. Perhaps we were not always equals when we made love, but Belle did not see me as a pet or a child, totally dependent on her, completely submissive to her authority.
I threw myself into her arms and held on tight. “Thank you,” I said, the words cracking as they scraped through my dry throat. Belle kissed my hair. I felt her heart pumping slowly through the fabric of her morning dress.
“You are most welcome, dear heart.” She dropped a second kiss onto the crown of my head. “You promise to be careful?” Belle could not disguise the naked fear in her voice. Her heart thumped faster.
“Of course.” I traced soothing circles over her back with my hands. “I have everything to stay safe for. By the way, I had an idea about the ball.”
“Really? What is it?” Belle asked. She had not been very successful in her research on sorcerer's chains.
“We should write a letter to someone at the palace. Surely there are people guarding Prince Brendan against magical threats. He is royalty, after all. Perhaps one of them will be able to protect him from Luciana if they are given proper warning.”
“I already did. Oh, don't give me that look.” Belle stroked my cheek, trying to smooth my frown away. “I was going to tell you, but we started fighting.”
I could not blame her for keeping that piece of information from me. After all, I had been keeping my own secrets from her. “Who did you contact? What did you write? Did you—”
Belle's hand moved to cover my lips. “Shhh, Ellie. The High Wizard Cieran and his wife, Cassandra, live at the palace. I have met them before. In addition to being the king's magical advisors, they are some of the most well-respected people in the Kingdom of Seria, even if they are Ariada.”
“And?” I asked, my excitement growing. “Did they write you back?”
“I explained that a sorcerer's chain was going to be used to cast a love spell on the prince. I left Luciana's name out of it, but I did put my signature at the bottom. I wanted them to know that the warning was coming from a reputable source. They would never believe me if I accused my own sister outright. They might assume I wanted her inheritance. I received a reply this morning from Lady Cassandra, saying that they were grateful for the warning and that I should try and speak with them near the beginning of the first ball.”
I was relieved that someone with proper magical training had been alerted to the situation. Belle hesitated for a moment. “Will you dance with the prince?”
Seeing the frustration behind her eyes, I kissed her gently on the lips. “If he is agreeable, yes. But in my heart, I will never dance with anyone but you. There is no reason for you to worry about me eloping with Prince Brendan or anyone else.”
Belle smiled again, and I smiled back. “I know. I just wanted to hear it.”
We held hands, leaning against each other. “And I will say it over and over again until you believe me.”
Belle and I were much friendlier to each other after our reconciliation. However, sometimes, as she watched me working, or as we rested in bed together before dawn or read together in the library, I caught her looking at me with a curious expression on her face. Her lips would part, slowly, as if she wanted to speak, but she never did. She only stared at me with tortured blue eyes until I kissed her, spoke, or looked away.
***
I told my worries to Cate one morning as we cleared the breakfast dishes. I had forgiven Sarah for reading my fake diary entries concerning Jamison, but I still did not trust her with my secrets. I knew that Cate would listen and comfort me much better than Sarah could.
“She refuses to talk with m
e.” I set my stack of plates down on the kitchen counter. “I think she is afraid of getting angry again.” When we had made love the night before, Belle had been exceedingly cautious with me, kissing my wrists over and over again, wanting to heal the bruises her fingers had left. I had enjoyed myself, but I wanted my barely restrained tiger back, the powerful woman who would lose herself in her passion and consume me.
I could not explain this part to Cate. I did not want to frighten her by discussing the subject of physical love. Her broken heart probably could not handle the conversation.
“Perhaps this is a problem that Belladonna needs to solve on her own. She is afraid. I think being afraid of something is a new experience for her.”
“What should I do to help?” I asked. I was sure that Cate had gotten it right. Belle was not the kind of woman who admitted that she was afraid of anything. Maybe she did not want me to think she was weak. She already felt weak and guilty for not taking a stand against Luciana earlier.
Cate covered my hand with hers for a moment. Because my friend did not usually initiate physical contact, I was surprised by the touch. I managed to hide my reaction, not wanting to startle Cate. “Just remind her that you love her. Tell her you will always be there. She needs to hear that.”
“You are probably right. If I confront her directly, she will only get defensive.”
Cate nodded. “I can picture that. Ellie...” She reclaimed her hand, twisting it nervously into the fabric of her dress. I leaned against the counter, dishes forgotten. “Thank you for talking to me. For trusting me. I have never...I mean...you are the first real friend I have ever had.”
I placed an affectionate kiss on Cate's soft cheek, and her face flushed a fiery red. “Thank you, Cate. I am glad that you are my friend, too. I have never really had any friends before, either.”
The Second Sister (The Amendyr Series) Page 15
