Palace Intrigue (Medieval Tale Book 3)

by Lina J. Potter

  She had already explained these plans to Taris, who had sent an account of them to her father. They had not heard back from him yet, but they were sure he would help them set up a workshop if Lily had to leave Earton. For the time being, she continued to pay the girls a percentage of the profits from their lace. Marcia and the other lace-makers had never seen that much money in one place, and they were ready to walk through fire and water for Lily. Instead, they worked twelve-and fourteen-hour days with smiles on their faces.

  While it took Lily about a week to crochet a lace doily three feet long and about half as wide, Marcia could do the same in three or four days. The countess was amazed by their speed, but she reflected that it made sense since they were working fast to keep their jobs, while she was merely doing it for fun.

  The glassblowing workshop continued to expand, and Lily had her workers build two more kilns. Meanwhile, she made notes on everything she remembered about ceramics.

  In short, life was busy and good. The only dark spot on the horizon was the official invitation to the palace that spring. It arrived on Lily’s desk covered with wax seals and ribbons. When she opened it, she laughed out loud.

  I’ll need a stiff drink to even try and read this thing!

  The long and short of it was that His Majesty wished to see her, and there was no way out of it.

  Lily also received a letter from Jess’ mother. In her previous life, Aliya had never had trouble with her future mother-in-law. Alex’s mother, Galina, was a lovely woman who was overjoyed that her son had found a smart, hard-working girl from a military family. Aliya enjoyed her friendship, and the women often spent time together. In this world, however, Lily could glean little information about her mother-in-law. It was like the woman was a complete stranger who had no interest in her children, much less in Lilian.

  That made Alicia’s letter all the more surprising:

  My dear daughter-in-law,

  I heard about your troubles and wanted to write to you. How is your health? Medicus Craybey told us that you lost the baby. Do you need anything? Should I send you a different medicus? How can I be of help to you? You are welcome to stay with me while my son is away. His Majesty the king wishes to see you at court in the spring. I hope you will at least stay with me then. I can provide you with a dressmaker and a hairdresser. We can talk about all of that when you arrive.

  I eagerly await your reply.

  Alicia, Dowager Countess of Earton

  Lily set the letter down on her desk. Her face was blank and her mind deep in thought. What does the old bitch want?

  She suddenly wished her medical school had offered a course on the art of intrigue instead of the philosophy and ethics she had plowed through. I’ll just have to learn as I go along.

  ***

  His Majesty Edward the Eighth was eager to hear the report Hans Tremain would give him. Curiosity had afflicted him for several months. The envoy’s letters from Earton had been too short, and the events they described—murder, slave traders, pirates, amber—were almost too fanciful to be believed. Jess always told people that overfed deer were the only danger in Earton. He was obviously mistaken.

  These thoughts ran through the king’s head as he endured yet another official reception. It was a small reception, only for the most important nobles, but it was mainly for show, and no matters of significance would be decided. Edward sat bolt upright on his throne and nodded as courtiers approached and bowed. He exchanged a few words with each man before the next one approached and bowed.

  Finally, Edward was overjoyed when his chamberlain came in and announced, “Your Majesty! Chevalier Hans Tremain to see the king!”

  The nobles all looked around and began to whisper.

  Edward waved a hand. “Show him in.”

  He knew his envoy to be a careful man. The reception was no place for him to make a confidential report. There must be something else on his mind. (Edward always tried to give his people the autonomy to do their jobs well, and this approach was usually rewarded by excellent performance.)

  Hans strode confidently into the room and bowed low. “Your Majesty!”

  Edward inclined his head slightly. “How are things in Earton, Hans?”

  “All was well when I left, Your Majesty. I have my report with me.”

  “You may show it to me after the reception.”

  Edward raised a hand for Hans to leave, but the envoy quickly spoke up. “Your Majesty, can you forgive me my audacity?”

  “What is the matter?” the king asked.

  “When I heard you were receiving courtiers this evening, I made haste to attend. The Countess of Earton entrusted me with gifts for a number of people, and I hoped to find some of them here. If you will allow it, Your Majesty…” he bowed again.

  Edward’s eyes glittered. Gifts? How interesting. Especially if they are as fine as the pen and inkwell.

  Still, the king thought it a bold move by his envoy. If the gifts were nothing special, he would be the butt of jokes around the capital.

  “Of course. Who has the countess sent gifts to?”

  “To Your Majesty, of course.”

  Edward nodded. That was only fitting.

  “And to their highnesses Angelina and Joliette.”

  The king said nothing, but he was curious.

  Hans continued. “To her second mother, Dowager Countess Alicia Earton, and to her sister, Amalia Ivelen.”

  It took all of Edward’s willpower to keep from showing his surprise. How interesting.

  “Please, Leir Tremain, distribute these gifts to their recipients.”

  Hans clapped his hands, and the doors to the room flew open. Two servants came in bearing a large trunk between them, followed by four more servants, each with a box. The whispering grew louder. What could be in the boxes, if a single man could carry them? Hans signaled to the servants, and they set the largest trunk in front of the throne. The envoy took a large key from a chain around his neck.

  “Your Majesty…”

  Edward smiled. “Hans, I may be the king, but I was taught manners like everyone else. Please give the ladies their gifts first, or I fear they may suffer from having to wait.”

  The princesses were squirming like small children, craning their necks to see the boxes. Hans glanced at them, smiled, and obeyed.

  “Your Highness, Princess Angelina.” He handed her one of the boxes. Tall and fair-haired like her father, she reached for it with a smile.

  “Your Highness, Princess Joliette.” The second box was put into the waiting hands of its intended recipient.

  The girls immediately opened the boxes, removed the white silk that hid their contents, and gasped in delight. Angelina’s slender fingers held up something as lacy and light as a cloud. Her sister lifted something similar, but pink, out of her box.

  Lily had been wise enough not to make identical shawls for the two princesses. The elder princess received a white silk shawl embellished with pink and gold flowers. The younger girl’s shawl was pink and covered with golden birds. The joins between the threads were decorated with amber beads that Helke had polished to be flat ovals. Together, the two shawls had required hundreds of hours of work by the lace-makers, with Lily’s help, but the effect was worth it.

  Once they were over their shock, the princesses wrapped the shawls around their shoulders and looked back in their boxes, where they found heavy amber combs for their hair. Never having seen anything like it before, they didn’t know what to do with them.

  Hans bowed. “Allow me to call for a lady’s maid so that I can show you how these combs are worn.”

  At a nod from Angelina, one of the servants ran from the room. He soon returned, followed by a lady’s maid. She did up the elder princess’ hair in a knot and, following Hans’ instructions, fastened the comb into the thick coil of hair. Soon, both princesses were admiring each other’s gifts and laughing like children. Edward smiled down at them, and the other guests clapped their hands. The tedious reception had tu
rned into a party.

  The boxes still contained gifts, however, and the princesses sat back down to examine them. They knew what to do with the lace belts they found tucked into the boxes, but the lace fans were strange and new. Hans showed them how to open and hold the fans, and they immediately found them to be both lovely and useful. At the very bottom of their boxes, both girls found small mirrors, no more than four inches across, set in heavy metal frames. When they held them up, only their strict upbringing kept them from squealing in delight as they saw their fresh, young faces.

  Suddenly, the whole room was talking at once.

  Edward shook his head and leaned over to his envoy. “Hans,” he said quietly, “the countess has certainly pleased my girls. Did you tell her what they would like?”

  Hans gave a rueful grin. “Not at all, Your Majesty, you must believe me. Lilian Earton is a very charming and inventive woman. Everything you see here was made under her watchful eye. She put her whole heart into these things, not to find favor with yourself, but to give your daughters joy.”

  Edward raised an eyebrow. Hans pushed on. “Those were her exact words. She said that she does not seek your favor, but she hopes to be treated fairly. The gifts for the girls are very much like her. She adores children, and they adore her, Especially her stepdaughter.”

  “Is Miranda Catherine well?”

  “Very well, Your Majesty. I have never seen a happier child. The countess watches over her and teaches her well, but she also spoils her and gives her every affection.”

  “How does she combine those things?”

  “Your Majesty, all I can say is that she is a very talented young woman. I look forward to telling you all that I have learned about her.”

  “You intrigue me, Hans.” The king smiled. Like any father, he enjoyed seeing his children happy. “Girls, I suppose you would like to take your new things to your rooms where you can look them over?”

  The princesses obediently gathered up their gifts, bowed to the courtiers, and disappeared with their ladies-in-waiting. Hans still had tokens of Lily’s appreciation to give to Alicia Earton and Amalia Ivelen. Although Amalia was not at the palace, Hans was sure that Alicia—who hadn’t taken her eyes off the princesses’ gifts—would open hers right away. She wouldn’t be disappointed.

  ***

  Alicia Earton left the reception and padded softly down the hallway to her own room, followed by two maids. She had slipped out while the others were still admiring the fanciful things Lily had sent the princesses. She did not want to open her box in front of the others, in case its contents were the same as what their royal highnesses received, which would have offended them. No, Alicia was always cautious in such matters.

  As she shut her door, she gave a sigh of relief. Her daughter-in-law had launched herself quite well. Alicia didn’t want to spoil it, even with something small. Her fingers ran over the lid of the box and opened it. Inside, she found a short note. It was not a letter, just a few words:

  As a sign of my gratitude and sincere affection,

  Lilian Earton.

  Gratitude? Affection? Alicia shook her head and turned to the gifts. Fifteen minutes later, she admitted to herself that her daughter-in-law was a clever woman. The box revealed a large piece of lightweight lace that Alicia realized was a shawl. She nodded. It was a fitting present. She often found herself needing extra warmth, and she was too old to wear the heavy combs the princesses had received. The shawl was a lovely pale seafoam green and very warm. Lily had plied her finest green wool yarn with a blue silk thread to crochet a simple geometric lace pattern without any amber beads, but with a deep fringe around the edges.

  Underneath the shawl was a lace belt in the same color and a simple fan decorated with silver paint. Alicia was pleased to see that she had also been given a mirror, although hers was smaller than the ones Lily sent the princesses. She was about to set aside the box when she saw something white underneath its red velvet lining. She pulled at it with her fingernails and discovered a small silk bag.

  How clever of her. She hid it so I wouldn’t take it out in front of everyone else.

  What she found inside the silk bag was breathtakingly expensive: heavy earrings, a necklace, a brooch, a bracelet, and a ring. All made of amber in a range of shades, from red to honey-colored to pure white. The jewels were truly a royal gift.

  The old schemer tried them on and looked at herself in the small mirror. Then she gave a little laugh and put everything away in her jewelry box. She would wear the jewels to a ball someday soon, but not right away. She would also keep a close eye on her daughter-in-law. His Majesty was right; Lilian Earton deserved the closest attention.

  ***

  Edward looked at Hans. He knew he should ask for the envoy’s report, but Lilian Earton had piqued his curiosity. He was dying to know what she had sent him, the king on whom her wellbeing and even her life depended. He nodded at his envoy.

  “Well, let’s open it,” he said, looking at the trunk.

  The report wouldn’t get lost if it had to wait another ten minutes.

  Hans hid a smile as he bowed. “Your Majesty, if you will…” He leaned over the chest.

  In just a few minutes, the king decided that Lilian was a most decidedly clever woman. She had sent him a lace collar and cuffs made of white and gold thread and richly embellished with amber beads. Edward had never seen anything quite like it.

  I will wear these because I like them, and the countess will make money when other men at court wish to have the same. I see she is making friends before her arrival. Well played.

  He looked up at Hans. “Do you think the countess made these things herself?”

  “She did, Your Majesty. I saw it with my own eyes. She asked that you accept them as a sign of respect.

  Edward smiled. Respect? She will earn a fortune with this lace once I wear it. But I see her hint. The countess is prepared to share her profits in exchange for protection.

  “The countess is undoubtedly very talented,” he said. Hans bowed and lifted a wooden box from the trunk. “Your Majesty, the countess expressed her hope that you will occasionally have time for this game.”

  “Game?”

  “May I show you, Your Majesty?” Hans put the box on the table. The king saw that it was made of polished oak with a Khangan-style pattern burned into the lid. He squinted at the word above the patterning.

  “Backgamm-on?”

  “That is the name, Your Majesty.” The envoy opened the box, revealing two smaller boxes inside. When he opened one of them, Edward’s eyes grew round. The game pieces—fifteen each—were made of white and red amber. “There is a second set in case any of these are lost,” Hans said, pointing to the second small box. Then he showed the king two dice, carved from oak, both with six sides.

  “Would you like to play, Your Majesty?”

  Edward nodded. He felt as curious as a boy for the first time in many years, and he wanted to get as much enjoyment as he could from this unexpected gift. Hans quickly set out the game pieces and explained the rules. He showed the king the parchment where he had all the rules written out. Edward picked up the dice, and the game started.

  The king won the first game because he was the king, and even he could see that Hans had let him have it. He won the second game, too, almost by himself. The third game turned into a true battle of wills, but Edward managed to isolate two of Hans’ pieces.

  He grinned wolfishly. “This is a nice way to spend time.”

  “The countess said she hoped it would give you a respite from your cares.”

  Hans knew Lily had planned to send the king a chessboard with figures but changed her mind. The game was too difficult, and she doubted the king would master it without her there to show him the way. She said it would be difficult to carve the figures so quickly. Chess would have to wait until she visited the palace. Backgammon was an easier game; she had gotten Hans hooked in just two days.

  After several more games, Edward pushed
the board away and looked over at the trunk. His envoy reached in and pulled out another small box. Inside, was the largest mirror Lily had been able to make—it was about the size of a small computer monitor in her own world. Helke had made the frame and the tripod that held it out of silver. Both bore Lily’s red cross. She would have liked to make them out of gold, but she simply did not have enough of the metal. The silver frame was elegant, however, and offset with warmly glinting amber.

  Edward studied his face in the mirror for several minutes. It was a vast improvement over polished metal.

  “This thing, this…”

  “It is glass, Your Majesty. The countess found a description of the process in an old book.”

  “Glass?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. It will break if you drop it. I had it transported with great care.”

  The king reflected that few of his subjects would be able to afford such a luxury, at least at first.

  “How many of these glass things can be made?”

  “As many as you like, given enough material.”

  “Who knows the secret of their manufacture?”

  “Only Her Ladyship and her two craftsmen.”

  “Wonderful.”

  “There is something else, Your Majesty.”

  Helke had outdone himself; the gold cup Hans lifted from the trunk was almost entirely encrusted with amber in red, white, and gold. It was an impressive piece, even for the king’s palace.

  Yes, it would seem that Jess’ wife has me on the hook now.

  Hans held out the cup. “Your Majesty, this is just a gift. I already turned over your share of the Earton amber to the treasury.”

  “I see they have found red and white amber in Earton.”

  “No, Your Majesty.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The countess knows a way to turn plain amber, white, or red. It becomes more brittle, but you won’t be using the cup as a hammer.”

  Edward shook his head. “The countess is certainly making sure that people will talk about her.”