by C. J. Archer
Balthazar's bushy brows wriggled like grubs up his forehead. "That is interesting. It must have been important for them to venture into the village at a time like this."
"They overheard Lord Barborough speaking to the two dukes in the bedchamber Kitty shares with her husband. He was telling them his theory about magic and the creation of the palace."
Balthazar expelled a breath then went very still. It resembled the last moments of a dying man and would have been alarming if he hadn't suddenly sat forward with more vigor than I'd expect from him. "Did the dukes seem to believe him?"
I nodded. "And now Kitty and Miranda do too. They won't discuss it with anyone," I assured him. "They know how dangerous such talk can be."
Balthazar appeared to be lost in thought and no longer listening.
"It was a logical move for Barborough to make," Dane said. "With Lord Morgrave out of the way, and Lady Morgrave likely to become queen, Barborough had to change tactic. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a directive from King Phillip of Vytill."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"With an alliance between Glancia and Vytill through marriage looking less and less likely, King Phillip will need to take over Glancia another way."
"He'll want the dukes to overthrow the king," I finished. "Then he'll swoop in while they're squabbling."
"It remains to be seen if the dukes are foolish enough to fulfill their part. They don't know the king doesn't have access to the sorcerer's gem anymore."
If they did find out, they wouldn't waste time accusing the king of being an imposter and gathering their forces against him.
"You're both forgetting something," Balthazar said. "Lady Morgrave isn't queen yet." A wicked gleam brightened his eyes. "Thank you for informing us, Josie. Hammer, you need to watch the dukes."
Dane nodded.
"The captain has his hands full at the moment," I said. "Can't you or Theodore do it?"
Balthazar smirked. "How considerate of you to worry about him."
"Exhaustion can lead to health problems."
"Ah. Professional concern then, is it? Forgive me, I didn't recognize it, what with the way you two look at one another."
"That's enough, Bal," Dane warned him. To me, he said, "I won't be personally watching them. One of Buxton's footmen is spying for me, and the maids who clean Gladstow's apartments report in whenever they discover something of interest."
"Oh," I said, feeling foolish. Of course he had spies all over the palace.
"It's all right, Josie," Balthazar said. "We'll have you thinking like us in no time."
"Don't listen to him," Dane said. "We're not all like him, suspicious of everyone and questioning everything."
"Not to mention cantankerous," I added. "And a know-it-all."
Balthazar grunted. "Not all." He picked up his spectacles and put them on. "If you don't mind, some of us are busy."
Dane and I left him, only to be met by Theodore rushing along the corridor. He was out of breath by the time he reached us. "Thank goodness you're still here, Josie. The king wishes to see you."
"Me? Why?"
"He has a pain in his chest."
I hesitated. The king had asked me to see to his medical problems before, and I'd always complied. He was, after all, the king. But it really shouldn't go on. It couldn't.
"Perhaps Doctor Clegg can attend," I said.
"He asked for you." Theodore set off, expecting me to follow. "You too, Hammer. And hurry. He's in a strange mood."
"He was happy when I left him," Dane said, walking beside me.
"You know how quickly he can change. Why are you here anyway, Josie?"
"I'll tell you later," Dane said.
Theodore glanced over his shoulder at us to make sure we followed.
"How did the king know I was at the palace?" I asked.
"When he complained of chest pains, Lady Morgrave suggested he call for Doctor Clegg, but he said he'd rather have you. A footman overheard and informed the king he'd seen you at the palace."
We headed up a set of stairs then along another corridor. "How long has he had the chest pains?" I asked.
Theodore paused at a door. "This is the first I've heard of it. After what happened to Lord Morgrave, he's worried."
I was about to remind him that Lord Morgrave hadn't died of heart failure but realized, from his expression, that he didn't need reminding. But the king hadn't heard the rumors, and he certainly didn't know that I believed Morgrave had been poisoned.
"Be careful what you say to allay his fears," Dane warned me quietly.
Theodore pushed open the door and we found ourselves in a large salon where ladies clustered in small groups by open windows, talking and flapping their fans. A few tried to catch Dane's eye, and failed, but the rest ignored us.
We passed through the blue and white tiled antechamber housing a throne, then onto the opulently furnished sitting room and games room where more noblewomen gathered. They looked hot and bored. One elderly lady had fallen asleep on a velvet sofa, her head tipped back and mouth ajar. We passed through the king's private dining room, where he could dine with dozens of his closest friends, then another room before reaching the library and office. Dane nodded at the guard standing by the door to the king's bedchamber as Theodore knocked.
The king bade us enter. I performed a low curtsy, only rising when the king ordered me to do so.
"Dearest Josie," he said, taking my hand in both of his. "I am so glad to see you again. Your beauty is a sight for sore eyes."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. I've seen the ladies here at court and there are many beauties."
"True." He leaned closer and whispered, "But the greatest beauties possess more than a pretty face." He squeezed my hand then let it go.
I cast a sideways glance at Dane. He remained by the door, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze hooded. "You wanted to see us, sire?" he asked.
The king pointed to me. "Josie first. You two, wait outside."
"No," Dane said. "As with the last time, I won't leave Josie alone with you. She has a—"
"A reputation to uphold. Yes, yes, I know." The king sighed. "You're no fun, Hammer. No fun at all." He flopped onto the big bed and stretched out his arms. "Unfasten my shirt, Josie."
"I'll do it," Theodore said, coming forward. "It's my job to dress and undress you, sire. You don't wish to make me obsolete, do you?"
The king lifted his chin so Theodore could untie his cravat. "You know I can't do without you, Theo, so stop fishing for compliments. It's tiring."
"Yes, sire."
The exchange was somewhat awkward, particularly while Theodore undressed his master. The process of removing the cravat and unfastening the hooks on the king's jerkin seemed to take forever.
"Did you enjoy your picnic, Your Majesty?" I asked to fill the uncomfortable silence.
"I did, until the pain started." He winced and swallowed heavily. "There it is again. It's excruciating. Here." He rubbed his chest. "Hurry up, Theo. I could die waiting."
Theodore finished unlacing the shirt and drew it over the king's head. The king's dark hair, dampened from sweat, formed spikes on the top of his head.
"Describe the pain," I said, placing a hand over the king's chest. His heart beat at a healthy speed.
"It's a burning feeling that rises into my throat."
"Have you felt the pain before?"
"These last few days. It's not constant, but comes and goes."
"After eating?"
"Yes. What is it, Josie? What's wrong with me?"
I asked him a few more questions before declaring he had no serious illness. "You're quite healthy, but you shouldn't eat so much rich food. That's what's giving you the chest pains and burning sensation."
He frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"It's just that Violette told me her husband seemed healthy before he died. He didn't experience any symptoms."
I stood back to allow Theodore to dress
the king.
"Yet I do feel a pain in my heart," the king went on. "Surely that's an indication of something."
"It is," I said. "It's an indication that you shouldn't eat so much of the cook's delicious food. Ask him to give you more vegetables, fish and lean meats, rather than cakes and sweets."
The king straightened, drawing in his stomach, although he didn't succeed in hiding the paunch. "I'm not a glutton."
"That's not what she meant," Dane said.
The king relaxed again once his shirt covered his body. "I think I'll ask Doctor Clegg some questions."
"Please do," I said.
"Do not mention you asked Josie first," Dane warned him. "You know the law, and she's not above it. Not even when she works for you."
The king sniffed. "I must get around to changing that law. Theodore, make a note of it. I'll mention it in the next council meeting."
"Yes, sire. And might I add that I think it's an excellent idea. Josie should be allowed to get her qualification from Logios, just like the men."
The king pushed Theodore away as the valet tried to re-tie his cravat. "Stop fussing, Theo. I'm going to rest for the remainder of the day."
Theodore bowed. "Very good, sire. We'll leave you in peace."
"One moment, Hammer. I want you to fetch something." The king glanced at me. "The cabinet that used to be housed in there." He flapped a hand toward his wardrobe. "Bring it to me."
I froze. Theodore also went very still, except for his gaze. It darted between the king and Dane.
"Of course," Dane said smoothly. "I have to leave for the village now, but I can tell one of my men where I hid it, and he can bring it to you."
"No! Merdu, don't tell anyone where it is. That's why I entrusted you with it." He glanced at me again then away. "I simply want to see my family heirloom. It gives me comfort. Hammer, forget the village. That's the governor's problem, not mine. Fetch my cabinet."
Dane bowed. I waited for him to make up another excuse, but he did not. He simply followed Theodore and me out of the room.
We headed back the way we'd come in silence, finally breaking it when we reached the service corridor. Theodore closed the door to the salon and collapsed against it.
"What will you do, Hammer?" he whispered. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and added, "Merdu. It hasn't arrived yet."
It took me a moment to recall that "it" was the replica jewel being created by a Tilting jeweler. "It hasn't?" I asked on a groan. "But what will you do?"
"Distract him," Dane said.
"How?" Theodore hissed.
"You could give him the real one," I said. "Just this once. Let him see it inside the cabinet then put it back."
"And what if he wants to use it?" Dane asked. "We don't know what the gem does, but we have to assume it holds formidable power. Why do you think he wants it now?"
Theodore shrugged, but I was beginning to make sense of it. "Because he's afraid for his life," I said. "Lord Morgrave's death has rattled him and now he thinks he has a heart condition too. If that gem holds power, he might use it to make him healthy again. But he's not sick, so it doesn't matter."
"What if he uses it to do something else, something we haven't thought of?" Dane asked. "It's too much of a risk. I don't want to give him the gem. Not if there's something we can do to distract him."
"I ask again," Theodore said, "How?"
"A party. Something grand. He likes revels." Dane set off.
Theodore and I raced to keep up with his long strides. "But Balthazar needs time to prepare," Theodore said. "The party needs to be tonight or your plan won't work."
"Then Balthazar had better start now. Shall you tell him or will I?"
"You're armed; you do it."
We reached a fork in the corridors, and Dane stopped. "The garrison's that way, and Balthazar's office is this way. Are you coming with me, Josie?"
"As much as I'd like to see Balthazar lose his temper with you, I'd better leave. I suspect you're all about to get very busy."
Theodore clapped Dane on the shoulder. "Good luck. He won't be happy."
"When is Bal ever happy?"
I left Theodore in the garrison and headed outside, intending to leave immediately, however Lady Deerhorn stopped me before I even reached the forecourt. She must have been waiting for me.
I tried to move past her, but she grabbed my arm. "What are you doing here?" she hissed in my ear.
"Making a private call," I said.
"You can't do that. Wait until the sheriff hears."
"It wasn't a medical call."
"No? Then why did the king send for you?"
Merdu. Gossip spread faster than fire in the palace. I pulled free and lifted my chin. "Ask the king."
She struck me across the face.
I stumbled backward and put a hand to my cheek, too shocked to protest.
She advanced on me, and I stumbled backward to keep out of her reach. "Did you tell him your lies about Morgrave?" she said through clenched teeth. "Is it you spreading the rumors about Morgrave's death not being from heart failure?"
"No."
"I know you disagree with Clegg's diagnosis. He told me himself."
My back hit the wall of the palace. I was trapped. Lady Deerhorn's eyes lit up with a wicked, cruel gleam. "I asked you a question and I expect an answer. What have you been saying?"
My hands started to shake so I fisted them at my sides. I thrust out my jaw in a show of defiance when all I felt was powerless. "Nothing about Lord Morgrave's death." I didn't want her to see my fear, but my shaking voice betrayed me. "I can assure you, the king still thinks Lord Morgrave died of heart failure. The rumors haven't reached his ears."
Her lips stretched into a tight smile. "If he does find out, I'll know who to blame." She edged aside, allowing me to pass.
I ran off toward the pavilion, only glancing back when I felt safe. She was no longer there.
I blew out a shuddery breath and took a moment to gather my wits in the shadows. Lady Deerhorn must be very worried that I'd give the king my opinion of Lord Morgrave's death to accost me in the open like that. She knew he trusted my medical knowledge. It was the most damning proof we'd had that her family orchestrated the murder.
I considered returning to the garrison to tell Dane but decided against it. Lady Deerhorn might still be waiting nearby.
Instead, I headed for the gate. Hopefully one of the coachmen would drive me back to Mull. I didn't feel like walking, not after that meeting. There were too many trees lining Grand Avenue which would provide a good hiding spot for someone who might wish to jump out at me. I'd had my fill of surprising encounters for one day.
I was stopped before I reached the gate, however, but not by a Deerhorn. A footman dressed in a visiting nobleman's livery asked if I was the midwife. I didn't recognize his uniform as belonging to one of the main houses of Glancian nobles, but there were so many that I didn't know them all.
"I am," I told him.
"Will you return with me to the palace, miss?" he asked, head bowed. "It's my lady. She has need of you."
"Did she specifically ask for a midwife? Not a doctor?"
He nodded and glanced around. Then he stepped forward and whispered, "She says it's something of a delicate nature that only you can help with."
"Show me the way. The back way," I added, as we walked to the palace. "Through the service corridors."
We entered the palace through a service door and followed the series of winding corridors and staircases to the second floor that housed the attic apartments where Miranda now lived with her family. We headed south and finally emerged into a corridor painted in cool blue and cream. Large blue vases stood sentinel beside each of the dozens of doors along the corridor, all containing a spectacular display of summer flowers. Despite an ornately plastered ceiling, there was no gold leaf in sight in this part of the palace. There were certainly many paintings in gold frames, including one very prominent one of the king at the end, stan
ding with one hand on his hip, the palace in the background.
It was hot and airless this far up in the palace. I didn't know how the nobles could stand it. My first directive to the woman, if she proved to be with child, would be to get as much fresh air as she could.
The footman knocked lightly on a door then opened it. He smiled and asked me to go through. I stepped across the threshold, but he didn't follow. He shut the door, revealing Lord Barborough standing there.
Before I could even gasp, he slammed me back against the door, knocking the breath out of me. He pressed his arm against my chest, pinning me. I coughed and tried to pull free, but with all his weight bearing down on his arm, I couldn't move.
"Time has run out, Josie." He eased back but when I tried to move, he slammed me into the door again. "I have lost my patience with you."
Chapter 7
My vision blurred and my head hurt as Lord Barborough shoved me against the door a third time. "P-please, my lord," I begged. "Stop."
"Do you have any information for me?"
"Yes," I said, my voice cracking.
"Then why didn't you come and find me?"
"I was on my way."
He wrapped his fingers around my throat and thrust his face close to mine. The smell of cloves didn't hide the stink of his breath. "You were leaving."
I struggled and pushed against his chest, but that only caused him to tighten his grip. My throat ached, and my eyes bulged.
"I-I have something for you," I croaked.
He let me go. I bent forward, coughing and gasping in as much air as possible.
"Well?" he snapped.
I drew in several deep breaths to give myself precious moments to remember the lies I'd fabricated with Dane, Balthazar and Theodore.
"I'm waiting," he barked.
"The maids I've spoken to all have different stories of how they got here. One came from a village in the south of Freedland, another from the north, and another from Dreen. They heard about the palace requiring maids and came here to apply. Some were without family in their homeland, others were glad to leave behind abusive relatives. All wanted to make the long journey for a new start."
