Sitting on the duke’s right were two men—Reid recognized one as Prince Ackley. The other must be Prince Gordon. Gordon was wider and thicker than his brother. His sharp eyes watched her as she came into the room and stopped beside her father. His eyes were the same deep brown as Ackley’s. Gordon’s shoulder-length hair had a bit of a curl to it.
Reid forced herself not to fidget as she stood there with her feet shoulder-width apart. “I’m on my way to meet with our watchman, Becket. There was an issue in town yesterday he wishes to discuss.”
“I only need you for a moment,” her father said. “Have a seat. There are two esteemed guests I’d like to introduce you to.”
She didn’t want to sit. Sitting implied talking, and she didn’t want any part of that. With her head angled down, she took a seat across the table from the princes, trying not to look at either one.
“This is your heir?” Gordon asked.
“Yes,” the duke replied. “Lord Reid Ellington, I’d like you to meet Prince Gordon Winston and Prince Ackley Winston.”
She gave a curt nod, hoping it was sufficient so she wouldn’t have to shake either of their hands. At least the table was wide enough to make doing so nearly impossible. She didn’t need Ackley figuring out who she was—if he hadn’t already done so.
Gordon ran a hand over his face. “Fine. Let’s finish the deal and sign the contract.”
The duke nodded, scanning the piece of paper in front of him.
Gordon continued, “You will provide five hundred soldiers. They will be stationed at the Gast River along the Ellington border. You will also ensure the sea along your coastline is monitored for threats. Should anything of concern arise, send a messenger to the City of Buckley immediately.”
Reid bit her lip to keep herself from asking what the soldiers were needed for. Perhaps the new king simply wanted to show his might and power? Although, having such a large standing army didn’t make sense.
“How long will my soldiers be away from their homes?” Duke Ellington asked. “Many have families they need to provide for.”
Gordon placed his elbows on the table, leaning forward. “As long as needed. I don’t know what my uncle is planning. Until the threat is neutralized, the king wants an army from the Gast River to the Modig Mountains.”
“Are you collecting soldiers from other counties as well?” Reid asked. She hadn’t meant to say that aloud.
Gordon turned his attention to her. “Only soldiers from the counties along the Axian border.” He spoke to her as if she were a child.
She should have kept her mouth shut.
“Do you think Prince Henrick intends to challenge your brother, King Eldon, for the throne?” Duke Ellington asked, recapturing Gordon’s attention.
Reid still hadn’t looked at Ackley. She was afraid to.
“We’ve received reports Henrick is gathering an army along the Axian border. Whatever his intentions are, I can’t be sure. He has never been truthful, nor has he been very forthcoming with us.” Gordon stood and went to the window at the other end of the room, which overlooked the pasture at the east end of the castle. “I will ensure the kingdom of Marsden remains safe from any and all threats.”
This sounded more like a family matter than something the kingdom should have to deal with. Reid pushed her chair back, about to stand and leave.
Ackley plopped his booted feet on the table, crossing his ankles. He scratched his head, eyeing Reid as he spoke. “Duke Ellington, you have always been a good friend to my father.”
Reid feared what Ackley would say next. Did he intend to reveal her identity? She froze on the edge of the chair, unsure if she should move or remain there like a rabbit caught in a trap.
Ackley tipped his chair onto its hind legs while threading his hands together behind his head. “Given your injured leg, I presume you won’t be able to accompany your soldiers?” His gaze remained focused on Reid as he spoke.
“That is correct,” Duke Ellington replied. “Besides that, I am needed here. My health isn’t what it used to be.”
As if that was the answer he’d hoped for, Ackley smiled and removed his feet from the table, the front legs of the chair landing with a thud. “This is the perfect opportunity for your son, your sole heir, to step in. He can lead your soldiers for you.”
Color drained from the duke’s face. “My son is much too young and inexperienced.”
“He’s eighteen, is he not?” Ackley asked.
“I need him here with me.”
A servant carrying a pitcher entered. She set it on the table before scurrying from the room. The duke reached forward to pour himself a cup of ale. He downed it in three gulps.
Reid still hadn’t moved. What was Prince Ackley playing at? He knew she was a woman, so why wasn’t he exposing her? Why did he want her to lead the duke’s soldiers? Was he testing the duke? Or was there something else behind it?
“Someone will need to lead your men and be responsible for them,” Gordon mumbled as he turned away from the window and started pacing.
Reid got the impression Gordon didn’t like sitting around. It was obvious he’d rather be outside than inside talking with her father.
“He’s too young and inexperienced,” the duke reiterated.
“I beg to disagree,” Ackley said. “I had the pleasure of watching your son fight in a friendly sparring match yesterday. He is more than capable of accompanying your soldiers.” His eyes flashed with triumph. There was nothing the duke could say to get Reid out of this disastrous mess.
“It’s settled then,” Gordon said. “I’ll let the rest of my men know we’re leaving in a couple of days. Gather your soldiers and make the necessary preparations.” He turned to his brother. “I’d like a word with you.”
Ackley nodded and exited the great hall, Gordon right behind him.
“I’m going?” Reid whispered to her father once they were alone.
The duke poured another cup of ale. “No. I’ll go. You’ll remain here to take care of the estate while I’m gone.”
“But Prince Gordon said I was going.”
“I’ll talk to him. I’m sure I can get him to see reason.”
She suspected her father’s leg was worse than he let on. Lowering her voice, she said, “I can go. We can’t risk something happening to you.”
Reaching out, he took hold of her hand. “I’ll speak with the prince. There has to be another solution.”
Reid nodded, knowing she’d have a tough time getting the soldiers to listen to her. Over the years, the duke had always been the one to lead the soldiers and see to their training. When it came to the battlefield, she had no experience.
Standing, she kissed the top of her father’s head before leaving the room. Out in the corridor, she heard voices coming from the sitting room located directly across from the great hall. Leaning against the wall, she listened.
“Are you certain?” Gordon asked. “She seems too innocent.”
“I’m positive. She’ll—” He stopped mid-sentence. “Reid, are you out there?”
She stepped away from the wall, then entered the sitting room. “I’d like to speak with you.” Desire to learn how he’d discovered she was a woman and why he hadn’t said anything to her father about it overrode the voice in her head that screamed to run away and hide.
“If you think it’ll work,” Gordon said to his brother, “then do it.” Without acknowledging Reid, he exited the room.
Ackley folded his arms across his chest. “What do you want to talk about?”
Unable to immediately ask her bold questions, she said, “Why did you insist I lead the soldiers?”
“Someone has to be in charge of your men.” He raised his eyebrows as if anticipating her argument.
“I understand that.” She tried to remain calm. Fidgeting or showing fear would only get her into more trouble. “I…” It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go. The adventure sounded fun and exciting. Yet, it would be difficult to keep her sec
ret around so many men. In addition, this man before her—this prince—knew her identity. What did he plan to do with the information?
“Ah.” He smiled deviously. “What you really want to know is the reason I didn’t expose you for the liar you are.”
She bristled.
“Nice touch with the pants.” He smirked.
The stocking Reid had shoved in her undergarments was starting to slide to the side. Her face heated. Feeling oddly exposed before this man, she clutched her cape and pulled it around her body, trying to cover herself.
He simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.
“Yes,” she said. “I want to know why you didn’t rat me out.” And she wanted to know if he planned on doing so soon.
He took a step closer. “If you want to keep your secret,” he said, his deep voice rumbling through her, “then go along with what I’m proposing. Lead your soldiers to the border and do what I ask.”
“I’m not certain I can,” she whispered, panic filling her.
“I’ll make sure your men are taken care of. I just need you to accompany them. Are we clear?”
She nodded, although she wasn’t clear at all. What did he intend to do with her? Why did she feel like a trapped animal about to be slaughtered?
He took a step back. “I said…are we clear?”
“Yes.”
“Typically, I’m addressed as Your Highness.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” She couldn’t get a read on this man. This prince.
“Excellent, my lord.”
She turned to go.
“One more thing,” he said, stopping her.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“Remove your cap.”
She spun around, shaking her head. No man besides her father had ever seen her hair before. Removing her cap in front of someone she barely knew seemed inappropriate, intimate even.
“I need to see your hair.”
What if someone saw? And hadn’t he caught a glimpse of it last night when she was in the water? “I can’t.”
“Then tell me this,” Ackley said. “Is your hair cut short? I’m hoping it’s not since you’re wearing that ridiculous cap inside.”
Why did he care how long her hair was? “It reaches just past my shoulders.”
“That’s what I thought, but it was hard to tell when you were swimming in the lake.” His eyes gleamed as if he’d found a treasure. “In exchange for your full cooperation, I will ensure your father is pardoned for lying about who you are. I’ll also make sure Ellington county is entailed to any heir the duke chooses, male or otherwise.”
She must have heard him wrong. “Even a woman?” Women weren’t allowed to own land.
“Yes.”
“How?” she asked, not daring to hope this would be the end of her deception.
“I will have my brother, King Eldon, grant a special proclamation. For your services to the crown, your family’s land will be deeded differently.”
Her heart pounded. Could this be the answer to everything? “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You must hold up your end of the deal. Because if you don’t, your family’s land will be stripped, and you, along with the rest of your family, will be hanged for treason.”
Reid shoved another tunic in her bag, unable to believe she was leaving tomorrow morning. With a man who knew her secret.
Someone knocked on her door. “Come in,” she called.
Kamden entered. “Do want any help packing?”
“I’ve got everything I need.” At least she hoped she did.
Closing the door, Kamden said, “I’m worried about you.” Taking Reid’s hands, she pulled her over to the bed. The sisters sat facing one another.
“I’ll be fine,” Reid assured her.
“I don’t think you’ve thought this through. You will be with hundreds of men.”
Reid had spent her entire life pretending to be a boy, playing with boys, training with boys. This wouldn’t be any different.
“How do you plan to change your clothes and relieve yourself? What about when it’s your time of the month?” Kamden’s light brown eyes filled with tears.
“I will have my breasts wrapped and an undershirt on. I can easily change my tunic if need be. I just had my time of the month, so I will be good for the next three weeks. I doubt I’ll be gone longer than that. There is no need for you to worry about me.” While her sister’s concern was endearing, it made Reid more nervous about what she would face in the upcoming weeks. Instead of worrying about all the things that could go wrong, she had to focus on what she needed to do.
“Don’t go,” Kamden begged.
Reid pulled her hands away from her sister’s grip. “I have no choice,” she whispered. “One of the princes knows I’m a woman. He told me I had to go and cooperate. If I do, he’ll make sure our land stays in our family—even without a male heir.”
Kamden reared back as if she’d been slapped. “He knows?” she asked incredulously. “Why hasn’t he exposed you?”
“He needs me for something.”
Abruptly standing, Kamden began pacing before the hearth, her forehead wrinkled in concentration.
This was the only home Reid had ever known, and she would miss it dearly. The castle had always made her feel safe and protected. And this room was her sanctuary—the one place she could let her hair down and be herself. A tall bookshelf stood in one corner, crammed full of books ranging from battle strategy to romance. A few swords were on a long table under one of the windows. Her desk still had her writing utensils and paper strewn on it. A quilt covered her bed—the quilt her mother made when she was pregnant with Reid. So many memories and dear, sweet treasures.
“I can’t come up with a single reason why a prince would need a woman to pretend to be a man.” Kamden stopped pacing. “Do you have any ideas?”
She shrugged. “He sought me out after he saw me fighting Knox with my swords. Maybe he needs me to teach someone?” Ackley had a younger sister, Princess Idina, who was only seventeen. Perhaps he needed Reid to teach Idina how to defend herself?
Once again sitting on the bed, Kamden mused, “The prince can’t possibly fancy you. Given his position, I’m sure he has his fair share of women. But tell me, do you find him handsome?”
Reid hadn’t really thought about it. “He isn’t ugly.”
“I know you’ve been pretending to be a man, but you are a woman.” Kamden chuckled. “Do you feel any attraction to the prince?”
“No.” Reid hadn’t ever been attracted to a man before. Of course, she’d always been careful to keep her feelings reined in. If she blushed or was caught staring at a man, her cover would be blown.
“Which prince is it?”
“Prince Ackley.”
Wrapping Reid in a hug, Kamden said, “I don’t know why Ackley wants you, but promise me you’ll be careful. I have a feeling you are getting in over your head.”
Reid hugged her sister back, knowing Kamden was right.
Chapter Four
Reid entered Duke Ellington’s office. He was sitting in his favorite high-backed chair at his desk. This room was always impeccably tidy with bookshelves lining two of the walls, each book in alphabetical order, a fireplace on another wall, and several rectangular windows lighting the space. “You wanted to see me?”
“Close the door and have a seat,” Duke Ellington said.
When Reid reached for the door, she noticed three of her friends huddled near the fireplace. After closing the door, she sat on one of the two wooden chairs across from her father. “Why are they here?” she asked, nodding toward Harlan, Knox, and Royce. If she had to pick three of her closest friends, besides her sisters, these men would be it. She’d grown up with, played with, and learned to fight with them.
“They’re here because I asked them to come.” The duke tapped the papers on the desk before him. “They’ve each signed an agreement with me.”
Dread filled her
. What had her father done?
“They all know the truth, and I’ve sworn them to secrecy.”
She observed her childhood friends. Harlan, the apothecary’s apprentice, was always so stern and severe. He kept his focus on his shoes, unable to even look at her. Knox, on the other hand, folded his muscled arms across his chest, shaking his head and grinning like a fool. Finally, she focused on Royce. He gazed at her, completely unfazed.
“Why did you tell them?” Reid asked, not attempting to deepen her voice. It felt good to speak normally in front of her friends.
“I told them because they need to know what’s at stake when they accompany you to the border.” The duke laced his hands together, his tired eyes focusing on Reid.
“Accompany me?”
“They will be your protection as you travel with my soldiers.”
Hurt and anger swelled within her. Was this how it felt to be treated as a woman instead of a man? Did men assume women were somehow weaker and couldn’t take care of themselves simply because of their sex? “You should have consulted me first.” Perhaps she would have agreed to one of her friends coming along. But she never would have agreed to three, and she wouldn’t have told them the truth.
Avoiding Reid’s scowl, Duke Ellington picked up the papers and placed them in the top drawer of the desk. “I chose those closest to you so you’d be comfortable. I would have preferred to assign some of my more experienced men to the job, but this arrangement works best.”
“You raised me as your heir.” She’d spent every day of her life pretending to be a man, and she was perfectly capable of continuing the ruse. “I don’t need my friends protecting me.” It wasn’t fair. If she were a man, this wouldn’t be happening.
The duke slammed the drawer shut and rubbed his forehead, considering what she’d said. “The three of you need to go home and pack. You leave tomorrow at first light.”
They exited the room without a word to Reid.
Once they were gone and the door closed again, the duke leveled her with a glare. “Regardless of being my heir and pretending to be a man, the fact remains you are a woman. You will not be leading my soldiers.” His voice was low and furious, giving no room for argument. “Not only that, but you lack the skill, experience, and knowledge to lead so many.”
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