Fic: Alliances (3/5)
Part I and meta information available here. Part II also available here.
Laura spent most of the final week of the visit feeling as though she was holding her breath.
She'd been in a royal court long enough to have gone through more than one investigation, but this one had an expectancy to it that she'd never felt before, albeit one the queen's party had to conceal from their hosts. It was strange, really, to think that they could be so close to apprehending the man responsible for the attempts on Elizabeth's life. And stranger still was the thought that it was not Kinsey who was responsible.
Elizabeth stayed out of the matter, letting Lord George and Marcus handle it. She had other concerns as their stay in Iolan drew nearer to its end. Prince Radek was obviously nearing the last of his opportunities to ask Elizabeth to marry him. He was growing bolder, and in private it was becoming obvious that she was growing uncomfortable.
It was likely the result of all the pressure surrounding the investigation and the courtship and the normal stresses of her position, but Elizabeth seemed no nearer to accepting Radek's advances. Since the night they had met Simmons, Laura had not spoken to Elizabeth about it, and she doubted Kate had either.
She remembered sitting on the stairs back in Atlantis with Kate while Elizabeth was rehearsing the coronation ceremony without them. Radek had been in Atalan at the time, having just given Elizabeth the Queen Margaret and causing quite a storm of rumors among the college of lords. The two girls had talked about Radek's prospects as a suitor. At the time Laura had been adamant that Elizabeth deserved to marry for love, and she was no less convinced of it now. Though marriage had not been wholly what she expected, she could not imagine being married to a man she did not love.
Radek would make a good husband for virtually any woman. But Laura suspected that he did not inspire the passion in Elizabeth that someone else did.
Iolan did not receive a great many visitors of such high rank as the queen of Atalan, and the royal court had not known such dizzy excitement for some time. As the visit began to draw to a close, the chaos increased to a near-frenzy of activity. Radek had lost track of the luncheons and teas and assemblies on the schedule.
He was greatly relieved when the steward informed him that the next afternoon was free of obligations. The queen needed the morning to deal with some business from home, and the rest of the day was left open until the evening when they were to attend a play together.
Radek asked Elizabeth to go riding with him. He was sure the rest of the court would jump to the conclusion that he meant it to be a romantic undertaking, possibly leading to a proposal, and certainly he had no intention of wasting the chance to be alone with her. However, today was something he had been saving for the appropriate moment.
Elizabeth caught him regarding her closely as they directed their horses down a lane along the far slope of the castle's estate. She gave him a wicked look. "Do you see something amiss, my lord?"
He chuckled. "No, Majesty. I was just thinking to myself that you look far more at ease here than you have these last few days in court."
Elizabeth sighed. "I had hoped I was concealing it better. I seem to find traveling somewhat tiring."
Knowing precisely how little she had traveled in her life, he nodded. "I doubt anyone discerned it besides myself," he soothed her, then could not resist adding, "It would take someone who has had the opportunity to observe you closely in the past."
Her cheeks colored prettily and where once he might have apologized for the insinuation, Radek left his words alone, for he had meant both the spoken and unspoken this time. The woman next to him was no longer the girl-child he had met a few years earlier, still struggling with the death of the husband her guardians had chosen for her. He had been enchanted by her beauty and captivated by her keen mind, and quite close to falling hopelessly in love. But the time had not been right, and she had more need of friends than suitors. He had shaped himself into that role - friend, relative and advisor - while never quite relinquishing his hopes.
She was not that young girl any more, but a grown woman who had shouldered a massive burden. Radek had realized just how much she had aged over the winter months. At first he wondered if was merely the unfamiliar stress of travel, but these last few weeks showed plainly that the stress of her position was wearing on her.
She needed a companion, a voice whispered in his head. A husband and lover, a partner to exist in her world solely to care for her. Someone whose relationship with her was not under any sway of politics. The thought made him ache with a longing that he had been suppressing for far too long.
He led their course through the forests of evergreens, Elizabeth drawing herself alongside him when there was room. He purposely guided his horse around a path along the edges of the estate until he eased to a halt and dismounted. Elizabeth did likewise, as did the two guardsmen behind them.
Her hair had come somewhat loose in the wind, and her face had lost the drawn and worried quality that had been troubling him since her arrival. His nerves increased at her happiness, but he steadied himself. "My lady, I wish to show you something."
Elizabeth looked at him curiously but took the hand he offered.
They threaded along through the trees, the guards leading the horses. He approached a thick swatch of brush and tree trunks and halted again. Elizabeth's expectant look made him grin.
"Close your eyes."
"Radek?"
"Please."
She gave him an indulgent smile and complied with his request.
Radek held both her hands now as he guided her down the last few yards of the path. Elizabeth stepped haltingly, laughing as she stumbled and clung to his hands to stay upright. Finally he stopped her and, taking her gently by the shoulders, turned her to face the correct direction. Standing beside her now, he whispered, "Open your eyes, Elizabeth."
He fixed his eyes on her face as she did so and watched with pleasure as her jaw dropped open and a look of wonder crossed her sweet features.
Before them was a curved lane, lined with fruit trees that overhung the pathway. Flowers arched over the ground like a cathedral's ceiling. It was slightly past the peak of blooming, but the small white petals fluttered down like snow flakes, lining the road with white and filling the air with fragrance. On the other side of the road, a creek bubbled along, cutting across the royal estates before joining the river Iolanthe to the sea.
Elizabeth's eyes drank in the sight. She reached blindly for his hand and squeezed it. "Oh, Radek..."
He tightened his own grip, knowing the futility of words to describe the sight before them.
"This was my grandmother's favorite bit of land in the whole estate," he said, drawing Elizabeth to walk with him down the road. Behind them the guards were murmuring themselves at the landscape. "When I was small she would seat me on her own horse to bring me here. I remember the flowers blooming, and then coming to pick fruit in the summer with her."
Elizabeth shook her head, still looking about her. "It is truly breathtaking."
They walked the length of the road under the trees until they reached a shallow place where the horses could easily reach the water. Elizabeth was remembering her own gardens in Atlantis but, she assured him, they were nothing in comparison to this.
As she spoke, she brushed at some of the petals which had come to rest on her cloak. With her head turned, he saw that one small blossom had fallen entirely and become entangled in her dark hair. Radek stepped forward and gently lifted it free.
Elizabeth turned back and his hand brushed against her cheek. He held up the flower by way of explanation. Her eyes met his and their gazes caught.
It occurred to Radek that their guards were on the other side of the four horses, out of immediate sight. And she was standing very, very close.
"Elizabeth?" His voice was barely a whisper.
He felt more than sensed her intake of breath and the tiniest nod of her head. Then he leaned in and kissed her.
His nerves tingled as she kissed him back and he could not keep his fingers from brushing her cheek. Her lips were soft and warm and her scent floated around him, mingled with the flowers and the damp earth of the creek.
Her hand wrapped around his wrist. He knew every moment meant a greater risk of this being seen but he had dreamed of this for so long, he could not make himself let her go right away. Especially not when she returned his kiss with her own curiosity and her lips moved lightly against his. Hunger flared within him and he reached to tug her even closer.
A cracking noise in the woods snapped both of them back to reality and they separated immediately. His heart was racing and for a moment he hovered, on the verge of speaking to her of the question that had been hanging between them since her arrival.
But her fingers let go of his arm and reached up to brush at something on her neck. Even as his own body was overwhelmed with his feelings, Radek noticed a strange expression pass over her face. It was not the embarrassment he would have expected from his modest lady, but something akin to confusion or frustration. He could not make sense of it and by the time she looked at him again, Elizabeth had schooled her expression into her more public mask.
Radek though perhaps she was ashamed of being seduced into such an act out in the open where anyone could have happened upon them. He suggested at once that they head back to the castle and she agreed with a warm smile, but something about that expression haunted him the entire ride back.
Normally, Kate mused as she looked over the immaculate sitting room, the queen would have taken at least one of her companions on a ride with a gentleman. Members of two royal guards were with her and Prince Radek, but there was no better protection for a lady's reputation than another lady's presence.
Of course, everyone in the country knew that Elizabeth was there to be courted, and if that was to happen they had to have some semblance of privacy. Besides, Kate had the feeling that Elizabeth was growing weary of being surrounded by so many people all the time. Between the press of the visit and the tension hanging over them all regarding Lord Simmons, Kate could well understand the desire to escape, even briefly.
And Prince Radek deserved the opportunity to put his question to Elizabeth in private.
Laura had gone for a walk through one of the palace gardens with Carson, leaving Kate alone. Elizabeth had been gone above half an hour and would not likely be back for another half hour, and Kate had run out of things to do.
It had been so long since she'd had an idle moment that she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.
But as she finally decided to pick up a book and read it, there came a knock at the door. It was Aaron.
He bowed to her respectfully, and she nodded to him. "Lord Bosworth," she said. "The queen is out riding this afternoon-"
"I know," he interrupted gently. "I came to see you."
Kate looked down, remembering Marcus' warning as well as Lord George's cautions. "Is there anything you need, sir?"
"Your company," he replied. "I thought you might like to see more of the palace and the grounds this afternoon while you have time to yourself."
Thinking perhaps this would provide her opportunity to speak to him regarding the mystery of Lord Simmons, Kate smiled at him and murmured her thanks and acceptance. She stepped back into the bedroom to retrieve her shawl, and then the two set forth.
Aaron was a charming, well-informed man who served as an excellent guide to the palace, though he claimed he was not that familiar with it. Kate had followed along with Elizabeth's tour of the grounds, but Aaron pointed out the more private libraries and music rooms and gardens instead of focusing on the official areas that had filled so much of their time. She listened with half an ear, her mind turning over how best to approach her task.
He was looking at her, studying her expression. "Do you like the roses, my lady?"
Kate smiled a little. "They are beautiful," she said. "The queen has rose bushes in her garden, which she tends herself. I've spent many a happy hour there with her and Lady Laura."
Aaron smiled back at her. "How long have you been in her Majesty's service?"
"It has been above ten years," Kate replied. "I was almost nine years old when the late Queen Margaret selected me as one of her daughter's companions."
"We do not select royal attendants so young here," he remarked, looking surprised.
"I do not think it is common practice in Atalan either," she told him. "But my lady was in need of companionship. It has been some time since there were many children in Atlantis."
Aaron nodded, guessing the reason for that. "My country did not feel the brunt of the Ori invasion as keenly as yours, or Caldora," he said. "We are a smaller nation, and we were out of their way. They drew some resources and wreaked some havoc in the western marshlands, but little other damage was done."
Kate's expression grew grave. "You were lucky," she said quietly. "I am afraid that we suffered from more than the Ori war. Ten years of incompetence did as much damage, I suspect, as the Ori did."
Kate knew it was rather odd that they were discussing such weighty matters when she assumed he had asked her to take this walk for very different reasons. Aaron was, however, speaking to her as to an equal, not as to a prize to be won. This did not feel like the attentions given to her by the men who had sought her hand in the last two years.
"I assume you speak of the regent," he said.
"Former regent," she corrected, flatly. "He has lost his power, thankfully, for with it he only made himself fat and weakened everything about Atalan."
"Power makes strange bedfellows, Lady Katherine," Aaron remarked, "and none stranger than those caused by a loss of power."
Kate narrowed her eyes. "What do you imply?"
He hesitated. "A few within the court are aware of the suspicions that it was Lord Kinsey who tried to have Queen Elizabeth killed at one time or another," he said, lowering his voice.
She had hoped to lead him to discuss Lord Simmons, but this was a strange turn of conversation. Curious, she prompted him, "Indeed?"
Aaron nodded, then glanced toward the garden entrance and lowered his voice. "When the prince returned from Atalan, there were questions about how Lord Simmons filled his time there. Some said he spent a great deal of his time with the former regent. Given the prince's affection for her Majesty, it was something of a surprise."
Kate held her expression as neutral as possible, as though she was carefully weighing this information. Within herself, her heart was starting to race. Upon hearing the name of the man, all of them had been focused on the possibility of Simmons conspiring with the Goa'uld to kill Elizabeth. None of them had given any thought to Kinsey, except to express surprise that their suspicions had perhaps been unfounded.
But what if Simmons had not been acting alone? What if Lady Sarah had only overheard half of the truth?
"Was anything discovered about Lord Simmons and Lord Kinsey, then?" she managed to ask with an appropriate level of concern.
Aaron shook his head, his expression growing darker. "No. Simmons weaseled free of the insinuations as usual."
That brought her up short. "What do you mean, 'as usual'?"
Aaron sighed. "Kate, understand that my father and Lord Simmons were bitter enemies for some time. When they broke publicly over the succession, my father began to hurl all manner of accusations at Lord Simmons. Nothing was ever proved, although Simmons has never won himself a great many friends at court in general. He has been suspected of a number of unpleasant things, but being in the prince's good graces has protected him."
The thought that Radek might be responsible for shielding the man who had tried to kill Elizabeth from justice made her vaguely ill. She searched hurriedly for something appropriate to say. "Your father was marquis during the succession battle?"
"Yes." Aaron looked away for a moment. "He died only last year."
"I'm sorry."
There was a short pause. Before she could compose herself, however, Aaron chuckled. "I brought you here to see one of Iolan's finest gardens, and you have lured me into a discussion of politics," he said. "Here I thought I could resist a lady's charms, even from a lady as beautiful as you."
Kate blushed then and looked away. "I do not know what you mean, sir," she said.
"Pardon me. I do not mean to accuse you of anything," he replied, drawing closer. "Only that I believe you could speak on any subject and I would listen with rapt attention."
Kate's blush deepened. She attempted to move away from him, but Aaron took her hand and kissed it. It was not merely a formal or respectful gesture, and his eyes then fixed on her lips.
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and a moment later a new voice intruded upon the rose garden. "Lady Katherine," a man said.
Kate turned to see Marcus in the entryway. She felt a profound surge of relief before she saw the strange look on his face. "Captain?" she asked.
"The queen requires your assistance," he told her blandly. He did not so much as acknowledge Aaron's presence. It was unusual for him to make such a slip.
The gentleman did not comment on that, though. "Thank you for your company, my lady," he said, releasing her reluctantly. "I will take my leave and let you return to the queen."
They nodded to each other, and Aaron departed. Then Marcus stepped into the garden, blocking her from leaving. Kate frowned. "Did you not say the queen needs me?"
"What were you doing?" he asked coldly, completely ignoring her question.
"Speaking with a gentleman when he asked me to," she replied, uneasy with his tone.
"What were you speaking of?" Marcus asked instead.
Kate stood up a little straighter and stared back suspiciously. "I do not answer to you, Captain," she reminded him, intending to walk past him. But he grabbed her arm and stopped her. In surprise, she tried to jerk away. "Marcus, what has gotten into you?" she demanded.
"After all my warnings, I leave for an hour," he growled, "and come back to find you letting a man touch you like that?"
Her temper flared, her own nervousness about Aaron's intentions feeding her discomfort. "It was a gesture, nothing more."
"I know what I saw, Kate. I know what it meant."
"Yes, and you're a fine one to talk about how a gentleman should touch a lady."
Marcus was taken aback by that, and in all truth Kate was surprised she'd said it. Though she had heard enough of the rumors about Marcus to guess which ones were true, she'd never actually implied to him that she knew anything about them.
"Kate," he said warningly.
"Unhand me, Captain," she replied, her own tone reminding him that she outranked him. When he had released her, she smoothed the bodice of her dress. "Now, where is the queen?"
He stiffened. "I do not know."
Kate's eyes went wide as she realized his meaning. "You lied to me because of your petty suspicions?" she said. When his jaw tightened and he said nothing in response, Kate turned away from him in disgust and hurried to find Elizabeth.
She hadn't been in this foul a mood in a long, long time.
Elizabeth returned from her afternoon ride with the prince looking somewhat subdued. She retired with her ladies to change her dress for the evening's entertainment while Lord George waited patiently. He had been occupied most of the day with conversations with various powerful members of the Iolan court. It was almost too easy to lead them into discussions of the background and habits of Lord Simmons, who seemed to be a favorite topic of gossip. But Iolan's nobility had only one question on their minds; whether their prince was soon to become the consort of the queen of Atalan.
George could not answer their questions. He had always left confidences of this sort to Daniel or Lady Catherine. Even so, he suspected only Kate and Laura knew for certain, if anyone did, what Elizabeth's heart would decide where Prince Radek was concerned. His business was the more material issue of whether a member of the Iolanian court had conspired to try and kill his charge before she could claim her throne.
"Lord George," Elizabeth greeted him, appearing from her room dressed in an elaborate costume of white and green.
"Majesty," he bowed briefly. "I'm afraid I have some unpleasant news."
Elizabeth immediately sat, looking at him expectantly. Tension filled the room, from the queen to her two ladies, to Captain Lorne, standing near the door.
"I have spoken to several members of the court during the course of last evening and today. Without asking any direct questions, I believe Lord Simmons has been absent from Iolan a number of times in the last two years, and is concealing his travels from his peers."
He could see the queen's mind racing as she fixed him with a stare. "How came you to this conclusion, my lord?"
"Lord Jarek, a viscount who resides in Kensmere, my lady." Kate turned abruptly to look at him, but she said nothing. "Jarek led me to understand that Lord Simmons claims to have been at his estates all of last summer, during the period of time, as you know, that the epidemic struck Iolan. But he was in fact out of the country."
"This was the illness which took Master McKay's brother-in-law and niece?"
"Yes. Lord Simmons' lands were among those near the locus of the illness, so it would be natural that he would be present."
Suspicion darkened the queen's eyes. "But you believe this is not so."
"Lord Jarek told me this afternoon that his lands border that of Columbia. He had stopped to speak to Simmons during the worst days of the epidemic, to ask that the marquis put aside the traditional enmity between Columbia and Kensmere and that they work together in organizing supplies. But Simmons' servant said he was not in the country at the time."
Elizabeth grew reflective. "Is it not possible that either the servant or the viscount was misinformed?"
He shifted. "It is possible, my lady. Lord Jarek may simply be assuming that Simmons would have been on his own estates during that time and never have confirmed it."
Here Laura spoke for the first time. "But the epidemic was quite serious, was it not? Surely someone would have discussed the situation with Lord Simmons in detail during those days if he had been in the country."
"That was my thought as well," George answered. "But no one can recall seeing him during that time."
"There is no love lost between Kensmere and Columbia," Kate said quietly. Captain Lorne looked at her sharply. "Lord Bosworth has told me of the great enmity between his father and Lord Simmons."
Elizabeth rose from her seat and went to the window, a habit she seemed to have carried with her from home.
"It is possible the servant misspoke, and only meant the marquis to be away from the estate," Kate added.
"Or that the viscount misunderstood," Lorne replied. "Or that he was lying."
Kate rounded on him. "Do you suggest that Lord Jarek would fabricate such a story in service to the marquis?"
"I'm not ready to doubt any possibility about the men in this court at the moment, my lady." There was clearly some tension between Kate and Captain Lorne. Laura was staring from one to the other in surprise, but George ignored it and watched the queen.
Elizabeth turned back to him. "It is not enough. We cannot make an accusation against a powerful man on so little. Not with the relationships between the nobility so tangled."
"Majesty-" he began, but she raised a hand.
"However, it is at the least a point upon which to begin. I will speak to Prince Radek tonight, after the play." Here her cheeks warmed slightly. Though George preferred not to be involved in the romantic maneuverings of the court, it was impossible to miss the implications of her seeking a private audience with the prince. "I will explain what we know, and what we do not know, and appeal for his help in gathering information."
He nodded in agreement. There was little else they could do without attracting attention, where the prince would be able to be more direct.
"Is Lord Simmons to be present at the play tonight?" Lorne asked of the room at large.
Laura nodded her head. "I believe so."
"Very well. We should ensure that he not be allowed to speak to the queen if at all possible."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply but Kate snapped before she could get a word out. "The queen cannot be seen snubbing a powerful member of the Iolan court, Marcus. Especially not a close ally of the prince. It would raise more questions than it could possibly answer."
"My concern is not with offending the delicate sensibilities of the nobility, my lady," Lorne shot back, his tone icy. "It is with her Majesty's personal safety, and that man, if he is who we think he is, is a direct threat."
Elizabeth stepped in before George could. "Enough, both of you!"
There was a momentary silence. George had never seen Kate lose her temper before, and Marcus Lorne, while he might err against propriety in some respects, had never behaved in such a manner in the queen's presence that he knew of. What in the world had gotten into them?
Elizabeth glanced from one to the other, as if measuring. She looked tired and on the verge of losing her own calm. "Captain, I appreciate your concern, as always, but it would not do to lock me up in a box and risk giving the wrong impression. We will have to do our best to avoid Lord Simmons discreetly, but you are not to do anything obvious or untoward, is that clear?"
The young man looked suitably chastised. Elizabeth glanced at Kate, but the lady was avoiding meeting the eyes of anyone in the room.
Elizabeth nodded to him in dismissal, and George decided that whatever mystery was at work here, he would be happier if he left Kate to Elizabeth's management. He departed, taking Captain Lorne with him.
When the door closed behind Lord George and Captain Lorne, Elizabeth shot a weary look at Kate.
The blonde woman resolutely looked away.
Elizabeth glanced at Laura, who nodded and waited until the queen had returned to the inner room.
Laura rounded on the other woman. "What is going on, Kate?" she asked in a low voice.
Her friend strived to appear calm and unaffected, but Laura could see the embarrassment in her face. "Nothing."
"You cannot be serious!" Laura burst out. "Kate, I have never seen you speak so snidely or contemptuously to anyone, much less to Marcus."
Kate faltered for a moment before admitting, "We had a disagreement."
"About?"
"Marcus was not comfortable with the amount of time I was spending with Aaron."
Laura frowned, immediately wary. "Did something happen?"
"No," Kate shook her head. "Aaron was a perfect gentleman. Marcus was simply overreacting."
Laura doubted this. "Kate, I have rarely if ever seen Marcus overreact."
Kate's cheeks turned pink. "Nothing happened." When Laura merely stared at her, Kate rolled her eyes. "Aaron was flirting with me, and I might add was being far more proper and respectable that Marcus generally is about the matter. I was allowing it, so that I could gather information from him about Simmons."
"And Marcus saw you with Aaron..."
Kate nodded. "He interrupted, most rudely, under the pretense that the queen needed me. When I learned she had not sent for me, I grew... rather angry."
"But it was just a misunderstanding," Laura began hesitantly. Kate stiffened. Laura had known both Kate and Elizabeth most of their lives. Of the three of them, Laura's temper had always been the shortest, but on rare occasions Kate got well and truly angry. When she did, she was capable of digging her heels in and remaining that way for an alarmingly long time.
"No. Marcus was being irrational and jealous when he has no right to be. It was an insult to me to assume that a pleasant conversation with an educated man could not simply be an innocent flirtation." Kate folded her arms over herself, and her voice dropped. Laura wasn't certain Kate intended her to hear her mutter, "It is not as though he has not done the same."
Having experience with Kate when she was in this frame of mind, Laura elected not to address that. She returned to the subject of young Lord Aaron. "So you and Aaron are becoming friends," she said neutrally.
Kate moved to the window where Elizabeth had just been standing. "Yes. He is well-mannered, and kind, and intelligent. He has been a good companion over the last few days."
Laura nodded. "Indeed. He is also very handsome."
Kate shrugged noncommittally.
"And he is very charming and quite the flirt." Laura steeled herself. Kate was not going to appreciate the insinuation she was about to make. "He is almost the noble-born version of Marcus Lorne."
Kate whirled around. "That's not true! That is not-" She drew in a breath. "I am not thinking of Aaron in those terms, Laura."
Laura crossed her arms. "No, but are you sure Marcus isn't? For him to see you receiving the attentions of a man who has his every charm and none of the faults..."
"Being common-born isn't a fault," Kate interrupted. "I've never cared about Marcus' station in life. You know that."
"I do," Laura said quietly. "But you've told me before that Marcus isn't nearly as sanguine about the differences in rank between you as you claim to be."
A flicker of distress crossed Kate's face and Laura decided to try to take advantage of it.
"Kate, you need to speak to Marcus and set this right," Laura said persuasively, feeling at the same time how unequal she was to the task of mediating a lover's quarrel. "Don't let this unpleasantness between you drag on."
But Kate drew herself up. "I have done nothing wrong. Marcus owes me an apology, which he can make in his own time."
She marched into the other room to attend to Elizabeth. Laura wanted to kick something. There was nothing that would move Kate from her position other than a full apology from Marcus, and if his earlier behavior was any indication, no apology would be forthcoming from the captain any time soon.
Elizabeth was quiet during her dinner with Iolan's royal family, more than willing to let Kate and Laura engage the prince and his sister in a lively discussion which seemed to distract them from her state. Indeed, Kate was unusually animated. It was a worrying sign, but Elizabeth's mind was preoccupied with other concerns. Talking to Kate would have to wait until evening.
When they walked at the small theatre within the palace, she wished it would not be rude to her hosts to arrive on Lord George's arm and sit with him throughout the play. It would have been less awkward than sitting next to Radek, who kept giving her concerned looks all through the performance.
Her discomfort was two-fold. On one side was the reluctance to tell Radek that they suspected one of his supporters of trying to kill her. This would have been worrisome enough without other stresses. But in addition to this news was a deep and lingering frustration over what had transpired that afternoon. She could not hold Radek's gaze for very long. When their eyes did meet, she would blush, and not out of modesty.
Everyone in two countries was aware of the reason for his invitation, and Elizabeth was well aware of the implications in coming to Iolan before visiting any place within her own realm. But Radek had never pushed her, not in the whole of their acquaintance. He had never presumed anything. Nothing was a given to him, even though they both knew that he was likely the only suitor she would ever have who would meet no opposition in her college of lords or with his own nobility. He was charming and sensible, suitable in every way to be her husband.
For the last few months, Elizabeth had tried to let herself be guided by Daniel's advice, that she leave her heart open to the idea of marrying Radek. Until the day of Laura's wedding, she thought she had.
Radek's kiss had been sweet and soft. Like a true gentleman, he had asked her permission before kissing her. She'd been aware for a long time that he wanted her as his wife, and the kiss had confirmed it. She could feel his desire in his touch, and that knowledge had sent a delicious nervousness through her. When they'd been startled out of it, a strange sort of vexation had overtaken her, for she suspected that there would be little in the world sweeter than letting herself be wooed by this man who was so clearly in love with her.
Even though she was not in love with him.
John had not asked her permission to kiss her. He hadn't even given her warning. Yet it was that kiss, passionate and bold, that filled her imagination. A moment in a stable had ripped her out of her blissful denial about her feelings for John. From him she didn't want mere friendship. She wanted his love, because he had hers in abundance.
But emotions aside, John was gone. He was now a powerful man in a foreign country that was under invasion. The likelihood of his returning to her was slim and growing more remote with every passing day. The practical side of her mind pointed out, repeatedly, that she needed to look at the situation realistically. If she rejected Radek, who was so dear to her already and so well suited to her and accepted by everyone around them, because of her feelings for a man whom she might easily never set eyes on again, then where would that leave her?
But how could she marry Radek, knowing her heart was with someone else? She could not be so unfair to him.
With her discontent mounting, it was tempting to forget the misgivings she had expressed to Daniel before winter had set in. It was tempting to try to fool herself into believing that had she not followed John out of the wedding feast, she would not have realized that she was in love with him. In her heart she knew that was not the case, however, and the conflict within her grew with every day she spent in Iolan. Adding to her discomfort was Lord George's information about Simmons, and her anger at that was mixing with the guilt and frustration until she didn't know what she felt about any specific thing anymore.
Unfortunately, Radek knew her well enough that he noticed her turmoil right away.
When the play was over, she applauded with more enthusiasm than she felt, trying to forestall the inevitable conversations, either about the kiss that afternoon or about Simmons. But as they were leaving, he quietly asked, "Elizabeth, what is the matter?"
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Radek, I need to speak with you privately."
He nodded, looking concerned, and he led them off to his private office. His guards stayed outside, but Captain Lorne followed them in. Radek looked at Elizabeth in confusion. "What I have to say concerns him, in part," Elizabeth said.
Radek was taken aback, as he'd clearly been expecting a different conversation. He closed the door anyway.
She started to pace. "Some months ago..." she began, but shook her head. "No, I must start further back than that. Ten years ago, not long after my father's death, a small party of Goa'uld invaded western Atalan, attacking the Viscount of Berwynn as he traveled back to his home with his wife and daughter. Most of the party was brutally killed, but his daughter Sarah, who was then sixteen, was captured. A Goa'uld lord took her as his wife.
"Some months ago she escaped with news that the Goa'uld had raised an army for invasion, and she came back to Atalan to warn us. The army, as you know, invaded Caldora not long after. But that was not the only information she had."
Radek's eyes had widened as he listened to her tale. "What information?" he asked.
"Two of the Goa'uld, Anubis and Osiris, had been conspiring to kill me and take my country for their own. Lady Sarah had the name of their coconspirator." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "His name was Lord Simmons, Radek."
There was a long, painful pause. She saw a flash of anger on Radek's face before he turned away from her. "No," he said. "You must be mistaken. I cannot believe this of him."
"Lord George has been asking questions of your own nobles," Elizabeth said gently. "It seems that Simmons has been absent from court and his home more than once recently, and no one can make an account for his whereabouts."
"Which nobles said this?" Radek demanded.
Elizabeth braced herself. "A viscount, from the province of Kensmere."
Radek shook his head. "Elizabeth-" he began but she raised a hand.
"I know, Radek. I'm aware that there is no love lost between Kensmere and Columbia."
"It goes a great deal deeper than that," Radek shot back. "Thomas, Aaron's father, he and Frank loathed one another for years. Time and again Thomas would bring accusations against Frank that had no basis. Nothing has ever been proven against him."
Elizabeth felt her own temper beginning to slip. She had expected Radek to be more helpful than this. "And the constant stream of accusations never caused you to wonder if perhaps there wasn't some layer of truth to them? Or are such casual allegations a part of daily life in the Iolan court?"
He glared. "How many times has someone accused Daniel of treason, Elizabeth?" he asked witheringly.
Elizabeth bit her lip, a rare display of public weakness. His words had hit a vulnerable place. This was a side of Radek she had never seen before. "That is not the same, and you know it."
Radek subsided, looking uncomfortable. Elizabeth decided to try another tack. "Did you pay any attention to what Simmons did while you were in Atalan?" Kate had told her, privately, what Aaron had said regarding Simmons and Kinsey's association.
"Yes," he said, looking irritated again. "Rather, I heard, at length, what was said when we returned. Frank apparently spent some part of his time with Lord Robert Kinsey." Behind her, Captain Lorne jolted visibly at this news, as Kate had not made anyone but Elizabeth aware of Aaron's information.
Radek stepped closer to her, taking her hand. "Elizabeth, I know full well your feelings about Kinsey. I know there are many who suspect he was behind what nearly happened to you, and believe me, I would have no regrets if you discovered proof of that and he was justly punished. But he was the regent of your country for ten years. It is not unreasonable for Frank to have spoken to him about a variety of subjects, all innocently."
"We have both seen what power can do to men, Radek."
"What do you want from me?" he snapped. "Do you want me to arrest him? Interrogate him? I have not the authority to do that, and my sister will certainly not make such a move on so little. The rumor-mongering of idle men is not enough to convict someone who has been a friend to me for a decade!"
"Do you really know what happened on the morning of my coronation, Radek?" She was gambling heavily, on his own feelings, on her persuasive powers and the influence his affection for her might have. But it seemed she had little choice. She looked into his eyes. His expression was guarded. "I was walking the grounds of my own palace when the attack came. Captain Sumner took the arrow that was meant for me. I was borne away with his blood spattered over me. It took Kate and Laura so much scrubbing to cleanse his blood from my hands in time for the ceremony that my skin was raw.
"But for a few seconds of warning, it would have been my blood, Radek."
His face was gray and Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt that she was manipulating him in this fashion. She steadied herself. The memories of that morning would never lose their awful power in her own mind. "Many of my own countrymen suspect it was Kinsey. Now I have been told differently, by someone who has no knowledge of Iolan or her politics and no discernable reason to lie, that Simmons was involved, possibly responsible. You must understand that I cannot simply let this go."
Radek considered that for a moment. "If either Frank or Lord Kinsey were responsible, it would benefit each of them to try to shift blame to the other," he said slowly.
"Help us," Elizabeth said earnestly. "Help us investigate this. For your sake, I hope I am mistaken. Perhaps we might even uncover proof that Kinsey is using Simmons for his own ends." She didn't truly believe that, but if it would convince him, she was willing to acknowledge the possibility. "But we will not know for certain until the truth is uncovered, and I cannot ignore what I have been told. Not when my life is still at risk."
Radek glanced at Lorne, who was standing near the entrance. "I would do nothing to endanger you, Majesty," he said formally. He looked hurt now, for any number of reasons, and Elizabeth's heart ached to see it. "I will do what I can."
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you, Prince."
She turned to go, but he stopped her. "Elizabeth, please," he said quietly.
She looked at him, but not for long. "I am weary, Radek," she replied. "Please, convey my apologies to the queen mother. I must retire for the evening."
He did not insist that she hear him out, as she'd half-expected. It was a relief not to have to talk about their afternoon ride just yet. She already had another restless night ahead of her.
Laura spent most of the final week of the visit feeling as though she was holding her breath.
She'd been in a royal court long enough to have gone through more than one investigation, but this one had an expectancy to it that she'd never felt before, albeit one the queen's party had to conceal from their hosts. It was strange, really, to think that they could be so close to apprehending the man responsible for the attempts on Elizabeth's life. And stranger still was the thought that it was not Kinsey who was responsible.
Elizabeth stayed out of the matter, letting Lord George and Marcus handle it. She had other concerns as their stay in Iolan drew nearer to its end. Prince Radek was obviously nearing the last of his opportunities to ask Elizabeth to marry him. He was growing bolder, and in private it was becoming obvious that she was growing uncomfortable.
It was likely the result of all the pressure surrounding the investigation and the courtship and the normal stresses of her position, but Elizabeth seemed no nearer to accepting Radek's advances. Since the night they had met Simmons, Laura had not spoken to Elizabeth about it, and she doubted Kate had either.
She remembered sitting on the stairs back in Atlantis with Kate while Elizabeth was rehearsing the coronation ceremony without them. Radek had been in Atalan at the time, having just given Elizabeth the Queen Margaret and causing quite a storm of rumors among the college of lords. The two girls had talked about Radek's prospects as a suitor. At the time Laura had been adamant that Elizabeth deserved to marry for love, and she was no less convinced of it now. Though marriage had not been wholly what she expected, she could not imagine being married to a man she did not love.
Radek would make a good husband for virtually any woman. But Laura suspected that he did not inspire the passion in Elizabeth that someone else did.
Iolan did not receive a great many visitors of such high rank as the queen of Atalan, and the royal court had not known such dizzy excitement for some time. As the visit began to draw to a close, the chaos increased to a near-frenzy of activity. Radek had lost track of the luncheons and teas and assemblies on the schedule.
He was greatly relieved when the steward informed him that the next afternoon was free of obligations. The queen needed the morning to deal with some business from home, and the rest of the day was left open until the evening when they were to attend a play together.
Radek asked Elizabeth to go riding with him. He was sure the rest of the court would jump to the conclusion that he meant it to be a romantic undertaking, possibly leading to a proposal, and certainly he had no intention of wasting the chance to be alone with her. However, today was something he had been saving for the appropriate moment.
Elizabeth caught him regarding her closely as they directed their horses down a lane along the far slope of the castle's estate. She gave him a wicked look. "Do you see something amiss, my lord?"
He chuckled. "No, Majesty. I was just thinking to myself that you look far more at ease here than you have these last few days in court."
Elizabeth sighed. "I had hoped I was concealing it better. I seem to find traveling somewhat tiring."
Knowing precisely how little she had traveled in her life, he nodded. "I doubt anyone discerned it besides myself," he soothed her, then could not resist adding, "It would take someone who has had the opportunity to observe you closely in the past."
Her cheeks colored prettily and where once he might have apologized for the insinuation, Radek left his words alone, for he had meant both the spoken and unspoken this time. The woman next to him was no longer the girl-child he had met a few years earlier, still struggling with the death of the husband her guardians had chosen for her. He had been enchanted by her beauty and captivated by her keen mind, and quite close to falling hopelessly in love. But the time had not been right, and she had more need of friends than suitors. He had shaped himself into that role - friend, relative and advisor - while never quite relinquishing his hopes.
She was not that young girl any more, but a grown woman who had shouldered a massive burden. Radek had realized just how much she had aged over the winter months. At first he wondered if was merely the unfamiliar stress of travel, but these last few weeks showed plainly that the stress of her position was wearing on her.
She needed a companion, a voice whispered in his head. A husband and lover, a partner to exist in her world solely to care for her. Someone whose relationship with her was not under any sway of politics. The thought made him ache with a longing that he had been suppressing for far too long.
He led their course through the forests of evergreens, Elizabeth drawing herself alongside him when there was room. He purposely guided his horse around a path along the edges of the estate until he eased to a halt and dismounted. Elizabeth did likewise, as did the two guardsmen behind them.
Her hair had come somewhat loose in the wind, and her face had lost the drawn and worried quality that had been troubling him since her arrival. His nerves increased at her happiness, but he steadied himself. "My lady, I wish to show you something."
Elizabeth looked at him curiously but took the hand he offered.
They threaded along through the trees, the guards leading the horses. He approached a thick swatch of brush and tree trunks and halted again. Elizabeth's expectant look made him grin.
"Close your eyes."
"Radek?"
"Please."
She gave him an indulgent smile and complied with his request.
Radek held both her hands now as he guided her down the last few yards of the path. Elizabeth stepped haltingly, laughing as she stumbled and clung to his hands to stay upright. Finally he stopped her and, taking her gently by the shoulders, turned her to face the correct direction. Standing beside her now, he whispered, "Open your eyes, Elizabeth."
He fixed his eyes on her face as she did so and watched with pleasure as her jaw dropped open and a look of wonder crossed her sweet features.
Before them was a curved lane, lined with fruit trees that overhung the pathway. Flowers arched over the ground like a cathedral's ceiling. It was slightly past the peak of blooming, but the small white petals fluttered down like snow flakes, lining the road with white and filling the air with fragrance. On the other side of the road, a creek bubbled along, cutting across the royal estates before joining the river Iolanthe to the sea.
Elizabeth's eyes drank in the sight. She reached blindly for his hand and squeezed it. "Oh, Radek..."
He tightened his own grip, knowing the futility of words to describe the sight before them.
"This was my grandmother's favorite bit of land in the whole estate," he said, drawing Elizabeth to walk with him down the road. Behind them the guards were murmuring themselves at the landscape. "When I was small she would seat me on her own horse to bring me here. I remember the flowers blooming, and then coming to pick fruit in the summer with her."
Elizabeth shook her head, still looking about her. "It is truly breathtaking."
They walked the length of the road under the trees until they reached a shallow place where the horses could easily reach the water. Elizabeth was remembering her own gardens in Atlantis but, she assured him, they were nothing in comparison to this.
As she spoke, she brushed at some of the petals which had come to rest on her cloak. With her head turned, he saw that one small blossom had fallen entirely and become entangled in her dark hair. Radek stepped forward and gently lifted it free.
Elizabeth turned back and his hand brushed against her cheek. He held up the flower by way of explanation. Her eyes met his and their gazes caught.
It occurred to Radek that their guards were on the other side of the four horses, out of immediate sight. And she was standing very, very close.
"Elizabeth?" His voice was barely a whisper.
He felt more than sensed her intake of breath and the tiniest nod of her head. Then he leaned in and kissed her.
His nerves tingled as she kissed him back and he could not keep his fingers from brushing her cheek. Her lips were soft and warm and her scent floated around him, mingled with the flowers and the damp earth of the creek.
Her hand wrapped around his wrist. He knew every moment meant a greater risk of this being seen but he had dreamed of this for so long, he could not make himself let her go right away. Especially not when she returned his kiss with her own curiosity and her lips moved lightly against his. Hunger flared within him and he reached to tug her even closer.
A cracking noise in the woods snapped both of them back to reality and they separated immediately. His heart was racing and for a moment he hovered, on the verge of speaking to her of the question that had been hanging between them since her arrival.
But her fingers let go of his arm and reached up to brush at something on her neck. Even as his own body was overwhelmed with his feelings, Radek noticed a strange expression pass over her face. It was not the embarrassment he would have expected from his modest lady, but something akin to confusion or frustration. He could not make sense of it and by the time she looked at him again, Elizabeth had schooled her expression into her more public mask.
Radek though perhaps she was ashamed of being seduced into such an act out in the open where anyone could have happened upon them. He suggested at once that they head back to the castle and she agreed with a warm smile, but something about that expression haunted him the entire ride back.
Normally, Kate mused as she looked over the immaculate sitting room, the queen would have taken at least one of her companions on a ride with a gentleman. Members of two royal guards were with her and Prince Radek, but there was no better protection for a lady's reputation than another lady's presence.
Of course, everyone in the country knew that Elizabeth was there to be courted, and if that was to happen they had to have some semblance of privacy. Besides, Kate had the feeling that Elizabeth was growing weary of being surrounded by so many people all the time. Between the press of the visit and the tension hanging over them all regarding Lord Simmons, Kate could well understand the desire to escape, even briefly.
And Prince Radek deserved the opportunity to put his question to Elizabeth in private.
Laura had gone for a walk through one of the palace gardens with Carson, leaving Kate alone. Elizabeth had been gone above half an hour and would not likely be back for another half hour, and Kate had run out of things to do.
It had been so long since she'd had an idle moment that she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.
But as she finally decided to pick up a book and read it, there came a knock at the door. It was Aaron.
He bowed to her respectfully, and she nodded to him. "Lord Bosworth," she said. "The queen is out riding this afternoon-"
"I know," he interrupted gently. "I came to see you."
Kate looked down, remembering Marcus' warning as well as Lord George's cautions. "Is there anything you need, sir?"
"Your company," he replied. "I thought you might like to see more of the palace and the grounds this afternoon while you have time to yourself."
Thinking perhaps this would provide her opportunity to speak to him regarding the mystery of Lord Simmons, Kate smiled at him and murmured her thanks and acceptance. She stepped back into the bedroom to retrieve her shawl, and then the two set forth.
Aaron was a charming, well-informed man who served as an excellent guide to the palace, though he claimed he was not that familiar with it. Kate had followed along with Elizabeth's tour of the grounds, but Aaron pointed out the more private libraries and music rooms and gardens instead of focusing on the official areas that had filled so much of their time. She listened with half an ear, her mind turning over how best to approach her task.
He was looking at her, studying her expression. "Do you like the roses, my lady?"
Kate smiled a little. "They are beautiful," she said. "The queen has rose bushes in her garden, which she tends herself. I've spent many a happy hour there with her and Lady Laura."
Aaron smiled back at her. "How long have you been in her Majesty's service?"
"It has been above ten years," Kate replied. "I was almost nine years old when the late Queen Margaret selected me as one of her daughter's companions."
"We do not select royal attendants so young here," he remarked, looking surprised.
"I do not think it is common practice in Atalan either," she told him. "But my lady was in need of companionship. It has been some time since there were many children in Atlantis."
Aaron nodded, guessing the reason for that. "My country did not feel the brunt of the Ori invasion as keenly as yours, or Caldora," he said. "We are a smaller nation, and we were out of their way. They drew some resources and wreaked some havoc in the western marshlands, but little other damage was done."
Kate's expression grew grave. "You were lucky," she said quietly. "I am afraid that we suffered from more than the Ori war. Ten years of incompetence did as much damage, I suspect, as the Ori did."
Kate knew it was rather odd that they were discussing such weighty matters when she assumed he had asked her to take this walk for very different reasons. Aaron was, however, speaking to her as to an equal, not as to a prize to be won. This did not feel like the attentions given to her by the men who had sought her hand in the last two years.
"I assume you speak of the regent," he said.
"Former regent," she corrected, flatly. "He has lost his power, thankfully, for with it he only made himself fat and weakened everything about Atalan."
"Power makes strange bedfellows, Lady Katherine," Aaron remarked, "and none stranger than those caused by a loss of power."
Kate narrowed her eyes. "What do you imply?"
He hesitated. "A few within the court are aware of the suspicions that it was Lord Kinsey who tried to have Queen Elizabeth killed at one time or another," he said, lowering his voice.
She had hoped to lead him to discuss Lord Simmons, but this was a strange turn of conversation. Curious, she prompted him, "Indeed?"
Aaron nodded, then glanced toward the garden entrance and lowered his voice. "When the prince returned from Atalan, there were questions about how Lord Simmons filled his time there. Some said he spent a great deal of his time with the former regent. Given the prince's affection for her Majesty, it was something of a surprise."
Kate held her expression as neutral as possible, as though she was carefully weighing this information. Within herself, her heart was starting to race. Upon hearing the name of the man, all of them had been focused on the possibility of Simmons conspiring with the Goa'uld to kill Elizabeth. None of them had given any thought to Kinsey, except to express surprise that their suspicions had perhaps been unfounded.
But what if Simmons had not been acting alone? What if Lady Sarah had only overheard half of the truth?
"Was anything discovered about Lord Simmons and Lord Kinsey, then?" she managed to ask with an appropriate level of concern.
Aaron shook his head, his expression growing darker. "No. Simmons weaseled free of the insinuations as usual."
That brought her up short. "What do you mean, 'as usual'?"
Aaron sighed. "Kate, understand that my father and Lord Simmons were bitter enemies for some time. When they broke publicly over the succession, my father began to hurl all manner of accusations at Lord Simmons. Nothing was ever proved, although Simmons has never won himself a great many friends at court in general. He has been suspected of a number of unpleasant things, but being in the prince's good graces has protected him."
The thought that Radek might be responsible for shielding the man who had tried to kill Elizabeth from justice made her vaguely ill. She searched hurriedly for something appropriate to say. "Your father was marquis during the succession battle?"
"Yes." Aaron looked away for a moment. "He died only last year."
"I'm sorry."
There was a short pause. Before she could compose herself, however, Aaron chuckled. "I brought you here to see one of Iolan's finest gardens, and you have lured me into a discussion of politics," he said. "Here I thought I could resist a lady's charms, even from a lady as beautiful as you."
Kate blushed then and looked away. "I do not know what you mean, sir," she said.
"Pardon me. I do not mean to accuse you of anything," he replied, drawing closer. "Only that I believe you could speak on any subject and I would listen with rapt attention."
Kate's blush deepened. She attempted to move away from him, but Aaron took her hand and kissed it. It was not merely a formal or respectful gesture, and his eyes then fixed on her lips.
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and a moment later a new voice intruded upon the rose garden. "Lady Katherine," a man said.
Kate turned to see Marcus in the entryway. She felt a profound surge of relief before she saw the strange look on his face. "Captain?" she asked.
"The queen requires your assistance," he told her blandly. He did not so much as acknowledge Aaron's presence. It was unusual for him to make such a slip.
The gentleman did not comment on that, though. "Thank you for your company, my lady," he said, releasing her reluctantly. "I will take my leave and let you return to the queen."
They nodded to each other, and Aaron departed. Then Marcus stepped into the garden, blocking her from leaving. Kate frowned. "Did you not say the queen needs me?"
"What were you doing?" he asked coldly, completely ignoring her question.
"Speaking with a gentleman when he asked me to," she replied, uneasy with his tone.
"What were you speaking of?" Marcus asked instead.
Kate stood up a little straighter and stared back suspiciously. "I do not answer to you, Captain," she reminded him, intending to walk past him. But he grabbed her arm and stopped her. In surprise, she tried to jerk away. "Marcus, what has gotten into you?" she demanded.
"After all my warnings, I leave for an hour," he growled, "and come back to find you letting a man touch you like that?"
Her temper flared, her own nervousness about Aaron's intentions feeding her discomfort. "It was a gesture, nothing more."
"I know what I saw, Kate. I know what it meant."
"Yes, and you're a fine one to talk about how a gentleman should touch a lady."
Marcus was taken aback by that, and in all truth Kate was surprised she'd said it. Though she had heard enough of the rumors about Marcus to guess which ones were true, she'd never actually implied to him that she knew anything about them.
"Kate," he said warningly.
"Unhand me, Captain," she replied, her own tone reminding him that she outranked him. When he had released her, she smoothed the bodice of her dress. "Now, where is the queen?"
He stiffened. "I do not know."
Kate's eyes went wide as she realized his meaning. "You lied to me because of your petty suspicions?" she said. When his jaw tightened and he said nothing in response, Kate turned away from him in disgust and hurried to find Elizabeth.
She hadn't been in this foul a mood in a long, long time.
Elizabeth returned from her afternoon ride with the prince looking somewhat subdued. She retired with her ladies to change her dress for the evening's entertainment while Lord George waited patiently. He had been occupied most of the day with conversations with various powerful members of the Iolan court. It was almost too easy to lead them into discussions of the background and habits of Lord Simmons, who seemed to be a favorite topic of gossip. But Iolan's nobility had only one question on their minds; whether their prince was soon to become the consort of the queen of Atalan.
George could not answer their questions. He had always left confidences of this sort to Daniel or Lady Catherine. Even so, he suspected only Kate and Laura knew for certain, if anyone did, what Elizabeth's heart would decide where Prince Radek was concerned. His business was the more material issue of whether a member of the Iolanian court had conspired to try and kill his charge before she could claim her throne.
"Lord George," Elizabeth greeted him, appearing from her room dressed in an elaborate costume of white and green.
"Majesty," he bowed briefly. "I'm afraid I have some unpleasant news."
Elizabeth immediately sat, looking at him expectantly. Tension filled the room, from the queen to her two ladies, to Captain Lorne, standing near the door.
"I have spoken to several members of the court during the course of last evening and today. Without asking any direct questions, I believe Lord Simmons has been absent from Iolan a number of times in the last two years, and is concealing his travels from his peers."
He could see the queen's mind racing as she fixed him with a stare. "How came you to this conclusion, my lord?"
"Lord Jarek, a viscount who resides in Kensmere, my lady." Kate turned abruptly to look at him, but she said nothing. "Jarek led me to understand that Lord Simmons claims to have been at his estates all of last summer, during the period of time, as you know, that the epidemic struck Iolan. But he was in fact out of the country."
"This was the illness which took Master McKay's brother-in-law and niece?"
"Yes. Lord Simmons' lands were among those near the locus of the illness, so it would be natural that he would be present."
Suspicion darkened the queen's eyes. "But you believe this is not so."
"Lord Jarek told me this afternoon that his lands border that of Columbia. He had stopped to speak to Simmons during the worst days of the epidemic, to ask that the marquis put aside the traditional enmity between Columbia and Kensmere and that they work together in organizing supplies. But Simmons' servant said he was not in the country at the time."
Elizabeth grew reflective. "Is it not possible that either the servant or the viscount was misinformed?"
He shifted. "It is possible, my lady. Lord Jarek may simply be assuming that Simmons would have been on his own estates during that time and never have confirmed it."
Here Laura spoke for the first time. "But the epidemic was quite serious, was it not? Surely someone would have discussed the situation with Lord Simmons in detail during those days if he had been in the country."
"That was my thought as well," George answered. "But no one can recall seeing him during that time."
"There is no love lost between Kensmere and Columbia," Kate said quietly. Captain Lorne looked at her sharply. "Lord Bosworth has told me of the great enmity between his father and Lord Simmons."
Elizabeth rose from her seat and went to the window, a habit she seemed to have carried with her from home.
"It is possible the servant misspoke, and only meant the marquis to be away from the estate," Kate added.
"Or that the viscount misunderstood," Lorne replied. "Or that he was lying."
Kate rounded on him. "Do you suggest that Lord Jarek would fabricate such a story in service to the marquis?"
"I'm not ready to doubt any possibility about the men in this court at the moment, my lady." There was clearly some tension between Kate and Captain Lorne. Laura was staring from one to the other in surprise, but George ignored it and watched the queen.
Elizabeth turned back to him. "It is not enough. We cannot make an accusation against a powerful man on so little. Not with the relationships between the nobility so tangled."
"Majesty-" he began, but she raised a hand.
"However, it is at the least a point upon which to begin. I will speak to Prince Radek tonight, after the play." Here her cheeks warmed slightly. Though George preferred not to be involved in the romantic maneuverings of the court, it was impossible to miss the implications of her seeking a private audience with the prince. "I will explain what we know, and what we do not know, and appeal for his help in gathering information."
He nodded in agreement. There was little else they could do without attracting attention, where the prince would be able to be more direct.
"Is Lord Simmons to be present at the play tonight?" Lorne asked of the room at large.
Laura nodded her head. "I believe so."
"Very well. We should ensure that he not be allowed to speak to the queen if at all possible."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply but Kate snapped before she could get a word out. "The queen cannot be seen snubbing a powerful member of the Iolan court, Marcus. Especially not a close ally of the prince. It would raise more questions than it could possibly answer."
"My concern is not with offending the delicate sensibilities of the nobility, my lady," Lorne shot back, his tone icy. "It is with her Majesty's personal safety, and that man, if he is who we think he is, is a direct threat."
Elizabeth stepped in before George could. "Enough, both of you!"
There was a momentary silence. George had never seen Kate lose her temper before, and Marcus Lorne, while he might err against propriety in some respects, had never behaved in such a manner in the queen's presence that he knew of. What in the world had gotten into them?
Elizabeth glanced from one to the other, as if measuring. She looked tired and on the verge of losing her own calm. "Captain, I appreciate your concern, as always, but it would not do to lock me up in a box and risk giving the wrong impression. We will have to do our best to avoid Lord Simmons discreetly, but you are not to do anything obvious or untoward, is that clear?"
The young man looked suitably chastised. Elizabeth glanced at Kate, but the lady was avoiding meeting the eyes of anyone in the room.
Elizabeth nodded to him in dismissal, and George decided that whatever mystery was at work here, he would be happier if he left Kate to Elizabeth's management. He departed, taking Captain Lorne with him.
When the door closed behind Lord George and Captain Lorne, Elizabeth shot a weary look at Kate.
The blonde woman resolutely looked away.
Elizabeth glanced at Laura, who nodded and waited until the queen had returned to the inner room.
Laura rounded on the other woman. "What is going on, Kate?" she asked in a low voice.
Her friend strived to appear calm and unaffected, but Laura could see the embarrassment in her face. "Nothing."
"You cannot be serious!" Laura burst out. "Kate, I have never seen you speak so snidely or contemptuously to anyone, much less to Marcus."
Kate faltered for a moment before admitting, "We had a disagreement."
"About?"
"Marcus was not comfortable with the amount of time I was spending with Aaron."
Laura frowned, immediately wary. "Did something happen?"
"No," Kate shook her head. "Aaron was a perfect gentleman. Marcus was simply overreacting."
Laura doubted this. "Kate, I have rarely if ever seen Marcus overreact."
Kate's cheeks turned pink. "Nothing happened." When Laura merely stared at her, Kate rolled her eyes. "Aaron was flirting with me, and I might add was being far more proper and respectable that Marcus generally is about the matter. I was allowing it, so that I could gather information from him about Simmons."
"And Marcus saw you with Aaron..."
Kate nodded. "He interrupted, most rudely, under the pretense that the queen needed me. When I learned she had not sent for me, I grew... rather angry."
"But it was just a misunderstanding," Laura began hesitantly. Kate stiffened. Laura had known both Kate and Elizabeth most of their lives. Of the three of them, Laura's temper had always been the shortest, but on rare occasions Kate got well and truly angry. When she did, she was capable of digging her heels in and remaining that way for an alarmingly long time.
"No. Marcus was being irrational and jealous when he has no right to be. It was an insult to me to assume that a pleasant conversation with an educated man could not simply be an innocent flirtation." Kate folded her arms over herself, and her voice dropped. Laura wasn't certain Kate intended her to hear her mutter, "It is not as though he has not done the same."
Having experience with Kate when she was in this frame of mind, Laura elected not to address that. She returned to the subject of young Lord Aaron. "So you and Aaron are becoming friends," she said neutrally.
Kate moved to the window where Elizabeth had just been standing. "Yes. He is well-mannered, and kind, and intelligent. He has been a good companion over the last few days."
Laura nodded. "Indeed. He is also very handsome."
Kate shrugged noncommittally.
"And he is very charming and quite the flirt." Laura steeled herself. Kate was not going to appreciate the insinuation she was about to make. "He is almost the noble-born version of Marcus Lorne."
Kate whirled around. "That's not true! That is not-" She drew in a breath. "I am not thinking of Aaron in those terms, Laura."
Laura crossed her arms. "No, but are you sure Marcus isn't? For him to see you receiving the attentions of a man who has his every charm and none of the faults..."
"Being common-born isn't a fault," Kate interrupted. "I've never cared about Marcus' station in life. You know that."
"I do," Laura said quietly. "But you've told me before that Marcus isn't nearly as sanguine about the differences in rank between you as you claim to be."
A flicker of distress crossed Kate's face and Laura decided to try to take advantage of it.
"Kate, you need to speak to Marcus and set this right," Laura said persuasively, feeling at the same time how unequal she was to the task of mediating a lover's quarrel. "Don't let this unpleasantness between you drag on."
But Kate drew herself up. "I have done nothing wrong. Marcus owes me an apology, which he can make in his own time."
She marched into the other room to attend to Elizabeth. Laura wanted to kick something. There was nothing that would move Kate from her position other than a full apology from Marcus, and if his earlier behavior was any indication, no apology would be forthcoming from the captain any time soon.
Elizabeth was quiet during her dinner with Iolan's royal family, more than willing to let Kate and Laura engage the prince and his sister in a lively discussion which seemed to distract them from her state. Indeed, Kate was unusually animated. It was a worrying sign, but Elizabeth's mind was preoccupied with other concerns. Talking to Kate would have to wait until evening.
When they walked at the small theatre within the palace, she wished it would not be rude to her hosts to arrive on Lord George's arm and sit with him throughout the play. It would have been less awkward than sitting next to Radek, who kept giving her concerned looks all through the performance.
Her discomfort was two-fold. On one side was the reluctance to tell Radek that they suspected one of his supporters of trying to kill her. This would have been worrisome enough without other stresses. But in addition to this news was a deep and lingering frustration over what had transpired that afternoon. She could not hold Radek's gaze for very long. When their eyes did meet, she would blush, and not out of modesty.
Everyone in two countries was aware of the reason for his invitation, and Elizabeth was well aware of the implications in coming to Iolan before visiting any place within her own realm. But Radek had never pushed her, not in the whole of their acquaintance. He had never presumed anything. Nothing was a given to him, even though they both knew that he was likely the only suitor she would ever have who would meet no opposition in her college of lords or with his own nobility. He was charming and sensible, suitable in every way to be her husband.
For the last few months, Elizabeth had tried to let herself be guided by Daniel's advice, that she leave her heart open to the idea of marrying Radek. Until the day of Laura's wedding, she thought she had.
Radek's kiss had been sweet and soft. Like a true gentleman, he had asked her permission before kissing her. She'd been aware for a long time that he wanted her as his wife, and the kiss had confirmed it. She could feel his desire in his touch, and that knowledge had sent a delicious nervousness through her. When they'd been startled out of it, a strange sort of vexation had overtaken her, for she suspected that there would be little in the world sweeter than letting herself be wooed by this man who was so clearly in love with her.
Even though she was not in love with him.
John had not asked her permission to kiss her. He hadn't even given her warning. Yet it was that kiss, passionate and bold, that filled her imagination. A moment in a stable had ripped her out of her blissful denial about her feelings for John. From him she didn't want mere friendship. She wanted his love, because he had hers in abundance.
But emotions aside, John was gone. He was now a powerful man in a foreign country that was under invasion. The likelihood of his returning to her was slim and growing more remote with every passing day. The practical side of her mind pointed out, repeatedly, that she needed to look at the situation realistically. If she rejected Radek, who was so dear to her already and so well suited to her and accepted by everyone around them, because of her feelings for a man whom she might easily never set eyes on again, then where would that leave her?
But how could she marry Radek, knowing her heart was with someone else? She could not be so unfair to him.
With her discontent mounting, it was tempting to forget the misgivings she had expressed to Daniel before winter had set in. It was tempting to try to fool herself into believing that had she not followed John out of the wedding feast, she would not have realized that she was in love with him. In her heart she knew that was not the case, however, and the conflict within her grew with every day she spent in Iolan. Adding to her discomfort was Lord George's information about Simmons, and her anger at that was mixing with the guilt and frustration until she didn't know what she felt about any specific thing anymore.
Unfortunately, Radek knew her well enough that he noticed her turmoil right away.
When the play was over, she applauded with more enthusiasm than she felt, trying to forestall the inevitable conversations, either about the kiss that afternoon or about Simmons. But as they were leaving, he quietly asked, "Elizabeth, what is the matter?"
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Radek, I need to speak with you privately."
He nodded, looking concerned, and he led them off to his private office. His guards stayed outside, but Captain Lorne followed them in. Radek looked at Elizabeth in confusion. "What I have to say concerns him, in part," Elizabeth said.
Radek was taken aback, as he'd clearly been expecting a different conversation. He closed the door anyway.
She started to pace. "Some months ago..." she began, but shook her head. "No, I must start further back than that. Ten years ago, not long after my father's death, a small party of Goa'uld invaded western Atalan, attacking the Viscount of Berwynn as he traveled back to his home with his wife and daughter. Most of the party was brutally killed, but his daughter Sarah, who was then sixteen, was captured. A Goa'uld lord took her as his wife.
"Some months ago she escaped with news that the Goa'uld had raised an army for invasion, and she came back to Atalan to warn us. The army, as you know, invaded Caldora not long after. But that was not the only information she had."
Radek's eyes had widened as he listened to her tale. "What information?" he asked.
"Two of the Goa'uld, Anubis and Osiris, had been conspiring to kill me and take my country for their own. Lady Sarah had the name of their coconspirator." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "His name was Lord Simmons, Radek."
There was a long, painful pause. She saw a flash of anger on Radek's face before he turned away from her. "No," he said. "You must be mistaken. I cannot believe this of him."
"Lord George has been asking questions of your own nobles," Elizabeth said gently. "It seems that Simmons has been absent from court and his home more than once recently, and no one can make an account for his whereabouts."
"Which nobles said this?" Radek demanded.
Elizabeth braced herself. "A viscount, from the province of Kensmere."
Radek shook his head. "Elizabeth-" he began but she raised a hand.
"I know, Radek. I'm aware that there is no love lost between Kensmere and Columbia."
"It goes a great deal deeper than that," Radek shot back. "Thomas, Aaron's father, he and Frank loathed one another for years. Time and again Thomas would bring accusations against Frank that had no basis. Nothing has ever been proven against him."
Elizabeth felt her own temper beginning to slip. She had expected Radek to be more helpful than this. "And the constant stream of accusations never caused you to wonder if perhaps there wasn't some layer of truth to them? Or are such casual allegations a part of daily life in the Iolan court?"
He glared. "How many times has someone accused Daniel of treason, Elizabeth?" he asked witheringly.
Elizabeth bit her lip, a rare display of public weakness. His words had hit a vulnerable place. This was a side of Radek she had never seen before. "That is not the same, and you know it."
Radek subsided, looking uncomfortable. Elizabeth decided to try another tack. "Did you pay any attention to what Simmons did while you were in Atalan?" Kate had told her, privately, what Aaron had said regarding Simmons and Kinsey's association.
"Yes," he said, looking irritated again. "Rather, I heard, at length, what was said when we returned. Frank apparently spent some part of his time with Lord Robert Kinsey." Behind her, Captain Lorne jolted visibly at this news, as Kate had not made anyone but Elizabeth aware of Aaron's information.
Radek stepped closer to her, taking her hand. "Elizabeth, I know full well your feelings about Kinsey. I know there are many who suspect he was behind what nearly happened to you, and believe me, I would have no regrets if you discovered proof of that and he was justly punished. But he was the regent of your country for ten years. It is not unreasonable for Frank to have spoken to him about a variety of subjects, all innocently."
"We have both seen what power can do to men, Radek."
"What do you want from me?" he snapped. "Do you want me to arrest him? Interrogate him? I have not the authority to do that, and my sister will certainly not make such a move on so little. The rumor-mongering of idle men is not enough to convict someone who has been a friend to me for a decade!"
"Do you really know what happened on the morning of my coronation, Radek?" She was gambling heavily, on his own feelings, on her persuasive powers and the influence his affection for her might have. But it seemed she had little choice. She looked into his eyes. His expression was guarded. "I was walking the grounds of my own palace when the attack came. Captain Sumner took the arrow that was meant for me. I was borne away with his blood spattered over me. It took Kate and Laura so much scrubbing to cleanse his blood from my hands in time for the ceremony that my skin was raw.
"But for a few seconds of warning, it would have been my blood, Radek."
His face was gray and Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt that she was manipulating him in this fashion. She steadied herself. The memories of that morning would never lose their awful power in her own mind. "Many of my own countrymen suspect it was Kinsey. Now I have been told differently, by someone who has no knowledge of Iolan or her politics and no discernable reason to lie, that Simmons was involved, possibly responsible. You must understand that I cannot simply let this go."
Radek considered that for a moment. "If either Frank or Lord Kinsey were responsible, it would benefit each of them to try to shift blame to the other," he said slowly.
"Help us," Elizabeth said earnestly. "Help us investigate this. For your sake, I hope I am mistaken. Perhaps we might even uncover proof that Kinsey is using Simmons for his own ends." She didn't truly believe that, but if it would convince him, she was willing to acknowledge the possibility. "But we will not know for certain until the truth is uncovered, and I cannot ignore what I have been told. Not when my life is still at risk."
Radek glanced at Lorne, who was standing near the entrance. "I would do nothing to endanger you, Majesty," he said formally. He looked hurt now, for any number of reasons, and Elizabeth's heart ached to see it. "I will do what I can."
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you, Prince."
She turned to go, but he stopped her. "Elizabeth, please," he said quietly.
She looked at him, but not for long. "I am weary, Radek," she replied. "Please, convey my apologies to the queen mother. I must retire for the evening."
He did not insist that she hear him out, as she'd half-expected. It was a relief not to have to talk about their afternoon ride just yet. She already had another restless night ahead of her.