"She made fun of him about it when he was small."
Ursula got to her feet. "I have to go. That painting needs to be destroyed before anyone else sees it."
When Ursula got to Evangeline's cottage, Rebecca was pacing on the front stoop.
"Oh, Your Majesty, I'm glad you've returned. I would have sent someone to summon you, but Felecia said we didn't have to rush to do the Grand Princess's bidding. If she hadn't told you she was coming to visit, then—"
Ursula interrupted. "Becca, slow down. What are you talking about? What about the Grand Princess?"
"She was here. No one told me she was coming. I'm sorry the house wasn't ready. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
Rebecca's face was flushed, and she wrung her hands continually. Ursula grabbed her friend's shoulders tight.
"Calm down. What happened?"
The Lady swallowed and nodded her head once. "Forgive me." Then she took a deep breath and started again.
"The Grand Princess was here to see you."
The Queen's heart began to race but she kept her composure. Panic threatened to overwhelm her. The painting was out in plain sight. What if Veronica had gone into the small library? Would she have noticed it?
"What did she want?"
Rebecca shook her head. "She wouldn't tell me. I told her you were visiting Princess Delthyn and I didn't know when you'd be back, but she said she would wait."
How could Ursula's heart beat any faster and still remain locked in her chest? "How long was she here? Did she wander around the house? Did she go upstairs?"
"No, Your Majesty. Of that, I'm sure. She remained on the first floor, but she was alone for most of the time. She sent me to get her some tea and cake then told me to find someone to bring you home, but by the time all that was arranged, she was gone."
Ursula swallowed. "Think carefully, Rebecca. Did she go into the small library?"
At this, the Lady brightened. "I hid the painting, Your Majesty. I don't know what about it bothered you, and I don't need to know, but as soon as you left for Princess Delthyn's cottage, I covered it with a blanket it and slid it behind a sofa."
Relief flooded the Queen. Veronica wouldn't have seen it, and everything was still good. Ursula would find Gideon and show him the painting. He could decide what he would do with the information, but she wanted to convince him to take the throne.
Without thinking, she gave her friend a hug. "Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you."
She rushed into the cottage and to the small library. Her heart thumped against her ribs, and the room tilted. Grabbing the door frame, she stared at the painting, now resting against the front of the sofa with the blanket that had been covering it tossed aside.
Veronica had been here and had seen the birthmark on Evangeline's baby.
"The coronation will take place within the week," Veronica said, smiling at the three young men who sat on the other side of the room from her. Josiah, Damien, and Gideon exchanged glances, then Damien spoke.
"I assume you've spoken to the Queen about this."
"The Queen..." Veronica practically had to spit the last word out of her mouth. "...will be happy to have this task finished. I'm sure she wants to get on with her life."
"I will speak to her," Josiah said. "I have a partial list of the prisoners Uncle Killian promised to release. We should get started on that as soon as possible."
Veronica continued to smirk. Ursula would do as she was told, or the royal family would have another funeral or two to attend in the near future.
"I'm sure there's no rush. Queen Ursula will be flexible on this issue. I'm happy to announce she'll be marrying Josiah as soon as the coronation has taken place."
Josiah blinked at her, and the other two men gasped.
"You've secured her agreement on this?" her son asked.
"It's only a matter of time." Veronica stood to let them know this meeting was finished. The men didn't seem to get the message because they stood watching her, but no one made a move to leave.
"You're excused," she said, staring at her elder son. "We'll discuss this more later."
Gideon stayed behind as Josiah and Damien left the room. "When did Queen Ursula agree to marry Josiah?" he asked. "I talked to her yesterday, and she said nothing had been decided."
"Women have been known to change their minds," the Grand Princess said. "However, I am glad you and I get a chance to talk in private."
"I can't imagine what we have to talk about."
"Please sit." She waited until he was settled, then took her own seat. "I understand you want to teach at the university."
"I do."
"I think it's a wonderful idea. You certainly have the mind for it. It would be best if you got started on that as soon as possible. Perhaps arrangements could be made so you could leave tonight."
"Are you trying to get rid of me, Aunt Veronica?"
She laughed. "Of course not, Gideon. What a thing to say. I'm just interested in your own happiness. Is that so surprising?"
"It is, actually."
Clenching her fists in her lap to keep from responding to his rude comment, she shook her head. "That quick wit will take you far in the academic world, I'm sure."
"What do you want from me, Aunt Veronica? You didn't want to talk about my teaching ambitions."
"I did, actually. And I want to make a deal with you."
"A deal? What does that mean?"
She leaned toward him. "You are the second eldest male heir to the throne. I want your reassurance, should something happen to Josiah before he and Queen Ursula have a son, you won't come back to claim the throne."
He stared at her and said nothing for a few moments. Then he shook his head. "I had no idea you hated me this much. I don't think Ursula has any idea what she's getting into if she marries your son, and I intend to stop that from happening if I can. If the university will give me a position on its teaching staff, I have no intention of ever setting foot back in this palace as long as you're alive."
Trying not to let him see how triumphant she felt, she said, "Would you be willing to sign a paper to that effect?"
"You're unbelievable." Gideon stood. "If it means I never have to look at or talk to you again, I'll sign anything you want."
Ursula heard Gideon's voice coming from Veronica's office, and her heart sank. She'd hoped to be able to show him the painting and discuss what it meant in private.
"Wonderful," she heard Veronica say, and she hurried toward the office.
"Gideon?" she called, rushing through the door as Veronica tried to close it.
Ursula turned to Gideon. "What did she tell you?"
Gideon drew his eyebrows together and shook his head. "Only that you and Josiah are getting married, and the coronation will take place as soon as possible."
"I never agreed to that, Veronica."
"But you will, and I think we both know why."
Ursula shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I was at the cottage, and I saw the painting."
"Painting?" Gideon asked, looking from one woman to the other. "What painting?"
Now Veronica laughed, and the sound was like all the dreams of peace and happiness shattering against a solid wall of despair. "She didn't show it to you." Shaking her head, the Grand Princess went back to sit behind her desk.
"I have to say, Princess Ursula, I didn't think you had it in you."
"We've spoken about how to address me," Ursula said. "I am Queen."
Veronica sighed. "That's one thing that's going to change. You will never give me orders again, Princess." She emphasized the last word. "I know your little secret now. You're as ambitious as I am."
"I'm nothing like you." What was she talking about? Ursula said to Gideon, "We should go. I need to talk to you."
"You're not going anywhere, except maybe to the King's Cottage to tell my son you would be honored to marry him."
"What is this all about?" Gideon asked.
"Do you want to
tell him, Princess Ursula?" Veronica continued to smile, which frightened Ursula. "Or should I break the news?"
She and Gideon had the upper hand, didn't they? He was the rightful heir to the throne, so why was Veronica behaving as though she was assured of winning this contest?
And why did it have to be a contest? Didn't they all want what was best for the kingdom? Then Ursula looked at the Grand Princess and knew that was wrong. She, herself, might want what was best for Heyton, and to get the prisoners released, but Veronica wanted what was best for herself and that was making sure Josiah took the throne.
Suddenly, Ursula knew the answers to some questions she'd had.
"You would do anything to make sure Josiah takes the throne," she said, looking at the Grand Princess. "Anything."
"I would do what I need to do to make sure the rightful King sits on the throne."
"Rightful? That's an interesting word for you to use. How did my husband die?"
"What?" Veronica blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Yes," Gideon said. "What are you talking about?"
"Remember when we went to Killian's rooms?" Ursula took his hand. "Remember what you felt? What I felt?"
"What were you doing in Killian's room?" Veronica asked. "You had no business—"
Ursula spun to glare at her. "He was my husband. I had every right. You are not Queen. Not yet."
She spoke again to Gideon. "Remember what we felt? How you knew Killian didn't die of natural causes?"
He shook his head, confused by what was happening around him. "I felt a memory of someone hating him and wanting him dead. He wasn't sick. I think someone killed him."
"She did it." Ursula pointed at the Grand Princess. "She feared he and I would have a son that would stand in the way of Josiah taking the throne."
"No." Gideon shook his head. "That can't be right." He turned to his aunt. "Tell her she's wrong."
"What difference does it make now?" Veronica asked. "Killian is dead. It's time for a new King to take his place. You're going to name my son as Killian's heir, or more people will die."
"What are you saying?" Gideon stood, pulling his hands away from Ursula and taking a step toward Veronica. "Are you threatening the Queen?"
"The Queen." She tsked. "As though she could ever be Queen of Heyton. She was just someone to warm my brother's bed while he tried to make this kingdom safe from Valborough's new, dangerous monarch. She was never going to take my place."
"You are not Queen, either, Aunt Veronica. I'm sorry things have worked out the way they did, but the law is clear. Only males can rule."
Veronica's face grew red, and Ursula wondered if she was going to scream at him, but after a moment the Grand Princess calmed herself.
"I'm not going to argue this with you, Prince Gideon. You have agreed to give up any claim you have to the throne, so it's a moot point." She stood. "You may leave. I wish to speak to Ursula, however."
"You gave up your claim to the throne?" Ursula ignored the older woman and grabbed Gideon's arm.
He furrowed his forehead. "I don't have a claim to throne, not a true one. She wanted me to agree if something were to happen to Josiah, as next eldest male, I wouldn't come back to take the crown."
"Come back? Where are you going?"
"I told you. I want to teach at the university." He met her eyes. "You're going to marry Josiah, so what is there for me here?"
His words stunned her, and she lost what she was going to say to him. "You would leave because of me?"
"Ursula, I couldn't stay here in the palace and watch you with my cousin. I've come to care for you too much for that."
"So, you would leave and not tell me?"
"I was going to tell you."
She shook her head, trying to get herself back on track. She could think about his feelings for her and what they meant later. Right now, she had to make sure mistakes were corrected.
"First of all, I'm not marrying Josiah. That's what she wants, but not what I want. Next, you can't give up your claim to the throne. There's something you need to know first."
"That's enough," Veronica said, pulling Ursula away from him. "He doesn't need you to tell him what to do. Gideon wants to be a professor or something. I think he should do that."
"You just want him out of the palace so he doesn't find out the truth." Ursula tried to pull out of Veronica's grip, but the Grand Princess tightened her hold.
"He knows all he needs to know."
"What truth?" Gideon said. "Let go of her and let her speak." He reached for Veronica's arm.
"No." She shoved him away. "She has caused enough trouble in this family. I won't let her cause more." She dragged Ursula to the door, but the younger woman fought, struggling to get free. Veronica was stronger than Ursula expected.
"Guards," the Grand Princess called.
"Stop." Gideon grabbed his aunt. "What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?"
"She is going to ruin everything. That's what she does." Veronica's face was red, and her eyes flashed with anger. Ursula's blood froze. Her own mother had had that same look when she realized Mariana was going to be Queen, taking the throne of Valborough away from Ramone.
"I was going to let her marry my son," Veronica cried. "She could be Queen in truth, as long as she did what I told her. That should have been enough for any girl like her, but she thinks she has to be the righteous one and see the true King sit on the throne."
"That's what the King's Widow is supposed to do," Gideon said, putting his hand on Veronica's. "Let her go before you hurt her."
"She doesn't care that the true heir is a cripple who is barely a real man, let alone a real Prince."
Ursula saw the moment Gideon realized what his aunt was talking about.
He looked at Ursula. "What does she mean?"
"She didn't even tell you." Veronica cackled. "Pretending to be so concerned with doing what was right, but all along she was keeping the truth to herself so she could pull it out at the coronation, make me look like a fool, and make you her puppet."
"Ursula?"
She shook her head. "No. I just found out the truth myself. I was coming to find you and tell you. But not like this."
A handful of guards hurried into the room.
"Take them," Veronica screamed. "They threatened the Crown Prince and the Queen Mother."
"No," Ursula said. "She's the one. She killed King Killian."
"Don't listen to her. She is a spy from Valborough who came to destroy Heyton. Arrest them."
The guards hesitated, but they didn't know Ursula as well as they did Veronica, and she was probably paying their wages.
Two of them grabbed Ursula, and two more took hold of Gideon.
"Take them to the King's Cottage and see they are secured in a servant's room," Veronica instructed. "Guard them until I arrive."
"Yes, Your Highness," the guard captain said. He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat, but he ordered his men to do as she said.
"I'm sorry," Ursula said as she and Gideon walked with the soldiers. "I didn't want this to happen."
"Of course you didn't," he said. "Who would want something like this to happen?"
"Veronica, I suppose."
"It'll all work out. Josiah won't let us be imprisoned. This is all a misunderstanding." He didn't look at her.
She didn't say anything else until they'd been escorted to the housekeeper's room, a small, simple office with a desk, two chairs, and a waist high bookcase that held ledgers and piles of papers.
"Thank you for letting us use your room, Mrs. Dale," Gideon said as he sat in one of the chairs. "I'm sure we'll be out of your way soon."
"Oh, Prince Gideon." The housekeeper fingered the edges of her collar and bit her lip as she watched the guards check the room. "I'm sure there's been a terrible mistake."
"There has been," Gideon said. "Please send someone to my parents. They'll get this straightened out."
"Of course." She h
urried away.
The soldiers glanced at their captain, who said, "I don't see any reason to tie you up, Your Highness, Queen Ursula. Do I have your word you won't try to escape until the Grand Princess and Prince Josiah arrive?"
Ursula wanted to say they were absolutely going to escape. Veronica wasn't going to let them go on with their lives now, but Gideon spoke first.
"You have our word. Captain, I doubt your men could be overcome by a woman and a cripple. We don't pose much of a threat."
"As you say, Your Highness. We'll be outside. Thank you."
When he closed the door, Gideon said, "This has to be a mistake."
She shook her head. "It isn't a mistake. You're Evangeline's son. Your parents confirmed it."
Chapter 34
Before he could even think of a reaction to what Ursula said, the door flew open, and Veronica stepped in, followed by Princess Yamina.
"I thought she was dead," Ursula said. "What is she doing here?"
"She's here to help me convince you to take my offer." The Grand Princess's eyes were still wild and the color was high in her cheeks.
Had she been ingesting some of the potions Yamina claimed to be an expert in creating? At one time, the Ibirin Princess had offered to make Gideon a love potion when he was trying to catch the eye of a noble's daughter. He'd been foolish enough to agree, and whatever Yamina had given him caused him to have hallucinations for days afterward.
"Offer?" he asked his aunt. "What kind of offer?"
"It's simple, and it benefits us all." Veronica closed the door. "Ursula, I understand you aren't interested in marrying my son. I won't hold that against you because you've discovered the truth of Gideon, or shall we call you Carsten now?" She eyed him.
He sighed. "My name is Gideon."
She chuckled. "Of course. As I was saying, now you know the truth of Gideon's parentage, Princess Ursula, I couldn't have you wed to my son anyway. It would be too easy for you to whisper in his ear and tell him what I did."
"He doesn't know about this?" she asked.
"Oh, he doesn't know a lot of things I've done so he can one day be King, and you won't be the one to tell him."
"You killed Evangeline?"
Questionable Queen Page 32