by C. J. Archer
"We are in a predicament, that's true, but turning on the people who can save us is not going to help." She was so cross she could hear the hiss in her voice and feel the pent up anger heating her blood.
The others filed off through the forest, back the way they'd come. Seth, the last to go, jerked his head at Eva to urge her to keep up. She nodded and attempted a smile. His lips flattened.
"This is absurd," David whispered.
"Which part?" Seth asked.
"This entire situation. These people are absurd. Look at them, in their ridiculous clothes, fawning over Alice."
"She is their long lost princess," Seth said, as if David was the absurd one. "Of course they're going to treat her with deference."
David snorted. "I would have thought you'd be jealous of all the attention she's receiving, especially from the so-called advisor."
"Do be quiet, David," Eva said with a sigh. "Leave Seth alone. He at least fought bravely today, yet has he pointed out that you didn't help? No, he has not. So I suggest you keep your cruel remarks to yourself."
"I wasn't being cruel," David muttered under his breath. "I was just saying that Markell and Alice seem to be getting on very well together." His chin jutted in the direction of the couple ahead of them. Markell lifted a low hanging branch out of the way and smiled at Alice as she passed him.
Eva glanced sideways at Seth. He watched the couple from beneath heavily lidded eyes.
"I'd be careful what you say if I were you," Seth said darkly.
David flinched, and Eva had to admit the tone made her feel somewhat nauseated, but for a different reason than her brother. He seemed to think Seth was threatening him. Yet it was the way Seth looked at Alice and Markell that worried Eva.
They rejoined their original path where they'd been intercepted by the guards. Several lay dead, their blood seeping into their pristine white uniforms and the leaf matter. Eva could tell by looking at them that there were no survivors. She picked her way past the bodies and drew in a deep breath of fresh air once they were behind her. She hadn't realized she'd stopped breathing until her chest tightened.
Seth touched her arm. "Are you all right?"
She nodded. "I see dead bodies all the time, but not usually by my own hand or that of my friends."
"I don't like this either." He studied his bloodied sword blade then stopped to wipe it on the ground. "I'm not used to it."
"You're not? But I thought your line of work necessitated it."
"Not at all. Lincoln isn't a killer, no matter what people think."
"I…I don't know what to think anymore."
"That's not to say I haven't killed before today, but I assure you it's only ever been in self-defense." He glanced back at David, who'd melted away to the rear of the convoy. "Don't be hard on him. Not every man is comfortable with weapons, and not every man wants to fight. Besides," he winked, "he didn't faint, or cry, or wet himself. That qualifies as a brave first encounter with a cohort of highly trained swordsmen."
She smiled. "Did you faint, or cry, or wet yourself the first time you were in a fight?"
"All three. Of course, I was only five and the fighters were the imaginary vagabonds I'd created to keep myself amused."
"That poor little boy. Now I feel sorry for you and your lonely upbringing."
"Don't be too sympathetic. I had far more than most children, until…well, until it was gone."
Charlie had told her how Seth's father squandered the family fortune. He lost everything, and then his mother left too when she remarried, only returning from America after her second husband died. It couldn't have been easy for him to have money, status, and the respect of his peers, and then lose it all. Charlie said he'd paid off his family debts using every means at his disposal, but she hadn't elaborated on what those means were. Indeed, Charlie wouldn't look Eva in the eye when Eva asked.
"I know that look," he said quietly. "I know Charlie told you some things about my past."
"No! No she didn't. I mean, a little but not much. Hardly anything really."
His laugh was self-conscious. "Well that wasn't awkward."
She bit the inside of her lip. She'd dredged up unhappy memories for him, and for that, she wished she could undo the conversation. "Charlie didn't speak out of turn. She admires you. She's very fond of you."
"And I'm fond of her. She's going to be my second wife, if I outlive Lincoln."
She burst out laughing, attracting Alice's attention. She frowned and only looked forward again when Markell spoke to her.
"Charlie doesn't know it yet," Seth said. "Don't tell her. I want it to be a surprise."
"I think you should be more worried about Lincoln finding out."
"I did say after he's gone. Besides, he should be grateful that I'll take care of her. Although the man has the devil's luck. He'll probably outlive us all."
"You have a macabre way of thinking."
"It comes with being friends with a necromancer."
Eva laughed again, feeling somewhat giddy and bold. Very bold. "You said second wife," she hedged. "What of your first?"
"Naturally she'll be the love of my life but Charlie will understand completely, since she has a deeply profound love for Lincoln."
Eva's breath left her body and the giddiness worsened. She couldn't quite think.
"Eva? You've gone pale." He put his hand to her lower back. "Are you all right? Are you sure you weren't injured back there?"
"I…I'm fine."
"I'll get some water." He moved off, pushing past Alice to reach the women near the front. He returned with a leather flask.
She drank and handed it back. Their fingers brushed and a wash of tingles rushed up her arm, across her scalp. He did not react at all, except for a benign smile that he could have tossed out to anyone.
"Better?" he asked.
She nodded.
He waited then said, "You seem to have lost your tongue, so I'll have to carry the conversation to pass the time. I've got a good topic. What do you think of trousers for women?" He nodded at Alice in front of them, still talking in quiet earnest with Markell. While her derriere was hidden by the tunic, the shape of her thighs was unmistakable. Clearly Seth had noticed.
Eva swallowed and looked away, unable to meet his gaze. Or, rather, not wanting to see in which direction his gaze lingered.
"I think trousers for women are a good idea. I know, I know," he went on, "the notion will never catch on in England, and I'd be resoundingly chastised for endorsing it. Why do women have to wear dresses anyway? Why can't they wear trousers? It could open up a whole host of new opportunities. They could ride astride, for one thing. I've known many women who could ride exceptionally well side saddle but not fast enough because they weren't allowed to wear trousers and ride astride like the men. Women could work outside more often without worrying about a strong wind revealing too much ankle. Who knows, perhaps they could then work on building sites or as gardeners."
He had very liberal ideas for a gentleman. In Eva's opinion, men from the upper classes were usually the ones who thought women incapable of doing men's work. Perhaps that was because their women—genteel ladies—never had to work at all. Seth's circumstances were different, however. He'd been brought low, and that could explain his egalitarian ideals.
"I mean, you only have to look at Alice to see how freeing wearing trousers is for her." He openly stared at Alice with her tall, elegant figure and blonde hair that now fell down her back in pretty waves. She was striking in her tunic and hose, even more so than usual. "I see I haven't shocked you into speaking yet," he went on, his lips quirked up at the corners.
Eva decided it was time to talk to someone else. Someone not in love with Alice Everheart.
She slowed her pace to fall back in line with David and Gus, but Seth slowed too. He frowned at her, all seriousness.
"You're upset with me," he said. "And I don't think it's because I'm an advocate for women wearing trousers."
Sh
e almost choked. How could he be so perceptive? "I'm not upset with you."
"You are, and I think I know why."
He couldn't possibly know. She was the seer, not him. "Is that right? Go on then, tell me."
"You're upset that I'm admiring Alice."
He was far too perceptive for his own good—or for hers. Her face heated so much it felt as if it would pop right off with the pressure. "Don't be absurd. I am not upset with you, Seth, nor would I be because of Alice. I like her. She's a wonderful person and very beautiful, so it's natural for a man like you to admire her. I'd be surprised if you didn't, considering you are, er…"
"I'm what?"
"An admirer of hers," she blurted out.
He frowned. "Why do you say that?" he said carefully.
"I can tell these things."
"Because you're a seer?"
Because I'm a woman who admires you, she wanted to admit but did not. Dared not. She didn't want to get her heart broken.
Indeed, she wasn't even sure when her heart had become so fragile where Seth was concerned. She'd been fighting a bundle of mixed feelings for him for so long that she'd almost convinced herself that she despised him.
But she certainly didn't. She could never despise him.
And she could never be anything like the woman he wanted. Her vision must be wrong.
Eva blinked rapidly down at her feet.
"Eva," he soothed. "I know you know something, so please tell me what it is."
She shook her head. "Leave me be."
They walked on a few paces, and she wondered how she could fall back and not have him follow her again.
"It's not healthy to keep secrets," he quipped. How nice that her discomfort and embarrassment was a source of amusement for him.
"Is that so?" she said through a tight smile. "Then you ought to be a very sick man by now."
He stopped dead. She kept walking even though her legs suddenly felt too weak to hold her. How could she be so cruel?
"What does that mean?" he asked, catching up.
"I…I don't know. I'm sorry, Seth. Forget I said anything."
"I'm not sure I can."
She expected him to drop back and join the others, but he kept pace with her. Why couldn't he leave her alone to wallow in self-pity? Why did he have to be so…nice?
The silence stretched so thin, it was inevitable it would break. She wasn't surprised that he was the one to break it. He didn't have the bottle for the silent treatment.
"Say something, Eva. I don't want things to be awkward between us. It's not like we can avoid one another here."
"There's nothing to say. I shouldn't have spoken out of turn, and I'm sorry. The end." She quickened her pace.
He had no trouble keeping up, with those long legs of his. "Not the end. We both have secrets we'd rather didn't become public."
She couldn't look at him. Didn't dare.
"You say you don't know what mine are," he went on.
"I don't. Charlie, Lincoln and Gus wouldn't betray your confidence, and I can't see your past. I am just aware that you keep secrets."
"As do you. But I know yours."
She jerked around to face him, her heart in her throat. He smiled back at her. Smiled!
"Don't fret, Eva. I don't care that you're really studying to be a doctor, not a nurse. I think it's marvelous, in fact. I know it's easy for me to say this, but you shouldn't worry about what other people think, even when those other people are your mother and brother."
She swallowed. A thousand words tumbled through her brain but in the end, she almost laughed. He thought that was her worst secret? Thank God he hadn't guessed the other. It would be more humiliation than she could bear at this point. He might like her enough to be friends with her, but knowing their marriage was an inevitability could destroy that.
Eva certainly didn't want to ruin the connection between them. Not now that her feelings for him had begun to bloom.
Chapter 7
Alice
Alice was so relieved to rest her sore feet that she didn't care that her host and his sister were rude. The renegade party arrived at the home of Lord Quellery after dark and unannounced, so perhaps their rudeness could be forgiven. Markell had asked for a bath to be drawn for Alice, but the sour turn of Lady Oxana's mouth put a dampener on that lovely notion.
"It's quite all right," Alice told their hostess as they sat in a large parlor with their host, Lord Quellery, as well as Lord Blaine, Markell, Seth, Eva, Gus and David. "I only need a basin and some water. Eva too, and the others in our party, if they wish."
Even this request had Lady Oxana rolling her eyes. "All of them? Surely your servants won't mind staying as they are. They'll be housed in the stables, after all, and there's no need for them to smell sweet in there."
Alice was so taken aback, she couldn't think of a retort fast enough. Markell and Seth, however, knew precisely how to handle her.
"The princess appreciates you accommodating us at such short notice," Markell said smoothly. "We've placed a great burden on you and my good Lord Quellery, and we don't wish to add to it."
A sound between a grunt and a groan rose from deep within Lord Quellery's massive frame. "Nicely put, Ironside," he said in a booming voice that set his jowls wobbling as if they had a life of their own. "You're more of a diplomat than your father. You're like your mother, may the goddesses keep her soul in peace."
Markell smiled evenly. "However, we have traveled a great distance under trying circumstances and are in sore need of refreshments and rest. We are grateful for whatever hospitality you can provide, but Her Highness must be treated with the respect she deserves."
"Of course, of course," Lord Quellery grumbled. He lifted a stubby finger and his manservant bowed out to see to the arrangements. Alice wasn't sure if she was getting a bath or not.
Seth cleared his throat and addressed Lady Oxana. "Gus and I are happy smelling of horse and forest."
"Speak for yourself," Gus declared.
"The only problem is, I'm worried it would offend such grand personages as yourselves." He offered Lady Oxana a small bow and one of his winning smiles.
Lady Oxana didn't stand a chance. Alice could see the moment her frostiness melted away. Her features lost some of their sharpness and the lines around her mouth ironed out. "And you are?"
"Seth is known as Lord Vickers in our realm," Alice said before he could answer.
"Among other things," Gus muttered.
"His family is very important," Alice added, trying to ignore Gus.
Lady Oxana's eyes flared. She gave Seth an inspection so thorough that Alice felt her own face heat. She didn't know how he managed not to blush. When Lord Quellery spoke to his sister, and she turned her attention to him, Seth shot a glare at Alice. She gave him an apologetic shrug. She hadn't expected the prickly Lady Oxana to fall for his charms so easily.
Markell had warned Alice on the way to Quellery Castle that his lordship and his sister were pompous prigs. They were both in their forties and had never married. They'd lived in the ancient fortified castle their entire lives and were Wonderland's wealthiest family after the queen. They even had their own private army.
The army was the reason Markell had brought them to Quellery Castle. He knew Lord Quellery disliked the Queen of Hearts and her high land taxes enough to want her overthrown. Markell didn't think they particularly cared who overthrew her, but since Alice's heritage made her the best candidate and the public's favorite, they'd give her their army. The three-hundred strong force weren't as well trained as the guards or the queen's army, or as numerous, but with the right strategy, Markell thought they could prevail.
They just needed Quellery's agreement.
Alice hated scraping to these kind of people, but she would have to get used to it if she was to become queen. She'd thought long and hard about her future on the journey and had made up her mind. Then she changed it. And changed it again.
So many people had lost t
heir lives to put her on the throne that she had to end their hopes now if she wanted to prevent more. But that would jeopardize them anyway, putting them at the queen's mercy, a commodity she didn't have.
Markell had been terribly kind and not rushed Alice. He'd assured her that he would support any decision she made and adjust his plans accordingly. She believed him. The man could be very persuasive.
Lord Quellery rocked himself out of his chair and approached Alice with a rolling gait as if his legs pained him. He attempted a bow but it was more of a nod. "You're very welcome here, Your Highness. Rest assured, you'll want for nothing during your stay." Lady Oxana's nostrils flared. "You must be tired," he went on. "Allow my sister to show you to your room." He put out his hand and Alice took it. Her fingers seemed so long against his stubby ones.
"Clothing will be brought in." Lady Oxana led Alice and Eva away while the men followed a manservant. Alice could hear their footsteps on the stone floor long after they were gone.
The castle was like something out of a museum with its narrow winding staircase and large tapestries attempting to soften stone walls. Despite the warmth of the day, it was chilly but no fires were lit. Alice shivered.
"You're cold," Lady Oxana noted as she led them through a small parlor and an even smaller room furnished with a single uncomfortable looking chair by the window.
"A little," Alice said.
"I'm afraid my brother doesn't allow fires to be lit in the summertime unless it's required for cooking. I suggest you seek out the kitchen if you want to warm up."
"Is it possible to borrow a shawl?"
Lady Oxana didn't answer immediately. She pushed open a thick door and folded her arms. "Your room, highness. You're next door," she said to Eva.
"Next door?" Eva echoed. "Oh. I assumed we'd be sharing."
"Why would you assume that? She's a princess. You're…what did you say your title is?"
"It's Miss Eva Cornell."
Lady Oxana's eyes tightened. "A maid?"
"My friend," Alice said, trying to keep the tartness from her voice. "The bed in here looks big enough. We'll share."