“Harlow keeps a key sitting on top of the doorframe,” Leigh said. “Ackley told me he already combed through Eldon’s room.” She lifted her hands, palm up, in a silent question.
“We’re going to look through Harlow’s,” Reid answered.
Leigh nodded. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She continued down the hall, stopping outside her own bedchamber a moment later. Maybe she intended to start cleaning the mess in there.
Reaching up, Harlan felt along the doorframe until he found the key. After unlocking the door, he put it back.
Reid stepped inside the king’s private sitting room. This was where Eldon had first asked her to go to Axian to retrieve the letters for him. Shivering from the memory, she moved farther into the room. Off to the side were two doors leading to the king and queen’s bedchambers.
Harlan whistled. “This is fancy.”
The sitting room reminded Reid of a room from the palace in Axian. She went over to the first bedchamber, peering inside. The large four-poster bed had a light green bedspread and a handful of pillows situated at the head, perfectly aligned according to size. At the foot of the bed was a chaise lounge. Reid entered, afraid to touch anything. Two armoires, one chest of drawers, and two chairs were also placed in the room. A soft area rug woven from light blues and greens adorned the floor.
Reid stood there for several minutes, observing her surroundings. Everything looked perfect. Too perfect. Which meant she was missing something. Whatever she was searching for wouldn’t be in plain sight. Unsure of where to start, she scanned the room again, trying to see it from Harlow’s point of view. If Reid were the queen, where would she put her personal items she didn’t want anyone else to see?
“What do you want me to do?” Harlan asked from the threshold of the room, not stepping a single foot inside.
“I’d like for you to search the king’s room.”
“Didn’t Ackley already do that?”
“Yes. But Ackley knows Eldon. I’d like you to take a look, too.”
His shoulders rose and fell. “What am I looking for?”
“Correspondence, maps, anything you feel might be useful.”
He nodded, then left, mumbling something.
Seeing no other way, Reid started searching under the mattress, in drawers, through the closet, behind the curtains, and in the hearth. She didn’t find a single personal item. This room could easily belong to a guest instead of the queen. When she had first met Harlow, Reid had considered her a mindless young woman who didn’t know anything. How wrong she’d been. Otherwise, the queen wouldn’t have warned Reid, nor would Harlow have known her way around the palace. Harlow’s appearance and personality were a façade—just like this room.
A chill slid over Reid.
“Find anything?” Harlan asked from the doorway.
“No.” She stood with her hands on her hips, scanning the room again.
“What are you thinking?”
“That we must be missing something. And that is a scary thought.” What had Harlow said? Sometimes, the quietest one in the room was the most dangerous?
“Maybe she just doesn’t have anything,” he suggested. “If she were forced to marry the king, she could have chosen to leave her belongings behind. It could be her own way of protesting the marriage?”
Possibly. But Reid didn’t think so. “Do you know why Eldon chose to marry Harlow?”
He shrugged. “You’d have to ask Ackley, Idina, or Gordon.”
While Reid wasn’t certain, she had an inkling Harlow had managed to fool all three siblings into believing she was a mindless twit.
“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Harlan asked.
“Because we’re missing something. I’m sure of it.” They had enough to deal with without adding Harlow to the list. However, Reid knew she couldn’t ignore the queen. Harlow could very well be working against Eldon, but to what end? Was she a friend or a foe?
“There you are,” Idina said as she swept into the great hall. “I’ve been looking all over the castle for you.”
Reid had snuck in here to be alone for a few minutes before supper. She wanted time to sort through everything Leigh had revealed about Anna.
“I’ve been dying to talk to you about Dexter.” Idina plopped on the sofa. “Tell me everything.”
Knowing Idina would push until she got what she wanted, Reid decided it was easier to comply than argue. “What do you want to know?” She twisted on the sofa to face the princess.
“How is it?” she asked with a devilish smile.
“How is what?”
Idina raised her left eyebrow, looking at Reid as if she were daft. “You can’t be that dense, Reid. How was your first time with Dexter?”
“Oh.” Why would Idina want to know something so personal?
“We’re practically sisters.” She nudged Reid with her elbow. “You can tell me anything.”
Would Reid normally share something so intimate with her sisters? Probably Kamden, but that was it. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“I imagine he’s quite good.”
Reid’s face flamed red—whether from the subject matter or the fact Idina was fantasizing about Dexter, she couldn’t be sure. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”
“Oh, please,” Idina chided her. “If you won’t tell me what sort of a lover he is, at least tell me how he kisses.”
Mortified, Reid covered her face with her hands. “We haven’t been intimate yet.”
“Why the hell not? You’re married.”
“There hasn’t been any time.” She removed her hands, unable to look Idina in the eyes.
Idina burst out laughing. “No time? What have you been doing at night?”
“We’re exhausted at the end of the day.” A partial truth.
Idina shook her head, not buying it.
“Fine. I’m not ready.”
“But you wanted to marry him.” Her brows scrunched in confusion.
“Yes. And we’ve kissed and spent the past few nights in each other’s arms. The next step will come after we’re a little more comfortable with one another that way.”
Ackley and Gordon entered, talking in hushed whispers.
“Do the man a favor, Reid,” Idina whispered. “Don’t make him wait too long.”
“I think he feels the same as me. He isn’t ready.” He hadn’t once pushed her to do more than kiss.
Idina rose, patting Reid on the shoulder. “You can think that all you want. But the man wants you.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I feel awkward being in the throne room,” Reid mumbled to Dexter. The last time she’d been in here, Eldon had revealed she’d be marrying Dexter and he was sending her to Axian as a spy.
“It’s strange for me to be in this castle.” Dexter turned in a slow circle, taking in the room. It was a fourth the size of the one in Axian and not nearly as grand. “Everything is so…stark.”
Reid chuckled. “Compared to your grand palace in Axian, yes, this is rather bland. But compared to most castles in Marsden, it is fancy.”
“Our.”
“What?”
“You said your palace. It’s not mine, it’s ours.”
She hadn’t thought of that before.
“Try not to look so overwhelmed.” He took her hands in his. “Ackley is leading the three duchesses here as we speak. When they see you, you can’t let them think they outrank you. Stand tall and don’t let them intimidate you.” He squeezed her hands in reassurance.
Reid rolled her eyes. That was easier said than done. She still felt uneasy in high society. While she was becoming more comfortable being a woman in public, she still preferred pants and spending time with men to putting on a dress and socializing with women. “Wouldn’t it be better to meet them in the sitting room?”
Shaking his head in exasperation, Dexter pulled her toward the dais. “We’ve been over this. In order for me to assert I’m the rightfu
l king, I need to conduct formal business here in the throne room.”
She sighed. “Fine.” Reid had already agreed to this. She just hadn’t realized being in the throne room would make her nervous. After running her hands down the front of her dress, she rolled her shoulders back and faced the doors.
“Don’t forget to smile, Reid Winston.”
Unused to hearing that name, she smiled.
“That’s better. Now you don’t look like you want to murder someone.”
She punched his arm, making him chuckle.
The side door opened, and Idina and Leigh entered the throne room.
“We thought we should be here to show our support for you two,” the princess said. Her red hair was unbound, set off by the pale yellow dress she wore. Idina positioned herself on one of the lower steps to Reid’s right.
Donning a navy dress, Leigh stood on Dexter’s left, also on a lower step. “Gordon and Ackley are escorting the three duchesses here.”
A moment later, the doors flew open, revealing Ackley, a sly smirk on his face. “Your Highnesses.” He bowed.
“Enter,” Dexter replied. Since he’d been raised as royalty, he knew the proper protocols and procedures for this sort of thing.
Reid pasted on a pleasant smile, trying not to laugh at Ackley for addressing her as Your Highness. She hadn’t been crowned yet. That wouldn’t happen until she returned to Axian with Dexter.
Sauntering forward, Ackley led three women, Gordon right behind them. Reid didn’t know what she imagined the duchesses would look like, but this wasn’t it.
“May I present Duchess Amille Cartr,” Ackley said, indicating the woman to his left. Amille was short—shorter than Reid—with her hair slicked back into a severe bun. Her slightly weathered skin indicated her age to be closer to fifty. She wore a simple brown dress with no jewelry.
“Duchess Jane Alder,” Ackley said, indicating the woman in the middle. Jane was a plump woman of no more than thirty. Her blue eyes scanned both Dexter and Reid, her face giving nothing away. She wore a simple dark green dress which complemented her black hair.
“And last, but not least, Duchess Camille Bridger.” Ackley indicated the woman on his right. Without being told, Reid knew this was Harlow’s mother. Like her daughter, Camille had pale blonde hair, blue eyes, and pasty white skin. Her short-sleeved gray dress revealed thin, bony arms.
Reid wondered if these women normally dressed so demurely, or if they’d donned the simple attire for traveling purposes.
“Duchess Cartr, Duchess Alder, and Duchess Bridger, may I present His Highness Prince Dexter Winston and his lovely wife Lady Reid Winston.”
All three duchesses curtseyed.
“And Queen Mother Leigh Winston and her daughter, Princess Idina Winston.” Ackley moved out of the way, taking his place at Idina’s side.
After closing the doors, Gordon positioned himself next to Leigh. Not a single sentry stood guard in the throne room, per Dexter’s instructions. He wanted the duchesses to be able to speak freely without worrying about spies.
“Thank you for coming,” Dexter said.
“Shall we cut out the pleasantries and get to business?” Amille asked.
“Please.” Dexter lifted his hands palm up, indicating for her to continue.
“Before my husband left, he gave me his ring. He said if Duke Ellington could do it, he could, too.” Amille held her head high as she spoke, jutting out her proud chin. “The king sent me a letter demanding I send my soldiers to Axian. That’s where my husband went in order to attend your wedding. The problem is, I haven’t heard from him. I know something is wrong.”
“I concur,” Jane said. “My husband also gave me his ring before he left.”
Shocked, Reid couldn’t believe the dukes had done such a thing. She’d mistakenly assumed they were as backward as the king and wanted to suppress women.
Jane continued, “Eldon is a young and inexperienced king. His father died under mysterious circumstances. The king is now in the south while you are here. I haven’t heard from my husband either. Therefore, I am withholding my decision until I know more.” Jane looked at Camille.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Camille stated, her voice soft like honey. “My interests are torn. On one hand, my daughter is married to the king. I won’t pretend it to be a love match. But I do have a vested interest seeing my daughter remain on the throne.”
“I understand,” Dexter said.
“However, the king is raping my county. He told the Melenians they could come to Bridger and mine our precious stones. They trample our farms, take our natural resources, and leave us with nothing for compensation. My husband has done everything the king has asked. Unfortunately, the mining has only increased. Our livelihood is being ruined.” She turned her hand, revealing she wore Duke Bridger’s ring.
“We’re willing to hear you out,” Amille said. “Then we will decide how to proceed.”
Joy surged through Reid. These women were taking charge and not letting the men control everything. Which meant it was time for her to step forward and speak. Pushing her nerves aside, she spoke with all the authority and conviction she could muster. “By now, you have received two letters. One from my husband, and one from me. We believe the king is trying to lure you to Axian to murder you. He intends to do away with all dukes, duchesses, and counties. He wants total and complete control. The purpose of the Melenia army is to help him achieve this goal.”
“I’ve heard my son discussing his plans,” Leigh said. “After he kills you and your husbands, he will use your soldiers against your own people to suppress any uprisings.”
“Why?” Jane asked.
Camille stepped forward. “My Harlow has confided in me. She discovered Eldon is not the true heir. When she confronted him, he revealed he intends to kill all the dukes before they can strip him of the crown. He knows they will side with the law, and the law is not with him.”
“We have been functioning as independent counties under one king for over a century,” Amille said. “We have a duty to preserve our way of life.”
“And we have a duty to protect our people,” Reid pointed out. She wanted it clear they were not doing this for power, but for the citizens of Marsden.
“You must understand the precarious position this puts me in,” Camille said. “Save my husband but doom my daughter? How can I choose?”
“Why does supporting me doom your daughter?” Dexter asked.
“Eldon won’t step down,” Camille pointed out.
“No, he will not,” Dexter agreed.
“The only choice you have is to either arrest or assassinate him. Since my daughter is married to him, I assume you will do to her what you do to him.” Her eyes became glassy.
“There are no plans, nor will there ever be, to harm your daughter in any way,” Dexter replied with conviction. “You have my word.”
“What will happen to her? She becomes a widow? No one will want anything to do with her.”
“I understand your concerns,” Reid said. “However, I believe Harlow can choose how she lives her life. She is a strong, capable woman.”
Camille nodded, seemingly satisfied with that response. “What about the Bridger mines?”
“The mines will be restored to your control,” Dexter answered. “Will you help us remove the imposter king, get rid of the Melenia soldiers, and restore peace to the kingdom?”
“Yes,” Camille replied. “Bridger will stand with you.”
“As will Cartr.”
“Alder will stand with you.”
“Thank you for upholding the laws of Marsden,” Dexter said. “Please prepare your soldiers for war. Our commander, Prince Gordon, will be leading the soldiers south when the time comes.”
The three women took their leave, Ackley and Gordon escorting them from the throne room.
Once they were gone, Idina snorted. “Who knew the women of Marsden would be the ones calling the shots to save the kingdom.�
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“We still have a long way to go until the kingdom is saved,” Reid pointed out. However, the fact the women were stepping up and taking charge made her proud and reinforced her belief that women were just as capable as men.
“You know, this is only possible because of you.” Idina patted Reid’s shoulder as they exited the throne room.
She wasn’t so sure about that. “We only have three counties siding with us. There are several more to speak with.”
The group made their way along the corridor.
“Ryder and Lyndr are the only two who might pose an objection,” Leigh said. “I am confident the rest will stand with you. Especially when they see the Winston royal family is united in their agreement on who should be and is legally the king.”
When Reid had spoken with Dukes Willer, Tucker, and Slader, they’d all voiced their support for righting the royal line. “I just don’t want to be overconfident,” Reid said. “We still have my mother and the Knights to contend with.”
A loud bang resounded from up ahead. “What was that?” Idina asked.
“It sounded like the front door was kicked in.” Dexter led them down the corridor.
A raucous sound came from the entryway. When they got closer to the commotion, Reid recognized one of the voices. She started running, Dexter right behind her.
“I will not yield,” Gytha hollered.
When Reid reached the front door, Gytha had one of the sentries wrapped in a headlock.
“Gytha!” Reid wanted to hug the warrior woman. “You’re here!” And she looked well—no obvious injuries from her scuffle in the underground passageways.
Gytha tilted her head toward Reid. “Obviously, I am here.”
“Gytha,” Nara said, stepping inside the castle. “Let him go. He’s only doing his job.”
“Mother.” Dexter wrapped Nara in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
Gordon and Ackley joined them.
“Looks like you broke the door,” Ackley said, pointing to the busted handle.
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