Deck of Cards

by Johnson, ID

  Katey glanced down at her attire. Caleb had arranged for the dress she was wearing to be left for her this morning. It was nice but nothing like what she would have worn at home, as Princess Katherine. This gown, however, the one hanging here, well it was definitely fit for royalty. Katey stepped forward, rubbing the soft pink taffeta between her fingers. The bodice was covered in small gemstones. It was certainly a gorgeous gown, one fit for a princess, or a queen.

  Val helped her into the appropriate undergarments and then assisted her in slipping into the gown, lacing it up in the back. There was a full-length mirror across the room and Katey went to it. Val was styling her hair, adding a few finishing touches. For the first time in quiet a while, Katey felt like she was, indeed a princess again.

  ***

  James was seated directly to Caleb’s left at the dining table, his attendants next to him. There was an empty chair on is right and Dale and Gordon were also seated at the table. But that was all. No other nobles or dignitaries.

  “Who else are we expecting?” James had asked addressing the empty seat.

  Caleb felt Dale and Gordon both staring at him intently, wondering how he might answer. It wasn’t exactly common practice for the king to invite his concubine to the dinner table, particularly if she was not a member of the nobility and if he was to be discussing matters of state while dining, as he would be this evening. However, Caleb had hardly seen Rose all day and he missed her. He was the king, and, at least as far as this matter was concerned, he would do whatever he liked.

  “Her name is Rose,” Caleb explained. “She was instrumental in helping my brother, Matthew escape, and she knows your sister. She’s very clever and I thought she might be of some use to us.”

  “I see,” James said, accepting that explanation. This was, after all, Caleb’s castle, and he could do whatever he wished. He had little confidence in this girl, Rose’s ability to help with the situation but he also thought no harm could come of it so he did not protest her presence.

  “It seems, however, that she is fashionably late,” Caleb said, breaking the mood a bit. The other gentlemen chuckled, identifying with the situation.

  The first course was being served and after a few pleasantries, Caleb got down to business. “The cavalry you saw was certainly Gradenian and not from Clovington?” he asked.

  James nodded as he chewed. “For certain.”

  “I see.” Caleb paused to reflect the implications. “It seems very odd to me that Leopold would risk bringing Placidia into this conflict.”

  “Indeed,” James remarked. “I felt the same way. My only hope is that Katey is safe.”

  “Certainly,” Caleb agreed. Then he added, “It’s as if she knew something terrible was about to happen.”

  James rested his utensil on his plate. “What do you mean?” he asked, giving the king his full attention.

  Caleb reflected on Katey’s strange behavior, the way she had pleaded with him not to make her go. Being that this was James’s sister, he didn’t want to say anything too offensive. “Well, when I informed her that we were sending her home, back to Placidia, she didn’t want to go. She pleaded with me to let her stay.”

  James looked confused. “Pleaded with you? How do you mean?”

  “She begged me not to make her go. She said she wanted to stay here.”

  James became even more confused. “She begged you? She said she didn’t want to go?” Caleb was nodding, yes that was correct. James looked down at the table, trying to understand how his mute sister could have begged or pleaded or said anything. “But, that’s impossible,” he finally responded, looking back at Caleb.

  Now Caleb was confused. “Whatever do you mean?” he asked. A door squeaked open to his right but he didn’t look away from James, not yet.

  “Katey is mute.” James said.

  Now, it was Caleb’s turn to look completely bewildered.

  Just then, a cacophonous clatter and a splashing of water brought both gentlemen’s attention to whoever had just entered the room.

  ***

  Katey had stopped by the kitchen on her way to the dinner table. Cook wanted to see her in the evening gown. She had dotted on her for several minutes, making Katey even later than she was before. Cook was also running behind and Katey had insisted on helping out by carrying the water pitcher to the table. Cook said absolutely not but she had taken it anyway.

  Katey was extremely nervous. Having dinner at Caleb’s table for the first time had her stomach in knots. Even though she knew her station would allow her to be there, she knew the other guests would have no idea that this was so. She didn’t know who else might be present and just how harshly they might judge her.

  She came in the side entrance, the servant’s entrance, simply because it was the easiest way for her to arrive from the kitchen and she was, after all, carrying a pitcher of water.

  When she first entered the room, her eyes immediately went to Caleb. She had missed him and was looking forward to seeing him, even in this uncomfortable situation. She was pleased and proud of him that he was willing to let her dine at his table, despite what others might think. He was sitting in his usual chair, in deep conversation and she took note of how handsome he was, always, but even when his brow was furrowed.

  It was then that she realized whom he was talking to.

  The shock made her drop the water pitcher, which shattered all over the floor, drawing everyone’s immediate attention.

  And then he saw her, too.

  James looked up at once at the sound of the water pitcher shattering against the slate floor. At first, he didn’t quite believe his eyes. But, he could tell by her reaction upon seeing him that this was no illusion. “Katey!” he yelled, leaping from his seat.

  She was weeping, her hands partially covering her face but James could see that it certainly was his little sister, not in the hands of the barbaric Gradenians but right here, safe and sound in Castle Caine. He ran to her at once, embracing her, lifting her up off the ground and spinning her in circles.

  Caleb had also stood upon the sound of the shattering glass. James’s last words were beginning to sink in and, at seeing the prince’s reaction to Rose entering the room, he suddenly gained full clarity.

  She wasn’t Rose. She was Katey.

  She really had been lying to him all along.

  Katey was so very happy to see James at long last. She beamed at him, her hands on his cheeks, studying his face. It had only been about four weeks but it seemed like an eternity. He kissed her forehead and each cheek, hugging her tightly.

  “I’m so relieved to see you!” he said. “Let me have a look at you!” he said holding her at arms distance. “You seemed to have become a lady over night! Where’s my little Katey-Bug gone?” Pulling her back into his arms, he whispered, “Oh, Katey, you’re safe. Thank the Lord, you’re safe.”

  Katey was content to be held so tightly in James’s arms, but over his shoulder she could see Caleb and she knew he must be feeling both confused and angry. As much as Katey would have loved to stay in her brother’s loving arms for an eternity, eventually, she pulled away and gestured towards Caleb.

  James had forgotten there was anyone else in the room, anyone else in the universe. He turned around to see all five of the other gentlemen staring at them, their faces a mixture of confusion and delight. Except for Caleb. He only looked confused.

  “This, this is my sister. Princess Katherine,” James said to Caleb, taking Katey by the hand and leading her the few steps to where the king stood, immobilized.

  “So I see,” Caleb said, his expression not changing.

  Katey curtseyed, once again finding herself unable to meet his penetrating blue eyes.

  “How?” James began, not even sure how to state the question. “How did this mistake, this error in identity occur?”

  Caleb shook his head. “I honestly don’t know,” he said still staring at Katey. “I guess I’m a fool,” he added.

  Katey shook her h
ead, trying to find a way to make James, to make both of them understand. It would be difficult to do since she could not use words to retell the story. She did not want James to be angry at Caleb, or to think he had purposely misled him. Grabbing both of James’s arms so that he would be forced to give her his attention, she pointed at herself, indicating it was her fault, not Caleb’s.

  “Katey, I thought you had been captured,” James explained. “I saw a carriage, one that I was told you were riding in, swept away by Gradenian soldiers. I thought I had lost you forever.”

  Katey was shocked, her hands covered her mouth. Poor Rose. As angry as her lies and schemes had made her, Katey didn’t wish that upon anyone, not even Rose.

  Caleb was extremely uncomfortable. He needed some time to collect his thoughts. Alone. “James, why don’t you and, uh, Princess Katherine take some time to catch up. You can use the library.” James nodded his head and Caleb signaled for them to be escorted. As she turned to go, Katey attempted to catch Caleb’s eye, but he was not ready to give her his attention yet.

  ***

  The courier was out of breath. His horse had dropped dead before he had reached Castle Meadington and he had been forced to run the last four hundred yards. His lungs felt as if they might explode any second, sending him on his way to join his beloved steed.

  Facing Queen Nichole now as she sat on her throne, her face as cold as stone, her perfect posture making her appear at least two inches taller than her actual height, her piercing eyes cast like daggers into his soul, it was difficult for him to gain enough breath to relay his message. Finally, he was able to cast it out in spurts. “Princess . . . Katey . . . kidnapped. . . Leo,” he said.

  Nichole had known the news could not be good or else the courier would have never been sent. Yet, she was certainly not expecting this. She was outraged. It was all she could do retain her composure. “Prepare the army,” she said. Leopold had committed an act of war and, an act he would soon regret. She would have her sister safely returned to her, at any cost.

  Chapter 11

  “I thought I might never see you again,” James was saying, clasping both of Katey’s hands in his. “I’m so glad that you are safe. Nichole will be so relieved.”

  Katey nodded. She was so sorry that James had thought she’d been abducted. She wished there was a way to quickly send word to Nichole that she was safe but it would take at least two days for a message to reach her. In the mean time, she would no doubt be planning her advancement on Leopold’s forces.

  But, if he had attempted to take her into his custody then that is what he deserved.

  Nevertheless, she needed to find a way to let James know what had transpired, to make sure that the relationship between Placidia and Arteria was not damaged.

  “Who is this Rose person?” James was asking. He knew as well as anyone that Katey could not answer any question that wasn’t phrased in a definitive manner. So, he began to ask yes and no questions. “Was she a friend of yours?” Katey hesitated before shaking her head no. At first, she had thought so, but no, clearly she was not her friend.

  “Was she from Clovington?”

  Yes.

  “Did you know her before you arrived here?”

  Again some hesitation but a yes.

  “So she was an acquaintance, not a friend?”

  Correct.

  “And, so, when you arrived, she pretended to be you, Princess Katherine?”

  Yes.

  “How, could she have possibly gotten away with that?” He knew that was not a yes or no question but he could not help but ask it. It seemed ludicrous to him that some commoner had been able to convince a king that she was a princess and, apparently, that the princess was a servant girl.

  But Katey was able to answer. She raised her right hand and indicated to James that her ring was gone.

  “She took your ring?”

  Yes.

  “Seriously? She stole your signet ring and was able to convince Caleb and his staff that she was the princess and that you were. . . . a servant girl?”

  A whore. Katey thought. But nodded her head yes. He needn’t know everything just yet.

  James stood now, taking a few paces and returning to where Katey sat on the settee. “And Caleb believed her?”

  Katey shrugged, yes, apparently. But Rose had been very convincing. In fact, the longer she had pretended to be the princess and Katey played the role of servant girl, the more Katey herself had become convinced.

  James sat back down. “Well, I suppose the important thing is that you are safe. And we will have you home in Placidia where you belong in a few days.”

  Katey shook her head violently. No, she was not returning to Placidia.

  James was confused. “I know you probably don’t feel particularly safe after what has happened to, uh, Rose, but we will travel via the shipping channel. The Placidian navy will keep us safe.”

  Again, Katey shook her head, no. She was not leaving.

  He didn’t understand. “You don’t want to go to Placidia?”

  No. Then, another thought crossed his mind. Philip had said she was his wife, perhaps it were true. “It’s not Philip, is it? Surely you don’t want us to return you to him.”

  Katey looked abhorred. No! Of course not! She shook her head even more violently. Then, she pointed at the ground. Here. She wanted to stay here.

  He was beginning to understand. “You want to stay here? In Arteria?”

  Yes, precisely.

  “Why? What in the world would make you want to stay here?” he asked.

  Oh, so many things. So many people. But one in particular.

  He knew she could not answer so he was forced to ask another question. He thought for a second and then it all became clear. “Caleb?” he asked.

  Katey’s blush would have been enough but she nodded her head as well.

  James sighed. This was unexpected. He wasn’t sure what Nichole would think. For all he knew, she had never considered aligning herself so closely with Arteria. And yet, if Katey truly wanted to be with Caleb then, perhaps, so should follow her heart and do what she knew to be right. It wasn’t often that nobles were given that opportunity but if his little sister could find a way, then, he would support her.

  Katey was looking up at him through her eyelashes, waiting for some sort of a response. She wasn’t sure what James would think—and she knew she may have to face the wrath of her sister who seemed to think of her as a bit of a commodity—but she was willing to do whatever she had to in order to stay with Caleb. If he will still have me.

  After careful consideration, James began to nod his head. “Alright then,” he said. “If you wish to stay here with Caleb, so be it, as long as he is treating you with the love and respect you deserve, you will have my blessing. And, I will do my best to convince Nichole.”

  Katey reached out to her brother and he embraced her, so glad to feel her in his arms once again. He kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Baby Katey.” She squeezed him tightly, letting him know she loved him, too.

  ***

  Philip was sitting in the chamber Leo had provided him with, sipping his third chalice of wine, looking over the gloomy terrain in front of the castle, the rainy day mirroring his current mood, and reflecting on what his next move might be when Katherine arrived. It shouldn’t be long now. He knew one thing was sure. He was looking forward to completing the consummation of their relationship.

  There was a resounding knock at the door. He sat his goblet down and went to answer it, annoyed that he was pulled away from his thoughts of Katey’s writhing body.

  He assumed it was a servant or courier but was rather startled to see it was King Leo himself. He paused for a moment, a questioning look on his face.

  “May I come in?” Leo asked assertively. Philip stepped aside and Leo entered, with a quick observation of his cousin’s quarters. “Dark in here,” he mumbled.

  Philip said nothing. Closing the door behind him. Leo crossed over t
o the small table in front of the window, the one Philip had been sitting at. He poured himself a drink and downed it before turning back to address Philip, who had only taken a few steps from the door.

  “How are you, dear cousin?” Leo asked, sitting his goblet down and approaching his cousin slowly.

  Philip opened his mouth to answer but didn’t have the opportunity to speak before Leo’s fist landed squarely on his cheekbone, the steal tips on his glove ripping into his flesh and leaving him sputtering.

  Reeling, Philip’s hand flew to his face. He stumbled backwards, caught himself and stared up at his cousin in disbelief.

  “Never think that I don’t know what happens in my own kingdom!” he spat. “I know everything!”

  Philip’s face was bleeding. He was infuriated. He was a king! Never had he been treated like this in his entire life. And yet, he knew, he was a guest in Leo’s fortress. If he dare cross Leo, engage him, he would be thrown in the deepest, darkest dungeon, never to be seen or heard from again.

  Leo seemed to have regained his composure. Just as quickly as he had shown outrage, he became calm and pleasant. He poured himself another drink, topped Philip’s wine off as well, and sitting down, gestured for Philip to join him.

  Hesitantly, Philip crossed the room, wiping the splatters of blood on the back of his hand and then on to his trousers. He sat in the chair as he was told, waiting for Leo to speak.

  “Now, tell me, what is your plan? What is it about this girl that has you risky war with Placidia?”

  When Philip had decided to reclaim his bride, he knew there was a possibility that Nichole might see it as an act of hostility. He hoped that he would have the opportunity to meet with her and let her know that he was simply taking what was rightfully his. There had been no terms set forth in their agreement that Philip must retain his kingship over Clovington in order to maintain Katherine as his wife. If he could not have his castle, at least, he could have her. He was merely retrieving her from the Arterians. No act of aggression was ever intended or implied.