A Choice of Crowns

by Barb Hendee

  Also, though Micah certainly must have had duties at the barracks, he remained with me for as long as I wanted to stay. I could not express my gratitude to him enough as we passed through the gates and reentered the courtyard. Royal guards milled all around us.

  “Thank you, Captain” I said to him, wishing I could say more. For the span of the afternoon, he’d played the part of a…friend. Now that we were back in my world, he’d again become the captain of the guard.

  “It was my honor,” he answered, but his voice was low, and I saw a flash of longing pass through his eyes.

  Quickly, I turned and walked toward the castle doors, trying to put Micah from my mind. The sun was setting, and I’d be late for dinner if I didn’t hurry. Upon slipping inside the castle, I followed the corridor to the round entry-chamber near the great hall and then entered the corridor leading toward the south towers. Ashton would be wondering where I’d been all afternoon.

  Though my father’s training caused me to slow, I was not paying my usual attention and was caught entirely off guard when someone stepped from an alcove.

  I stopped.

  It was Lord Sauvage. His expression was tight, and his eyes narrowed. He’d have heard about my inclusion in common court this morning. Had he been waiting for me?

  “A word, my lady,” he said coldly.

  I knew something of his reputation, and we were alone in this corridor. A hint of fear passed through me, and I tried to step around him. “Forgive me, my lord. Perhaps we could speak at dinner? I am late to dress.”

  His right hand snaked out and grabbed my wrist, jerking me back. I fought not to wince at the sudden pain in my arm. He was as strong and solid as he looked, and his grip felt like a manacle.

  “I don’t know what you’re playing at,” he whispered. “But it won’t fly here. You’re a fool if you think the council will stand by and watch some slip of a girl advise the princess…who will be queen.”

  The pain of his grip grew worse, but I knew better than to show fear. “That is up to the princess, and it is her pleasure to have me by her side.”

  “Not for long. I wrote your father today and told him of your shameful acts here. If I know him, and I do, he’ll bring you home and have you whipped.”

  My stomach tightened at the hatred in his voice. I could only imagine what he’d written to my father, exaggerating tales of my behavior here. My father would be outraged. He’d sent me to marry a king and play the part of queen, not to insult the members of the noble council by pushing my way into private meetings and then standing on a dais and appearing to think so highly of myself that I might rule beside Ashton. He’d view me as having embarrassed him, and I could only image what punishment he might devise.

  Lord Sauvage leaned closer. “Maybe he’ll have me whip you here at the castle myself, so you won’t forget the ride home.”

  When I tried to jerk my arm away, he let go.

  Turning, I fled down the corridor. The afternoon I’d spent evaporated like mist.

  * * * *

  By the time I reached Ashton’s apartments, I was in a panic.

  After rushing through the door, I closed it behind me. I could hear Kamilla in the bedroom as she walked with quick steps, accompanied by the sound of rustling silk, as she was probably laying out my gown. But across the main room, Ashton was already dressed for dinner and appeared on the verge of being ready to go down.

  “Oh, Olivia,” she said. “There you are. Where have you been? I was growing worried. If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the first course.” Then she saw my face. “What’s wrong?”

  It went against all my instincts to turn to her—to turn to anyone—for help, but I was desperate.

  “Lord Sauvage has written to my father, and I fear the letter was vile. He’s told of my presence at a closed-door council meeting and of my sitting beside you in common court. He’s most likely painted me as some power-seeking girl pushing myself upon you. He will shame my father as a man unable to control the behavior of his daughter.” I put hand to my stomach. “The moment my father reads this letter, he’ll send Captain Reynaud and a contingent of guards to bring me home.”

  The words came from my mouth in a rush, and I expected her to be shocked and upset. She was the one who’d put me in the public eye with little thought of how the men of the council might react.

  But she offered me a measured gaze. “Your father will not send guards. He will not bring you home.”

  “He will.”

  “No. I wrote to him myself yesterday, using the royal seal. I explained that it is my express wish for you to remain here with me, even after my coronation.”

  “The royal seal?”

  She nodded. “My letter will reach him first, and I made myself quite clear. He will disregard Lord Sauvage’s letter. He will not call you home.”

  We stared at each other.

  Everyone thought her so naïve—including me—but she’d foreseen this.

  “You have protected me,” she said. “Now I will protect you.”

  * * * *

  We celebrated her coronation just over a month later.

  Ashton followed the tradition for a new monarch to ride from the outer edge of the city all the way to the castle gates. It was still summer, and the sun shone brightly. However, once again, she angered the council by insisting I ride through the streets directly behind her as she presented herself to the people of Partheney.

  Micah rode directly behind me.

  Twenty royal guards and forty members of the royal military followed him.

  Thousands of people lined the streets.

  Ashton’s gown was gold with a purple underskirt. People cheered and tossed roses in her path, but many of them now recognized me from having attended common court, and I was cheered as well. Some of the roses were thrown in my path.

  A part of me reveled in this. Another part shuddered at how the council would react when they heard.

  After we finally passed through the castle gate, Captain Caron dismounted and lifted Ashton down first, then me. Baron Augustine awaited us there in the courtyard. He’d not been unkind, but I could see that even he was growing increasingly concerned by Ashton’s favor of me.

  “You’d best go in, my lady,” he told me.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  He would escort Ashton in a few moments.

  Turning, I headed through the main doors of the castle and made my way to the great hall. All the other nobles were already inside. My father and brother, George, both stood in a place of honor at the front. Forty serving woman had spent three days lining the walls with long strings of flowers. A red carpet had been spread from the archway to a dais that contained a single ornate chair. Lord Cloutier stood by the chair in his formal robes.

  A crown rested on a pedestal.

  Avoiding stepping on the carpet, I walked to join my family. Every eye in the room followed me, and I knew I’d been much discussed in the past month. No one knew what to make of Ashton’s insistence that I be treated as her sister—with all the rights and privileges of a royal.

  My father nodded once as I stood beside him. He was as puzzled as everyone else, but by now, he understood that Ashton’s favor for me was more than a passing fancy. His mind had already turned to how our family might benefit.

  Heads began turning toward the archway.

  Ashton and Baron Augustine entered the hall, and he escorted her up the red carpet. I marveled at her beauty. The top of her head barely reached the baron’s shoulder, and yet she was a queen in her golden gown with silken black hair streaming down her back.

  Baron Augustine led her to the chair and she took her place.

  Lord Cloutier anointed her head with oil, and he recited the vows for her to protect this kingdom and place the welfare of its people above all else.

  When she swore her pr
omises, I believed her.

  Finally, he placed the crown upon her head. Then he stepped to the side and motioned to her with one hand. “Queen Ashton.”

  * * * *

  That night, my father and George were given places at the head table. This was not lost on the council, especially not Lord Sauvage. I’d managed to avoid him this past month, but he was now powerless to insist my father bring me home and punish me.

  Clearly, my father had no intention of doing either.

  The Géroux star was on the rise.

  I sat on Ashton’s right, and as the second course was served, she turned to me and spoke quietly. “There will be some changes for us beginning tomorrow.”

  “Such as?”

  “I’ll need to move into my mother’s apartments. It’s expected of the queen. You’re welcome to come with me or you can keep our current apartments for your own.”

  I thought on that. I had a few plans for the future in which having my own sitting room could be useful. “I would stay in our current apartments, if that’s agreeable.”

  “Of course. I also wish to give you something to show my gratitude. I’ve arranged to sign over a fief about twenty leagues south of the city.”

  My hand stopped with my goblet halfway to my mouth. “What?”

  “It was left to me by my grandmother, and it’s mine to give. I’ve signed it over to you. There is a vassal in place, but you’ll receive most of the rents and a portion of the taxes.”

  I was speechless.

  “You must have an income,” she went on as if we were discussing the weather, “and I’d rather you weren’t forced to ask your father for an allowance.”

  In truth, I’d been worrying about this myself. My basic needs of meals and housing were supplied here at the castle, but I had no money of my own.

  I could hardly believe what I hearing. A fief? With income from taxes and rents?

  “Ashton…”

  “Don’t thank me. It’s nothing.”

  It wasn’t nothing. She’d just made me an independent woman.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A week later, I hosted my first gathering of the merchant wives. I’d made a few changes to Ashton’s apartments—which were now my apartments—adding more small tables and chairs, and the sitting room was better set up for multiple guests.

  I’d told the women to bring their sewing or embroidery. I’d arranged tables for cards. I’d ordered tea, cakes, and small apple tarts. I considered asking Ashton to join us, but then I remembered she’d be cloistered with the council today. Lord Sauvage had called a meeting. After that first time, Ashton had not pressed her luck by insisting I attend.

  I looked forward to my afternoon.

  At first, the arriving women appeared nervous, even Emilee, but less than an hour in, the sitting room was alive with activity and conversation. We spent a good deal of time discussing the upcoming autumn fair, and as I knew this would be a frequent topic in common court, I made many mental notes.

  By late afternoon, when we said our good-byes, I felt much better informed…and oddly, as if I were making new friends. Emilee grasped my hand before she left.

  “You are an unusual noblewoman, my lady.”

  I took it as a compliment.

  A few serving girls arrived to clean up, and not long after, Kamilla arrived to help me dress for dinner. The sight of her caused me to wonder about our current arrangement.

  “Do you mind serving both myself and the queen?” I asked. “Now that we’re in separate apartments, this does make more work for you.”

  “I don’t mind,” she answered. “You are both kind-natured and easy to please. I’m glad to attend you both.”

  I was not kind-natured, but that was hardly worth arguing because her answer brought me relief. I trusted her loyalty. She was as devoted to Ashton as Micah, and no matter what my father had warned about ladies’ maids, I knew she’d never spill secrets.

  “Which gown tonight, my lady?” she asked.

  “The cream silk, I think.”

  Kamilla went into my bedroom to lay out my gown, and I was just moving to join her when the door to the sitting room opened and Ashton rushed inside without knocking. Her normally pale face was white.

  “What is it?” I asked, hurrying to reach her.

  She trembled and seemed barely able to speak. Then she said, “Lord Sauvage wants to go to war.”

  “War?”

  “Yes, he wishes me to propose an invasion of Samourè, so the council might vote and uphold my decision.”

  “On what grounds?”

  “There have been a few raiders crossing the border and attacking farms. He sees this as a violation of the treaty between our kingdoms.”

  “What does King Amandine say?”

  “He’s offered reparations and promised to stop the raids himself, but several men on the council won’t accept his offer. They say we’ll appear weak if we allow ourselves to be bought off, and we don’t strike back hard.”

  “And what do you think?”

  “I am against war in this instance. A war would mean raising taxes, and many people can barely afford what they’re paying now. It would mean the deaths or suffering of innocent families in Samourè. It would mean the deaths of some of our own men.” She paused. “Am I wrong?”

  “No,” I answered, agreeing with every word. “You are exactly right.”

  Kamilla stood in the bedroom doorway, listening. I didn’t mind. Again, she could be trusted.

  But Ashton’s voice was anguished. “Lord Sauvage belittled me in the council chambers as if I were a child. He said a prince or a king would not hesitate to show strength, and he suggested I would be a weak woman if I did not propose war.”

  Suddenly, I understood Sauvage’s position. No man on the council could propose an invasion. This was our law. The reigning monarch proposed war, and the council voted. He needed for Ashton to make the proposal.

  Her blue eyes shifted back and forth.

  “Perhaps Rowan would agree,” she said. “He would never flinch from using strength.”

  Reaching out, I took her shoulders in my hands. “You are not Rowan. What do you think is best?”

  “I would not hesitate to propose war were it necessary…but this is not necessary. We can solve the issue by other means.”

  I agreed. “Then tell that to the council.”

  * * * *

  Two days later, Ashton called a meeting of the council, and she insisted I attend. Though I argued against this, she was firm.

  “There is a reason,” she said. “Trust me. You must be there.”

  I still thought it a mistake. I had no legal right to be present in a closed-door meeting of the queen and the council, but in my heart, I did trust Ashton.

  I loved her.

  Once the great doors to the council chambers were closed and everyone was seated, as if in echo of the first meeting I’d attended, Ashton rose to her feet at the head of the table, signaling that she would speak.

  “My lords,” she said, “I have called this meeting because I’ve come to an important decision.”

  Everyone present, including me, waited to hear what she would say about the situation in Samourè.

  “I have made my choice of chancellor,” she said.

  Flickers of open surprise crossed a number of faces. This was not what the men had expected. She’d chosen a chancellor? She’d not said a word of this to me.

  Motioning with one hand, she said, “I have chosen the lady Olivia Géroux.”

  Without a semblance of decorum, the room broke out in shocked protests. I sat frozen. Lord Sauvage’s hands curled into tight fists.

  Only Ashton remained calm, waiting for the initial protests to pass.

  Finally, Baron Augustine spoke directly to her in a strained voice. “M
y queen…you cannot choose Lady Olivia.”

  “Oh, but I can,” Ashton answered. “Do you remember me asking to borrow the bylaws last week? I read them carefully. There is no stipulation that the chancellor be male. The laws state only that the chancellor be from among the noble families and a landowner.”

  Some relief followed in the faces around us.

  “Well, then. You see?” Baron Augustine said. “Lady Olivia does not own land.”

  “She does,” Ashton returned. “She owns the Papè fief twenty leagues south of the city, and she collects an income from the rents and taxes.”

  Silence fell.

  “So,” Ashton said, resuming her seat. “I have chosen and appointed my chancellor, as the council requested.” She turned to me. “My chancellor, what your thoughts on the invasion of Samourè in retaliation for these border raids?”

  Lord Cloutier went pale, but Lord Sauvage’s face turned red, and a vein in his left temple throbbed.

  I met Ashton’s eyes and began to truly understand her. She trusted her own judgment, but she needed me. She needed my strength.

  And she’d just handed me a position of joint rulership.

  I answered, “My queen. I would not hesitate to counsel war to protect our kingdom. But from what I understand, King Amandine has offered to pay reparations for any past raids and to work with our northern border’s military to stop future raids. An invasion would accomplish little more than to cause suffering to the people of Samourè. In this case, I see no reason to spend treasure and the lives of our own men in what amounts to little more than misplaced revenge.”

  She nodded. “I am in agreement with my chancellor. For now, we will work with King Amandine to secure our northern border and revisit the issue should it not be resolved.”

  The table was still silent.

  But I met the gaze of every man around me. Lord Sauvage emanated hatred, but Baron Augustine and Lord Cloutier showed a mix of startled confusion and relief.

  “This was all my business for today, my lords,” Ashton said. “Does anyone wish to discuss other business?”

  The men were still speechless, and she rose. Quickly, they rose as well, as was expected in the presence of their queen.