‘Is that a message? Let me see.’ Bracing herself, Theodora took the vellum and began to read, We know about the baby. Be warned. We want her and we shall find her, wherever she is. She does not belong to you.
For a moment, Theodora was rocked with nausea. ‘Sweet Mother, Boda’s been in the apartment!’
‘But how? He could not have got past the sentries. I shall go and ask them if they noticed anything unusual.’ Sophia started for the door.
Theodora caught her arm. ‘Wait! Think. Boda must have slipped in and out without their knowledge.’
‘Princess, that cannot be possible—let me speak to the men.’
‘No. Our questions are bound to get back to the Duke.’ Boda has been in the apartment, looking for Martina. ‘We got her away just in time.’
Boots clicked on the marble floor behind her, the footfall was familiar. ‘Got who away?’ Nikolaos said, coming towards her.
Theodora’s heart leaped to her throat, there was no way she could hide the teething-ring. Dark eyes rested curiously on it.
‘What’s this?’
Theodora said the first thing that came into her mind. ‘It...it’s a gift for Katerina. For the baby. I found it at the market.’
Long fingers took the teething-ring from her, he did not seem to have noticed the vellum. ‘Pretty,’ he said, softly. ‘Which market? When did you find time to buy it?’ He tossed it casually on to the bed. His eyes were cold as glass and Theodora wondered how much of their conversation he had heard. ‘Between visiting your friends and attending the Empress in the dining hall, I should think you have had scant time for markets and coral teething-rings.’
He knows I am lying. Theodora’s throat constricted. ‘I...I...’
Nikolaos raised a brow at Sophia. ‘Thank you, my lady, you are not required tonight.’
Sophia fled.
Theodora knew she was in deep trouble. Suspicion sat large in her husband’s eyes, and when he put his hands on his hips and said, ‘Well,’ she knew that evasion would no longer suffice. The time for truth was finally upon her. Or as much of it as she dared tell him. Behind her back, she dropped the vellum on the floor. It was too dangerous to tell him everything.
‘There are to be no more delaying tactics, my lady,’ he murmured. ‘I have had enough of them.’
Theodora put her head up. ‘You are quite right, I shall tell you as much as I may.’ She gave him a candid look. ‘I hardly know where to start.’
‘It begins in Rascia, does it not?’
She nodded.
‘Then start with my cousin, Leo. He’s dead, isn’t he?’
She stared. ‘You know?’
‘You would have told me if he were alive,’ Nikolaos said, moving closer. He took her hand and guided her to the bed. To her horror, she could see the parchment sticking out from under it; heart jumping, she kicked it out of sight.
‘Theodora?’
‘Brother Leo spent much time with Prince Peter, so it was no surprise that he was present the night that Peter was assassinated. I do not know exactly how they died—it happened at one of the border outposts and reports were...unclear. I understand they put up some resistance. Their bodies were much cut about...’ she bit her lip ‘...I was not permitted to see them, you understand, but I do know their murderers took the coward’s way.’
‘My cousin—a monk—would not have been armed. You are saying that Prince Peter was also unarmed?’
‘No, but most of his wounds—there were several—were in his back.’
Warm fingers caressed hers, his eyes lost their glassy hardness. ‘I am sorry, this is painful for you.’
‘I understand you have to know. Brother Leo was your cousin.’ Briefly, she stared at the calloused, masculine hand covering hers. ‘Are his parents living?’
‘No, but my mother holds him dear, in memory of her sister. With your permission, I shall tell her.’
Theodora nodded.
‘And you hold that Prince Djuradj of Zeta is responsible.’
‘I know he is responsible.’
‘Proof?’
There is no proof that I can give you. All I know is that Prince Djuradj must know my deep secret if his men are hunting for my daughter...and I cannot speak of that. Fear for Martina’s life held her silent on that score. Boda was here, he had tracked Martina to the apartment and the placing of her teething-ring on the bed was a signal of some dark intent. Kidnap? Murder? The Župan of Zeta was capable of anything.
‘Nikolaos, the outpost where it happened was close to the Zetan border, but other than that there is no proof.’
‘Pity.’ Nikolaos played with her fingers. ‘What connection is there between you and Commander Ashfirth’s wife, Katerina?’
‘We are not related, the resemblance between us is purely coincidental.’ Theodora paused. She was wondering whether it would be safe to tell him about Katerina’s part in helping to delay her return. I do not want to lie any more than I have to. She took a deep breath. ‘Katerina was my maidservant. I confess I asked her to impersonate me...before...before my return to the Palace.’
Nikolaos released her hand, his gaze speculative. She could almost see him wrestling with himself, he wanted to believe her. At least, she hoped he wanted to believe her...
‘Nikolaos, I am sorry I misled you.’
‘You were grieving for Prince Peter and you didn’t want to marry anyone else, so you ordered a maidservant to take your place?’
Theodora lowered her eyes. ‘Yes.’ She wished she could tell him more; however, the full enormity of her sin was such that she could only confess it to Emperor Alexios. She dreaded that day.
‘Who else knows about this? Your ladies?’
She nodded. ‘Lady Anna of Heraklea was of particular help.’
‘I should like to speak to her.’
‘Why?’ Glancing up, Theodora saw that the small scar beneath his eye had become more prominent, he suspected there was more. ‘Lady Anna has left the City.’
‘How very convenient. Where did she go? Heraklea?’
Theodora lifted her chin, there was an edge to his tone she did not like. ‘No, Anna went to Apulia.’
‘Apulia? Theodora, what is going on?’
‘Anna is to marry an Apulian knight.’ Theodora laid a hand on her husband’s arm. When he made no move to accept or reject the gesture, her heart sank. ‘Nikolaos, believe me, Anna left the city to marry, she helped Katerina to play her part, that is all. There is no great conspiracy. I was not ready to come home.’ His dark face had become so grim, she withdrew her hand.
‘No great conspiracy? You had better be telling the truth. Let me get this straight—I am expected to believe that you were so set against marrying anyone but Prince Peter, that you inveigled your ladies, all your ladies, into a scheme to delay coming home?’ His eyes were watchful, calculating. ‘That day I first saw you in the apartment, you had just returned. I see it now, that’s how you did it. You were never ill, admit it.’
‘I admit it, I was never ill.’
‘So Katerina took your place and you hid yourself away. It was the old Emperor who agreed to our marriage—wouldn’t it have been easier to inform him you had no wish to marry me?’
‘I tried that. I was not presented with any choice in the matter and one does not argue with an Emperor, even an old one. And then the coup complicated everything... Nikolaos, I would have you know that I am not displeased with my husband.’
He went on studying her, a slight frown between his brows. Suspicion was in his very bearing—he looked stiff and unyielding—but she thought he was trying to believe her.
‘You still have secrets.’
She turned away. ‘I admit there are...difficulties. The secret is not entirely mine. Nikolaos, I want to trust you—’
‘I want to trust you.’ With a sigh of exasperation, he tossed his wedding crown aside and shoved his hand through his hair. ‘My loyalty lies with the Emperor. I never thought to find myself asking this of you, an Imperial pri
ncess, but where do your loyalties lie?’
‘Where do my loyalties lie?’ Aghast, she sat very straight. ‘How dare you!’
‘It is my duty to dare, my lady.’ A muscle jumped in his jaw. ‘You have already confessed that the Prince of Zeta sued for your hand after Peter of Rascia’s death. Prince Djuradj’s men are here in the City, and you yourself have admitted you have had dealings with him in the past.’ He spread his hands. ‘On the face of it, Princess, there is much to give me pause.’
In a trice, Theodora was on her feet, looking down her nose at him. ‘My lord, I think you had better leave before either of us says something we might later regret.’
Rising, he gave her a jerky bow. ‘As you wish, Princess.’
Gritting her teeth—how dare he impugn me? How dare he question my loyalty?—Theodora watched him snatch his crown from the bed and jam it on his head.
‘My lady, you should know that the polo match is to be held tomorrow afternoon. Most of the Court is expected to attend.’
Theodora lifted a brow and said nothing.
‘Both the Emperor and the Empress will be there, I believe they expect you to join them. Until then, my lady, I strongly advise you to remain in this apartment. You will be safe here. So, until tomorrow afternoon...’ He gave her another curt bow and was gone.
Theodora glared after him. How dare he! Not only did he suspect her of colluding with Prince Djuradj in some way, but now he was ordering her to keep to the apartment.
Sophia appeared. ‘The Duke is not sleeping here tonight?’
Theodora gritted her teeth. ‘He most certainly is not.’
* * *
‘Women!’ Back in the barracks, Nikolaos hurled his wedding crown on to his pallet and stared bleakly at it.
‘You have been speaking to your mother, my lord?’ Elias asked. Retrieving the crown, he polished it with his sleeve.
‘My mother? Lord, no, I am talking about my wife. When I met the Princess I thought there was a chance that she might prove exceptional, that she might not share women’s love of secrets, of deceit. It seems I am wrong.’
‘I am sorry to hear it, my lord.’
‘She...oh, never mind.’ Nikolaos gave his manservant a rueful grin—what could he say? He wanted to trust someone who was not prepared to trust him. ‘I am a madman, Elias.’
‘Yes, my lord. My lord, about your mother...’
Nikolaos felt his frown deepen. ‘What about my mother? I am telling you, Elias, I am in no mood to hear you singing my mother’s praises.’
Slowly, Elias shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t dare—you are like a bear with a sore head tonight. No, my lord, I simply wanted to ask if you were aware that your mother has arrived? She has been asking after you.’
‘My mother’s in the Palace? You expect me to speak to her?’
‘Not tonight, of course not,’ Elias murmured. ‘Perhaps tomorrow?’
Nikolaos let the question go unanswered—he did not want to talk about his mother. He would have to speak to her soon, though. Leo is dead, God rest him. The news will knock Mother back, I hope her illness does not rear its head again. His mother’s confession about his parentage had appalled him—even so he did not wish more unhappiness on her. Lady Verina had not been the same since the death of her husband Governor Gregorios. It was odd how the loss of the man she had betrayed should affect her so powerfully. Women! Another woman walked into his mind’s eye—a delicate, passionate beauty who by some miracle he had married. Why in Hades hadn’t Theodora mentioned Leo’s death before now?
Unbuckling his belt, he tossed it at Elias. ‘Before I bed down, send in Captain Markos, will you? I am doubling the guard on my wife’s apartment.’
‘Your wife’s apartment?’ Elias looked keenly at him. ‘Princess Theodora has dismissed you?’
‘Who said the Princess has dismissed me?’
Wisely, Elias did not answer.
Chapter Twelve
‘Is this wise, my lady?’ Sophia whispered as she and the Princess glided towards the sentries at the apartment entrance. Theodora had told her that Nikolaos expected her to remain in their chambers that morning.
Theodora gave Sophia a quelling look and was opening her mouth to tell her exactly what she thought of her husband’s suggestion, when she noticed four guards had been posted at the doors, rather than two. Her jaw tightened. ‘One moment, Sophia—something is out of place here. Officer!’
The men saluted and their officer stepped forward. He was wearing a white tunic beneath silver and gold breast armour—the distinctive uniform of one of her husband’s Immortals. ‘Despoina?’
‘You are a cavalry officer, are you not? From my husband’s regiment?’
‘Yes, my lady.’
‘What is your name?’
‘Captain Markos, my lady.’
‘Captain, I meant to ask this after my wedding—what happened to the Varangians who were formerly posted outside the apartment?’
‘They have been redeployed, my lady. I understand the Emperor has need of them.’
Theodora held the Captain’s eyes. ‘Who ordered the change?’
‘General Nikolaos, my lady.’
‘And the doubling of the guard—did the General order that, too?’
There was the slightest hesitation. ‘Yes, my lady.’
How dare he! He is having me watched.
Clenching her hands in her skirts, Theodora attempted to cover her rising anger with a serene smile and wondered if Captain Markos had noticed her displeasure. ‘Thank you, Captain. Be at ease.’
She proceeded to the head of the stairs. ‘Captain?’
‘My lady?’
‘I shall shortly be leaving the Palace. Will men from the Athanatoi be escorting me today?’
‘Yes, my lady.’
‘On the orders of my husband?’
‘Why, yes, my lady.’
There was no doubt of it—he was having her watched. Theodora gave a heavy sigh, half-hoping to discomfort the Captain. Nikolaos had chosen well, though; if Captain Markos noticed her irritation, he hid it. Would he report her reaction back to Nikolaos? ‘Captain, I should like you to arrange for an immediate escort. And should my husband enquire after me, you may tell him I am going riding.’
‘Where will we be going, my lady?’ The question was posed courteously, but in her view it should not have been asked.
Theodora gave the Captain a haughty look. ‘You are impudent, Captain.’
Captain Markos didn’t reply. He was probably following specific instructions. Theodora supposed she ought to be grateful that Nikolaos had not ordered her to be physically constrained. She might be a princess, but even a princess was subject to the will of her husband. Unfortunately, that was the way of things here.
Nikolaos has ordered me watched—his men will be following my every move. She understood his reasons—he mistrusted her connection, tenuous though it was, with Prince Djuradj. Her throat ached. With something of a jolt, she realised that she was not simply irritated and angry, she was also feeling regret. Regret and anger. Her insides writhed, it was a poisonous combination. She had hoped for better from Nikolaos.
‘I am undecided where I am going,’ she said, in a deliberately lofty tone. ‘Rest assured, though, I shall be back in time for my husband’s polo match.’
‘Very well, my lady. I will lead your escort.’
Theodora gave Captain Markos a sickly smile. ‘How kind.’
* * *
Surrounded by an Athanatoi cavalry escort in pristine white tunics and silver and gold breastplates, Princess Theodora and Lady Sophia rode out of the Great Palace. Leaving the Senate behind them, they were soon clattering across the Augustaion—the main square—towards the Mese. As she rode, Theodora was struggling with emotions that were as unexpected as they were unsettling. How could he? How could he order me watched like this? It was humiliating. Of course, as a loyal soldier of the Empire he would feel he had no choice. And she could hardly leave the Imper
ial Palace without an escort. Nevertheless... I thought he liked me, he must know I would never do anything to jeopardise the security of the Empire.
She had been naïve. The Duke was attracted to her physically. It did not follow that he understood her, it did not mean that he had insight into either her soul or her character. He liked the look of her and he enjoyed bedding her—it was as simple and as basic as that.
He is a man. He knows I have been deceiving him and this is my punishment.
They trotted on to the Mese, Middle Street, approaching the area where Katerina lived.
Catching Sophia’s eye, Theodora picked her words with care. Captain Markos and the men were crowding them, she knew they were listening. ‘I had hoped to visit Katerina this morning, Sophia, but I have changed my mind.’
Sophia sent her a sympathetic look, she understood how much she wanted to see Martina. She would also understand her reluctance to do so whilst under the eye of the Athanatoi.
‘Where are we going, my lady?’
‘To the other side of the City. I intend to visit my parents’ grave.’
Sophia’s eyes widened. ‘Is there time, my lady? The graveyard lies some way outside the City walls and you are expected to attend the polo tournament.’
Theodora lifted her chin. She did not care if Captain Markos thought her unreasonable to choose to visit her parents’ grave today. She was counting on him telling Nikolaos about her defiance, she wanted to prove she had a will of her own. She also needed the exercise, she would feel calmer after the ride. ‘There’s time. I have waited years to pay my respects at my parents’ grave.’ She put scorn in her voice. ‘No polo tournament is going to stop me.’
* * *
This time, the long ride did nothing to calm her. Standing by her parents’ grave upset her far more than she had anticipated. Years had passed since their bones had been returned to the City and the gravestone was mottled with lichen. Theodora lay flowers and stayed to say prayers with tears blurring her vision. She could still hear the catch in her mother’s voice as she told her that she had been greatly honoured to be chosen to be Prince Peter’s bride. She could see the sorrow in her mother’s eyes as she had explained that Theodora must leave Constantinople and go and live with her betrothed in faraway Rascia.
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