“Yes. We would all welcome your company. Bronwyn is very fond of you, you know.”
“Oh, yes, that would be wonderful!” Anna said. She turned to Keira, and her smile dimmed slightly. “But what about Zach and Lydia?”
“We will all miss you, Anna, but you can come home to Storbrook anytime.” Keira took Anna’s hand in hers. “I know you have not been happy lately,” she said. “It is time for you to discover your own destiny.” She paused for a moment. “Is there anything else that would hold you back at Storbrook?” Anna glanced down at the hand that lay in her sister’s, then lifted her head to meet Keira’s gaze.
“No,” she said. She smiled. “I would love to remain with Cathryn and Favian.”
“Well, you don’t have to decide right away,” Keira said, but Anna was already shaking her head.
“I won’t change my mind,” she said. She turned to look at Cathryn again. “Thank you so much for the offer, and I would love to stay with you at Drake Manor.”
Cathryn smiled. “Excellent,” she said.
Chapter 8
The good weather held, and coronation day dawned fair and bright. The excitement in the city was palpable, and along every street and alley people were in a joyous mood. Children danced and sang in the streets, women smiled and laughed as they chatted with their neighbors, and the men nodded to one another in friendly greeting. By order of King Alfred, mourning clothes had been set aside, and the citizens of Civitas wore their brightest hues. The procession route had been laid with branches and petals, while hanging overhead were brightly colored banners. Pageants and pantomimes, extolling the virtues of the new monarch, had been written by the greatest playwrights and musicians in the city, and had been performed in the streets and on the stage throughout the week.
Once again, Favian had ferreted out a good spot for the family to watch the passing procession, and they stood waiting amongst the crowds on the street. As they waited, bells began to toll in the distance. “The king and queen are leaving the palace,” Cathryn told the children.
Lydia nodded wisely. “We’ll see them here,” she said, pointing to the road in front of where they were standing.
“That’s right,” Cathryn said.
The royal couple were to travel along the river by barge from the palace to the city steps, where they would be met by the Lord Chamberlain, the Mayor, and the city Aldermen. The bells continued to toll in the distance as they waited, and after a while they were joined by others, their notes ringing out much nearer.
“Listen,” Cathryn said. “The king and queen are drawing closer. As they pass each church, the bells will begin to ring.”
“We see them soon?” Lydia asked.
“Soon,” Cathryn promised.
But the sun was high in the sky and little trickles of sweat were running down Anna’s neck by the time the royal couple finally came into view. The king rode a magnificent white stallion, while behind him came the queen, traveling in an open litter mounted between two white horses. The bells in the surrounding steeples pealed furiously as the royal couple waved to their loyal subjects. The queen wore an exquisite gown of cream silk overlaid with gold lace, and the jewels in her hair glittered in the sun. The king was just as splendidly arrayed, with breeches made of gold cloth and a purple doublet embroidered with gold thread. The queen smiled and waved at the adoring subjects as the procession moved on. A chatter rose amid the crowd, but the people remained standing where they were, aware that the newly crowned king and queen would pass this way again at the end of the ceremony.
If it was possible for the bells to peal more joyously, they did so an hour later when the ceremony was complete, and the doors swung open to the cathedral. The news quickly spread along the streets that the king and queen were returning to the palace, and indeed, not very much time had passed before Anna saw the procession coming down the street once more. Circlets of gold rested on the heads of both the king and queen, and a mantle of ermine hung from the king’s shoulders. In his hands he carried the orb and scepter of the kingdom, which he held up for the crowds to see. They moved quickly along the route towards the waiting barge, and the crowds broke up as they disappeared from sight.
Anna was hot and sticky by the time they arrived at Drake House, and the children were complaining that their legs were sore, their heads hurt and they were hungry. Even Bronwyn seemed to be miserable. The problem with the city, Anna thought to herself, was that there was no escape from the heat and smog – no shady woods to walk in and no cool lakes to dive into.
Aaron and Keira returned to Drake House soon after, and Keira eagerly shared the details of the ceremony. “It was very solemn,” she said. “The king swore an oath that he would serve and protect the kingdom according to the law of the land, before the archbishop recited a very long prayer and anointed him with oil. Then the royal mantle was placed on his shoulders and the crown placed on his head, and he was given the orb and scepter. The queen didn’t swear an oath, but she was also anointed with oil before being crowned. They kneeled throughout the ceremony, their eyes downcast, even when Prince Frederick started crying.”
Anna smiled in amusement. “What happened?”
“He was hot and bothered, I suppose. Prince Rupert was sitting behind the children, and he gave his nephew his dagger to play with.”
Anna looked at Keira in shock. “You’re jesting!”
Keira laughed. “I’m not! It was a ceremonial dagger, but still very sharp. However, it did the trick. Frederick spent the rest of the ceremony scratching the wooden pew.”
Anna laughed. “I’m sure the archbishop appreciated that! How old is the prince?”
“Frederick or Rupert?” Keira smiled. “Frederick is four, and his uncle Rupert is about twenty-five. You will see him at the banquet tonight. Speaking of which, we should probably start getting ready.”
All the city noblemen and merchants had been invited to attend a banquet on the palace grounds to celebrate the coronation, and Anna had been included in the invitation as well. New gowns had been ordered and delivered earlier in the week, and Anna had purchased a new pair of slippers for the event.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a flurry of activity as the women hurried to prepare themselves for the royal banquet. Maids hurried between the rooms, hauling water and bringing linens. Hannah, Cathryn’s personal maid, rushed between them, helping pull on gowns, don jewels and dress hair. Anna’s gown was a pale yellow silk, which hung in gentle folds from her hips, accentuating her narrow waist. The long sleeves were tight over her upper arms, and then flared wide, ending at her wrists over the front of her hand, but hanging down low at the back. Her new slippers peeked out from beneath the hem of the gown, and around her neck hung a simple string of pearls, a gift from Aaron and Keira on her twenty-first birthday. Seed pearls, tucked into the long braid that hung down her back, sparkled in the afternoon sun.
Aaron and Keira were waiting for her when she walked into the hall a short time later.
“Ready?” Aaron asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Then let’s be off,” he said. “Favian and Cathryn will meet us there.” He picked up a shawl from the bench, and with a flourish, draped it around Keira’s shoulders, before heading towards the door.
Chapter 9
It was late afternoon by the time they arrived at the palace, but the sun was still high in the sky. The river was a highway of boats, with ferrymen poling their way around each other as they strove for the palace landing, often pushing other ferries aside. Anna stared in astonishment as the boatmen yelled insults and curses at their rivals, while passengers joined in the fray, shouting their encouragement at their own ferrymen, promising silver to urge them on. It was a wonder that more people did not land in the river, Anna thought, but she saw only one boat knocked so hard its passenger fell into the water, unnoticed by the two ferrymen hurling insults at one another. The passenger was rescued from the tangle of weeds by another boat, and he gratefully tipp
ed the rescuing boatman with a large silver coin, before shaking his fist at the other ferryman.
The stairway leading to the palace lawns was crowded with people, and as Anna stepped off the boat Aaron grabbed both her and Keira by the arm, pulling them through the crush. It was just as well, for no sooner had they reached the safety of the lawn than a woman, alighting from a ferry, slipped on the mossy stairs, dragging her escort with her into the muddy river with a shriek.
The crowds thinned the further they drew from the river, and Anna looked around in interest. Dozens of trestle tables had been placed on the lawns near the palace walls, covered with snow white linen. Gleaming silverware glittered in the sunlight, while liveried footmen rushed about, finishing the place settings with crystal glass and white napkins. A raised dais was placed to one side, with a table and gilded chairs on the raised platform. Huge swags of white fabric created a canopy above, and flowers and vines twisted around the trellises that held the fabric. To the left played an orchestra, partially hidden behind an embroidered screen, while between the tables and the river mingled hundreds of guests, the doyens of society keeping up a flowing commentary behind open fans as they watched the new arrivals with raised eyebrows and upturned noses.
Beyond the palace to the right lay the formal gardens, and Anna stared at them for a moment. It was there that she and Keira had been snatched by Jack and flown away to a rocky fortress where they were held prisoner. Jack was long since dead, and Anna knew that no dangers lurked in the garden tonight, but she could not suppress an involuntary shiver. A hand laid on her arm had her turning towards Keira.
“We’re quite safe,” Keira said.
“I know. It’s just the memories.”
Keira nodded. “I know.” She glanced at Aaron. “But we mustn’t allow them to ruin our evening.”
“No,” Anna said. A bump on her shoulder made her stumble forward slightly, and she turned around to see a young woman stepping backwards, her hand to her mouth as she stuttered out an apology.
“I’m so sorry,” the girl said, her expression dismayed. “Someone jostled me and I lost my balance.”
“No harm done,” Anna said with a smile. “There are so many people here, I’m surprised I haven’t been jostled and knocked a hundred times! I’m Anna Carver.”
The girl smiled gratefully. “Kathleen Hobart.” Kathleen took Anna’s outstretched hand and gave it a limp shake, meeting Anna’s gaze very briefly before dropping hers to the ground. “I’m not very good with crowds,” she whispered. “Father insisted I come today, but I would have preferred to stay at home. I’ve been reading the most wonderful story, and would have liked to finish it.” She looked up for a moment, then dropped her gaze once more. “I don’t know very many people.” Kathleen stood a few inches shorter than Anna, and was demurely dressed in a gown that rose high up her neck, making her look more like a married matron than a girl of seventeen or eighteen, which is what Anna guessed her age to be.
“Well, nor do I,” Anna said. “But I can introduce you to someone. This is my …” Anna turned to see that Keira and Aaron had moved away. Anna turned back with a smile. “I was going to introduce you to my sister, but I’m sure there will be another opportunity later. Would you care to walk around the grounds with me? We can watch the matrons who are so intent on watching us. ‘Look, there goes Mistress Kathleen,’ they will say, ‘with … who is that girl again? Ah, yes, I remember now – she has a sister – I’ve forgotten her name – who’s married to Aaron Drake, the most handsome man to have ever graced this kingdom.’”
“Aaron Drake?” Kathleen breathed. “Your sister is married to Aaron Drake?”
Anna looked at Kathleen in surprise. It had been years since Aaron lived at court. “Yes,” she said, “do you know him?”
“I don’t know him,” Kathleen said, “but everyone knows of him. He slayed that terrible monster a few years ago. And my grandmother says he is the most beautiful man she has ever seen.”
Anna laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far,” she said.
“Well, please don’t introduce me to him. I would be too nervous to even say good evening.”
“Nonsense,” Anna said. “There is nothing scary about Aaron at all. At least,” she amended, “nothing that could scare you if you saw him tonight.” Kathleen looked startled, and Anna hurried on. “Do you live in the city?” she asked.
“Oh no. Except … what I mean to say is … yes, I do. Father brought me to the city a week ago so I could be introduced at court. He intends for me to live here with him, but the city…” There was a slight catch in her voice, and she took a deep breath before continuing. “Civitas is not my home.”
“You lived in the country?”
Kathleen nodded. “Before my mother died, we lived on an estate in the west. After she passed, Father came to the city, but I went to live with my grandmother, the Duchess of Southbury. She retired from court life about five years ago, and I have lived with her ever since.” She lifted her eyes to meet Anna’s. “Father has said I must be happy here, and I am determined to be so.”
Anna smiled. “I’ve only just arrived in the city, too, but will be leaving tomorrow.”
“Where do you live?”
“I live with my sister and Aaron at their home in the north, but I am not returning with them to Storbrook. I will be staying at Drake House, just a few hours from the city.”
“Will you visit sometimes?”
“Whenever I am able.”
“Good! Then you can visit me whenever you are in town, and we can be friends.” A clarion sounded, and Anna turned around to see people crowding towards the palace entrance.
“Come,” Anna said, “the king and queen are making their grand entrance.” Looping her arm through Kathleen’s, she tugged her along as she followed the mass of people towards the palace courtyard. Slipping through the crowds, she pulled Kathleen to the far side, where they had a good view of the doorway. A moment later movement could be seen from within, and the new king and his queen stepped through the entrance. A cheer went up from the crowd, and Anna added her voice to the throng as the king and queen waved at their guests. Standing side by side, the queen stood a few inches shorter than her husband, although her long, golden hair, braided and coiled around the top of her head, made her seem taller. The thick mass shone in the sunlight, encircled by the crown of gold that had been placed on her head earlier that day. Alfred, too, wore a gold circlet upon his light brown locks. The royal children stood behind their parents, but a quick word from Matilda had them stepping around to stand in front. Alfred dropped a hand onto the shoulder of the oldest, Prince John, while the two little ones looked at the crowd in bewilderment. The youngest, the princess Mary, turned her face into her mother’s legs, but little Prince Frederick stared stoically at the ground. Anna could see someone else standing just behind the king, and she shifted slightly before seeing that it was the king’s brother, Prince Rupert.
Prince Rupert was a direct contrast to his brother. In appearance, Alfred was lean and fair, while Rupert was swarthy and well-built. Alfred was charming, Rupert was brooding. When Alfred smiled, Rupert glowered. Alfred loved pleasant society, talking, dancing and feasting, whereas Rupert wanted nothing more than to leave the palace and go hunting. He had a hunting lodge a day’s ride from the palace, and he would retreat there with only one or two servants for company. Alfred’s caution and restraint were well-known, but Rupert’s resolute decision-making was praised. Alfred had been overheard more than once complaining that Rupert cared nothing about the loyal subjects of the land, whereas it was known that Rupert considered his brother dull and witless, his love of clothes and dancing an indication of his simplemindedness. The only thing the brothers seemed to have in common was a love for women. Both men had mistresses and lovers scattered around the countryside, but whereas the whole court gossiped about Alfred’s affairs, the names of Rupert’s lovers were only mentioned in quiet whispers. But that did not stop the women loving him, and
Anna could hear his name being whispered as the women in the crowd strained to catch a glimpse of the darkly handsome prince.
He was standing in the shadows behind the king, but the look of boredom in his countenance was clearly evident. He wore his hair short, unusual for men at court, and his clothes, while fine, did not display the bright hues so many other noblemen paraded. His glance fell on Alfred’s back, and his eyes narrowed slightly, but when his gaze moved to his nephew, John, his features softened, and a slight smile tugged at his lips.
Anna’s gaze returned to the royal couple as King Alfred and Queen Matilda stepped out from the doorway while the crowd parted to make way. The women sunk into low curtseys while the men bowed. Rupert stepped out behind them, his arms crossed over his chest, followed by an entourage of royal courtiers. His eyes swept over the crowd, lingering for a slight moment on Anna before moving on.
“Isn’t he handsome?” Kathleen whispered next to her.
“He’s all right, I suppose,” Anna said with a shrug. There was only one man Anna considered truly handsome, but he was gone forever. From where Anna stood, she could see Aaron and Keira, and she watched as the king drew close to the Dragon Master. Aaron nodded briefly, his eyes meeting Alfred’s, and Alfred nodded in return before moving on. She could hear people whispering around her, surprised at Aaron’s lack of homage.
“Who is that man?” Kathleen whispered, nodding in Aaron’s direction.
“Aaron Drake,” Anna replied.
“He didn’t bow to the king.”
“No. He’s a …” Anna paused. “He’s a good friend of the king’s.”
As the royal couple made their way across the courtyard to the lawns, the musicians, who had stopped playing at the royal appearance, started once more. A group of women trailed after the queen, and from time to time she turned to say something to them.
“Who do you think those women are?” Anna said to Kathleen.
“Probably her ladies-in-waiting,” Kathleen replied. “My grandmother served the last queen.”
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