Thomas was too stunned for words. He could only stand and stare.
Fortunately Sophia was trying to catch Bandit and did not notice. “That bench at the end of the walk offers a beautiful view of the harbor,” she added after she had captured the dog. “We could make ourselves comfortable and you can both tell me how you came to know Kate.”
“I am certain Tom would like nothing better, but he has a pressing engagement—” Phillip began.
Thomas elbowed him in the ribs. “I would very much like to see the view.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Phillip whispered to his friend, as Sophia and Bandit led the way to the bench. “You shouldn’t be talking about Kate at all, much less with the young woman to whom you are engaged! Escape now, while you have the chance.”
“Sophia attended the court-martial!” Thomas whispered back. “She knows what happened to Kate. If that is true about her going Below, I need to find out!”
“And how are you going to tell her you know Kate? Will you say, ‘I met Kate, Your Highness, when she threatened to shoot me,’” Phillip mimicked.
“I will think of something,” Thomas muttered.
The three sat down on the bench, Thomas on one side of Sophia, and Phillip on the other. The scent of pines mingled with the fragrance of the flowers, and a faint breeze shook some of the yellowing leaves from the walnut trees and stirred the mists of the Breath. Bandit lay on the ground at Sophia’s feet, growling at the butterflies he was too lazy to chase.
“And so, sir, tell me how you know Kate,” Sophia said, turning to Thomas.
Before he could reply, she was struck by a sudden horrifying thought. “Your Highness was recently with the Rosian navy! Was it your ship that attacked her ship and sank it?”
Thomas didn’t know how to answer.
Phillip came to his rescue. “You heard about that? You know Kate is a pirate?”
“Privateer,” Sophia corrected, smiling. “I know all about Kate. Stephano told us. And I have read the stories about her.”
Thomas had been going to claim he had met Kate at the home of a friend, but that would not suit. He had been ranting and raving about hating lies and intrigue. He could not tell a lie now. Looking at Sophia, pretty and happy, Thomas made up his mind at that moment that he would not lie to her. Ever.
“First, let me assure you that I did not sink Kate’s ship, ma’am,” said Thomas. “The story of how she and I met is long and complicated and could potentially turn into an international incident involving four governments, so I dare not tell it, not even to you. Suffice it to say, Kate and I were each trying to liberate some cargo from a ship. It ended up sinking and her dragon, Dalgren, came to our rescue.”
“How exciting!” Sophia turned to Phillip. “What about you, sir? How did you meet Kate?”
Phillip hesitated, then said, “Well, since we are being completely honest—”
“Always a bad policy, Your Grace,” said a grave voice. “I do not recommend it.”
Bandit sat up with a growl. The three young people jumped and turned to see Rodrigo saunter out of the shadows of the boxwood hedge. He fended off Bandit, who was fascinated by the high leather boots, and smiled at Sophia.
Phillip and Thomas exchanged alarmed glances.
Thomas rose to his feet to confront him. “You should have made yourself known, sir. You do not act the part of a gentleman.”
“I never do,” said Rodrigo complacently. “And please do not challenge me to a duel, Your Highness. I survived one affair of honor, but that was only because a man in a tree shot my opponent. Allow me to I assure you, sir, that I did not hear anything except that ill-advised statement made by His Grace that he intended to be honest.”
Thomas did not believe him. He disliked the man, disliked his sly, foxlike face and his clever eyes. Phillip stood up hurriedly.
“I believe I will go back to my room to take a nap before dinner,” he said. “Thomas, don’t you have letters to write?”
“I do, Pip. Thank you for reminding me,” Thomas said.
“I am sorry you have to go,” said Sophia. “We will finish our talk another time.”
They made their excuses and departed. Thomas, glancing back, saw Rodrigo settle himself on the bench at Sophia’s side.
“Sir Rodrigo is our host’s best friend,” Phillip admonished him as they walked off. “It would never do to start a quarrel with the duke.”
“I do not understand how His Grace can stomach that gentleman. Stephano has the reputation for being an honest, courageous, honorable man,” said Thomas. “From what you tell me, this Rodrigo is a philanderer, a fop, a gossip—”
“And a war hero,” said Phillip. “His selfless, courageous actions during the war with the Bottom Dwellers contributed to their defeat.”
“Makes one believe in doppelgängers,” Thomas muttered.
“Go hide in your room so that you may read and reread Kate’s letter,” Phillip suggested. “And from now on, I would suggest rather less honesty. You never know who might be listening.”
* * *
Rodrigo and Sophia sat together on the bench overlooking the harbor. Rodrigo observed that Sophia was not enjoying the breathtaking view of the white-sailed ships far below them, nor was she paying attention to Bandit, who was currently engaged in rolling on his back in the grass, undoubtedly in something disgusting.
Her gaze and, Rodrigo guessed, her thoughts were following Thomas and Phillip as they walked along the path among the fading flowers and the falling leaves. Sophia was focused on one of the gentlemen in particular and he was not the gentleman to whom she was engaged.
When Thomas and Phillip were lost to sight, Sophia gave a faint smile, a small sigh, and absently smoothed the folds of her skirt. Rodrigo regarded her with concern. She might be a magical savant, with talents far beyond those of ordinary crafters, but she was still only eighteen and she had no one in whom she could confide.
Her mother had declared her an ungrateful child and departed in high dudgeon after Sophia had defied her wishes and chosen to attend university rather than marry some aged, gout-ridden count. Sophia was attended by ladies-in-waiting when at home in the palace, but both the countess and Rodrigo had warned her never to tell them her secrets, for at least one and probably more were undoubtedly in the pay of foreign governments. Sophia generally confided in Cecile, for she loved the countess, who had been more than a mother to her. But while Cecile loved Sophia dearly, she disliked and distrusted Phillip, knowing that he had once been an agent for Sir Henry Wallace. Cecile was also the one who had arranged the marriage with Prince Thomas. No, Sophia could not very well confide in her.
“That leaves me,” said Rodrigo.
The time had come for him to take action—a bold move, for he was far better suited to a life of indolence and comfort.
“My dear girl, I am your uncle Rigo,” he said. “You know you can be honest with me.”
Sophia smiled and shook her head at him. “I just now heard you advise His Grace that he should never be honest with anyone.”
“I am not his uncle,” said Rodrigo. “Admittedly, I am not your uncle either, but I have undertaken to act in that capacity. I have seen you color prettily when His Grace smiles at you—”
“I do not!” Sophia protested, her cheeks flushing.
“And I have seen that a single look from you reduces the Duke of Upper and Lower Milton to bread pudding,” Rodrigo continued. “The two of you are falling in love faster than any two people I have ever encountered, with the possible exception of myself.”
Sophia ducked her head so that her face was shadowed by the brim of her hat, and began plucking at the lace on her shawl.
“I cannot let myself fall in love with him, Rigo,” she said. “I am to marry Prince Thomas.”
“True,” said Rodrigo. “Are you aware that he is in love with someone else?”
“You mean Kate,” Sophia said. “I didn’t know for certain, but I saw him ‘color prettily�
�� when her name was mentioned.”
Rodrigo gave her an approving look. “You have been taking my lessons in affaires de coeur to heart. Far more useful, in my opinion, than studying Advanced Theorems on the Application of Magic in the Modern World.”
“The advanced theorems are so much easier to grasp!” Sophia said with another sigh. “I believe that Kate is in love with him.”
“You two traveled together in the Dragon Duchies,” said Rodrigo. “Traveling is a dull business and one tends to pour out one’s heart just to alleviate the boredom. Did Kate pour out her heart to you, my dear?”
“Oh, no. Kate is much like the countess. She wraps her heart in lavender and packs it away in a brass-bound chest.”
“So how did you find out?” Rodrigo asked.
“The countess and I were discussing Prince Thomas at dinner one night. Kate had been very talkative up to that point. When the countess spoke his name, Kate suddenly was very quiet. She pushed her food around on her plate and couldn’t eat, and when I said something about Prince Thomas being in the Aligoes chasing pirates, she choked on her wine.”
“Tongue-tied, loss of appetite, choking: all symptoms of love,” Rodrigo agreed. “So, what are we to do to fix this?”
Sophia rested her hand on his. “There is nothing to fix, Uncle Rigo. I am engaged to Prince Thomas and I am certain I could do far worse. He is handsome, kind, and honorable. Phillip would not be such close friends with him if he were otherwise.”
She tried to speak with matter-of-fact calm, but Rodrigo heard a tremor in her voice and observed her closely. “The countess arranged this marriage. You know your doting brother would never force you to marry anyone against your will.”
“But I am not marrying the prince against my will,” Sophia protested quickly. “I agreed to this marriage for the sake of our two nations, as did His Highness. In time, we will learn to love each other.”
“Or you will both continue to love others and be miserable,” Rodrigo said.
“I cannot be miserable if I am doing what I know to be right, Uncle Rigo,” said Sophia. “When I was being held captive by the Bottom Dwellers, I was frightened, lost, and alone. The countess went willingly into that hell to find me. She was prepared to give her life for me. I owe her everything.”
“You do not owe her a lifetime of unhappiness, Sophia,” said Rodrigo, unusually serious.
“You talk as though the countess was an ogre who has me locked in a tower!” Sophia said. “She explained to me the benefits of this marriage to both Rosia and Freya. She left the decision entirely up to me. I agreed to the engagement with all my heart.”
“But that was before you met Phillip,” Rodrigo said.
“My feelings for him will not affect my decision, Uncle. I trust the countess. I know that she loves me and she would not do anything to hurt me. All she is asking of me is to marry a very handsome prince. Not a terrible sacrifice,” Sophia added with a light laugh.
Rodrigo would have continued to argue, but he was interrupted by Bandit, who had managed to become entangled in the thorns of a holly bush and was emitting frightful howls. Sophia hurried off to rescue her dog.
Rodrigo gazed after her, deep in thought. He was a romantic. He believed in love. He loved being in love. He felt he owed love a debt of gratitude and he decided to hurl himself into the fray in love’s name.
Sophia returned carrying Bandit, who sank down, panting, at her feet and growled at the holly bush.
“May I ask you a question regarding proper decorum, Uncle?”
“Decorum! Good heavens! How fatiguing!” Rodrigo said, alarmed.
“I would like to continue to be friends with His Grace while we are together this fortnight,” Sophia said. “There would be nothing improper in talking to him, would there, Rodrigo?”
“You must be careful not to rouse suspicion, of course,” said Rodrigo. “Laugh coquettishly at every word the prince utters and yawn and roll your eyes when you are with the duke.”
“I am in earnest, Uncle,” Sophia scolded.
Rodrigo reflected. In his experience, if two people were walled up together for an extended period of time, enduring days of enforced fun and frolic, they either fell more deeply in love or they grew heartily sick of one another. He generally belonged to the latter category, though he had a feeling that Sophia and Phillip would belong to the former.
“If I were your duenna, I would advise you to keep well clear of His Grace,” said Rodrigo. “Since I am only an uncle, I see nothing improper in being friendly.”
“Thank you, dear uncle!” Sophia gave him a kiss. “I must go. I promised Juliette I would help her tat lace for a baby cap.”
She gathered up Bandit and departed.
“I must do something to help,” Rodrigo said to himself. “Though I must admit that pairing a prince with a pirate will be a challenge for even my advanced skills at matchmaking.”
THIRTY-ONE
Thomas shut the door to his room, told the servants he did not want to be disturbed, and sat down in the window seat to read Kate’s letter by the waning light of the sun.
My dear Pip,
I promised I would let you know the outcome of Dalgren’s court-martial. He was found guilty and sentenced to be stripped of his name. I will not go into what that entails, but the punishment is terrible among dragons. I feared he would not survive.
He was granted a reprieve, however. A dragon-lore master found an ancient law which says that a dragon can redeem himself and earn back his name if he performs a sacrifice that benefits others.
The upshot is that he has agreed to travel Below to work for a priest named Father Jacob Northrop. I plan to go with him. He is my friend and he should not go alone.
Please do not worry about me. I am traveling with two Trundler women named Miri and Gythe. They are dear friends of the Duke de Bourlet and these two sisters make the journey on a regular basis and they take their cat with them! How perilous can it be?
I trust you are well, Pip. Give my best wishes to our mutual friend.
Yours sincerely,
Kate
P.S. Dalgren sends his warm regards.
P.P.S. I will be forever grateful to you and our mutual friend for your help.
He read the letter again and again until he was interrupted by the sound of a gong ringing through the hall of the castle, announcing dinner. Thomas hurriedly struggled into his evening finery, thrust Kate’s letter into the inner pocket of his blue brocade jacket, and ran down the stairs, wondering how he was going to steer the conversation to two Trundler women.
* * *
The fortnight passed quickly. Thomas enjoyed himself far more than he had anticipated. He and Phillip and Sophia were inseparable. The days being crisp and sunny, they spent much of their time outdoors. They hiked up the cliff to view a waterfall that tumbled with a cascade of white foam into the Breath, and visited the dragon training ground with Stephano.
They played croquet and lawn tennis, walked in the garden, and helped Juliette gather the last flowers for the bouquets that filled the rooms with fragrance. They celebrated Sophia’s nineteenth birthday with a quiet family party, for Sophia did not want to make a fuss.
Thomas grew to like Sophia, finding her cheerful, funny, and intelligent. She had an excellent grasp of world affairs and was able to give Thomas insights into the politics of many major world powers. She readily credited the countess as her teacher and he could see how much she loved and admired Cecile. Thomas’s own trust and estimation for the countess rose as a result.
They did not see much of Cecile. She spent her days in the solar, receiving visitors who came and went at all hours and who appeared to be from various walks of life. The family and servants studiously took no notice of the strangers, beyond Stephano’s occasional grim mutterings and dark looks.
“Something is amiss,” said Rodrigo one evening as he joined the young people at the card table, playing quadrille. “I fancy it has to do with Lord Ander Martel.
He came to visit the countess here not long ago.”
Thomas and Phillip exchanged startled glances.
“Your bid, Your Grace,” said Rodrigo.
“Oh, uh, yes, sorry,” Phillip said.
“I did not know Lord Ander was here,” Sophia said. “I did not see him.”
“He did not make himself known. He slipped into the palace without ceremony, spent an hour closeted in the solar with the countess, and departed in haste.”
“How do you know all this, Rigo?” Sophia asked with a laugh as she played a card.
“Can you truly ask me such a question, dear girl?” Rodrigo returned with a smile. “Your turn, sir. Are you certain you want to play that card?”
Thomas had not been paying attention. He picked up the card and laid down the right one.
“Lord Ander is the countess’s dearest friend,” Sophia continued. “I am surprised she said nothing to me about his visit.”
“Judging by his grim expression, Lord Ander was not here to pay a social call,” said Rodrigo. “Not long afterward, the countess’s secretary, D’argent, left on some sort of urgent mission and we have seen little of the countess since. I believe it is your turn, Your Grace.”
Phillip laid down a card and cast a glance at Thomas. He was thinking again how much he disliked Sir Rodrigo. He did not have a chance to talk to Phillip until they retired for the night.
“Lord Ander was here! He must have come to see the countess after he left Bheldem,” Phillip said to Thomas as they climbed the stairs to their rooms. “What do you make of that?”
“More intrigue,” Thomas said bitterly. “That man Rodrigo introduced the subject deliberately, to see how we would react. He knows more than he is telling.”
“If he didn’t then, he does now,” said Phillip. “One look at our guilty faces and he had his answer.”
As the days passed, Thomas saw Sophia and Phillip falling deeper and deeper in love. He watched the two walk together, drawing close, hands sometimes touching, though never for long. At such times, they were completely wrapped up in each other, leaving him forgotten. He envied his friends at these times and felt very much alone.
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