A movement by the entrance drew her attention, and she spotted Lord Argus arriving with four men. Rupert. He was keeping his face cold and expressionless, but she could feel his rage as if it stirred the air around her. He must have seen the painting of the battle.
Gunther strode toward Lord Argus and dragged him aside for a private talk, ignoring the four men who bowed as he passed them by. No doubt he was telling Argus that he wanted Leo to send back Rupert’s dead body, not knowing that the real Rupert was only a few feet away.
Rupert shot them a wry look. He must have heard the conversation. Then he turned toward the crowd and his gaze immediately fastened on her.
Her heart pounded. You don’t know him, she reminded herself. She turned back to the top three contenders, but they were so intent on out-bragging each other, they seemed completely unaware of her presence. She backed away slowly, then headed across the room. Courtiers parted as she wove through the crowd till she was standing in front of the last four contenders.
They bowed. A blond who looked Tourinian introduced himself as Five, and the others as Four, Six, and Seven.
She smiled at them, trying not to look at Rupert any longer than the others. He was keeping his gaze cool, though for a second, when their eyes met, she felt a surge of heat.
“I wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow’s contest. It will be a horse race. Hopefully, you are all accustomed to riding.” She shot Rupert a questioning look.
He inclined his head. “I’m sure we’ll do well. Thank you for your concern.”
As the other men assured her they would do their best, her heart wrenched in her chest. Rupert had to win the competition. She didn’t want any of these men to be harmed.
“The stars should be very bright tonight,” Rupert said. “I wager they’ll look beautiful over the Loure River.”
Was he telling her to go onto her balcony tonight?
“Brigitta!” Gunther stormed toward her and grabbed her by the arm. “What are you doing with the losers?” he growled as he led her away.
“Oh, I didn’t realize…” she murmured.
Gunther led her onto the dais, and from there he faced the crowd. “Tomorrow morning, the competition for Princess Brigitta begins!”
The crowd clapped and cheered.
Brigitta’s cheeks grew warm as she stood there, feeling like the grand prize at a county fair. The top three contenders watched her with smug, self-assured looks.
“Let the feast begin!” Gunther sat down, and everyone else followed suit.
The top three were sitting at the first table close by. Her gaze drifted to the last table at the back of the room. Rupert’s eyes met hers, and she felt the longing between them sizzling through the air.
She focused on her food while her mind repeated the same thought over and over. Tonight she would see him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You look exhausted,” Sister Fallyn told Brigitta as she laid the midnight-blue silk gown on a shelf in the dressing room. “You should go straight to bed.”
Brigitta slipped a robe over her sheer nightgown. It was well past midnight, since the feast had gone on and on. By the fifth course, she’d felt stuffed, but there had still been five more courses to go. “I think I’ll go onto the balcony for some fresh air.”
She tied the sash and strode into her bedroom. Hopefully Rupert would spot her white robe in the dark, and then he would know which balcony was hers.
Sister Fallyn followed her into the bedroom. “I don’t think you should—” A bark interrupted her.
Brody was back? Brigitta hurried to the door that opened onto the sitting room and spotted the black-and-white dog sitting by the settee. One of the guards must have let him into her suite.
“What have you been up to?” She smiled as he trotted up to her. “Do you have news?”
Brody yipped in response, then headed toward the dressing room. Brigitta had stashed some clothing for him there.
Sister Fallyn sighed. “As I was saying, I don’t think you should go onto the balcony. The last time you did, Hilda fussed at you. And she could arrive any minute now.”
With a wince, Brigitta realized that was true. Hilda would be showing up soon with the nightly concoction that she was forced to drink. She had intended to pour the stuff down the privy hole, but Hilda always waited to make sure she drank it.
Blast. She’d been so excited about seeing Rupert again that she hadn’t wanted to admit it was too dangerous.
“Brody,” she called the dog over and hunched down in front of him. “Can you find you-know-who and tell him not to come here?”
Sister Fallyn gasped. “Oh, dear godde … do you mean he…?”
Brody tilted his head, studying the balcony door. Then he trotted over to the door and scratched a paw against the glass pane.
Sister Fallyn shook her head. “Surely, you-know-who wouldn’t come here.”
A dark shadow moved in front of the glass, and Brigitta’s heart lurched. “He’s here.”
The door opened, and Rupert slipped inside. He was dressed all in black with a black scarf tied around his head, looking so much like her infamous pirate that her heart filled with joy. No matter who he truly was, he would always be her Rupert.
“Oh my godde—” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons, then quickly pressed her hands to her chest. “You can’t be here! It’s too dangerous.”
“Shh.” Brigitta held a finger to her lips as she glanced through the open bedroom door into the sitting room. The door to the hallway was far enough away that she doubted the guards outside could hear. But still, Hilda could walk in at any minute.
“I won’t stay long,” Rupert whispered. “I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
“We’re fine,” Sister Fallyn insisted. “Now go before you get us killed!”
“I brought a letter for you from Stefan.” He offered her a folded piece of paper.
“Oh.” The nun snatched the paper. “I’ll leave you alone then.” She ran into the dressing room.
Brigitta gave him a wry look. “Well played.”
“Thank you.”
His smile and twinkling eyes were making her want to rush into his arms. But it was truly too dangerous. “You really can’t stay. Hilda will be arriving soon.”
“Who is she?”
“The spy who watches me and reports to my brother. She has a bad habit of just barging into the sitting room without knocking. Oh—” Brigitta turned to Brody. “Could you wait by the door and warn us when she comes in?”
Brody yipped and trotted into the sitting room.
Brigitta closed the bedroom door. Her heart pounded as she faced Rupert.
He smiled. “Alone at last.”
She fiddled with the sash of her robe. “How did you get to my balcony?”
“I climbed a drainpipe a few windows down, then jumped from one balcony to the next until I found the right one.”
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” She attempted a disapproving glare, but was much too happy to pull it off.
His mouth twitched as he approached her. “I needed to see you. I missed you.”
Her heart squeezed. “I missed you, too. But I won’t have you endangering yourself just to see me.”
He swept her sash up in his hand and tugged at it to bring her closer. “I was hoping to do more than just see you.”
Scoundrel. She rested her hands on his black shirt. “Have you been all right? How was your trip here?”
“Lonesome. I missed you.” He brushed her hair back and caressed her cheek.
“Will you be able to manage the race?”
“I rode all the way to Lourdon. I’ll be fine.” He leaned close, his nose touching hers. “I missed you.” He kissed her cheek.
Her hands slid up to his neck. “Did they give you a room here in the palace?”
“A little one.” He glanced around her suite. “Not nearly as fancy as—damn, is that your bed? It’s huge.”
&nb
sp; She looked over her shoulder at the enormous four-poster surrounded by red velvet curtains. The curtains had been drawn back on one side to give her access to the mattress covered with red silk. “This suite is basically my prison cell, but a very nice one.”
“Hmm.” His eyes gleamed as he glanced from her to the bed.
She pushed him back. “Don’t even think about that. I’ve already been interrogated over my virginity.”
He grinned. “My, what a naughty mind you have. I was only thinking about a little innocent snuggling.”
“Ha!” Her cheeks grew warm. “I doubt that.”
He sauntered over to her bed and pressed a hand against the mattress.
“You’re not getting on my bed,” she warned him.
Brody barked in the sitting room.
“Hide!” In a panic, Brigitta shoved Rupert onto her bed, then shut the curtains.
She rushed to the bedroom door just as Hilda called out, “Your Highness?”
“Coming.” Brigitta took a deep breath and slowed down so everything would appear normal. She opened the door, then decided to leave it half open as she sauntered into the sitting room. After all, if she closed it, it might look like she was hiding something. “Good evening.”
Hilda set a tray down on the table. As usual, the tray contained a bottle of tonic, a cup, and a pitcher of water. “Here you are.” She uncorked the small bottle, then handed it to Brigitta.
There wasn’t anything she could do but drink it. The first night Hilda had brought the tonic, she’d made it clear that she would call the guards into the room if necessary to force the stuff down Brigitta’s throat. Fortunately, it only tasted like a rather bitter wine.
She downed it, then set the empty bottle on the tray.
Hilda looked her over carefully. “It’s been a few days now that you’ve taken it. You should be feeling some effect.”
Brigitta narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? I thought it was to help me give birth to a boy.”
“True.” Hilda poured some water into the cup. “But since you’re a virgin, your brother feared you would have trouble accepting the winner in your bed. So part of the tonic is a potion to increase your desire.”
“What?”
Hilda sneered as she offered the cup of water to her. “With each day, you will feel hotter, your breasts will feel heavier and more sensitive, and your—”
“What?”
“No water? Well, perhaps later.” Hilda set the cup down. “Anyway, by the time the winner is announced, you should be quite the eager one in bed.” She picked up the empty bottle and smiled. “Extremely eager, according to the physician. As frantic as an animal in heat.”
Appalled, Brigitta stepped back. How dare her brother do this to her? It had to be nonsense. How could any tonic have such an effect?
With a whine, Brody flopped onto the floor and covered his ears with this paws.
Oh, dear goddesses, this was embarrassing. And what if Rupert was hearing all this? Her cheeks flushed with heat as she glanced toward the bedroom.
“Ah.” Hilda gave her a knowing look. “It has begun.”
No! Brigitta pressed a hand to her chest.
“I shall return at dawn to make sure you are ready for the grand opening of the games.” Hilda inclined her head, then hurried toward the door.
Brigitta groaned inwardly. No doubt the older woman was in a rush to tell Gunther that the tonic was working.
“Oh.” Hilda stopped with the door half open. “You may hear some chanting in the hallways tonight. Don’t be alarmed. There were some reports of ghosts, but His Majesty has called in the priests to clear them out.”
Brigitta blinked. “Ghosts?”
“Yes.” Hilda shrugged. “This sort of thing happens from time to time. It’s to be expected with the number of tragic accidents that have occurred in the palace.”
“Accidents?”
Hilda nodded. “Gunther’s wife fell down a staircase. And your mother was trampled by a horse.”
Brigitta swallowed hard. Had her mother been murdered? “What happened to my younger brother?”
“Brannoc?” Hilda’s eyes gleamed with malice. “He tripped and fell off the highest tower. An accident, of course.”
Brigitta clenched her hands together. Now she knew his name. Poor Brannoc. With his mother gone, there had been no one left to protect him.
“But not to worry,” Hilda assured her. “The ghosts will be exorcised. There’s one thing His Majesty never tolerates, and that’s ghosts in the palace.” As she left, Brody slipped through the door before she closed it.
Apparently, Brody wanted to investigate the ghost situation. And it made sense that Gunther wouldn’t want any ghosts lingering about. There were too many of them that he had killed.
She trudged back into the bedroom and shut the door.
Rupert drew back the curtains and gave her a worried look. “Are you all right?”
She approached him slowly. “How much did you hear?”
“This and that.” He patted the bed beside him. “I’m sorry about your mother and younger brother.”
She sat beside him. “You lost your mother and brother, too.”
He nodded. “My mother was chased off a cliff. I’m not sure what happened to Bjornfrid.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “But don’t worry. Gunther will get what he deserves.”
She sighed. The king did deserve to die, but she still dreaded the thought of Rupert being the one to kill him.
“So is it true?” Rupert whispered.
“What?”
“Are your breasts heavier?” He reached toward her.
“Stop that!” She pushed him back, and he grinned. Her face burned with embarrassment. The rascal had heard everything.
“If you find yourself feeling extremely eager, I would be willing to help you find some relief.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Out of the kindness of my heart.”
She scoffed. “How noble of you.”
“And the tonic will cause you to give birth to a boy?” He leaned close. “Perhaps we should give it a test?”
“Go away.” She shoved him again.
With a quick move, he grasped her by the shoulders and pushed her back onto the bed. He paused, his face a few inches from hers.
Her heart thudded loud in her ears, and goddesses help her, she did feel hot. Her breasts did feel heavy. And she wanted him something fierce.
“Do you still love me, Brigitta? Does your heart yearn for me?”
Tears filled her eyes as she nodded yes.
With a small smile, he leaned down to nuzzle her neck and kiss her cheek. “Do you desire other men?”
“No.” She slipped her hands around his neck. “Of course not.”
“Then don’t worry.” He gave her a quick kiss. “The tonic has no effect on you. I am your one and only true love.”
“Rup—” She stopped when he placed a finger on her lips. With a smile, she whispered against the touch of his finger, “You-know-who, I am madly in love with you.”
“Brigitta.” He took her mouth with his.
She melted as his mouth moved over hers, tender at first, then rapidly becoming more demanding and hungry.
“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn hissed.
Rupert broke the kiss.
Sister Fallyn huffed. “I leave you alone for a few minutes, and he starts ravishing you?”
“I beg your pardon.” Rupert scrambled to his feet. “I will take my leave now. Sleep well.”
Brigitta rose to her feet. “Be careful tomorrow.”
“I will.” He winked, then let himself onto the balcony.
With a sigh, she sat back down on the bed. “I feel so helpless.” Would she have to watch Rupert risking his life, day after day, while she did nothing? She needed to be more than just a pawn in this game.
* * *
The next morning, a small army of maids made sure she looked radiant in gold silk with touches of blue. The royal colors of Tourin
, Hilda explained. So her golden gown had blue ribbons crossing the bodice and a blue silk sash around the waist. Her golden skirt was embroidered with bluebells, and blue sapphires twinkled around her neck and on her small golden tiara. Even her slippers were gold and tied around her ankles with blue ribbons.
Hilda and her guards delivered her to the palace entrance, where she waited by the enormous double doors for her brother to arrive. He was so covered with gold and jewels, she wondered how he was able to walk.
She sank into a deep curtsy.
He pulled her up and gave her a warning look. “Remember we are being watched today.”
“Of course.” She gave him a beaming smile. “You look absolutely divine, brother dearest … I mean, Your Majesty.”
With a laugh, he led her out the door. Along the outer gate, a crowd gave a cheer. “You see?” He waved at the crowd. “They all want to see the long-lost princess. Make sure you act properly appreciative.”
She tucked a hand around his arm and leaned against his shoulder. “Indeed, I am grateful for all the beautiful clothes.”
“Of course.” He patted her head the way she patted Brody when he was in dog form. “Let’s go.”
They climbed into the waiting open-air carriage that was covered with gilt. Six white horses with golden riggings and white plumes pulled the coach, handled by a driver dressed in white and gold.
“Do you see the flags there?” Gunther pointed to the large blue-and-gold flags across the courtyard. “That’s where the race will begin.”
“Oh.” Brigitta scanned the area. Groomsmen were readying seven horses, but none of the contestants were in sight. “I thought it would happen in the stadium.”
“It will finish there, but first, they’ll race through the town. They’ll be taking the same route that we are.”
As their carriage passed through the entrance gate, she noted the blue-and-gold flags marking the sides of the wide road. Soldiers were stationed along the route to keep the townspeople from venturing onto the course.
“Wave to the people and smile,” Gunther said as he held up a hand. “It will make their day.”
“Of course.” She waved at a mother and her young children, all dressed in rags, and her smile wobbled. No doubt they would be more impressed by a good meal.