Chapter 10
Itried to stay away from the palace the following day. I spent most of the morning foraging for plants on the slopes of Lookout Hill then steeping leaves, crushing roots, and hanging flowers up to dry. Unfortunately those tasks were ones I did often and required little concentration, allowing my mind to wander to the previous evening's events. As much as I tried to focus on what we'd learned at the tavern, I kept thinking about Dane and the kiss. The more I thought about him, the more I wanted to see him again. Not even a visit from Meg could sway me once the decision had been made.
"Why not come with me to the palace?" I said from where I stood at the table grinding seeds with the mortar and pestle.
"You're mad." She lifted the lid on the pot hanging over the hot coals and breathed in the smell. "I can't just turn up at the palace. Neither should you."
"The guards on the gate know me, and the captain will vouch for me." Even as I said it, I hoped Lady Deerhorn wouldn't see me. I'd have to be careful.
She replaced the lid and joined me at the table. "What will you tell him when he asks why you're there?" The gleam in her eyes told me she knew exactly why I wanted to go, even though I'd not told her about the kiss.
"I'll think of something." I pushed a bunch of cavassa roots at her. "Bind those together for hanging."
She screwed up her nose and held them at arm's length. "They stink. What are they used for?"
"Skin conditions. Once they're dry, I'll boil them with a few other ingredients to make an ointment for rashes, warts— Warts! Yes, of course!" I wiped my hands down my apron and checked the larder shelves until I found the jar of ointment. There was just enough left.
"Josie, what have warts got to do with anything?"
"I almost forgot about a patient at the palace." I held up the jar. "He needs some of this."
"Now you have your excuse."
"I do. Will you come with me?"
She climbed the ladder in the larder and tied the bunch of cavassa roots to the beam. "You don't need me to deliver a jar of ointment."
"You'll see the palace finally," I said, untying my apron.
"I don't care to see it."
I knew it was a lie but didn't say so. "You'll probably see Sergeant Max too."
"Why? Does he have the warts?"
"No, but we'll go to the garrison." I waited for her to return to the kitchen so I could see her face. She was pretty, with kind eyes and full, sensual lips, yet she didn't see those features. When she saw her reflection, she only saw the birthmark.
"I have no wish to see the sergeant or the palace," she said, brushing past me. "Unlike you, I don't have the captain's confidence. His men will throw me off the estate if they catch me."
"They'll do no such thing." I caught her hand as she brushed past me. "Come with me, Meg. What else have you got to do today?"
"Quite a bit, as it happens. I'm very busy. I should be getting back. Mama will be wondering what kept me."
"Your mother can do without you for an afternoon. You do so much for her already."
"I said no, Josie, and that's final."
I sighed. There'd be no convincing her today. The problem was, I couldn't be sure there'd ever be a day when she would overcome her reluctance to be seen by strangers.
I told the guards at the gate I was delivering an ointment for Erik and that he was expecting me. They let me through, failing in their attempts to control their grins. It would seem Erik and his wart were infamous.
"Josie, you did not forget!" Erik bellowed upon seeing me in the garrison.
"Of course not." I checked to see who else occupied the room. Aside from Erik, there were only four other guards. Brant wasn't among them. "Your…predicament is impossible to forget."
"So the maids tell me."
The other men broke into raucous laughter. "Predicament doesn't mean what you think it means," one said, still chuckling. "She's talking about the lump not the, er…" He glanced at me.
"Stem?" I offered.
"Trunk," Erik said with a swell of his chest. He joined in with the laughter, and I found I couldn't help myself either.
Sergeant Max entered with Quentin, both pausing just inside the door, assessing the situation. Or perhaps, like me, they'd wanted to see if Brant was among the guards before coming in.
"What's so funny?" Quentin asked, smiling.
"Erik's lump." One of the guards pointed at Erik's crotch.
"It's a wart." I fished out the small jar of ointment from my skirt pocket and handed it to Erik. "Rub this on it twice a day until the wart disappears. It should be gone in ten days."
Erik removed the cork and sniffed the mixture. "Is wart dangerous?"
"No."
"Will his cock fall off?" asked a guard with a hopeful grin.
Max smacked the man's shoulder as he passed. "Don't say that word in front of Josie."
"She's a doctor!"
"Cock ain't a medical word," Quentin told the guard in all seriousness.
The guard threw a wedge of cheese at him. "No? Then why's cockhead the proper word for scrawny pimple-faced guards who can't hold a sword or stay on a horse?"
Max smacked him again, this time on the side of the head. The others laughed, including Quentin.
"Erik." I indicated he should come with me to the corner of the room, away from the others. I stood on my toes to whisper in his ear but he still had to lean down. "No intercourse until the wart has cleared up," I instructed him.
He looked horrified. "Ten days?"
"Ten days. Possibly more."
"More!" He muttered something in another language. "It will kill me. The maids too. Some will cry." He walked off, jar in hand, shaking his head.
With my task complete, I should have left, but I joined the men at the table and fell into conversation with Quentin. He asked me about the ointment and skin conditions, but I eventually managed to steer the discussion to Brant.
"Have you avoided him?" I said.
"Aye, and easily." He glanced at Max, sitting at the end of the table, polishing a sword blade with a cloth. "He's doing extra duty guarding the prisoners."
"Do you know why?"
"He ain't fit to be seen by the lords and ladies on account of his bruises."
"Bruises?"
"You ain't heard?"
I shook my head.
He glanced at Max again and lowered his voice. "Captain came back last night from the village all riled up. He dragged Brant outside and ordered us to remain here. They came back some time later. Brant was covered in dirt, bleeding from the nose."
I gasped. "The captain punched him?"
"Seems so. The thing is, he didn't say why, and Brant ain't saying nothing either. I think Zeke knows something though."
The door opened and the captain entered. He paused upon seeing me, and his chest rose with his deep breath. "Josie," he said with a curt nod. It was better than a demand to leave, I supposed, but a little more friendliness would have been nice. It was impossible to believe that any passion had lain between us only yesterday.
"I brought Erik some ointment." I almost added that I'd forgotten to give it to him the night before to pass on. He might not want the men to know he'd been with me.
"And stayed for the illustrious company?" he asked.
"Are you calling yourself illustrious or your men? Because I ought to tell you, the conversations up until now have centered around warts, skin conditions, and disappointed maids."
This time his smile was unmistakable. It would seem he hadn't completely lost his sense of humor overnight. Perhaps he'd spent all his frustration on Brant. My own sense of humor suddenly vanished at the thought.
"May we talk?" I asked.
He held the door open for me and we stepped into the corridor. "Balthazar's office?"
"Here will suffice." I waited for the door to close behind him and kept my voice low. "You confronted Brant over his dishonesty."
He crossed his arms. "I did."
"You hit him."
He waited.
"Was it necessary to hit him?"
I thought he wouldn't answer me again, but he eventually said, "If I am to earn the respect of a man like Brant, I have to speak his language. His language is violence."
I felt a little off kilter and pressed my palms to the wall at my back for balance. "Do you have his respect now or his resentment? Men like Brant do not like being humiliated, and he would see a defeat in a fight as a humiliation."
"That's why I made sure no one was watching."
"The men saw him afterward."
He shifted his stance. "Is that why you came today? To learn how Brant fared?"
"You know it isn't. Why are you being so contrary?"
He unfolded his arms and some of the iciness in his eyes thawed. "You want to know if he confessed to the rapes?"
I nodded. "What did he tell you?"
"That he abandoned his duties to go searching for the cabinet the night Ruth was attacked."
"You believe him?"
"I do. He didn't seem to know who Ruth was, and he pointed out that he doesn't need to rape women to…get what he wants."
I pulled a face. Brant was revolting, and I couldn't imagine any woman desiring him. "The one doesn't necessarily equate to the other. I don't think we can discount him yet."
"I know my men, Josie."
I bristled at his cool tone. I almost reminded him that he'd only known Brant for a few months, but that would be cruel and I wasn't that angry with him. Indeed, I wasn't angry with Dane at all, but I was acutely aware that my disappointment over his disinterest in the kiss was making me quarrelsome.
"I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry." I turned away to re-enter the garrison.
He caught my hand, only to let it go again. "I'm sorry too. I'm not good company today." It would seem we were both in quarrelsome moods. "There's one other thing."
"Yes?" I said on a rush of breath.
He stepped back, as if he expected me to attack him—or kiss him. I felt like one of the maids I'd seen looking at him longingly, as if a desperate look could compel him to notice them. Hailia, I was pathetic.
I cleared my throat. "What is it?" I asked, sounding quarrelsome again.
"The footman, Seb, couldn't have raped Ingrid. There is a witness who states he saw Seb here at the palace that evening."
"The witness might be a false one, just like Zeke falsely claimed Brant was with him on patrol."
"The witness is the duke of Buxton."
"Oh."
"Don't be disappointed," he said, more gently. "Our list is shrinking."
Our list. I liked that he still included me. Liked it very much. I gave him a flat smile that he returned.
"Captain Hammer, sir," said a guard striding toward us along the corridor. As he stepped into the light cast by a torch, I saw that it was Zeke. He bowed his head, not meeting Dane's gaze, and held out a note. "A message came for you, Captain."
Dane read the note then tucked it into his doublet pocket. "I have to attend to this. I can't escort you to the gate, Josie."
"I'll escort her, sir," Zeke said. "It'll be an honor." He still did not raise his gaze to meet Dane's. He must feel very sheepish about lying for Brant. At least he didn't sport signs of physical punishment.
"You've been assigned other tasks," Dane said. "I suggest you return to them."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, Captain." Zeke bobbed his head and returned the way he'd come.
"Are his other tasks arduous ones?" I asked, watching him go.
"Very," Dane said. "Quentin will escort you."
"I don't need an escort. Let me say goodbye and I'll see myself out."
He opened the door and indicated I should walk ahead of him into the garrison. "Every time you see yourself out, you find trouble."
"I can't help it if trouble finds me." At his grunt, I added, "I'll be fine. I'll avoid the Deerhorns if I see them."
"I'm sure you will, but it's the Deerhorns I don't trust."
He did not enter the garrison with me but left. I said my farewells and departed through the external door that led directly outside. On a whim, I didn't head in the direction of the forecourts and gate but instead toward the prison next door. Dane was wrong to trust me. I was more than capable of doing the opposite of what I was told, although I didn't plan on finding trouble. I simply planned to speak to Brant, and I would do so in the open where he wouldn't dare harm me.
I called out to him from the prison entrance. He rose from the chair by the far door in the outer guard's chamber and joined me. He looked around, his one good eye squinting in the sunlight. The other was swollen shut. The skin around it was various shades of black and purple, and his nose was swollen too.
"Come to inspect his handiwork?" he sneered.
"Yes, as it happens." I remained at arm's length, not the ideal way to inspect a patient's injuries, but I could see everything that I needed to know. He was lucid, his good eye focused, his speech not slurred. He moved easily enough so he sported no broken bones.
"Why do you care?" he asked.
I didn't, but I wouldn't tell him I'd wanted to see how much punishment Dane could mete out on his own men. "I'm a healer by nature. Do you have a headache?"
"No."
"Blurred vision?"
"No. It's just some bruises. I expected worse." He glanced over his shoulder toward the prison. "I've seen him do worse."
"To the prisoners?"
"When he gets real angry, he snaps." He clicked his fingers near my face. I blinked but remained where I was. He chuckled. "Hammer's a violent man, Josie. You best remember that. One of the men in there ain't never going to be the same after the captain almost killed him."
The swallowed the bile rising up my throat. "What did the man do to incur his wrath?"
"Raped one of the maids."
Balthazar and Theodore had implied it, but why hadn't Dane told me there'd been another? Perhaps it didn't matter since the prisoner couldn't have done these latest crimes, yet I couldn't help wishing he'd told me everything. I was disappointed that he still kept secrets from me. How many others did he keep?
"Why did you let him think I hurt you that night?" Brant asked.
"What?" I said, trying to focus. "I didn't say that, just that I saw you and you admitted to lying about being on patrol."
"He didn't do this because I lied." He indicated his eye.
I shook my head, frowning. "I don't follow."
"He fought me because he don't like that I got into your house. Guard duty out here is my punishment for lying about patrol." He bared his teeth. "You told on me. You told him you saw me at your house. Don't deny it."
"H—he guessed," I stuttered.
He wiped the sweat from above his top lip with the back of his hand. "That so?" He returned to the guard chamber and slammed the door shut.
I walked quickly away, checking over my shoulder every few paces to see if he followed. My nerves didn't settle until I'd left the main gate far behind. Despite the heat, I decided to walk home. It didn't feel right to ask for a carriage.
The long, straight Grand Avenue took me past the coach house and stables then cut through the forest like a gash. It was some distance to the intersection with the village road, but the dense trees offered shade from the burning sun. I was soon sweating, however, and considered resting when I heard hooves to my left. Bright pink and deep blue flashed between the trees and a woman called out to her companion, begging him or her to slow down.
The hooves faded and I thought them gone when they suddenly emerged from the forest up ahead. The riders were both women, their cloaks billowing behind them like sails as they approached at a gallop.
"Miranda!" cried the woman in pink. "You're going too fast!"
It was Miranda and Kitty. I stepped aside and waved so they'd see me. Miranda slowed down as she passed then came to a stop.
"Josie! What a surprise." She wheeled her horse around just as Kitty stopped beside me. "Where are you going?"
"Home," I said.
"On foot?" Kitty asked. "But the village is miles away. It must be fifty, at least."
"Five."
"It feels like fifty in this heat." She pressed the back of her gloved hand to her forehead and cheeks. "I'm so hot, I'd jump into a fountain if one were nearby."
"Oh yes, let's return to the palace and do just that." Miranda winked at me. "The one on the main forecourt is closest, although not the biggest."
Kitty lowered her hand. "You cannot be serious. I'm a duchess."
Miranda sighed theatrically. "I forgot. Duchesses can't be seen enjoying themselves."
"I enjoy myself." Kitty sniffed. "I just don't think getting wet is much fun unless one is taking a bath."
"You don't like riding fast, either."
"My husband will scold me if he finds out. He thinks ladies should walk their horses. Anything faster is undignified."
Miranda opened her mouth but shut it again and drew in a fortifying breath.
"Where have you been riding?" I asked them.
"Through the forest," Kitty said, tugging her horse's reins to keep it from turning. "Do you ride, Josie?"
"No. I haven't got a horse."
"Poor you. Riding is an excellent activity."
"But only at walking pace," Miranda chimed in.
Kitty beamed at me. "Next time you come to the palace, perhaps I can teach you."
I thanked her but declined the offer. "I can't just borrow one of the king's horses."
"Nonsense. Of course you can, if you're with me. I think it's an excellent idea. I'm in need of a project." She cast a glance toward the palace. "The days do stretch on if one is not a candidate for the king's affections. Oh." She nibbled on her lower lip. "Miranda, I am sorry. I didn't mean to be cruel."
Miranda laughed. "It's all right, Kitty. I forgive you since I am quite recovered from his disinterest. Are you going to return to the palace now?"
"Yes, why?"
Miranda dismounted and handed the reins to the duchess. "Take her back to the stables for me. I'm going to walk with Josie for a while."
"Walk? In this heat?"
"There's a pond through there." She pointed at the trees to our right. "We'll paddle in it to cool down."
Kitty blinked at her. "You're not serious." She looked at the trees then looked at Miranda again. "No, you can't be. Paddling in a pond, and dressed in your riding blues too." She smiled. "You are amusing, Miranda." She tugged on the reins and clicked her tongue for the horses to walk on. "Don't forget, Josie," she said as she headed off. "Wear a riding outfit next time."
I didn't bother telling her I didn't own a riding outfit.
"She truly isn't aware how ridiculous she is," Miranda said, linking her arm with mine.
"That's part of her charm," I said. "She isn't being cruel, she simply isn't aware of how the real world works."
"She is the most cosseted woman I've met, and believe me, there are many here. She's quite good company, though. We laugh a lot."
"Does she laugh too?"
Miranda chuckled and hugged my arm. "Usually, although it's possible she doesn't always understand why."
We veered off the avenue as a wagon passed by and headed into the trees. I'd been through this forest before, to collect sap and bark from the pomfrey trees, but not since the palace was built. The king had declared the lands surrounding the palace for his exclusive use only, and villagers were banned from foraging and poaching. Since there were other copses of pomfrey trees, I hadn't been too concerned, but the decree galled some of the villagers.
The forest soon opened up to reveal a pond. I was certain it hadn't been here before the palace was built.
I stared at the water glistening in the beam of sunshine. "I thought you'd made it up to tease Kitty."
"I found this place only yesterday." Miranda removed her riding cloak and placed it over a log. "Help me undress, please, Josie."
"You're going in?"
She flashed me a wicked grin. "Aren't you?"
I glanced around at the trees. They were utterly still. There wasn't a breath of wind in this part of the forest. The air was hot, I was hot, and the clear water looked inviting.
"We'll be able to hear riders coming in advance of seeing them," she assured me.
"Is it deep? I can't swim."
"Nor can I. We'll stay near the edge."
I unlaced her bodice and placed it next to the cloak on the log then helped her with the skirt. She hung it over a low branch and kicked off her boots. She stood in her chemise, stays and underskirt. "Don't have second thoughts now."
"I'm not," I said, removing my own clothing. Unlike hers, mine didn't need another's assistance. "I can't believe I'm doing this." Standing in my underthings in the middle of the day, outside, seemed far too daring. My father would be shocked. Meg would be shocked. I didn't care. I wasn't naked, after all. "I can't believe you're doing this, Miranda. You always seem so regal and composed, not wild."
She laughed. "Don't tell anyone or my reputation will be ruined."
The cool water felt wonderful lapping at my ankles. I took another step and mud squelched between my toes. I almost got out but Miranda caught my hand and together we waded to our knees. The mud gave way to sand and pebbles. The water was as clear as glass. I could see the bottom and a school of tiny fish darting by.
Miranda promptly sat and laughed at my shocked gasp. "You can't get the full benefit of the refreshing water unless you immerse yourself in it. Come on."
I plunged down beside her then decided to go further. I pulled my hair loose of its pins, shook it out, and lay back until only my face was above the water. Miranda followed suit and together we lay there, staring up at the blue sky in silence. It was relaxing, perhaps a little too much as I felt myself beginning to nod off.
"If I stay here any longer, I'll drown," I said, standing. "I'm going to dry off then I'd better go."
She followed me to the bank where we squeezed the water out of our hair and plucked wet underclothes away from our skin. "So have you shown that to the captain yet?" she asked.
"Shown him what?"
Her wicked smile lit up her face. "The body beneath the clothes."
"Miranda!" I grabbed my boot and threw it at her.
She dodged the boot, laughing. "He'll like it."
"I'm not listening to you."
She picked up the boot and tossed it back to me. "You're right not to show him yet. Secure a promise from him first then show him."
"Miranda, there is nothing between—"
She clapped a hand over my mouth and put a finger to her lips for silence. "Someone comes," she whispered. "Quickly."
We gathered our clothes and ducked into the forest. We separated and slipped behind a tree trunk each. I didn't dare peek but I recognized the king's voice, clear across the pond. Merdu, why did it have to be him? The other voice belonged to a woman but I couldn't hear what she said.
Miranda had more courage than I did and she watched them. I dared to follow her gaze and caught sight of the king removing his clothing with the help of the woman. Stripped down to his underthings, he then assisted her out of her clothes. She turned and— Lady Morgrave! So her efforts had been rewarded after all. She seemed to have won his affections.
I turned away when it became clear they weren't going to stop at their underthings. I didn't want to see either of them naked. Miranda turned away too and pulled a face.
"Shall we go?" she mouthed.
"They'll see," I mouthed back.
Splashes and giggles came from the pond, and I dared another peek. The king was in the middle of the pond, the water up to his waist, and Lady Morgrave was submerged to her knees. He beckoned her to join him where it was deeper but she refused. He splashed her and she squealed.
"Now," Miranda hissed.
We raced off, clutching our clothes and boots, heading further into the forest instead of toward the road. When we came across another smaller clearing, we stopped, panting and laughing. Miranda couldn't contain her giggles and made the most unladylike snort.
"Did you see it?" she asked through her tears. "Did you see his small—?"
"Miranda! Merdu, if someone hears you, you'll be in trouble for talking about the king's…appendage like that."
She pressed a hand to her chest and drew in several deep breaths. "You're right. It's time to be a lady again. It was fun being wild with you, Josie, but I must think of my parents and how horrified they'd be if I were found like this. Help me dress, will you? It's impossible to do on my own."
I glanced around, suddenly feeling self-conscious in my undergarments. Neither of us was entirely dry but we dressed anyway and I fixed her hair into the most elegant arrangement I could manage. I left mine down to dry completely.
We walked through the forest in what we hoped was the right direction until we came to a path. A sign indicated the palace was one way and the village the other so we parted with a promise to meet again.
I hadn't got far when a group of riders forced me to the side, and I almost fell into the ditch. It was immediately obvious they weren't Glancians from their shorter stature and darker hair, and a quick scan of their faces confirmed it. My stomach dropped when I recognized Lord Barborough. It was too late for me to run into the forest; he'd seen me.
He told his men to go on without him then ordered me to remain. "I wish to speak to you, Miss Cully." He didn't dismount but sat rigidly in the saddle, his useless arm resting across his lap. His good hand clutched the reins tightly. His apparent anxiety was the best proof that his arm didn't work.
"My lord?" I asked. "If you please, I must get home. I am expected."
"But you live alone."
Despite the heat, cold tingles crept down my spine. How did he know? Had he just come from the village where he'd been asking about me? Dread wrapped its fingers around my insides and squeezed. I was in a forest, far from the palace, with a man I didn't trust. A man who wanted me to spy for him or suffer the consequences.
I tried to step past him but he moved his horse to block my path. "No, Miss Cully. You're not going anywhere until I have information."
The problem was, I had no information to give.