Once Upon a Romance 03 - With True Love's Kiss Read online

  He gaped at her, while she stepped back and squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Master Goodfellow, but the answer is no. I will not be going hunting.”

  He spoke through gritted teeth. “And I am sorry, my lady, but I will not take no for an answer. You will meet me at the stables in an hour’s time, or I will carry you there and tie you on the back of your horse.”

  She stared at him in silence, and then turned on her heel and left the rooms. Robin watched in astonishment as the door closed behind her. He had just told her she had an hour to be ready to leave, and she had gone off to roam the castle in her night robe?

  He turned and reluctantly made his way to her wardrobe. He knew how to plan wars, advise kings, and chart dynasties, but instead, he got to play maid for a girl who didn’t even know enough to save her own life.

  Why, in the name of all the stars, had the Dame sent him here?

  Chapter 5

  To her relief, Bianca didn’t have to talk her way past a guard. Brannon must have realized that having a guard on Isabelle’s room would look odd, with the “spy” Alice in custody. Besides, Bianca thought bitterly, he’d left the queen barely able to walk. She hardly needed to be contained.

  Isabelle was in bed on her stomach when Bianca entered. Many of the queen’s shallow lashes had begun to scab, but far too many were still open cuts. Bianca knew she should look to treating her friend, but instead she just stood there shaking.

  “Bianca, you look like a ghost. What happened, love?”

  “I—” She didn’t know where to start. So much had happened since she’d last come to check on Isabelle. “The king held court this morning. He brought forth the traitor that was leaking information to Fain.”

  Isabelle lifted her head and stared. “What?”

  Bianca felt the tears begin again, and didn’t try to hold them back. She knew the queen would understand. “I’m so sorry, Isabelle, but they took Alice. They’re claiming she is the spy.”

  The blood drained from Isabelle’s face, and her head sank back down to lie on the bed.

  “I never thought he would take someone innocent to punish me.” The queen’s voice was weak. “I should never have done this.”

  Bianca knelt down on the floor, and leaned over to put her mouth near Isabelle’s ear. “How many people have you helped save, Isabelle? How many families did you warn, before the king’s men arrived to take them away? You can’t blame yourself, it isn’t your fault. He’s mad.”

  Isabelle acted as though she hadn’t heard. “I should just tell everyone the truth.”

  “You can’t. He practically told me that if anyone found out she wasn’t the spy, he would kill her.”

  Bianca watched in disbelief as her friend tried to push up off the bed. “Then I should leave. If I’m not here he will have no further reason to hurt her, or anyone else.”

  “How will you leave?” Bianca was so distraught she almost forgot to whisper. “You cannot walk! And the guards will stop you from leaving the palace.”

  Isabelle stopped trying to move, and lay still, a look of hopelessness in her eyes. “It would be better if I died in an escape attempt, than lie here while Brannon tortures others to make me talk.”

  Bianca stared down at her hands in helpless misery. She still held the paper that Robin Goodfellow had handed her in her quarters. A wild idea bloomed in her head. It was ridiculous, and it would never work, but it was better than seeing Isabelle try to escape on her own.

  “Something else happened today.”

  Isabelle was lost in her misery, but Bianca’s tone of sudden hope roused her.

  “What?”

  “The king wants to send me hunting.” Isabelle gave her an incredulous look. “Hold on a moment…” Bianca grabbed a tiny pencil nub, and scribbled her plan out on the paper, then held it where Isabelle could see. Before she was even done reading, the queen was shaking her head.

  “No,” she whispered urgently, “it’s insane. I would get you killed.”

  “Isn’t it worth trying?”

  “No.” Bianca could hear the steel in the quiet words. “It will be hard enough, with just you to spirit away. Go with Robin. Then I can know that you, at least, are safe.”

  Bianca leaned down close, so she could whisper directly in the other woman’s ear. “I am not leaving you here alone, Isabelle. If you cannot ride, say so, and I will lock the doors and keep us alive as long as I can. But do not ask me to go without you.”

  Bianca sat up and looked down at her friend. There were tears in both their eyes as they held each other’s gaze a long moment. At last, Isabelle reached up and laid a gentle hand on Bianca’s cheek.

  “Help me dress, then. I’ll do my best.”

  First they changed the bandages. Isabelle bit her lip while Bianca peeled the old wraps free as gently as she could. The healing skin clung to the linen, and a few gashes began bleeding again as their scabs were torn at the edges. Bianca dabbed the blood away, and then smeared a heavy layer of unguent all over Isabelle’s back. She smoothed it deep into the cuts, despite Isabelle’s hiss of pain, and then wrapped fresh linen strips around her torso, trying to create a thick, stable padding of cloth over the whole injured area.

  Isabelle rested while Bianca searched for clothing. She packed a simple, heavy gown and a woolen shawl that would keep Isabelle warm on the chill spring nights. Then she pulled out the queen’s riding habit. The sturdy fabric would serve well in the woods, and the tight jacket should help keep her bandages in place. Finally she shoved the last of her medicines into the top of her satchel. She’d used up so much on Isabelle over the past few days, there was barely any left, but even some would be better than none.

  “Ready to get dressed?”

  The queen gave her a dubious look. “Would you prefer bravery or honesty?”

  Getting Isabelle dressed was an agonizing process. Her lightweight chemise could barely be felt above the thick padding of bandages, but it rubbed along her shoulders, irritating the abrasions there. Her pantalets and divided skirt were easy enough to slip into, but they hung heavy on her body, as did the padded silk blouse. The worst was the jacket. Putting it on required her to rotate her shoulders, moving and compressing all the damaged skin on her back. Isabelle gasped in pain, but resolutely struggled her way into the tight-fitting coat, with Bianca’s careful help. Once Bianca had fastened all the buttons, Isabelle gave a trembling sigh.

  “I am never taking this off again.”

  “You’ll change your mind once the scars start itching.”

  “After this, itching will be a relief.”

  Bianca’s smile faded, and her fear rose. This would be difficult, and dangerous, even for someone healthy. For Isabelle it would be next to impossible. It would take several weeks for her back to start itching in earnest.

  Bianca desperately hoped Isabelle would still be alive then.

  ***

  Robin let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding when Bianca came out from the palace. He had been worried he would have to make good on his threat to carry her out. She was dressed in a riding habit, as she should have been for a hunt. Unfortunately it was bright red, and would stand out in the forest, but at least the material was warm and sturdy. Over one arm was slung a small satchel, nothing that was too big or overly full, nothing that would raise suspicions. And following behind her was a woman wearing a plain cloak.

  Robin blinked. Surely the girl wasn’t stupid enough to bring a chaperone on the trip.

  Bianca turned and said something to the woman, and gestured over to the horses.

  Robin sighed. Apparently she was that stupid.

  He called out to them, across the courtyard. “My lady, surely you don’t want to subject your maid to the rigors of a hunting—” When he caught sight of the face under the hood, he cut off. That wasn’t a maid.

  That was Queen Isabelle.

  Beneath her injuries the Albian queen’s face was white with pain, but she walked on her own feet, and she w
as dressed, ready to ride. The two of them made their way over to where Robin stood holding the reins of two horses. There was a bow and quiver strapped to each saddle, as well as a small sleeping roll and saddle bags holding a few nights’ worth of provisions.

  That was all. A gracious plenty, had Robin been travelling on his own; just barely enough for himself and a companion.

  Not at all enough for three.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” He spat the words out through smiling lips, in case anyone was watching.

  Bianca, too, kept a smile plastered on her face. “Only what I must. Now, are you going along with it? Or giving us away?”

  For a split second he considered throttling her himself and getting it over with. Then he exhaled, hard, and turned his head to the stables.

  “Bring out a horse for my lady’s maid!”

  Bianca gave him a look of gratitude. “Thank you.”

  “Do not thank me.” He muttered the words. “I have likely doomed us all.”

  From the open doors of the palace came the voice of the king.

  Robin tensed. If the king saw Isabelle, if one of the women gave them away…

  But Isabelle turned, calmly, and busied herself checking the stirrup length on Bianca’s horse, and Brannon’s eyes passed over her without hesitation. Just another servant in the background.

  “I see I’m in time to wish you good hunting.” King Brannon moved into the sunlight, and smiled with oily cordiality at his huntsman. “I don’t know when I was last looking forward to the outcome of a hunt more. Do bring me back something fresh.”

  “Then you wish us well, your majesty?” Bianca said the words softly, and her voice quivered with fear. It was obviously hard for her to speak with the king. Robin wondered why she forced herself, unless she was trying to keep his attention away from his poorly disguised cousin.

  “Indeed, Nieve.” Brannon bared his teeth at his daughter, enjoying her discomfort. “I wish you an excellent kill.”

  He turned on his heel and strode back into the palace, and Bianca let out a shaky breath. After he disappeared into the shadows, Robin saw the two women look at each other. Bianca’s eyes were worried, but Isabelle smiled soothingly.

  “One thing at a time, Bianca. Just get me on the horse.”

  It was easier than Robin had feared. Isabelle’s legs were mostly unharmed, and her tight riding jacket kept the bandages from rubbing as she was boosted into the saddle. Robin helped her settle her skirts, while Bianca used the mounting block to climb onto her own palfrey. When they were both ready, Robin vaulted into his saddle, and looked at his travel companions. Both of them.

  He wondered how well the women would do in the forest, and if he would manage to keep them safe.

  He shook his head at his own hubris. Safe was impossible. Better to wonder if he could keep them alive.

  Bianca broke into his thoughts. “Shall we ride?”

  They pointed their horses down the long, broad avenues that led out of the city. As they left the castle behind, Bianca took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. Robin was surprised to see a smile on her face.

  “Enjoying the afternoon?”

  “I’m scared out of my wits.”

  “Then why the smile?”

  “It’s a beautiful spring day. And for better or worse, I am riding away from my father for the last time.”

  Robin stared after her, astonished, as she set her heels to her horse and trotted off to the city gates.

  Chapter 6

  Robin took them west, towards the forests where Brannon staged his largest hunts. They rode at a leisurely pace while they were within sight of the city walls, but once the trees closed behind them he cut their horses hard to the south and forced them into a faster gait. Bianca was surprised that their mounts didn’t injure themselves, moving so quickly over uneven terrain, but Robin seemed to know the way, and always slowed them before the footing grew too treacherous.

  The horses were fine. Isabelle was not. When the queen had discovered that her palfrey would follow Robin’s mount without any encouragement, she dropped her reins and clung to the pommel instead. Bianca rode behind her, anxiously watching but unable to do anything to help her friend. She gave thanks that Master Goodfellow had the foresight to equip them with standard saddles. If Isabelle had been riding sidesaddle she never would have maintained her seat. Even with her legs to grip the horse, she swayed alarmingly.

  It seemed like forever, but the sun was still up when Robin finally called a halt beside a small stream.

  “The horses need to rest for a few minutes. Dismount and have some water, but not too much. We need to cover a lot more ground before nightfall.”

  He slid from his saddle and moved over to help Isabelle down and settle her on a fallen log. Bianca hurried to fetch some water for her friend, and then went to kneel by Robin at the edge of the stream.

  “Where are we going, Master Goodfellow?” Bianca hadn’t asked before. It had been impossible at the palace, and since then her attention had been focused on Isabelle. In fact, that was the only reason it had occurred to her to ask at all. She assumed the huntsman knew a hunting lodge where they could hide, and she wanted to be able to reassure Isabelle that it wasn’t much farther.

  “Albion.”

  “Albion?” Bianca didn’t remember the last time she’d raised her voice to anyone, but she did so now. “Isabelle cannot possibly ride all the way to Albion! She could barely keep her seat for half an afternoon—Albion is weeks away!”

  “If you will recall, I had not originally planned on her company.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Regardless, I am not taking either of you on a pleasure ride, Bianca.” Robin kept his tone level, but Bianca could sense the heat behind it. “I am not asking you to ride to Albion on a whim. I must get both of you beyond Brannon’s reach, and that means out of the kingdom. Albion has the closest border, not to mention you have connections there. Where would you have us go instead?”

  “A hunting lodge! A farmer’s cot! Even a cave in the hillside, if that is all that we can find. But Isabelle must have time to heal, and to rest. She can’t—”

  “Listen to me, foolish girl.” Robin cut her off sharply. “We have a day, a day at most, before the king realizes that the queen has run off with us, and I am not going to cut out your pretty heart as instructed. When that happens he will set his finest riders and trackers on our heels. We must ride and we must ride hard, or you will both be lost.”

  “She cannot—”

  “Bianca.” Isabelle’s tired voice cut through their argument. “If Robin says we must ride then we must ride. I will be fine.”

  Robin nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. He started to turn away, but Bianca caught his arm.

  “Why are you doing this?” She kept her voice low. She didn’t want Isabelle to interfere. “Isabelle is risking her life to do as you advise. But I don’t even know why you’re helping us.”

  Robin let out a frustrated sigh. “It is no coincidence that I came to work at the palace. I was sent there, to keep an eye on you and keep you safe.”

  Bianca started at him in shock as he rose and and brushed his knees free of dirt.

  “Why?” It was only a whisper.

  Robin snorted. “I wish I knew. When I next see my grandmother I intend to ask her, trust me.” He walked off to help Isabelle to her feet. “Now mount up. We ride on.”

  They kept the pace to a fast walk through the afternoon and on into dusk. Bianca rigged a simple sling for Isabelle’s waist from one of the sleeping rolls, and the extra support seemed to help with the older woman’s exhaustion. She could relax; barring sudden changes in direction she wouldn’t fall from the saddle.

  While Isabelle dozed and Robin led the way, Bianca brooded on Robin’s revelation. He had been sent to keep her safe? By whom? She wanted to know who this mysterious benefactor was, and what interest they had in her. As she turned his words over and over in her mind, another thing he had said str
uck her. She resolved to ask him about it, when she got the chance.

  As the last of the sun’s rays fled from the sky, Robin pulled up in a clearing and swiftly stripped the saddle from his horse.

  “The moon will not rise until close to midnight. We shall rest here until then, and head out once there is enough light to see our path.”

  Isabelle groaned as she all but fell from her horse, but made no protest. Instead she tried to tend to her palfrey. Bianca stopped her and sent her to lie by the fire Robin was starting.

  “I can see to your horse. Go sleep, Isabelle. We’ll wake you to eat something in a little while.”

  The Albian queen didn’t have enough energy to argue. She tossed her blanket on the ground and collapsed down onto it, falling immediately into a deep slumber.

  Bianca took the saddles off both their horses, and made sure each had a nosebag of food. Then she filled a small pot with water and nestled it near the fire, crumbling strips of dried meat and vegetables into the pot. When the water boiled, it would quickly become a stew. Then she took a deep breath and braved the dragon.

  “I suppose it’s no use to ask you if we can stay here until morning.”

  Robin put down the small piece of wood he was whittling and looked at her in exasperation. “Have you no sense of self-preservation? Do you care for nothing but her safety? Let me make it simple, then. If they find us, they will kill you both. True, it is a risk, forcing Isabelle to ride, but it is far safer than if she is found.”

  Bianca decided to change topics. There was nothing to be gained by them yelling at each other. They’d only wake up Isabelle, who seemed to agree wholeheartedly with Robin. “That reminds me. You said something like that earlier. That, if we were caught, we would both be lost. What about you? Are you not in danger?”

  Robin laughed, the first sound of real humor she’d ever heard from him. “I am only in danger so long as I stand between you and the king. If you and Isabelle were killed then I would simply vanish into the forest.”