Chapter 5



The council was a buzz as Cassie sat down, hoping her pleas wouldn't fall on deaf ears. Slowly, she walked back to Richard who took her hand and squeezed it as she sat.

"Well, if there is nothing else. . ."

"Actually, there is," Carly said from the doorway as she breezed in. "Please excuse my lateness, but I believe that I do have a right to have a say in this," she continued as she walked towards the table of men who would decide the fate of the small island nation.

"Who is she?" Cassie asked, wondering what Edmund was cooking up.

"I don't know," Richard admitted as he watched the woman, whose face was hidden by a wide brimmed hat.

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"Edmund?" Beth asked as she looked over to him.

"I have no idea. . ." he sighed as he too watched the woman dressed in pale blue, the nagging suspicion that he has seen her somewhere in the back of his brain. . .

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"Gentlemen, I know that I have been gone for quite sometime. However, that does not mean I have not been aware of what was going on here. I did think, however, that their Royal Highnesses would be able to work this out on their own. It appears I was wrong.
If I wasn't we wouldn't be here.

The truth of the matter is this. We do not know if the. . . information Prince Richard found is true. That it wasn't planted by someone who wanted to destroy the monarchy. Nor do we know that Prince Edmund's claim isn't founded. . .
All we do know at this time is that there were letters.

There was a silver cup.

All easily forged.

All easily lies.

We all know that for lies to be believed that they most hold a touch of truth. Knowing the late King's history gives these possible lies that much more touch of believably.

That is why, I make a proposal to you.

One that you put off making your decision until tests. . .DNA tests. . . can be done to prove whether or not Prince Richard is the rightful heir, or if the letter and cup held the truth." Carly finished and stayed right where she was as murmurs surrounded her. Those of her brothers--- those of the men she were petitioning.

She felt the stares of her brothers knowing that they wondered who she was. Why she would speak with such candor. With such knowledge, but wasn't ready to turn to face them. She needed to hear the answer first. . .

The men of the council turned to them after quickly discussing things. "It would seem to us, that you are right. It is the order of the council that a DNA test be run to see if the allegations are true. Until the results come in, no decision can be made. We are adjourned to such time as the results come in. Until then, Prince Richard will remain the reining monarch."

With curses and surprise around her, Carly smiled slightly.

She had done it.

She had bought her country some time, she thought as she heard the argument behind her.

"This is ridiculous!" Edmund said as he looked over at Richard who sighed.

"Why? Because they know that you are unworthy of ruling?" he asked.

"They did not say that!" Edmund said angrily.

"Why would they want a killer as their king?" Cassie asked.

"That was uncalled for!" Beth shot at her. "Just because you couldn't take care of your own baby. . ."

"Well, at least I didn't bury my husband one week and jump into bed with another man the next," Cassie replied.

Carly tensed at the barbs of the two women, finding them too close to home as she took off her hat and shook her hair out of the lose bun she had placed it in before starting towards the group. "That is enough!" she said angrily causing them all to stop and stare at her. "This is exactly why the whole world is starting to see the Winslows as a bigger joke than the Winsors," she paused to inhale as she shot angry glances from one brother to the other. "Really, you think the two of you would've thought of this yourselves, and maybe if you would think about the good of the country instead of keeping each other off the throne you would have!" she paused again as she turned her ire to Cassie and Beth. "As for you two. I understand the urge to protect the man you love, but you will refrain from such accusations. Especially you," she said pointing at Beth. "If I ever hear you using the lost of her child against her again I will personally have you thrown on a plane and taken back to Springfield. Do I make myself clear?"

"How dare you!" Beth asked.

"Very easily," Carly said as she looked at the door. "Connell Dax!"

"Yes," Dax said as he stepped into the room.

"Please escort Mrs. Lemay to her quarters and post someone to make sure she doesn't go and make mischief."

"Certainly," Dax said as he walked in, a slight smile playing at his lips at Carly's handling of things. "Anything else?"

"Just make sure my rooms are ready," Carly said with a simple air.

"Of course," he said as he gestured to Beth to leave.

"Oh no. Edmund?" She said turning towards him with questioning eyes.

"Look, I don't know who you think you are. . ." Edmund started as he glared at Carly.

"Really?" Carly asked with little amusement. "Should I hold the same for you?" she asked as she turned to Richard.

"Well. . .I. . ."

"That's what I thought. You know, you two really are pieces of work!" she started as Noah started into the room with Reva and Phillip.

"What is going on we could hear you. . ." Noah started then laughed as he saw Carly. "Well, that explains it!"

"Well, at least someone recognizes me!" she sighed as she took him in. "Even if it is you!"

"Now what's that supposed to mean?"

"Think about. I'm sure you'll remember!"

Noah cringed slightly at that, "Point taken. But why are you reaming me out?"

"For interrupting me! Now if you want me to stop you can take the blonde ditz out of here. And take the adulteror with you! This is family business."

"And just what type of family are you referring too?" Phillip asked as he recognized her.

Carly smiled slightly at the implications, "Well, Mr. Spaulding, if I were you I wouldn't wait to find out."

Noah shook his head as Reva stared blankly around her, "How dare you speak to us like that. . . do you have any idea who we are. . ."

"Apparently, Katherine, or should I say Reva," Carly said with contempt evident in her voice. "Or I wouldn't be addressing you at all."

"Now you look here. . ."

"No, you look here. You have already caused this family enough pain. You and your own selfishness and I'll be damn if I let you, or anyone else," she added looking pointedly at Beth, "do that again. You will leave now."

"Now, wait a minute," Richard started. "Reva. . ."

"Reva is the reason they first tried to overthrow you, or do you forget that?" Carly asked as she turned to him. "She is the reason why there is no heir. Because of her duplicity the country is once more in an uproar."

"Now wait a minute. . ." Cassie started.

"No, you wait a minute," Carly said. "You don't know as much as you think you do because people stopped telling him," she paused pointing a finger at Richard before turning towards Reva, "Everything because of that."

"How dare you speak of things you know nothing of!" Richard said, the need to take care of Reva coming into play as it always did.

"Don't I?" Carly laughed. "You wonder why people think you are unfit to rule? That both of you are?" she asked as she looked from Richard to Edmund and then back again. "You can't even see what's going on in front of you! Neither of you can. You're too blinded by your needs and selfishness to see what's best for the country! You used to know better," she said turning to Edmund. "You used to care about the fate of the country. Of the Winslows. What happened to that man? Did he get caught up in a plot he was trying to
stop? Did he forget his reasons for acting as he was? Forget his plan to save his brother? Save the crown?" she asked him watching the color drain from his face before turning to Richard. "And you? Did she so turn you away from the people who loved you that you can't even see it? Recognize it? That you'd believe the worse in your own brother? Never question what his actions appeared to be? To forget. . ." she paused and shook her head. "No. . . no, I won't. . ." she said as she looked towards the door. "Old traps lie here.
I should've known better then to enter these walls again. You two want to destroy each other. The crown. The family. The country. Go ahead. I won't stop you," Carly said as she walked out and paused at the door to turn to Noah. "Let them figure it out on their own. I want to see if they ever do," she added before leaving the group in silence as she started down the hall, a guard moving easily behind her.