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Disclaimer: Not mine, never was.
Chapter seventeen: Midsummer
Tat drifted into Alanna's rooms, smiling dreamily, and Alanna stifled a laugh, though not a grin, as she twirled, executing a little dance with all her usual grace and poise.
"What happened?"
Tat waved her left hand at her, palm inwards.
"Raoul proposed!"
Alanna felt her grin fade a little, then forced herself to resume it.
"That's fantastic!" she exclaimed, hoping all of what she felt didn't
seep into her voice. She was excited for Tat of course, and she had suspected
something of the sort ever since Raoul had sought her out, somewhat nervously,
to ask her opinion on what she thought Tat thought exactly about him
shortly after Beltaine, but still...
Tat frowned. "You haven't asked if I said yes."
Alanna smiled wryly. "I didn't need to - it's obvious that you would've."
Tat made a face, and came to sit down next to her. "I suppose I have been spending an awful lot of time with him lately - sorry about that. But there's no need to look so woebegone - the wedding won't be for a while yet, since it'll take time to organise and even then I'll be spending most of my time at court. Thing's aren't going to change - much." she added when Alanna lifted an eyebrow.
"Things are changing, though - you're getting married, in a year and a half Thom'll be going through his ordeal and then right after that marrying Rhiannon - you know how impatient the baron is for them to be married, and I haven't got that much longer 'til my own ordeal, though Liam won't tell me when - he keeps saying he'll tell me when I'm ready - " she made a face.
Tat pushed out her bottom lip. "But this is what we've waited for since our convent days - not the whole my getting married thing, of course, but six and a half years ago you would've given anything for this."
Alanna sighed. "I know - and that's why I'm so confused. I should be happy all this is happening but it's all just going so fast and this just brought it home to me - and I'm going to miss you terribly with no-one to make jokes when Liam's being horrible or Thom's being obnoxious and after that when he and Rhia go back to Trebond, and fix it up after all that father did, or rather didn't do."
"And then when you get married -"
Alanna's head jerked up. "I'm not getting married, Tat, you know that. Even if I had any plans for my life which included it, who'd want to - look at me!"
I am looking at you, Tat thought, though she did not say. And what I see is something a certain prince is very interested in, though you don't know it.
"I don't know about that," she said. "I happen to know of some who wouldn't mind."
Alanna snorted. "Yeah, sure Tat - who?" That last word imbued with sarcasm.
Tat smirked. "Not saying - you'll have to find out for yourself."
Alanna opened her mouth, and Tat hurriedly continued. "Getting back to what I originally wanted to ask, I was wondering if, despite your protest to being part of such a ceremony, you would be one of my bridesmaids - the other being Rhia, of course. I need you two to stop me from bolting at the last minute - or help me do so."
Alanna smiled. "Of course."
"So, naturally, you'll be coming with me in two days time with mother and Baroness Deirdre to look at dress designs for all of us."
Alanna groaned, and Tat laughed. "How did I know you were going to do that?" she teased.
Alanna rolled her eyes. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"No - but if it'll make you feel better I won't make you stay too long for the tea afterwards - my mother-in-law-to-be's idea, not mine."
Tat held up her hands in protest, but too late as a pillow came flying at her.
***
"Care to dance?"
Alanna answered without looking up. "You know how I feel on the subject of dancing, Jonathan."
"Do a friend a favour - the princess mother's trying to hook me up with has heavy feet and isn't nearly as good as you are."
Now Alanna did look up. "Your mother's not stupid, Jon, she knows we're only friends."
Something I intend to change. Jon thought. "Please, lady Alanna will you honour me with this next dance in order to save me from the lead-like toes of Princess Elisabeth?"
Alanna looked over at the aforementioned princess, whose loose gown did not quite conceal the undeniable plumpness of her figure, and, from the looks of the many be-jewelled rings on her pudgy fingers, was one of those pompous creatures Alanna so dreaded at court. She looked back at Jon. "If it will save your highness's tender feet, I suppose it must be my duty as a loyal subject."
Jon grinned. "Thank you, thank you, thank you Alanna."
She grinned. "Surely it wasn't that bad."
"Oh but it was." he whispered, leaning down so his mouth was near her ear, and Alanna shivered as his breath stirred the loose curls there. Stop that. She told herself firmly. He's my friend, and my brother's best friend. I have no right or want to think that about him - or about anyone!
The dance ended, and Jon pulled her out onto the balcony, still holding her hand as he walked over to the railings they used to get up to the section of roof that had become a refuge for them both when the endless court balls and parties became unbearable.
He hoisted himself up, then turned, helping Alanna up, hooking his hands under her arms to do so. Settling down on the roof beside him, Alanna carefully chose a spot not too close to him, and closed her eyes, concentrating on the wind on her face.
"It's beautiful out here tonight." Jon commented, and Alanna jumped. Damn, she thought. I just jumped at a perfectly innocent comment. What am I thinking tonight?
"It is," she said, and if there was a slight tremor in her voice, Jon either didn't notice or ignored it.
"How - how is that wound of yours holding up?" She asked, desperately searching for something to say that didn't involve the uncomfortably moonlit night, then regretted it the moment she said it.
"It's all but healed. Duke Baird was most impressed with your work, it seems."
"I see." She looked up, and saw that Jon was staring at her. "We should go back inside - someone's bound to miss us soon."
"Wait a little longer."
She shook her head. "I don't think so. I - I'm cold."
He raised an eyebrow. "Alanna, it's midsummer's eve. Even you can't complain about it being cold."
"Well I am, and I really do think we should go inside."
"Alanna." Reaching out, he grabbed her arm. "I -"
"What?" she demanded, staring him full in the face.
He looked up at her, seeming both very young and so much older than her at the same time. "I -" he gave an impatient sigh, and reached out, touching her cheek. Alanna froze, sitting stock still on the roof, still warm from the day's sun, as his finger gently traced eyebrow, cheek, nose, stopping at her mouth, as he leaned forward and kissed her, fingers sliding down to grip her chin gently.
Alanna stiffened, feeling the impact throughout her body. Coming to her senses, she pulled away, and slapped him, hard.
"How dare you?" She demanded, her voice a furious whisper. "How dare you do that to me? You're supposed to be my friend! No, wait, I suppose that was all just an act to achieve this. How dare you treat me as though - as though I was one of them!" She cried, still managing, somehow, to make the cry a whisper as she waved towards the chattering beauties in the ballroom.
"Lanna -"
"Don't call me that!" she snapped, wrenching her arm free, and sliding down the rooftop to the point where she could hang on the stone guttering, and drop onto the balcony, heedless of her fine silk gown.
She made it to her rooms - barely - before bursting into tears, sliding down against the door.
"Alanna?" Shannyn hurried over, disturbed by this uncharacteristic show of what Alanna deemed a weakness from her mistress. "Alanna, what's wrong? Milady?"
"Oh Shannyn - I - I -"
"What happened?" she asked, gripping a shoulder comfortingly.
"I - nothing. I just lost a friend I never really had, that's all. Oh Shan I'm so confused - I -"
"You need to rest." Shannyn said decisively, helping her up and over to her bed, where she wiped Alanna's face clean of tears, rouge, and shadow, removed earrings and necklace, and pulled her out of her gown, unlaced with deft efficiency and helping her into a nightdress all in one fluid movement.
Alanna turned her face away from Shannyn, letting the girl think she slept, and felt the tears roll silently down her cheek.
***
Thankfully, Liam kept her at her lessons - and those of the pages and squires for most of the next day, and she could justifiably plead tiredness and eat in her rooms, rather than facing the crowd in the great hall and the ball afterwards - and the prince - she stubbornly refused to think of him as Jon.
The next day, as Tat reminded her when she turned up in Alanna's rooms early the next morning in an unusually formal dress, along with Rhiannon, saying that her mother and mother-in-law to be were in 'the garden' - meaning the Ladies Garden, a section of the palace grounds which had been set aside specifically for the use of the court ladies and the queen in the early days of Tortall.
"What's the rush?" Alanna asked curiously as they made their way down to the gardens.
Tat made a face. "I don't mind, although it's not me that's making it so. Baron Stephan is pressing for a quick marriage because Raoul's younger sister, Natalie, is too young to be considered for any sort of marriage arrangement, as she's only seven, and is rather sickly as I understand it, and since she's the only other heir should Raoul die, Goddess forbid, and seems to have had a number of near-death sickness's already, poor thing. Raoul's told his father in no uncertain terms that he's not marrying me as some sort breeding mare, but nonetheless -"
She lifted her hands helplessly in a sort of shrug, and Rhia laughed.
"What?" Tat demanded crossly.
Rhiannon snorted. "Eleven hands high at the shoulder, young, purebred bloodlines and healthy coat -"
Alanna laughed as well. "Trust you to think of that!"
Rhiannon grinned. "What can I say - it's in the family for me to think that way."
Tat rolled her eyes heavenward as her friends continued to laugh, then stopped abruptly, hitting both in the stomach, hard.
Alanna gaped. "What was that for?" She demanded, then pursed her lips as she followed Tat's nod to where a pale, dignified lady who resembled an older Tat, and a smaller woman with brown curls sat, sipping at delicate china teacups.
Tat approached, Alanna and Rhia trailing behind her, and executed a small, perfect curtsy. "Mother, Baroness Deirdre. "
"Hello my dear," the lady of Eagle's Reach replied warmly, and Alanna realised that Tat was very like her mother in more than just looks.
The other woman smiled also, though coolly. "Hello Tatiana my dear. These are your friends, I presume?"
Alanna blinked. She wasn't expecting this! A stickler for the rules, it seemed - Raoul must get his personality from his father - he certainly wouldn't be the way he is if he took after her, I'll wager.
She curtsied, summoning up all the petal-like delicacy people seemed to expect from a lady of her size. "A pleasure to meet you, Baroness." She murmured, keeping her eyes downcast. I feel like a Bazhir woman. "I am Alanna of Trebond."
The baroness looked her over coolly. "The pleasure is all mine, lady Alanna." She replied dryly, with the slightest emphasis on the 'lady.'
"Your reputation precedes you." Tat murmured as she turned towards them to introduce Rhiannon.
The baroness looked them over. "Sit, please." She turned, gesturing to a woman a few years younger than herself. "Tea?" She inquired.
Tat accepted, Alanna and Rhiannon following her lead - there seemed to be nothing else to do.
"I'll have Anne send for your maids."
Alanna looked up at her curiously, and Tat leaned over to whisper, "She's of the sort that takes her maid everywhere."
Alanna nodded, and glanced up to see Shannyn arrive, Faithful in her arms, along with Elena and Irene - Tat and Rhiannon's maids, whom she had met occasionally at the convent.
Faithful jumped down onto her lap, and she gathered him up as the baroness rose stiffly, and made her way towards the stables.
***
Stefan's face lit up as they arrived outside. "Me ladies - it's a pleasure t' see ye all agin - shall I get out yer horses?"
Alanna opened her mouth to tell him to, but Baroness Deirdre got in first.
"We will be taking the Goldenlake carriage."
Alanna pouted, seething slightly at her manner - and she still had the rest of the day to deal with the woman!
Forcing herself to keep a semblance of calm, she climbed into the carriage, wishing for Luna.
***
"And then we shall need some beading and embroidery on the bodices and skirts - complementary to whatever colour the gowns shall be of course - I think perhaps pearls and moonstones on yours, perhaps, Tatiana?"
Tat smiled tightly at her future mother in law. "Lovely - the colour should be ivory, I think."
"I don't know - cream would be suitable, don't you think?"
Lady Elaine shook her head empathetically. "Not on Tat - my sister, may the black god rest her soul, wore cream on her wedding day and it looked terrible. I'm afraid we just don't have the colouring for it - although you yourself looked lovely in at your wedding, if I remember correctly. A beautiful ceremony, I thought."
Tat made a face at Alanna over their heads, raising her hands to sign to her. Mother doesn't like the baroness very much - I think she had a little tiff with her when they were our age over my father.
Alanna grinned - Tat was irrepressible.
"I think a pale blue-violet, or perhaps lavender for the bridesmaids dresses, don't you, mother." Tat interrupted pacifically.
Rhiannon joined in. "Yes, that would be nice - perhaps a violet gown underneath with a blue chiffon over the top - the colours would meld together nicely, and it would suit a summer wedding. Don't you think so, Alanna?"
"Um - " Alanna paused, trying to remember where the conversation had gone. "Yes, it - would. Absolutely lovely, I agree completely."
"And then the young men could wear blue..."
Alanna allowed her mind to wander again; through she carefully kept it away from the topic of Prince Jonathan.
At length the discussions ended, and they moved to the library of the townhouse Raoul's family owned, for the tea, and somehow - she wasn't sure just how exactly, but she did it, Alanna managed - barely - to make it through the last half hour before they left to go back to the palace for the customary evening festivities.
***
"Lady Alanna?"
Alanna stubbornly refused to look in the direction the voice came from. "Please go away, you Highness."
"You're still angry with me?"
"Yes. Excuse me, your Highness." They were standing on the railed landing that ran around the walls of the ballroom, and Alanna picked up her skirts, making her way carefully down one of the spiral staircases that were doted all around the landing. As it happened, she ended up near the long, narrow table that held various drinks. There were squires circulating with jugs of the wines, but the tables were there anyway.
"What wine were you having, lady Alanna?" She looked up straight into a pair of pale sapphire eyes resembling the Prince's.
She looked down at the table, picking up a goblet at random. "The white. And you, your Grace?"
"I prefer the red myself." He said smoothly, making his way around the table to stand beside her. "Are you dancing tonight - I understand you're rather good, though I've never had the pleasure of dancing with you."
"I'm - feeling rather tired tonight, actually."
"Really? That's a pity, I did want to dance with you."
Involuntarily, she glanced up a Jonathan, where he still stood, leaning on the railing, looking down at them. "Well," she said, managing a fairly convincing smile at the Duke. "I'm sure I could manage one."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'd be delighted."
He smiled. "Excellent. Shall we?" He said, taking her goblet and placing it on a nearby table, then guiding her onto the dance floor.
The dance was a waltz, so Alanna had no excuse not to talk. "I couldn't help but notice you were being rather - cool, with my cousin before. I was under the impression that you were friends." His tone was gently querying, but Alanna stiffened nonetheless.
"Then you must have been misinformed, your Grace."
"I see. It has been most pleasant talking to you tonight. I am afraid I must go but I would enjoy talking to you again - perhaps I might meet you tomorrow for a little chat?"
Alanna's eyes widened. What's he playing at?
"Of - of course you could. May I enquire where?"
"I thought the gardens, shortly after the lunch hour - I understand you have classes with the Dragon until then, although my own do not start until the afternoon. Unless you're busy then?"
She made herself smile again, despite the sick feeling in the back of her throat. "No, that's excellent - the rose gardens?"
"Very well. Forgive me -" he said, bowing. "But I must go now, I'm afraid. Till tomorrow then." He kissed her hand lightly, making her skin crawl, and she forced herself to resist shuddering and pulling her hand away.
***
Alanna dressed carefully the next morning - a pale green and gold gown, light silk, appropriate for high summer. As she was putting the last touches in place, she glanced down at Faithful, and he jumped into her arms. Better take me. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into here.
I know - I have to do this, Faithful.
The Duke was waiting for her when she arrived, smiling at her. "Lady Alanna - you're looking well."
"As are you, your Grace."
"Please - Duke Roger will do fine. 'Your Grace,' is too formal for me."
She nodded politely, stroking Faithful, and looked down at the roses.
"I - have a proposition for you, lady Alanna. Are you interested?"
She looked up at him, giving at diffident shrug. "I'd have to hear more first - what does this proposition involve?"
"I think you'll be most interested in it. Despite what you said last night, I do get the feeling that until very recently, you and my cousin were friends, until something happened - something that was his fault, I'll wager, judging from the way you've been acting. Now, I have something of a - plan, that, were you to be involved would give the chance for revenge, should you wish it, and power. You are the apprentice of the Shang Dragon, but because of your sex, and the fact that you are noble, people are wary of you, since you seem to be breaking class rules. They do not see that a king who had you by his side as one of his inner circle would wield considerable power - the only Gifted Shang in existence and the only one in known history that was not cast out of their noble family. I could offer you the power to be that - perhaps as you dreamed when you were younger. Did you want to become a knight, lady Alanna?"
She jumped. How could he know that?
He's guessing - play along. Commented Faithful from her arms.
"When I was a child, a knight was the closest means of becoming a warrior - but I am happy being a Shang apprentice."
He nodded. "I see. Would you like to hear more of my plan, lady Alanna? Of course, if you're not interested, it would be in your best interests to leave now." Something in his expression made her shudder, and she forced herself to breathe slowly.
"No - I am interested. What is the end of this plan, and my part in it?"
He smiled. "You are perceptive, my lady. Very well. The end is thus - I intend to - dispose of - my cousin, leaving me my uncle's heir - and king when he passes on. I would be the king I spoke of earlier to you, with you - unfortunately, not as champion, as that post must be taken by a knight, but perhaps as an unofficial equivalent - I'll either find a title, or invent one. Your part is simple. To act as a - confidant, for my cousin, prevent him from making any untimely alliances, of any sort, and perhaps as more than that, since some alliances would be made considerably more difficult by my cousin's foolish notions of love. A simple delaying act, until my plan is carried out in full. What do you say to it, lady Alanna?"
She smiled archly. "This indeed seems to be an - interesting proposition you've laid before me, Duke Roger. And indeed, with what you've offered me, how on earth could I refuse?"
He smiled wolfishly at her. "Excellent. You know what to do then - but don't make yourself obvious. Farewell for now, lady Alanna."
"Farewell, Duke Roger."
She turned, resisting the temptation to run down the path, heading for her rooms.
***
"Jonathan."
"Alanna? What - what are you doing here? I mean - never mind that, come in - how are you?"
"Well. Jonathan I must talk to you - you're in terrible danger."
He frowned, gesturing for her to take a seat, and settling into one himself.
"What do you mean?"
"I - there's someone against you - against your life. I talked to them, and they offered me an alliance, as an - agent of sorts for them. I accepted, or pretended to accept, since it seems the only way I would find out more about whatever they're doing and - and to get proof against them. Don't get me wrong, I haven't forgiven you, but you're still my friend, and it is my duty to help you - you do believe me, don't you?"
His frown deepened. "Of course I do - but Alanna, I think you must tell me who this person, or these people -"
"Person."
"Very well, this person is."
She shook her head. "I cannot - this person - you would not believe me unless I had proof of what they are plotting against you. They - are a master of court disguises - you know what I mean."
He nodded. "I see. So you're going to work as - a double agent, then?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"What did they offer you - surely they made an offer that would be an advantage to you?"
She shrugged. "They knew that you'd done - something, though they didn't know what, and they offered me this as - as a way of revenge, of getting even with you, and - and when they were ruler of Tortall, a place in their inner circle, as a sort of champion."
He nodded. "And in return you have to -"
"Keep you from making 'untimely alliances,' and, I presume, act as a spy of sorts."
"I don't understand, Alanna. If this is so very dangerous as you would have me believe, why won't you tell me who?"
She shook her head. "I told you, you wouldn't believe me without proof. I suspected him, as does Thom and Sir Myles, but no one else does."
He sighed. "Fine - but make sure you get this proof. I want to know about this."
"Of course you do - and I'll provide it as soon as I can - you're still my friend, so, obviously, I don't want you killed."
He smiled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence - keep safe, Alanna. "
She smiled. "Don't I always?" Rising, she walked over to the door. "I'll see you tonight, I suppose."
"Yes - and naturally you'll be dancing."
She made a face at him. "Sure, Jon."
"Of course - goodbye Alanna."
"Goodbye."
Faithful jumped up on the bed as she left. Of course, I could vouch for her, and provide a witness, but who on earth would believe a talking cat?
Jon stared at him. "You - ahh - you spoke?"
Who else? Believe her, you Highness. He jumped down, rubbed slightly against Jon's legs, and ran lightly out of the open door.
A/N: Mush enough? Please review, ppls - and I'm sure you can all figure out who the duke in question is. REVIEW!!!!!
Ciao,
Aranel
