Chapter 10

"A ball?" Rhain asked, incredulously.

            "Aye, a ball," his father answered.  Rhain shot a quick look at his mother and saw that she was wringing her hands, a look of anxiety on her face.  This did not bode well for him and he felt a growing sense of dread.

            "And what, may I ask, is the occasion for this ball?" Rhain asked his father.

            "'Tis to greet the arrival of King Giovanni of Italy.  As you know, I have tried for a very long time to gain his friendship and he has finally consented to visit me.  Therefore, I must show him all the courtesy in my power," the king answered, blandly.  His look was calm and steady.

            "I was unaware that you had had such a breakthrough in your communications with Italy," Rhain replied, flatly.  He did not like being kept in the dark about such matters.

            "I only just learned of the king's intended visit today.  So you see, he did not allow me much time for preparation."

            "How very inconsiderate of him," the prince murmured.

            The king smiled at his son.  "'Tis an inconvenience that I am willing to overlook.  After so much time and energy, one cannot afford to be too particular with regard to a show of friendship on the part of Italy."

            "Nay indeed," Rhain answered.  "Still, I think it strange that the king suddenly agreed to a visit.  Have you any explanation for his change of heart?"

            "It would seem that our Italian friends are feeling some pressure from France.  'Tis my belief that they seek an alliance with us.  Of course, such an alliance would be mutually beneficial so I am naturally eager to do whatever I may in my power to promote it."

            "Naturally," Rhain replied, his suspicions rising by the minute.  He felt the need to flee his father's chamber right away.  "If you will excuse me father, I have a matter that I must discuss with Sir Edwyn."

            "Certainly, my son," the king answered. 

            Rhain strode toward the door eagerly and his hand was on the handle when his father's voice stopped him.

            "Oh, there is one thing more," the king said with feigned casualness.

            "Aye?" Rhain said, turning back to face his father.

            "King Giovanni will be bringing his daughter, Concetta, with him.  She is reputed to be very beautiful and very vivacious."

            "How charming," Rhain said, through gritted teeth.  He now knew why his mother had looked so nervous.  She must have known the whole time what his father was about.

            "Of course, I expect that you will pay particular attention to her while she is here, to show her father that our courtesy extends to his whole family."

            "What sort of attention exactly do you expect me to show her?" Rhain asked, his voice cold.  He was now facing his father, his stance challenging.

            "I expect that she shall be your dinner partner as well as your dancing partner the evening of the ball."

            "What if I were to tell you that I do not particularly care for a ball, especially considering our present circumstances?"

            "'Tis of no significance whether you care for a ball or not," his father answered, his voice deadly calm.  "You will attend and you will pass the evening in the company of the Italian princess.  I should think you would understand that 'tis especially imperative, considering our present circumstances."

            "I have not the time for balls and foolishness," Rhain spat contemptuously, "and I certainly have no time to entertain yet another foreign princess.  I made my sacrifice with that poor excuse for a princess from Spain and I have no intention of repeating the experience with any Italian princesses.  You may find her another dance partner and another husband.  I am not available."

            Before his father could speak, Rhain stormed out of the chamber and toward his own.  He was seeing red.  He could not believe that his father was once again trying to sell him off into marriage.  The prince had never met the Italian princess personally, but if the stories he had heard about her were true, she would make the Spanish princess seem like the most modest virgin that had ever lived.  Rhain knew very well that, once again, the treaty hinged on the possibility of his marriage with the other country's princess.  He was tired of being used as a pawn by his father.

            As he walked, Rhain's mind worked overtime.  His brisk pace helped to cool his anger and to help him think.  As much as he hated to admit it, his father was right.  Rhain knew that England's security was precarious at best at present and a treaty with Italy would help enormously.  It was imperative that they please the Italian king, and even if Rhain was not willing to go as far as his father, he knew that he must do all he could.  He would not marry the Italian princess, but he would consent to be her dinner and dancing partner for the ball.

            Frustrated, Rhain cursed his rotten luck.  He was truly in a foul mood now.  He entered his chamber and snapped at his attendant to send for his page, then stormed to his desk, pulling out quill and parchment and beginning to write.  The boy arrived, knees practically knocking, and Rhain knew that he had been warned that the prince was in a foul mood.  Chagrined, Rhain smiled at the boy.

            "You are, as always, very prompt," he said.

            "I-I th-thank Your Highness," the boy replied.  "How may I be of service?"

            "I need you to carry this message to my father," Rhain replied.  He finished his message, signed it with a flourish, and sprinkled sand on it.  He blew on it impatiently and then folded and sealed it.  "'Tis extremely important," he said, as he handed it to the boy.

            "I understand, Your Highness," the boy replied, scurrying from the chamber.

            Wearily, Rhain dropped into his chair and leaned his head back.  He drummed his fingertips on its arm and tried his best to think.  Unfortunately, he found that visions from the previous night kept interrupting his thoughts.  He could still see the paleness of Keelin's face, the way the moon shone off the golden strands of her hair.  He could see her hair and her gown being tugged by the insistent wind, affording tantalizing glimpses of the figure that lay beneath.  He remembered clearly the lines of worry on her face and how he had wanted to smooth them away with his fingers, kiss them away with his lips.  Startled by this sudden revelation, Rhain's fingers stopped tapping and instead gripped the arms of his chair.  What was he thinking?  Mercifully, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the chamber door.

            "Come in," Rhain called out, his voice somewhat strangled.

            The door swung open and Edwyn stepped into the chamber, closing the door behind him with a resounding boom.  He approached his friend and immediately lowered himself into the chair on the other side of Rhain's desk.

            "Is it true?" Edwyn asked.

            "Is what true?" Rhain asked, puzzled.

            "Is it true that King Giovanni is to come in a sennight?"

            "Aye," Rhain replied, his voice tired.

            "And is it true that there is to be a ball in his honor?"

            "Aye."

            "And is it true that…"

            "Aye, 'tis true that I am intended to be the partner of the king's daughter, Concetta.  Aye, 'tis also true that, once again, my father wishes to force me into a political marriage."  Rhain smiled wryly and shook his head at the dark look on his friend's face.  "Come now, Edwyn, you can hardly be surprised by this.  Did you honestly think my father would give up so easily?  You and I both know that he shall never rest until he has married me off to his own gain, never mind that the women he chooses for me are made noble solely by birth and not by conduct.  My father chooses women for me not by their virtues but merely by the virtue of their being born the daughters of kings."

            "'Tis unthinkable," Edwyn muttered under his breath.  "If such are the only women to be had, there is something to be said about celibacy."           

            Rhain laughed appreciatively.  "Indeed there is," he agreed and then sighed.  "Unfortunately, my father is right in that we must do our best to court King Giovanni, if not his daughter.  An alliance with Italy is most desirable, if not most imperative.  Alas, because of this I must submit myself to attending the ball with this woman."

            Edwyn sighed heavily.  "Are there no longer any virtuous women upon this earth?" he asked.

            Rhain smiled ironically.  "Aye, my friend.  They are most likely members of the peasantry for we of noble blood entertain ourselves with the idea that we are superior to the peasants.  Indeed, I wager that the only virtuous women in existence are those of the lowest social position and, therefore, they are unattainable to men such as us.  Because of our arrogance, we are doomed to be plagued for all our lives by finding ourselves married to women of loose virtue."

            Edwyn looked at his friend in surprise.  "Really, Rhain, I have never heard you speak thusly.  Forgive me, for you have always been fair but I have never heard you speak of the peasantry in such a complimentary manner."

            "My friend, I have learned a great deal in these past months," Rhain replied, simply.

            Edwyn looked seriously at his friend for a moment and Rhain knew that there was something that Edwyn wanted to say.  Rhain could see that Edwyn was struggling within himself, trying to decide if he had the right to speak.  Finally, his friend came to a decision.

            "Has this anything to do with that servant girl?" he asked, almost as if he were able to look straight into Rhain's most private thoughts.

            Rhain sighed heavily.  "I cannot lie to you, my friend.  Aye, it has to do with the servant.  It seems that ever since she came into my life I am no longer destined to be the same man.  She has truly opened my eyes to the peasantry.  I never before paid them any mind, but she led me to see my own arrogance and ignorance."

            Rhain could see the flash of anger that passed across his friend's face.  "Who does this girl think herself?  She has not the right to accuse you of arrogance or ignorance."

            "Nay, my friend, you are wrong.  She has every right.  'Twas my intention to use her most ill.  I had no regard for her feelings, for her welfare.  If this were to be my attitude towards every peasant, what kind of king would I be?  Nay, she has not offended.  Rather, she has done me many great services."

            Edwyn looked very concerned.  "Consider, Rhain, the danger of this situation.  You may, of course, have any woman that you want, but do not risk your heart in this manner.  You may bed the woman if 'tis your wish, but you may never have any further connection with her."

            "I have no intentions of bedding her," Rhain said angrily.  He could not even stomach the thought.  He could not deny the strength of his physical attraction to Keelin, but he would never even dare to consider making a whore of her.  He had far too much respect for her for that.

            Edwyn now looked truly alarmed.  "Do not be angry," he said.  "'Tis most apparent to me that you think very highly of her and I meant no offence to her or to you."

            Rhain eyed Edwyn with a level gaze.  "You are alarmed because you think my interest in her to be much too strong.  I understand your concern and am touched by it, but assure you that there is no need for it.  I am nothing if not every moment conscious of the position that I occupy and would do nothing to jeopardize it."

            "I know you would never intentionally do so," Edwyn answered.  He regarded Rhain shrewdly.  "Have you any further information that you may gain from her?"

            "I do not believe so," Rhain admitted.

            "Forgive me, Rhain, but I must speak plainly as I am your friend.  I believe it wise for you to terminate your connection with her.  Make it clear that she has served you well and that she has your gratitude, but do not continue your acquaintance any longer.  'Tis too dangerous for you to do so."

            Rhain was silent for a moment, brooding darkly over his friend's words.  "I know you speak as a friend, Edwyn, and I am most grateful for your friendship.  I see the wisdom in your words and agree that I must do all I can to separate myself from this woman," he said, at last.

            The relief that Edwyn felt was visible on his face.  "That is most wise."

            "Indeed, there can be no other interpretation of the matter," the prince agreed.