dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (7 page)

“I’m so sorry,” the girl said, her expression dismayed. “Someone jostled me and I lost my balance.”

“No harm done,” Anna said with a smile. “There are so many people here, I’m surprised I haven’t been jostled and knocked a hundred times! I’m Anna Carver.”

The girl smiled gratefully. “Kathleen Hobart.” Kathleen took Anna’s outstretched hand and gave it a limp shake, meeting Anna’s gaze very briefly before dropping hers to the ground. “I’m not very good with crowds,” she whispered. “Father insisted I come today, but I would have preferred to stay at home. I’ve been reading the most wonderful story, and would have liked to finish it.” She looked up for a moment, then dropped her gaze once more. “I don’t know very many people.” Kathleen stood a few inches shorter than Anna, and was demurely dressed in a gown that rose high up her neck, making her look more like a married matron than a girl of seventeen or eighteen, which is what Anna guessed her age to be.

“Well, nor do I,” Anna said. “But I can introduce you to
someone
. This is my …” Anna turned to see that Keira and Aaron had moved away. Anna turned back with a smile. “I was going to introduce you to my sister, but I’m sure there will be another opportunity later. Would you care to walk around the grounds with me? We can watch the matrons who are so intent on watching us. ‘Look, there goes Mistress Kathleen,’ they will say, ‘with … who is that girl again? Ah, yes, I remember now – she has a sister – I’ve forgotten her name – who’s married to Aaron Drake, the most handsome man to have ever graced this kingdom.’”

“Aaron Drake?” Kathleen breathed. “Your sister is married to Aaron Drake?”

Anna looked at Kathleen in surprise. It had been years since Aaron lived at court. “Yes,” she said, “do you know him?”

“I don’t
know
him,” Kathleen said, “but everyone knows
of
him. He slayed that terrible monster a few years ago. And my grandmother says he is the most beautiful man she has ever seen.”

Anna laughed. “I wouldn’t go
that
far,” she said.

“Well, please don’t introduce me to him. I would be too nervous to even say good evening.”

“Nonsense,” Anna said. “There is nothing scary about Aaron at all. At least,” she amended, “nothing that could scare you if you saw him tonight.” Kathleen looked startled, and Anna hurried on. “Do you live in the city?” she asked.

“Oh no. Except … what I mean to say is … yes, I do. Father brought me to the city a week ago so I could be introduced at court. He intends for me to live here with him, but the city…” There was a slight catch in her voice, and she took a deep breath before continuing. “Civitas is not my home.”

“You lived in the country?”

Kathleen nodded. “Before my mother died, we lived on an estate in the west. After she passed, Father came to the city, but I went to live with my grandmother, the Duchess of Southbury. She retired from court life about five years ago, and I have lived with her ever since.” She lifted her eyes to meet Anna’s. “Father has said I must be happy here, and I am determined to be so.”

Anna smiled. “I’ve only just arrived in the city, too, but will be leaving tomorrow.”

“Where do you live?”

“I live with my sister and Aaron at their home in the north, but I am not returning with them to Storbrook. I will be staying at Drake House, just a few hours from the city.”

“Will you visit sometimes?”

“Whenever I am able.”

“Good! Then you can visit me whenever you are in town, and we can be friends.” A clarion sounded, and Anna turned around to see people crowding towards the palace entrance.

“Come,” Anna said, “the king and queen are making their grand entrance.” Looping her arm through Kathleen’s, she tugged her along as she followed the mass of people towards the palace courtyard. Slipping through the crowds, she pulled Kathleen to the far side, where they had a good view of the doorway. A moment later movement could be seen from within, and the new king and his queen stepped through the entrance. A cheer went up from the crowd, and Anna added her voice to the throng as the king and queen waved at their guests. Standing side by side, the queen stood a few inches shorter than her husband, although her long, golden hair, braided and coiled around the top of her head, made her seem taller. The thick mass shone in the sunlight, encircled by the crown of gold that had been placed on her head earlier that day. Alfred, too, wore a gold circlet upon his light brown locks. The royal children stood behind their parents, but a quick word from Matilda had them stepping around to stand in front. Alfred dropped a hand onto the shoulder of the oldest, Prince John, while the two little ones looked at the crowd in bewilderment. The youngest, the princess Mary, turned her face into her mother’s legs, but little Prince Frederick stared stoically at the ground. Anna could see someone else standing just behind the king, and she shifted slightly before seeing that it was the king’s brother, Prince Rupert.

Prince Rupert was a direct contrast to his brother. In appearance, Alfred was lean and fair, while Rupert was swarthy and well-built. Alfred was charming, Rupert was brooding. When Alfred smiled, Rupert glowered. Alfred loved pleasant society, talking, dancing and feasting, whereas Rupert wanted nothing more than to leave the palace and go hunting. He had a hunting lodge a day’s ride from the palace, and he would retreat there with only one or two servants for company. Alfred’s caution and restraint were well-known, but Rupert’s resolute decision-making was praised. Alfred had been overheard more than once complaining that Rupert cared nothing about the loyal subjects of the land, whereas it was known that Rupert considered his brother dull and witless, his love of clothes and dancing an indication of his simplemindedness. The only thing the brothers seemed to have in common was a love for women. Both men had mistresses and lovers scattered around the countryside, but whereas the whole court gossiped about Alfred’s affairs, the names of Rupert’s lovers were only mentioned in quiet whispers. But that did not stop the women loving him, and Anna could hear his name being whispered as the women in the crowd strained to catch a glimpse of the darkly handsome prince.

He was standing in the shadows behind the king, but the look of boredom in his countenance was clearly evident. He wore his hair short, unusual for men at court, and his clothes, while fine, did not display the bright hues so many other noblemen paraded. His glance fell on Alfred’s back, and his eyes narrowed slightly, but when his gaze moved to his nephew, John, his features softened, and a slight smile tugged at his lips.

Anna’s gaze returned to the royal couple as King Alfred and Queen Matilda stepped out from the doorway while the crowd parted to make way. The women sunk into low curtseys while the men bowed. Rupert stepped out behind them, his arms crossed over his chest, followed by an entourage of royal courtiers. His eyes swept over the crowd, lingering for a slight moment on Anna before moving on.

“Isn’t he handsome?” Kathleen whispered next to her.

“He’s all right, I suppose,” Anna said with a shrug. There was only one man Anna considered truly handsome, but he was gone forever. From where Anna stood, she could see Aaron and Keira, and she watched as the king drew close to the Dragon Master. Aaron nodded briefly, his eyes meeting Alfred’s, and Alfred nodded in return before moving on. She could hear people whispering around her, surprised at Aaron’s lack of homage.

“Who is that man?” Kathleen whispered, nodding in Aaron’s direction.

“Aaron Drake,” Anna replied.

“He didn’t bow to the king.”

“No. He’s a …” Anna paused. “He’s a good friend of the king’s.”

As the royal couple made their way across the courtyard to the lawns, the musicians, who had stopped playing at the royal appearance, started once more. A group of women trailed after the queen, and from time to time she turned to say something to them.

“Who do you think those women are?” Anna said to Kathleen.

“Probably her ladies-in-waiting,” Kathleen replied. “My grandmother served the last queen.”

As Anna and Kathleen walked behind the crowds, Anna saw Aaron just a short way up ahead, towering over the rest of the crowd. “Aaron,” she said softly, knowing he could easily hear her above the hubbub. He turned with a smile and a quick word to Keira.

Anna led Kathleen towards them. “I was wondering what had happened to you,” Keira said.

“I found a friend,” Anna said. “This is Mistress Kathleen Hobart.”

“Mistress Hobart,” Keira said with a smile. Kathleen smiled back, but the smile fled a moment later when she looked at Aaron.

“Mistress Hobart? Daughter of Richard Hobart? Earl of Riverton?” Aaron said. Kathleen looked down at the ground and nodded slightly. “I know your grandmother, my lady,” Aaron continued, his tone softer. “She’s a good woman.” Kathleen glanced up with a shy smile.

“Thank you, sire,” she said, before quickly looking away again. Aaron met Anna’s amused expression with a wry smile, before turning back to Keira, who was looking at him with slightly upraised eyebrows. He lifted her hand, and brushed his lips over her fingers as he gazed down at her. Keira stared back at him as his hand moved to her neck, and she gave a tentative smile.

“I believe dinner is served, my sweet,” Aaron said. “Shall we?”

“Are you coming?” Keira said, turning to Anna.

“I will be right behind you,” she assured her sister. She watched as they moved away before turning back to Kathleen.

“I cannot believe Aaron Drake spoke to me,” Kathleen said.

“Why? You are the daughter of an earl, and Aaron Drake is just an ordinary man.”

“There is nothing ordinary about Aaron Drake,” Kathleen said. “There aren’t many men who have conquered a dragon. Grandmother says he is as great as the king, and deserves the same amount of honor.” Kathleen leaned closer to Anna as she whispered, “I think she knew him quite well.”

“Oh.” Anna glanced up at the retreating forms of Aaron and Keira. Aaron’s hand was resting on Keira’s back, and she was leaning towards him slightly. Anna smiled. “Let’s go find our places,” she said.

Anna had been placed next to Aaron and Keira, while Kathleen was seated with her father near the dais. “I’ll look for you later,” Anna said as they parted company. Kathleen smiled, and hurried away to join a short, balding man, tapping his leg impatiently.

Chapter 10

Anna sat with Aaron to her one side, while on the other was seated a young man a few years older than herself, who spent the entire meal pointing out various objects and enlightening Anna on their geometrical qualities. Anna nodded a few times, until she realized that the man needed no encouragement to continue with his conversation, and an occasional glance in his direction would suffice to keep him assured of her rapt attention.

Cathryn and Favian sat on the opposite side of the table, but the hubbub made it difficult for Keira and Anna to maintain a conversation with Cathryn. The distance, however, did not prevent Aaron and Favian from conversing; it took Anna a few minutes, though, to understand why Aaron kept moving his lips while looking across the table. She could not hear his words, but when Favian’s lips moved in response, she understood. She glanced at Keira, smiling when she saw the amused glances she was sharing with Cathryn.

Dish after dish was served – fifteen courses in all – the highlight being the stuffed swan served to the queen, its feathers artfully replaced after roasting. It was served on a bed of lily pads and water lilies, and Matilda laughed and clapped her hands, delighted at the wonderful spectacle. Wine flowed endlessly as laughter rang between the tables, and at one point the king rose to his feet to sing a song to his queen, kneeling down on one knee before her. Matilda looked away with a slight blush and said something to one of the women seated beside her, who laughed as Alfred finished his song.

It was dark by the time the meal was finally done, and lanterns and torches around the gardens blazed in brilliance against the darkening sky. Shadows danced along the branches of the trees, and for a moment the memory of her last time in these gardens made Anna shudder. She glanced at Keira who gave her a weak smile. Aaron squeezed Keira’s hand while he looked at Anna.

“There is no danger here tonight,” he said. 

It wasn’t until after the king and queen rose from the table that the rest of the guests rose to their feet, their chairs leaving gouges in the green lawns. The musicians struck up a lively carol, and the king led the queen to the middle of the lawn, where they were quickly joined by other dancers. Prince Rupert stood in the shadows, his eyes narrowed as he watched the dancing. A woman stood next to him, and he whispered something in her ear before turning and walking away.

“That’s Lady Blanche,” Keira said, nodding her head in the woman’s direction. “And on either side of the queen are Lady Joan and Lady Elizabeth. I’ve heard that Lady Joan is getting married, so she will be retiring to the country soon.”

“What will the queen do when Lady Joan leaves?” Anna asked.

“She will find someone to take her place. There is no shortage of young women clamoring for the chance to serve the queen and extend their family fortunes.”

“I think it would be great fun to live at the palace and be part of the royal court.”

Keira shuddered. “I cannot think of anything worse. I don’t think I would enjoy all the palace intrigues swirling around court. I prefer the simple life.”

Anna laughed. “Your life has been anything but simple since you met Aaron.”

“True.” Keira glanced at Aaron. “But living with a dragon is far less dangerous than living at court.”

A waving hand on the other side of the lawn caught Anna’s eye. It was Kathleen, weaving her way through the crowds to reach Anna’s side.

“Thank goodness I found you again,” Kathleen said as she neared Anna. “There are
hundreds
of people here!”

“Let’s dance,” Anna said, grabbing Kathleen’s arm and pulling her into a line of dancers that was forming across the lawn. Her feet faulted slightly when she recognized the Basse Danse, the court dance she had danced with Jack so many years before, but she pulled herself together in an instant, and following the other dancers, easily executed the steps.