The Princess and the Rogue (15 page)

“Rand, no,” she pleaded, backing away. He rose to insure her obedience, taking her around her waist. He sat back down and flipped her across his knees. In a trice he flung her skirts over her head and drew her drawers down to her knees. It was humiliating for her to be treated so, he realized, but there was no help for it. She deserved the spanking she was going to get. Soon he was gazing at her bare bottom and at her most intimate secrets. For a moment he paused, nearly transfixed by the beauty of Juliet’s charms presented to him in such a submissive posture. He knew what he really wanted to do was plant kisses all over that shapely backside and then make love to her. He sighed. Later. Now he had a job to do. He pursed his lips and steeled himself.

He delivered the spanking with calculated efficiency. For the next three minutes the cell rang with the sound of palm striking bare flesh. He covered every inch of her delectable bare bottom with judiciously placed smacks, alternating evenly between left and right cheeks, occasionally spanning the lovely divide in the middle. He was an artist painting a canvas with a uniform rose-red hue. Despite her resolve to keep still, Juliet writhed across Rand’s lap like some village wanton and pleaded for forgiveness. Her bottom wobbled lasciviously under the onslaught and Rand had to remind himself that this was discipline despite the growing hardness of his manhood. After delivering what must have been a hundred or so sound smacks, he stopped.

The spanking had to have stung, Rand thought, because his palm did. Hopefully not unbearably so, just enough to impart the lesson. It had probably been more humiliating than anything else, he figured. The pair received some curious looks and a few knowing smiles from the sisters as Rand escorted her back to rejoin the others.
Yes, they know what just happened and they approve.

“I think we are ready to leave now,” he said.

Rand saw Scarlett and Roland look at each other. Both no doubt observed the redness about Juliet’s eyes and had noted the absentminded rubbing of her bottom by the princess’s right hand. That was good. It would leave little doubt in their minds as to the nature of the ‘discussion’ between Juliet and himself, and Roland would understand that she would follow orders and not compromise their purpose.

They had to know that even a princess was subject to discipline by an outlaw on occasion.

* * *

The return to Darkwood Forest proved uneventful. At least for now it appeared they had shaken their pursuers. A day later a troop of ten, which included the four of them plus half a dozen men, left the forest and headed for Kingsgate. There had been little time to plan. Rand enlisted several of his men for the journey, but he had to leave several of his best fighters and hunters behind. “Who will protect these people if I don’t come back?” he asked at a council of his closest comrades. No one had an answer for that. They understood. He was right.

One thing was fortunate, however. Rand’s fame as an outlaw ensured that he would be able to enlist followers once they arrived in Kingsgate.
Only they’ll be cutthroats, thieves, and worse,
he thought ruefully.
Perhaps the prospect of a purse or a pardon would ensure their loyalty.

On the road they had time to talk. “How do we get into Greystone Castle?” asked Rand. “We can’t fight our way in, obviously.” They were seated around a fire, having stopped for the night.

“I know a way,” said Juliet. “There is a tunnel. My father showed it to me. It was built as a secret escape route in case we ever had to flee. It comes out on a hillside outside the gates of the city. I think I can find the entrance.”

“That sounds promising,” said Rand. He poked the fire with a stick. “We can get in at least. But how to get out. And, how to enlist the aid of Robert’s loyal men. Remember, they don’t know what is happening.”

“I must make contact with Sir Brenden Fowlkes,” said Juliet. “He was appointed by father as my personal guard. He is loyal; I am sure of it. No matter how many men Cramden has brought in, he will help. I will need to be inside anyway. The passage tunnel is barred at the castle. Unless it is open no one can get in, and I alone know where the door is.”

“So we will have to split up,” said Roland. “Scarlett and I will have to come through the tunnel, Juliet will have to simply present herself at the gates, then Rand will rejoin us.”

Rand shook his head. “I don’t like it. Too many things can go wrong.” He thought for a moment. “How many people can absolutely know for certain it is you and not Scarlett? If the two of you were side by side, who could tell the difference?”

Juliet considered carefully, half thinking out loud. “My old nursemaid Frida knows about the birthmark. Sir Brenden had a pet name for me that he used only when we were alone. It was ‘red bird.’ He used to say ‘Come along, little red bird’ if he was escorting me somewhere. And father, of course.”

“But if the two of you were just standing somewhere side by side, could anyone tell the difference?”

“Perhaps not,” said Juliet. Roland and Scarlett had to agree.

“I am acquainted with Sir Brenden. What do you have in mind?” said Roland.

“Confusion,” said Rand. “Utter confusion. I have a plan in mind that may work.” He addressed Juliet and Scarlett. “You may be placing yourselves at Cramden’s mercy for a time, but Roland and I will be close by. And we’ll be bringing men. There are many in Kingsgate who know me and will come to my aid. They may be criminals, but they know of me, and I think that they can be convinced to join our cause. We can get them into the castle through the tunnel. I’ll unbar it from the inside while Roland finds King Robert. Now, show Roland what he must do with the antidote.”

Chapter Eighteen

On Saturdays, petitions were heard in the Great Hall. Normally King Robert himself heard the important ones, but as he had taken ill, his high minister presided. Most of those seeking the king’s justice were not happy to see Lord Cramden on the throne. He was known as a hard man, given to capricious and unfair rulings.

The Great Hall was filled that day. Numerous petitioners and their advocates had been arranged in a long line to present writs to be ruled upon. The hall was crowded and unruly. While the petitioners waited, their families milled about. Frequent calls to order were made by a bailiff pounding a large staff against the stone floor.

Among the crowd admitted to the hall were two couples, men escorting women, both of whom were wearing hooded cloaks. Once inside, the couples separated. That the hall was packed was good as far as Roland and Rand were concerned. The greater the milieu, the easier it would be to slip inside and go where they needed to go once the ruse started. In the confusion Rand and Roland were to split up. Roland would find King Robert and administer the antidote; Rand would open the gate to the secret tunnel to let fighters into the castle.

Once they had arrived in Kingsgate, Rand made contact with a criminal boss he knew as Vargus Shiv. Rand had dealt with Shiv before, selling him stolen goods that Shiv then sold in legitimate markets. Shiv presided over a large network, and Rand was able to convince him that coming to the king’s aid would result in rewards and, possibly, pardons. So Shiv’s men would be in the tunnel with Rand’s men, ready to fight as soon as the secret gate was unbarred.

Roland edged away from Scarlett as she reached the front of the line. Rand did the same with Juliet. They would be on their own for this. It was a desperate plan, and a number of things had to work. First, Roland needed to find Sir Brenden and explain the gravity of the situation; next, together they needed to find the king’s chambers and administer the antidote; finally, they needed to quell any opposition. Rand was worried there might be some. Performing reconnaissance prior to the mission, he had noticed the red livery of the house of Bathen on soldiers milling about in Kingsgate, and now, here in Greystone Castle. The idea was that the incident they were about to launch would create a firestorm, both within the walls of the castle and in the town, that would occupy the authorities until it was sorted out.

* * *

Scarlett took a deep breath. She looked over at Roland, who nodded to her. He had edged his way toward the perimeter of the hall, near the doorway he knew would take him to the headquarters of the king’s guard. With him was Rand. All was in readiness.

“Next!” intoned a bored bailiff.

Scarlett stepped forward and stood before the high minister.

“And who are you?” asked Lord Cramden.

Scarlett threw off the hood of her cloak. Her red hair tumbled out. Several in the crowd began to point. Cramden gripped the arms of the throne, a look of shock on his face.

She raised her arm and pointed a finger at the high minister. “I am the royal princess, Juliet Greystone, and I accuse you, Lord Cramden, of high treason.”

The chatter in the cacophonous hall ceased. People stood in stunned silence.

In the meantime, Juliet had eased forward. She threw back the hood of her cloak and said in a loud voice,

“No! I am Juliet Greystone, and this man had me abducted and held for ransom.” Juliet also pointed at Cramden.

Heads turned to look at Juliet, amazed to see a veritable twin to the first woman who had spoken.

“Don’t listen to her. I am the real princess,” said Scarlett.

“She’s lying,” said Juliet. “I am the real princess of the house of Greystone.”

Everyone started babbling at once. Heads swiveled as they looked at Juliet, then at Scarlett. Cramden, still in a state of shock, seemed rooted to the throne. His guards looked to him for instruction, not knowing what to do. A number of the crowd in attendance rushed for the exits, spilling into the street, telling everyone what was happening inside.

In the midst of the pandemonium, a figure cloaked in red appeared behind the throne. The room grew quieter as the crowd began to notice the new arrival.

“Well,” she said, striding forward onto the dais supporting the throne. “It seems both of my pretty birds have returned to the nest.”

Juliet and Scarlett gasped. No one had anticipated this. It was the red countess.

“Escort both of them to my chambers,” she ordered. Men-at-arms in red livery appeared in the doorways and rushed to do her bidding. “We’ll see who is lying and who is telling the truth.” She turned to her soldiers. “Muster the guard to my chambers at once. I want my quarters under full protection until I find out what this is about.”

Chapter Nineteen

The two men raced through passageways in the castle. The quarters of the king’s guard were on ground level, near the kitchen. Several men were milling around in the common room, off duty for now. Some were eating, others were repairing weapons. They looked up as Roland and Rand entered. A couple of them recognized Roland.

“Sir Roland,” said one, rising. “What are you doing here? It’s not safe here for you, man. Lord Cramden sent a party of his men to find you and the princess and bring you both back. They say you abducted her. You’ve been accused of being an enemy of Westvale.” Several others stood and hands began reaching for weapons.

“I didn’t abduct her,” said Roland. “She is here in this castle at this very moment, and I need to see Sir Brenden right away. The king’s life is in danger and there is no time left.”

A gray-haired figure in black appeared in a back doorway. “What is the meaning of this?” Then he recognized Sir Roland and pointed at him, a tone of accusation in his voice. “You are Roland of Durham. You abducted the princess.” He glared at Roland. “We trusted you, gave you shelter, and you took her. Where is she?”

“I did not abduct anyone,” said Roland. “The princess is here.”

Then Sir Brenden noticed Rand. “And who is he?”

“A friend,” said Roland, then he continued. “She is here, Sir Brenden. I don’t have time to explain now, but you must believe me. The king’s life is in peril. He is suffering from the effects of an insidious poison. But with the princess’s help we’ve secured an antidote. Now we must get it to him right away.”

“You say the princess is here? In this castle?”

“Yes, but she will need help. We were able to get here only by creating a diversion. The diversion is in the Great Hall.”

“How am I to know the princess is really here, or what you say about the king is true?” Sir Brenden strode toward Roland, his face displaying his skepticism.

“She told me to find you. She said you would not fail to protect your little ‘red bird.’”

The shock of recognition passed over Sir Brenden’s features. He turned to the men in the room, all of whom were under his command. “Call out the guard. Have them assemble here.” To one of the men he said, “Hugh, take some men to the Great Hall. Find the princess and bring her here.” To Rand and Roland he said, “You have confirmed a suspicion of mine. The high minister has brought in men from Bathen Castle who are in the service of Morgaine, the red countess. She is here now with more of her men than ever. They surround the king and will admit no one to his chambers. We may have to fight our way in.”

“Wait,” said Rand. “You say Morgaine is here? Now, in this castle?”

“Yes, and she grows more powerful by the day. It seems as though the high minister takes orders from her. We have been told to stand down while her men guard the king.”

“The ladies are in more danger than we thought,” said Rand, looking at Roland.

He shook his head. “I know. But the important thing is to revive the king, then we can deal with Morgaine.” Roland addressed Sir Brenden. “Lead the way. There is no time to lose.”

By now more men had assembled, having been roused from their quarters. They poured into the assembly room, strapping on armor and buckling sword belts. “We will fight our way into the king’s chambers if necessary, but we are few and they are many,” said Sir Brenden.

“We may have help,” said Rand. He explained about the secret passage, Rand’s irregulars, and their need to unbar the door from the inside.