Abdur took it. “You do me honor, Highness. As long as I speak with Kesh’s voice, she will negotiate only in good faith, toward honorable ends.”
The Ambassador signaled for his companions to join him, and after asking Arutha’s leave they departed. Martin came to Arutha’s side and said, “At least we now have one fewer problem for the moment.”
Arutha nodded in agreement. “For the moment. That wily old fox will probably end up with this palace for his embassy and I’ll be left with some flophouse near the docks to hold court in.”
“Then we shall need to have Jimmy recommend one of the better ones to us.” Suddenly struck by a thought, Martin said, “Where is he? I’ve not seen him since we questioned Laughing Jack.”
“Out and about. I had a few things for him to do.” Martin indicated understanding and the two brothers continued down the hall.
Laurie spun at the sound of someone entering his room. Carline closed the door behind her, then stopped as she observed the singer’s travel bundle resting next to his lute upon his bed. He had just finished tying it and he wore his old travel clothing. Her eyes narrowed and she nodded once, knowingly. “Going somewhere?” Carline’s tone was icy. “Just thought you’d take a quick run up to Sarth and ask a few questions, right?”
Laurie raised his hands in supplication. “Just for a while, beloved. I’ll be quickly back.”
Sitting down on the bed, she said, “Oh! You’re as bad as Arutha or Martin. You’d think everyone in the palace didn’t possess the brains to blow their noses without one of you telling them how. So you’ll get your head lopped off by some bandit, or . . . something. Laurie, I get so angry sometimes.” He sat next to her and placed his arm around her shoulders. She leaned her head against his shoulder. “We’ve had so little time together since we arrived, and everything is so . . . terrible.” her voice broke as she began to cry. “Poor Anita,” she said after a while. Defiantly wiping away her tears, she went on, “I hate it when I cry.
“And I’m still angry with you. You were going to run off and leave without a good-bye. I knew it. Well, if you go, don’t come back. Just sent a message about what you find out—if you live that long—but don’t set foot in this palace. I don’t ever want to see you again.” She rose to her feet and made for the door.
Laurie was after her in an instant. He took her by the arm and turned her to face him. “Beloved, please . . . don’t . . .”
With tears in her eyes she said, “If you loved me, you’d ask Lyam for my hand. I’m done with sweet words, Laurie. I’m done with vague unease. I’m done with you.”
Laurie felt panic overtake him. He had been ignoring Carline’s earlier threat to be through with him or married to him by the time she returned to Rillanon, as much from choice as from the pressure of events. “I wasn’t going to say anything until this business with Anita was resolved, but— I’ve decided. I can’t let you leave me out of your life. I do want to marry you.”
Suddenly her eyes were wide. “What?”
“I said I want to marry—”
She covered his mouth with her hand. Then she kissed him. For a long silent moment no words were necessary. She pushed away, a dangerous half-smile on her face. Shaking her head in the negative, she spoke softly. “No. Say nothing more. I’ll not have you fog my mind again with honeyed words.” She slowly walked to the door and opened it. “Guards!” she called and in an instant a pair appeared. Pointing at an astonished Laurie, she said, “Don’t let him move! If he tries to leave, sit on him!”
Carline vanished from sight down the hall, and the guards turned amused expressions on Laurie. He sighed and sat down quietly upon his bed.
A few minutes later the Princess was back, an irritated Father Tully in tow. The old prelate had his night robe hastily gathered about him, as he had been almost ready for sleep. Lyam, looking equally inconvenienced, followed his sister. Laurie fell backward onto the bed with an audible groan as Carline marched into the room and pointed at him. “He told me he wants to marry me!”
Laurie sat up. Lyam regarded his sister with an astonished expression. “Should I congratulate him or have him hung? From your tone it’s difficult to tell.”
Laurie bolted upright as if struck by a needle and moved toward the King. “Your Majesty—”
“Don’t let him say anything,” interrupted Carline, pointing an accusatory finger at Laurie. In a menacing whisper, she said, “He is the king of all liars and a seducer of the innocent. He’ll talk his way out of it.”
Lyam shook his head as he muttered, “Innocent?” Suddenly his face clouded. “Seducer?” He fixed his gaze upon Laurie.
“Your Majesty, please,” began Laurie.
Carline crossed her arms and impatiently tapped her foot on the floor. “He’s doing it,” she muttered. “He’s talking his way out of marrying me.”
Tully interposed himself between Carline and Laurie. “Majesty, if I may?”