A Lady Under Siege

36

Mabel never returned to Sylvanne’s room in the morning. The meal was brought by a young guardsman, who placed a plate and cup inside the door, and lingered there, leering at her, until she screamed at him to get out. Then she was alone again, lying in a fetal curl on the bed, obsessing over every pain and emanation from her body.

She must have slept most of the day, for when she awoke again the sun was streaming into her bedroom as it did in mid-afternoon. She opened her eyes to see Daphne standing beside her bed, peering down at her.

“You haven’t been to visit me today. Are you unwell?” the young girl asked her.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sylvanne answered flatly.

“It does to me. You’re my friend. Truly my only one.”

“Then you have none. My friendship was a falsehood. It was an act, meant to gain me favour with your father.”

“That’s a lie,” Daphne cried.

“I’m not a monster. I do like you. You’re an innocent in this, and I feel sorry for you. But my sympathy doesn’t change the facts.”

“I need your friendship,” the young girl pleaded, moving close and touching Sylvanne’s sleeve. Sylvanne pulled her arm away and sat up in the bed.

“You can’t have it. Leave me alone just now. Go. Please. Get out.”

Daphne seemed rooted to the spot. Sylvanne slid her feet over the side of the bed and stood up. Daphne came to her, wanting to embrace her, but Sylvanne shoved her away so roughly that the young girl stumbled and fell to the floor.

“Now look what I’ve done,” Sylvanne murmured. “Please just go. Today it seems I am a monster.”

“You break my heart!” Daphne cried. She pulled herself to her feet, her face streaming tears, just as her father appeared in the doorway.

“What are you doing out of your bed? You’re not well enough to be wandering alone,” he scolded her.

“I wanted to see Sylvanne,” she whimpered.

“Perhaps she doesn’t wish to see you just now.”

“She doesn’t want to see me ever!” she wailed. She pushed her way past her father out the door. As the sound of her sobs faded with her retreating footsteps, Thomas glared at Sylvanne, the anger in his eyes tempered by self-blame for the whole sad fiasco.

She stood before him defiantly. He brought his temper under control, and reminded himself why he had come. “I don’t want us to be enemies anymore,” he said softly. “Last night I slept fitfully, and in my sleep, communication came from Meghan. I have something of great import to tell you, Sylvanne. Meghan has made me promise—she has made me swear to you that what I attempted to do to you last night will not be repeated. You have nothing more to fear from me. I came to apologize, you see—it was your beauty that truly beguiled me, and I made you suffer for it. From today forward, after these few moments, I will do my best to leave Meghan aside, and speak only to you, and you alone. But for one last time I need to speak to her now. May I?”

Sylvanne made no move. He came toward her until he could see her in profile, the afternoon light illuminating the soft curve of her neck. “My heart has changed, and it’s thanks to Meghan. For one last time, I ask that you listen, so that she might hear. Let me say it and be done.”

His manner was humble and respectful, his face unguarded and honest. Despite herself, Sylvanne felt a softening of her heart. With the slightest nod of her head, she bade him continue.

“Meghan, when we meet in dreams, I perceive you through the eyes and mind of Derek. I feel what he feels, and suffer his joys and longings, his pleasures and disappointments—just exactly as you must experience the life of this lovely young lady I so nearly wronged. But there’s a difference in our circumstances: this poor woman wrestles with demons, and hates me at least by half, while Derek feels only love. He feels love for you in many forms, most especially love at its most lusty. He desires you. He wants you in his bed. I know the effect you have upon him, for I share it fully, and surpass it, even. When he suggested that you make love to him as a way to reach me, it seemed as if you brushed the idea aside. But if you are willing to let me have the last word, then let me speak from the heart.

“If you were to make love to him, I’m certain you would reach my own heart and soul. Dear Meghan, in Sylvanne’s eyes I’ve glimpsed your presence as a ray of pure light that peeks out from behind her torn loyalty. I ask you to likewise search for me in Derek’s eyes—he’ll be only too happy to let you. I wager that for you, his eyes will open wide as the hungry throat of a newly-hatched songbird.

“I know your opinion of Derek is not highly favourable, Meghan, but truly, he is not a wicked man. He’s neither spiteful nor malevolent, merely a drunkard and a reveller in strange substances unknown to me, whose properties play tricks upon the mind. His vices are weaknesses that harm only himself. Leave aside his vices, and consider his virtues. Most importantly, consider this: if there’s an earthly garden of tender adoration where you and I might join together as one, it’s through Derek that we will reach it.”

He fell silent. Sylvanne lifted her eyes to look at him. “Are you finished?” she said.

“Yes.”

“Truly finished? Henceforth you’ll no longer speak of this Meghan?”

“I must put forward a single caveat. If Daphne’s health were to worsen, so that I again feared for her life, then I would need to consult her.”

“But otherwise, you’ll only speak to me, from now forward?”

“I will do my best. You must trust me. In time you’ll see the proof of my sincerity.”

“It’s not your sincerity I doubt. It’s your sanity.”

“I’m not surprised. Henceforth there’ll be no more chatter about a woman I’ve met only in dreams. Meghan says you’ll find that a relief.”

“She’s the sole reason you’ve spoken to me at all. What motive will bring you to me now?”

“A good question. I’m not sure. I suppose I’m used to you. Isn’t that strange? I’ve told you I admire you, in many ways. You’re a woman of fine character. I don’t like the thought of ceasing to talk with you. I like being in your presence. You’re something of a habit. A good one.”

“Or maybe you wish to soften my heart, in order to win me, and thus win your Meghan too.”

“You’re clever to think of that, for that was exactly Derek’s idea. But Meghan disallowed that plan. She forbade it. She’s on your side now. The women have banded together. And I suppose the men have too.”