“He had plenty of cause,” Justin said, moving toward her. He did not look the least bit squeamish. He had dealt with plenty of murders as lord mayor of Comoros, and it had hardened him. “Simon was helping us hunt him down, per your orders. Maybe one of Simon’s men got too close?”
“True,” Maia said, nodding thoughtfully. “But there is also the fact that the Hautlander ship arrived yesterday. A man could easily have slipped into the waters in the dark. All our attention was on the ship and its passengers. One of them could have been another kishion. It makes sense that they would send one to stop him if he no longer follows their orders.”
Richard furrowed his brow. “I do not think my counterpart in Hautland would have permitted it. Such an action would have put him open to retaliation.”
“Precisely what Corriveaux may have intended,” Maia said. “I have a dreadful feeling that this Hautland commission is nothing more than a distraction to us. Treaties take time, anyway. Perhaps Corriveaux seeks to lull us into inaction with the futile hope of preventing an invasion.” She shook her head firmly. “The Naestors are coming. I have no doubt of that.”
“Will you still meet with Prince Oderick?” Richard asked.
“I must. If only to disabuse him of the idea that I will marry him. I gave this much thought last night while I paced. My mind is unchanged—I will not abandon my true husband. Yes, the Dochte Mandar may have invalidated the marriage, but that can and will be rectified. Do we know how Simon sent messages to Dahomey?”
Richard looked to Justin and both shrugged. “We are not certain,” the chancellor said.
“Find out. But send a royal message to King Gideon at once to inform him of Simon’s death. I am sure Simon’s people have already done that, but I want one sent with my extreme condolences as well. I wish he were here. I feel certain the attack is coming soon.”
Richard nodded in agreement. “I feel it as well. Like clouds in the distance threatening a storm.”
“This is unlike any storm we have dealt with before,” Maia said. Then she rose from the window seat. “I will speak with Prince Oderick immediately. Much better for me to rebuff him quickly and firmly. I do not wish to be alone with him. Richard, can you arrange a visit in the solar? I would like Captain Carew and you to be present. Also the chancellor of Hautland. This is to be done in the open. If things become . . . awkward . . . I will end the conversation quickly.”
“We will make the preparations right away,” came his answer. His approving smile gave her some vastly needed comfort.
Maia was restless by the time the meeting had finally assembled. How she longed for this embarrassing meeting to be behind both of them. She was careful to select a plain gown—one that was no more formal than what her ladies-in-waiting wore. It had taken several hours to communicate the breadth of the situation to the Hautlanders and they, of course, had tried to bargain and wheedle for more time with her instead of a curt interview.
Instead of the solar, it was agreed that the prince and Maia would walk together in the royal garden, accompanied by their chancellors and full retinue. It was all quite exasperating, even down to the points of who would arrive first and how the greeting would take place. Ceremony was important to Hautlanders, it turned out, and the notion of an informal event made them uncomfortable. Among other demands, they had insisted trumpets play a fanfare before the meeting took place.
The day was warm and pleasant, and several pavilions for shade had been strewn around the lawns, between the fountains and manicured hedges. There were short tables laden with fruits, various cheeses, and other fare the cooks had devised to appeal to their guests. Maia was more nervous than hungry, and felt she would be ready for a feast when this ruse was over and she could finally relax again.
As she and Richard left the palace and approached the meeting point together, arm in arm, to the accompaniment of the trumpets, she caught sight of the Hautland delegation, dressed in opulent finery that made her own humble costume seem like a pauper’s rags. The prince was a little shorter than her, with a wide black felt hat with several plumed feathers. He had a restless, eager look, as if he could hardly bear to wait for her to make her approach. He broke decorum by pointing her out to the white-haired man beside him, whom she assumed was the chancellor. The prince was wearing a ribbed green vest, a shirt with puffy sleeves, and a cape that glittered with small gems. A jeweled sword was belted at his waist, and his collar was thick with insignia and necklaces. He was well groomed, well proportioned, and had a confident if not slightly arrogant stance.
He also made no pretense of hiding his adoration for her. His smile seemed to quiver with pent-up emotion as she and Richard came nearer. His hands trembled, and he began to fidget excitedly. Even though he was at least a decade older than her, he actually looked like a young man in the throes of love for the first time.