but wobbled on unsteady feet. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she hugged her ruined bodice over her exposed breast. The king’s face flushed, rage flickering in his eyes.
“Get up. All of you! What is this nonsense?”
The king’s gaze settled on Raelin. A frown marred his forehead. His expression quickly changed to one of anger when he turned to look at Helena and the Scot.
“My chambers! Bring them all.”
Raelin’s hand shook. She was holding Helena’s hand so tightly, the tips of her fingers were beginning to lose feeling. But you wouldn’t have known such from the way her friend held her face—smooth and composed. All traces of panic evaporated as though she was sitting down polishing jewelry in the queen’s chambers. No more tears fell from her eyes; she stood sure and steady with her eyes on the king.
The king sat in an ornately carved X-chair that was placed on a raised section at the back of the room. A costly Persian carpet ran beneath it and velvet curtains covered the wall behind him. It was a lavish display with only one purpose—to ensure that everyone entering understood that they were in the presence of the king.
More X-chairs were neatly lined up against the far wall facing the king’s, but no one sat in them without permission. Such was an honor, and James was in no mood to grant that tonight. Everyone lowered themselves and remained with bent knees while their monarch surveyed them. James Stuart took his time, his displeasure clear.
“Enough. Rise.”
The room was so silent, Helena heard the servants moving behind them to light the candles. Large iron candelabra stood in all four corners of the room. They each held five candles in an X formation. The room brightened as the servants touched the wicks with flame.
“What’s yer reason for leaving one of my queen’s maids of honor looking like that, Edmund Knyvett?”
Her brother shrugged. His lips curved into a satisfied smile that shocked her in spite of how many times she had seen him behave selfishly. No hint of remorse or pity entered his eyes. Quite the opposite, her brother looked very pleased.
“Passion isn’t very often soft. Some like it rougher than others.” He cast a look down the length of his nose at Raelin.
Raelin tightened her grip but made no other sign of her distress. Helena felt her own stomach twisting with nausea. Her brother had all but called Raelin a whore. James wasn’t amused. His hand curled around one of the ornately carved arms of the chair.
“I heard a scream that didna sound like passion.”
Edmund flicked his fingers toward her. “My sister is easily shocked. My parents sheltered her to preserve her virtue. Helena doesn’t understand the games that the other ladies at court like to play.”
“Ye’re a liar.” The Scot was furious but his voice was so controlled it made him seem deadly. The king held up his hand, but the man didn’t instantly back down. He sent another look at Edmund that clearly said he wasn’t afraid of his position. Helena bit her lip to keep from gasping. Never once had she witnessed anyone, save her father, standing up to Edmund. This man only controlled himself for the king, but he shook with anger, clenching his hands into fists.
“Lady Helena.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?” She snapped her gaze back to the king, heat brushing her cheeks. She had to break this habit of staring at the Scot. Immediately.
“Was it passion and your naiveté, or something else?”
Tension gripped her so tightly, time froze. She became aware of each heartbeat and the time between them. Edmund looked down his nose at her, so supremely confident of her obedience to his will. She hated him for that. For the first time in her life she became aware of what it felt like to actually hate. She hated the callousness she saw on his face. It was ugly and horrible in a way that threatened to make her sick. The Scot watched her, his eyes burning once more, but this time he seemed to be hoping that she would not disappoint him by lying. She actually felt the weight of his opinion and she discovered that it mattered to her what he thought of her.
“It was not passion and I was shocked by my brother’s behavior. It was none of Raelin’s doing.”
The king leaned forward. “Ye were together?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Edmund’s eyes bulged. Promise of retribution burned in them, but Helena did not lower her head. She stared at