into the courtyard. His face registered horror and shock as he recognized me.
“Mon Dieu. Lady Georgiana. What has happened to you?”
“I was tipped into your famous oubliette,” I said. “My servant is still down there.”
“But the oubliette, it was just a legend,” he said. “Nobody ever discovered it.”
“It exists, trust me. My servant is in it and the opening is too small to get her out. Send down some hot tea or soup or something to her and then we’ll try to find the opening in the castle.”
Dragomir was already barking commands.
“We’ll soon get you out, Queenie,” I shouted. “Help is on the way. Don’t worry.”
The sound echoed so strangely down the shaft that I wasn’t quite sure she understood me. “My dear Lady Georgiana, come inside and let us warm you up,” Dragomir said, opening a door into some kind of outbuilding. “Some hot coffee and blankets.”
“We have to get my maid out first,” I said. “Take me back to the castle immediately, please.”
“Very well. As you wish.” Dragomir escorted me across a couple of courtyards, through a door in a wall and up some steps and we were back in the castle proper.
“How did you happen to fall into this oubliette, Highness?” he asked.
“I was following Princess Maria Theresa,” I said. “She went ahead of me and . . .” I couldn’t bring myself to say to him that she had taken me that way deliberately so that I would step on the wrong slab and fall. I was now quite sure that she and Vlad had planned the murder of Prince Nicholas together. I didn’t know which of them administered the poison, but one of them did. The problem was that we were all assembled for her wedding—two royal families, plenty of important personages and plenty of opportunities for a diplomatic incident. If only I could locate Darcy, he’d know what to do. But my first task was to rescue Queenie.
“I’ll show you the oubliette,” I said and led Dragomir through the halls until we reached the right spot. I was just searching for the door in the paneled wall when I heard the sound of feet behind me. I turned to see two of Patrascue’s men bearing down on me.
“Please to come with us,” one said in atrocious French. He grabbed my arm.
“Wait,” I said trying to shake myself free. “Where are you taking me? We must save my friend first.”
But another man grabbed my other arm and I was swept along the corridor at a great pace.
“Wait a minute. Slow down and listen to me,” I shouted but to no avail. The third man went ahead and flung open a door. I was borne inside and came upon a tableau. The king of Romania and Siegfried were sitting in high-backed chairs on one side of the fireplace. The king of Bulgaria, Nicholas and Anton sat on the other. In front of them stood Darcy, his arms being held by two policemen. And beside him stood Patrascue.
Chapter 31
Bran Castle
Saturday, November 19
As I was thrust into the room, the tableau moved and they all turned to stare at me in horror.
“What is the meaning of this?” the king demanded, rising to his feet. “My dear, what has happened to you?”
“She was obviously attempting to flee and she was caught by my men,” Patrascue said before I could answer. “Now we have apprehended both the suspects. The case is complete. You can proceed with your wedding with confidence and serenity.”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded.
Darcy gave me a long look that warned me not to say too much. “This idiot has told Their Majesties that Pirin was poisoned, and what’s more, he has got it into his head that you and I were paid to come and carry out the murder.”
“It is too obvious for someone of my experience and talent,” Patrascue said. “Mr. O’Mara thought he would cleverly pretend to drive away with the body before I had a chance to examine it. I expect he has tried to hide the evidence. And Lady Georgiana denies that she hid the vial of poison in the trunk in her room. But they cannot fool Patrascue. I ask myself, why are they really here? Why should she come to this wedding instead of a member of the British royal family?”
“I am a member,” I said. “The king is my cousin.”
“But why send a mere cousin to represent the English people, when the king could send one of his