Royal Blood - By Rhys Bowen Page 0,58

our journey back to normal life.”

Miss Deer-Harte nodded. “Oh, I do hope so. I told you when we arrived that I sensed this was a place of death, didn’t I? I am seldom wrong in my intuition.”

And so they left. Darcy turned to me. “You should go back to the party. Above all keep talking to Maria and Siegfried so that they don’t follow us. I’ll come and join you when I can.”

And so our group dispersed.

I tried to slip into the drawing room without being noticed but it seemed that everyone was on edge and Siegfried got to his feet as I came in.

“What news, Lady Georgiana?”

“I’m afraid I’m no medical expert,” I said, “but everyone seems to think that the poor man suffered a heart attack. They have carried him to his room. There’s not much more that can be done for him apart from letting him rest.”

“I feel desolate that there is no doctor in our midst and no way of summoning one other than sending one of the cars back to Brasov. And given the condition of the pass, that could not be accomplished until morning.”

The group was still sitting in subdued silence.

“Well, I’m not at all surprised he had a heart attack,” my mother said, loudly and cheerfully. “That bloated red face is always a sign. And the way he ate and drank.”

“He is a peasant. What can you expect,” Siegfried said. “Nothing good ever comes of elevating these people to positions of power. It goes to their heads. Let those who are bred to rule do the ruling—that’s how I was brought up.”

“Siegfried, you are so stuffy,” Matty said. Then she stood up. “I’m sorry the poor man has been taken ill, but enough gloom for one evening. It is my wedding celebration after all. Let’s bring in some music and dance a little.”

“Maria, do you think that’s seemly?” Siegfried asked.

“Oh, come on, Siegfried, it’s not as if there’s been a death in the house. He may be right as rain by tomorrow and he won’t be disturbed by us down here. These friends have come from all over Europe to celebrate with me and I want to dance.”

She gave a command and the carpet was rolled back. A pianist and violinist appeared and soon a lively polka was played. I stood beside Siegfried as Matty dragged one of the young counts onto the dance floor. Siegfried always looked as if there were a bad smell under his nose. At this moment the expression was exaggerated. Then he turned to me and clicked his heels.

“I should see if the patient requires anything of me,” he said. “After all, I am the host in my father’s absence. It is not right that I neglect Prince Nicholas in his hour of need.”

“Oh, I think that Dragomir has organized everything beautifully,” I said. “He’s a good man. Everything runs like clockwork here.”

“Yes, he is a good man,” Siegfried said.

“Is the administration of this castle his only responsibility, or is he usually in Bucharest with the royal family?”

“No, his duties are confined to this place,” Siegfried said. “He is not of Romanian birth, which would make him unpopular with the people.”

“But you are not of Romanian birth either,” I said, laughing. “None of the royal families in this region are natives of their countries.”

“Ah, but we are of royal blood. That is what matters. People would rather be ruled by true royalty, wherever they come from, than by upstarts who would abuse their power.”

“So where does Count Dragomir come from?”

Siegfried shrugged. “I can’t quite remember. One of those border areas that has changed hands many times, I think. Just as Transylvania itself used to be part of the Hapsburg Empire.”

“Interesting,” I said. “The history of this whole area is fascinating, don’t you think?”

“One long disaster,” Siegfried said. “One long history of being overrun by barbarians from the East. Let us hope that Western European civility will finally bring peace and prosperity to these war-torn lands.” He looked around again as he spoke. “I really feel that I should at least go up to the sick man’s bedroom to make sure that he has all he needs.”

He was about to leave. I did the unthinkable. “Oh, no, dance with me, please.” And I took his hand and led him onto the floor.

“Lady Georgiana!” His pale face was flushed, apparently affronted by my boldness. “Very well, if you insist.”

“Oh, I do. I do,” I said with great enthusiasm.

He placed one