Royal Blood - By Rhys Bowen Page 0,97

has just transpired?” the newcomer asked. He peered down at the suit of armor. “Cilic, is that you?”

“Yes, my chief, it is I,” the man said.

“What are you doing down there?” Patrascue asked. I told you he wasn’t very bright.

“I missed my footing and I fell,” the man said, then groaned loudly again for maximum effect. “It is hard to see, wearing one of these visors.”

“You had no right to instruct your man to wear our armor,” Siegfried said. “What on earth were you thinking? Rather farcical, wouldn’t you say?”

“I had my reasons,” Patrascue said. “I placed my men invisibly on duty around the castle to protect your royal personages, but I didn’t think this man would be foolish enough to attempt to move from his spot.”

“I needed to find a bathroom,” the man said, followed by an exceptionally loud groan as the armor was removed from his leg. “I didn’t notice the top of the stairs.”

“Get him to bed, and stop this nonsensical behavior at once,” Siegfried said. “This is royal property and you have no authority here, Patrascue. Now go away and leave us in peace. You have upset my betrothed. Come, mein Schatz.” And he extended his arm to me.

He escorted me to my door. “I am so sorry your sleep was disturbed by this idiot,” he said. “Is there anything I can have brought to your room to help you sleep better? Some hot milk, maybe? Some more coal for the fire?”

“Oh, no, thank you, Your Highness,” I stammered, conscious of Darcy presumably still lying in my bed. “I have everything I need.”

“You need no longer address me as ‘your highness,’ mein Schatz,” Siegfried said. “Now it is to be Siegfried and Georgiana.”

“Thank you, Siegfried,” I muttered.

He clicked his heels, something that had little effect in bare feet. “That is good then. Let us hope there are no more disturbances tonight.” And he took my hand and put his fish lips on it again.

Chapter 29

My bedroom and not alone

Still the middle of the night

I let myself into my room with a sigh of relief. Even in the darkness I could see the bed turned back and no sign of Darcy.

“Darcy?” I whispered. He must have heard Siegfried’s voice outside the door and decided to hide, just in case. I tiptoed around, lifting up drapes, peeping under the bed. “It’s all right, you can come out now,” I said. Still he didn’t appear. I glanced over at that chest. I certainly wasn’t about to open that. But I did open the wardrobe and peer inside. It was big enough to hide several men.

“Are you in there?” I asked.

“Who are you talking to?” A voice right behind me made me spin around, heart thumping.

Darcy was standing there.

“I was looking for you,” I said. “Don’t do that again. You’re going to give me a heart attack.”

“I heard the commotion and decided I better take a look for myself,” he said. “As usual that fool Patrascue was making a balls-up of things. Go back to bed, you’re freezing.”

I got into bed and he followed. I put my head on his shoulder. It felt wonderfully comforting and safe. This is what I want and need, I remember thinking. If only . . . I suppose I must have fallen asleep because the sound of screams at first seemed to be part of my dream. Only gradually I came to the surface and realized that they were part of the real world. Darcy was already standing up.

“What now?” he demanded. “Can’t a fellow get a decent night’s sleep in this place?”

“I’ll go,” I said. “It’s probably another of Patrascue’s men frightening the maids by walking around in a suit of armor.”

Darcy laughed. “Quite possibly. I’ll stay put for now. I really don’t want anyone to know I’m here.”

Siegfried was standing at his door again. “I must apologize, mein Schatz. Two ridiculous disturbances in one night is unforgivable. I will demand that this man Patrascue take his underlings and leave our castle immediately.” He strode down the hallway with me in tow. This time we went down the first flight of stairs and met nobody. Other guests in night attire were standing at their doors along the second hallway as the screaming continued, coming up from down below.

“Some hysterical maid,” my mother said as I passed her. “Probably had to fight off the footman. Happens all the time.”

We came under a low archway and found ourselves at the top of that final flight