The Handmaid (Unexpected Circumstances 1)

“You will have to gain her trust somehow.”

“Yes,” Branford murmured. “Somehow.”

The rain picked up again, the large droplets making a terrific noise against the roof of the carriage. For several minutes, we continued down the road, Sir Parnell and Branford in silence, and me contemplating his words and trying to grasp some meaning from them. I was being used as a political pawn—he had admitted as much—but did my ears deceive me? Was my husband’s intent to start a war with Hadebrand? And I was a…what did he call me? A catalyst? What did that mean? Could I really be considered an enemy of Hadebrand, the only home I had ever known?

The carriage must have hit a rut during my thoughts, for it was suddenly bouncing crazily, and I would have been tossed from the seat were it not for Branford’s strong arms grabbing my shoulders. I could not help but cry out in surprise.

Branford helped me sit back upright, his hands continuing to hold me steady.

“Are you unharmed?” he asked.

“Yes, my lord,” I replied. “I was only startled.”

“Wasn’t the most pleasant way to awaken, was it?” He looked straight into my eyes, and I remembered his comment from this morning and the feel of his bare skin on my cheek. I felt the heat rise to my face, and Branford traced the edge of his thumb over my jaw. His eyes took on that darkened green hue and seemed to sparkle at me. He smiled and whispered a single word. “Lovely.”

I sat back on the carriage bench and tried not to look as awkward as I felt. Branford and Sir Parnell continued to meet each other’s eyes but not speak. There seemed to be an unnamed tension between them, which I knew was because of my presence. They spoke freely when I was resting, and I had to admit to feeling guilty over my deception. They clearly believed their conversation had been private, and I had listened in. I wondered if I should confess my deception to Branford and how he might react if I did. Would it not be worse for me if I did not tell him, and he found out on his own?

“We’re nearly there,” Branford said, gracing me with his half smile. “Look out the window. See the line of trees? That is the end of Hadebrand and the beginning of the Kingdom of Silverhelm. We’ll reach King Camden’s castle in time for dinner.”

“Did you send a messenger?” Parnell asked.

“No.”

“They have no idea?”

“They do not.”

“I think I’ll refrain from dinner, then.” Parnell sat back, and his face wore a scowl. He stared out the window in silence.

“Coward.”

“Idiot.”

Branford laughed as I gasped. I could not fathom how Sir Parnell could possibly consider insulting Branford. Did he not call him “sire” earlier today? Obviously, my husband had not taken offense.

“You are cousins?” I asked softly, trying to understand their relationship.

“Distant ones, yes,” Branford said with a nod.

“My father’s wife was second cousin to Branford’s mother,” Sir Parnell informed me. “After Branford’s parents were…gone…he lived with us a short time before coming to Silverhelm.”

I looked to Branford and saw him staring out the window at the rain, his expression blank. Though I was most curious about his parents, it did not seem the best time to press the subject. Perhaps in time when I felt more comfortable with him, I would inquire further. I wondered how long that would be.

Would I ever find comfort with him?

I recalled how I woke both this morning and in the middle of the night. Branford had been kind and gentle, but upon hearing his words to Sir Parnell in the carriage, I wasn’t sure what I should think. Yes, he had been gentle to me thus far, but he also seemed to be plotting war against Hadebrand. I cringed at the thought. Hadebrand had been my home, and I could not help but feel a certain amount of allegiance to King Edgar.

“Will you give your unwavering loyalty to me, my kingdom, and my God?”

Sir Branford’s words echoed through my head as did my response to him, and I felt myself blush. Branford’s eyes shifted to me, looking at me quizzically, which only increased the heat on my cheeks. His look, so intense with his bright green eyes, gave the impression he could hear what I was thinking, and I realized my thoughts had approached disloyalty. If he could have heard them, he would have had every right to be angry.

The rain finally ended, halting the pitter-patter sounds on the roof. I looked down at my lap and wrung my hands together as we passed by the line of trees and entered the kingdom where my husband was prince. Gooseflesh scattered across my arms, and I felt a chill run down my back. What would this new place hold for me?

Branford reached over and placed his hand over mine.

“Are you nervous, my wife?” he asked me softly. Though the carriage was far too small for Sir Parnell not to overhear, Branford seemed to be attempting a private conversation. Sir Parnell looked steadily out the window, ignoring us.

“Somewhat, my lord.”