The Seduction (Unexpected Circumstances 2)

“What about your sister,” I asked, “or King Camden or Sir Parnell?”

“I trust them,” Branford said slowly. “As much as I can trust anyone. I know them so well—their habits, their likes and dislikes—it seems I can almost read their minds. Of course, I also knew Kimberly was angry with me when I told her I could no longer…well, spend time with her. Still, I never thought she would come here to my rooms and…”

Branford stopped and growled low in his chest. He stood, his hands clenched into fists, and I cringed back into my chair, unsure of what he would do.

“I want her to die for what she did to you,” Branford said, “but I can’t do that. My mother—she promised her sister we would care for them. Kimberly will be punished, but as my sister pointed out to me, I can’t take her life without dishonoring my mother.”

“I understand, Branford,” I said. Truly, I was somewhat relieved. Already the court could not possibly think well of me, and if I were to be considered responsible for the deaths of two of their own…well, it certainly would not improve my position.

“I won’t allow Kimberly or Nelle to upset you again,” he said, his tone now soft. He marched the two steps it took to reach me. He cupped my chin and tilted my head upward until I met his glorious, green, hesitant eyes. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I promise.”

I nodded and looked off to the side at nothing in particular. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say to him. On one level, I knew he was sincere, and he truly meant every word he said. On another, he could change his mind. He could decide his relations were ultimately more important than I. He could even decide, based on some a

rbitrary whim, that I was not loyal and order my death.

“I know,” Branford said. He dropped his hand, turned away from me and walked back to the window. He leaned against the sill and looked out over the castle grounds.

“What do you know, my…Branford?”

“I know my promises are meaningless to you,” he said simply. He folded his arms and dropped his chin on them as he stared out into the forest. “I’m used to my word meaning something, but apparently that isn’t the case here.”

I had no idea if I really believed him or not. I felt strangely empty…hollow, even. It wasn’t that I thought he was intentionally lying to me. I just didn’t know if he could keep his promises forever.

“I…I know you mean…” I tried to speak but was quite glad when Branford interrupted, for I had no idea what words were to come from my mouth next.

“Maybe it’s best to talk of something else?” Branford suggested.

“What shall we talk about?”

“I’m not sure,” Branford said. “I want to know you, and I want you to know me, but I’m not sure where to begin. Tell me about living in Hadebrand.”

“There isn’t much to tell,” I said. I could feel heat rising to my face as his bright green eyes stared through me. “I helped Princess Whitney dress in the mornings and evenings. I cooked for her when she was ill, and she didn’t like what the kitchen servants had made. She could be very picky about what she wanted to eat even when she was in good health.”

“I bet she was.” Branford snickered. “What did you do for enjoyment?”

“Enjoyment?”

“Yes. When you didn’t have any duties to perform, what did you do then?”

“I’m not sure I understand,” I replied. “If Princess Whitney didn’t require anything right away or if she was traveling, I did the mending and cleaned. There were always duties to perform.”

“Did they give you no time to yourself at all?” Branford asked, his tone of voice making it obvious he was disgusted.

“At night,” I said softly, “when Princess Whitney had gone to sleep and no one else needed anything.”

“They treated you like a slave.” Branford growled.

“Is there some difference between a servant and a slave?” I asked before I realized the words were out of my mouth. I bit my lower lip and looked at the ground. Branford turned from the window and stared at me.

“You have some teeth, woman,” he said, but his voice did not sound angry, so I glanced up to his face and was met with his half smile. I breathed a sigh of relief. “Could you have left King Edgar’s employ?”

“And go where?” I asked. “I have no family, and I would have to find a way of supporting myself.”

“But you would have been allowed to leave,” Branford said. “No one would have stopped you if you decided to walk out the castle gates never to return. You could have given yourself to God at the abbey or found a way to travel to another village.”

“I supposed I could have.”

“Then you know the difference between a servant and a slave.” Branford turned around and placed his hands behind his back, against the windowsill, then leaned against them. “You have as many choices as any of us do. When we say we have no choice, it’s just our way of saying we have already chosen our path. There are always choices.”