Midnight Pearls (12 page)

More water found its way down her cheeks as she stood back up. She grasped both his hands and methodically lifted seven of his fingers into the air. She left them alone for a moment, and then firmly pushed one of the seven down.

“Yes,” he answered softly. “I had seven days as well. Now, it seems, only six remain.”

She drew her finger across his throat.

“And then we die.”

They stood for a moment, the silence stretching between them. At last, Kale spoke. “Have you found the human you came here to be with.?”

She grasped his head and nodded it.

“Does he care for you?”

She nodded his head again.

He breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Now, if only I could find Pearl.”

She pulled his hand to touch her shoulder again and then moved his fingers to gently touch her eyes.

“You’ve seen her?”

She nodded.

“Where is she?”

She took his hands, spread them slightly, and then waved them toward the ground.

“You mean she’s here?” he asked excitedly.

She moved his hands back to her head and nodded.

“Please bring her to see me.”

She wanted to tell him that she would try, that she would do her best, but she was at a loss as to how to express it. So, she grasped his hands and squeezed them, praying that he would understand.

“You should go now,” he told her. “I don’t think it would be good for them to find you here.”

He was right, although she wished he wasn’t. She gave his hands a final squeeze before dropping them and moving away reluctantly. She couldn’t bear to see him caged, and her heart ached for him. The best thing she could do for him, though, was find a way to communicate with Pearl.

She turned and left, moving back up the stairs, stopping every so often to listen for the sounds of anyone approaching. There was nothing, though. When she reached the top of the stairs she felt a little more at ease, but she still raced through the corridors until she made her way back to her own room.

Once inside she collapsed on her bed in relief. Her hours of life were slipping away; she could feel them going one by one, leading her closer to death. Now she held Kale’s fate in her hands as well, and his life was slipping through her fingers. She had to find a way to communicate with Pearl. If Pearl and James did not agree to marry them, then she and Kale were dead.

She fell asleep and dreamed of the lobster cages by the wreckage of the boat. Only instead of the decaying bodies of lobsters, it contained the bodies of herself and Kale.

At last she was standing before Father Gregory. Robert reached out and took her hand. The touch of his skin sent cold chills through her. She stared into his eyes, searching them for a spark of warmth, but there was nothing except the glittering ice. This then was her fate, her destiny.

“My betrothed?” Pearl asked, a kaleidoscope of emotions rushing through her.

“Yes, child. The Marq—Robert, came by to ask for your hand.”

“And you said yes?”

“Of course we did,” Mary spoke up. She moved to Pearl and wrapped her arms around her.

“Why me?” she asked. Of all the questions burning in her mind, that one stood out.

Robert smiled. “A long time I have watched you from afar, admiring you. You are so beautiful and so kind. I know my cousin, James, thinks the world of you.”

“He didn’t want me to have to marry the black-smith,” Pearl breathed, realization dawning.

Robert shook his head. “No, he did not. I am in need of a wife, and you a husband. I hope you don’t think me too fanciful, but I love you. It was James who gave me the courage to come forward and tell you, and ask for your hand.”

“He said he would try to help me.”

Robert touched her cheek gently. “Nay, it is me he has helped, though I pray that this will make you happy as well. I promise to be a good husband and to do everything in my power to make you love me as I love you.”

Mary put her hand on Pearl’s shoulder. “It’s the miracle I’ve been praying for,” she whispered, for Pearl’s ears alone.

Pearl had no words.

“Well, we’d best be off before the hour grows any later,” Robert said, taking Pearl’s elbow.

Mary picked up a basket and handed it to Pearl. “Here are some of your things. We’ll bring anything else you need the day after tomorrow.”

“But … what?” Pearl asked, looking from Mary to Finneas.

“The prince thought it would be a good idea if my fiancée came to the castle now,” Robert explained, “to start the wedding preparations. Your parents will follow in a couple of days so that your mother can be with you.”

Mary smoothed a strand of hair back from Pearl’s face. “Just imagine, dear: A week from today you will be a bride.”

The words chilled her to the bone. One look at Mary’s earnest face, though, and she didn’t know what to say to her. She was spared from having to answer by a voice at the door.

“Milord,” a guard addressed Robert.

“What is it?”

“We have captured the murderer!”

“Excellent,” Robert replied as Mary breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Where did you find him?”

“On the beach not ten minutes from here. He was half dressed and blind.”

“Blind, but how can that be?” asked Mary.

“In the struggle with the last girl, she was able to throw fabric dye in his eyes. It has apparently hurt his vision.”

“Murderer?” Pearl asked, panicking. “What is all this about?”

Finneas nodded. “There’s a man, not right in the head, been attacking women up and down the coast. He killed the last one two villages over. Apparently he’s looking for someone named Adriana. He meets pretty girls and then tells them he knew them from birth.”

“Oh my,” she breathed, sinking to a seat at the table.

“Aye, it’s a terrible thing,” Mary answered.

“There’s no need to worry, my darling. He’ll be dealt with swiftly. I assure you that you are quite safe,” Robert vowed.

She forced a shaky laugh. “He sounds like a monster.”

“He would have to be to do the things he’s been doing. But we needn’t worry about him, not when we have so many more pleasant things to think about.” Robert turned to Finneas and Mary. “And now I’m afraid we really must take our leave.”

“We will see you in two days,” Finneas confirmed.

Pearl rose to her feet, taking the basket Mary had packed for her. Outside, Robert patted the neck of a beautiful white mare. “Have you ridden before?”

“No,” she confessed.

He flicked the reins over the horse’s head and handed them to one of his companions. “Well then, best you ride with me this time.”

He moved over to the side of a massive stallion. The animal’s gray coat glistened. In one fluid motion, Robert mounted the beast. He extended his hand down to her. “Put your foot on mine and I’ll help you up.”

She did as she was told, placing her right foot on top of his riding boot. She hopped twice and then he pulled her up, helping her twist in midair. She found herself seated sideways on the horse in front of Robert. He put his arms around her and gathered up the reins.

He clucked, and the horse began to walk. Another cluck, and the mighty animal eased into a canter. The three-beat rhythm was unnerving as was the feeling of the wind stinging her eyes. She felt fragile, exposed, as though she could topple any moment to her death beneath the churning hooves.

Robert’s arms tightened around her. “I’ve got you,” he reassured her.

Somehow, that didn’t make her feel much better. Still, the ride passed swiftly, and soon the horses’ hooves were clattering on the cobblestones in the castle courtyard.

The castle took her breath away. It was magnificent, and larger even than she had imagined. Dozens of times she had dreamed of seeing it, but never quite like this, in the arms of another man and a stranger at that.

Servants ran up to take the reins. Robert dismounted and then put his hands on her waist and lifted her down to the ground. She grabbed his arm for a moment to balance herself and then stepped away. He let his hands drop.

“The banquet won’t start for about another half hour. You’ll just have time to change, if you hurry.”

“But I have nothing to change into.”

He smiled. “They should have something that will suit you.”

Two women rushed up to them. One, with a cheerful smile and round cheeks, exclaimed, “Dear heavens, we just have young ladies sprouting up all over today!”

“Sisters, I’d wager, from the looks of it,” the other affirmed.

“I have no sister,” Pearl told her, her stomach twisting into knots.
Faye! Is she really here? What if that part of Kale’s story is true?
Her head swam; too much had happened in too little time. She didn’t know what to think or whom to believe.

“Well, then there is a resemblance, but I reckon you to be far prettier than she is,” the first woman said with a wink.

Pearl couldn’t help but smile; the woman’s enthusiasm was infectious. “I was told I needed to change for dinner?” she questioned.

“Mercy, yes. I’m Sarah, and this is Martha. She’ll help you find something real fine.”

The next thing Pearl knew, Martha had whisked her off to a bedroom three times the size of the cottage that had been her only home.
At least the only one I remember.
She shuddered as her thoughts returned to Kale.

How could he be a murderer? He seemed so gentle, so kind. She trembled as she remembered the kiss they’d shared. Then he had spoken those words “I am your betrothed.” What had he meant by that? He hadn’t been the only one to say those words to her today, though.

She wanted to laugh at the irony. A week ago she had had no prospects as far as finding a husband. Now, she had three proposals: the blacksmith, the murderer, and the nobleman.

Faster than she would have thought possible, Martha produced a gown of exquisite beauty. As Martha helped her dress, her thoughts turned to Robert.
Who was he?
She had never seen him before or heard James speak of him.

James must have approved, though, if he told Robert to bring me to the castle
, she realized. But if James had known that Robert intended to marry her, why had he acted so strangely yesterday? She thought back on the events. He had said he had found an answer to her dilemma about marrying the blacksmith. She had thought when he took her out in the boat that he was going to propose.
He must have been going to tell me about Robert instead.

“What kind of man is Robert?” she asked Martha.

“He’s a nobleman, a marquis.”

“Yes, but what
kind
of man is he? Is he compassionate?”

“I don’t know, milady, I’ve only seen him a couple of times.”

“You must have heard something, though,” she pressed.

“I’ve heard he’s a great warrior. His father, the duke, owns extensive lands to the east and is a second cousin to the king.”

“Robert said he and James were cousins,” Pearl mused.

Martha glanced up at her with a look of horror on her face. Pearl flushed, realizing that she shouldn’t have called the prince by his name. She was saved from an explanation when Sarah bustled into the room.

“There you are, looking mighty handsome at that. How wonderful it will be to have two such ladies dining in the castle tonight!”

Martha finished with the hem of the dress and moved back. Sarah walked around her and looked her up and down. Pearl felt uncomfortable being on display.

“Well, you do look lovely. Now, let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”

Trepidation filled Pearl’s heart as she followed Martha from the room and down to the main floor. She nervously fingered the black velvet of her gown. She had never before worn such a fine garment.
I don’t belong here!
she thought, fear gripping her.
This is James’s world, not mine.
When she entered the hall, Robert was the first person she saw. He moved forward quickly, a smile lighting his face.

“You are a vision. The angels must weep gazing upon your beauty.”

Pearl dropped her eyes. “Thank you, milord.”

“To you, I am just Robert.”

“Thank you, Robert.”

He took her hand and led her to the table. They stopped before an older man, and Robert introduced her. “Pearl, this is my father, Stephen, duke of Novan. Father, this is Pearl, my fiancée.”

“My dear, it is a great honor to meet you and to welcome you into my family,” the duke assured her as he kissed her hand.

Before Pearl could reply, there was a rustling sound as everyone who was already seated at the table rose. At the far end of the room, King Philip and Prince James entered. They moved to the head of the table and took their seats.

James looked as she had never seen him, dressed in all the finery of his station. At that moment she realized how he had always dressed down in her presence, even when he was in the market and was wearing princely clothes.

Everyone else sat, and Robert helped her to her seat. James was looking around the room as though he was expecting to see somebody in particular. At last his eyes fell on her and widened in surprise.
Pearl
, he mouthed.

She nodded her head. They were close enough to speak to each other, but she didn’t have the words. He, too, seemed at a loss. A servant scuttled forward and whispered something to him. James turned his head suddenly toward one of the Hall’s entrances, and Pearl turned as well.

There in the door was a young woman in a gown of deepest green. Long, silver hair fell in a braid down the center of her back. Her face was like delicate porcelain.

James rose hurriedly and went to her. She took his hand, and he led her back to the banquet table where room had been saved for her. As she sat down, Pearl noticed the adoring look that she was giving James.

Faye! It has to be. That part of Kale’s story, at least, is true.
Her head began to spin. Too much was happening too quickly and it was all turning into a blur in her mind.

Realizing she was staring, Pearl forced her attention back to the table and to Robert. Just then, food began to appear, and though she did not feel very hungry, she was grateful for the distraction.

“The king’s chef is the finest in the land,” Robert told her. “I hate to admit that, for our own is quite excellent. I am afraid you will be altogether spoiled, though, by the time we get home.”

“Home.” It was a strange word to hear from his lips, knowing that it was to be his home as well. For thirteen years her home had been with Mary and Finneas; before that, she had no idea. What would home be like with Robert and the duke?

She glanced up to stare once more at Faye. After a moment the other girl lifted her head and looked at her. A look of surprise crossed her face as though she recognized her. Just then James said something, and Faye turned away again.