The Prince's Bride (20 page)

“Oh, not two women.” She shook her head. “Three.”

“Three?” Rand’s brow furrowed.

“Absolutely.” She crossed her arms over her chest and grinned. “I’m going with you.”

“Absolutely not,” Rand said without a second thought. “I will not permit it. I won’t allow it.”

Jocelyn raised a brow.

“This is not an order, Jocelyn. It is a ... a demand. You did say you would agree to an occasional demand. I consider that a promise and I’m calling it in. I demand you remain here.”

“I would if I could, dear husband, but I can’t.” Jocelyn shook her head, her gaze brimming with amusement. “You need me.”

“This is not a game, Jocelyn. And not the least bit funny,” Rand said sharply. “Furthermore, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“I’m certain that you are. You are a wonderfully competent gentleman and probably have all sorts of curious skills I can’t even guess at, but”—she shrugged—“you have no idea how to behave like a lady.”

“She’s got you there, boy. And I believe I said
all
of you had to return.” Nigel studied the letter. “It says right here your presence and your wife’s are required at the ceremony.”

“I do not want—”

“Regardless, those are your orders. I daresay it’s due to her involvement in this mess although there’s no explanation given.” Nigel eyed him firmly. “Besides, haven’t you sworn to protect Jocelyn? You can’t very well do that if you leave her here.”

“She’ll be safe here,” Rand said staunchly.

“Will she?” Nigel asked. “Think about it. If the roads are being watched it’s likely your whereabouts are known. Can you leave her behind knowing that?”

Rand’s gaze slid from Nigel to Jocelyn. Neither his uncle nor his wife was the least bit inclined to comply with his wishes. Not that he really had much choice in the matter.

“When you put it that way, I suppose I would rather have her where I can keep an eye on her. I am not happy about it though.” He blew a short, resigned breath. “Very well, you may come. On one condition.” He fixed her with a firm gaze. “And this is not debatable, Jocelyn. You will do precisely as I say without argument. And that includes following any
orders
I might issue. Do you understand?”

“Of course.” Jocelyn’s eyes widened innocently. “I will follow your requests—”

“She can scarcely say the word,” Alexei said in an aside to Richard.

“—without question.” She smiled in an overly sweet manner, and Rand knew she didn’t mean a word of it.

“Well, if she’s going, I’m going.” Richard stepped forward.

“Richard.” Jocelyn laid her hand on his arm. “I think it would be best if you stayed here. At least for a few days. With Rand gone ...” She looked at her husband.

Rand understood at once and agreed. “I would rest a lot easier if you would stay, Richard. I daresay once we’re gone there shouldn’t be any problems but I hate to leave my uncle here alone should any difficulty arise.”

Richard thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “You’re quite right, of course. Certainly I’ll be happy to remain for a bit.”

“Appreciate the thought but I don’t need a watchdog,” Nigel said gruffly. “Will need your help, though. With the diversion.”

“What diversion?” Rand said. He didn’t like the sound of that one bit.

“You don’t think you can drive off just as you please? Sometimes I wonder about you, boy.” Nigel shook his head in disgust. “You’re going to need some sort of diversion. Something to attract attention in one direction while you go in the other. Done all the time in my day.”

“When Arthur was king, no doubt,” Alexei murmured Nigel quieted him with a pointed look. “As I was saying, you need a diversion. Something big. I was thinking we could”—his gaze met Rand’s—“burn down the castle—”

“No!” Rand said at once.

“Not the castle!” Jocelyn gasped.

“Uncle,” Rand moved closer to his uncle. “I do appreciate the offer, but—”

“Nigel.” Jocelyn stepped to the older man’s chair and knelt down on the floor beside him. “Don’t even think it. We would never allow you to make such a sacrifice.”

“This is your home. The home of your father and his father before him.” Rand’s gaze searched his uncle’s. “I know what it means to you.”

“You would lose a legacy as well,” Nigel said mildly.

“That scarcely matters.” Rand shook his head.

“It’s not important,” Jocelyn said at the same time.

Nigel’s gaze slipped from Rand’s to Jocelyn’s and back. “I expected no less. From either of you. However”—he chuckled—“I was not about to burn down Worthington Castle. I was going to suggest setting a fire in the ruins of the northeast tower. It would scarcely be a loss. There is more than enough wood in the structure of the thing for an impressive blaze. It’s far enough from the castle proper for safety. In addition, unless these old joints of mine have failed me altogether, we’ll have a decent rainfall in the next few hours.”

“It could well work,” Richard said thoughtfully. “If your man will show me to the area, I’ll take a look.”

“Nick.” Rand barely got the word out before Nick was in the room. Quickly he explained the proposal. Nick asked a few pertinent questions, then he and Richard left.

“We have perhaps two hours before sunset. I propose we leave as soon after that as possible,” Rand said, his mind churning with the myriad details that needed to be attended to before then.

“Then we’d best get going,” Jocelyn said brightly and stood.

“This is not a picnic, my dear. It is not an outing in the park.” He didn’t wish to scare her but he did want her to understand the serious nature of what they were about to embark on. Whoever wanted to keep Alexei from returning to London would not hesitate to stop him by whatever means necessary.

“I realize that. I do understand the risks and the possibility of danger. However.” She stepped close and gazed up at him. “I shall be with you and therefore I am not the tiniest bit worried.” She smiled and her eyes shimmered with a far different meaning than her words. “I trust you.”

He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how much she’d come to mean to him. Kiss her until her toes did indeed grow warm and her senses muddled. Tell her once again he trusted her. With his life if need be, and more important with his heart. Without thinking he reached for her.

“Do keep yourself under control, cousin,” Alexei said mildly.

“He’s right, my boy,” Nigel chided. “Plenty of time for that sort of thing later. Right now you’ve got to get yourself ready. I daresay it’s going to take a while if you’re to be presentable and believable as women. The only thing either of you has going for you is long legs.

“Although in this case,” Nigel snorted, “it’s not going to be nearly enough.”

Nigel was right.

Rand and Alexei stood before the two cheval mirrors Jocelyn had had the maids set up in her room. She’d thought it would be easier to turn two dashing lords into two passable women here, where she had everything necessary near at hand, rather than another room, but perhaps the chapel would have been a better location. A bit of prayer wouldn’t hurt.

Jocelyn, Ivy, Flora, and Rose studied their handiwork. The two men studied their reflections. Jocelyn wondered if she should make some comment, but she wasn’t certain if she should be honest or tactful.

“Well, I’ll say one thing for them,” Flora said at last. “They’re not pretty.”

“No indeed.” Ivy shook her head.

Rose nodded. “I’d call ‘em ugly.”

“Ugly
is such a harsh word,” Jocelyn murmured. “Appropriate perhaps, but harsh.”

Flora considered the two men. “They are fine-looking gentlemen but not even handsome as ladies.”

“I’m not certain if we should be offended or pleased,” Alexei adjusted one of the leghorn hats Flora had found stored with Rand’s grandmother’s clothes. The hats were wide and would hide their faces better than anything else, even if they weren’t quite as fashionable as they might once have been.

“Definitely pleased.” Rand’s voice was wry. “I believe for a man to be called an
ugly woman
is something to be preferred.”

“We’re not especially stylish either, are we?” Alexei said with a frown of annoyance.

“Humph.” Flora huffed but held her tongue. She had graciously sacrificed her best dresses and was obviously not pleased at hearing they were not the latest stare of fashion. Especially as she and the maids had quickly fashioned wide ruffles for the hems to disguise the fact that these women were overly tall, had unusually large feet, and were wearing men’s boots as well as breeches beneath their skirts. Jocelyn vowed to make certain Flora’s gowns were replaced by something thoroughly up-to-date and even a touch frivolous.

“I doubt we’ll have to fear for our virtue,” Rand muttered.

“Perhaps not but you’ll do, both of you.” Jocelyn struggled to keep the amusement from her voice. She was grateful they’d gotten the two men to come this far and didn’t want to do anything that might make them change their minds now. Neither man was especially thrilled at the thought of their female impersonation, although both agreed they had no other plan. “Besides, we’ll be in the carriage nearly the entire time. With luck no one will get more than a glimpse of either of you.”

“I feel like an idiot.” Rand directed a raised brow at his wife. “An ugly idiot.”

“At least yours fits. Mine binds.” Alexei stretched his arms out in front of him and craned his neck in an attempt to look over his shoulder. “See. Across the back. It’s too tight.

“I think it’s your bosoms.” Rand surveyed him critically. “The dress wouldn’t be as tight if they weren’t so large. I think your bosoms are too big.”

Alexei looked down at his overstuffed chest. “Can bosoms ever be too big?”

“Not real bosoms perhaps, but I think in your case...” Rand considered him thoughtfully. “No question about it: they’re definitely too big.”

“Are you sure?” Alexei studied his reflection. “I thought they were just right for a man of my height.”

“Possibly. Or it could be that they’re simply”—Rand tilted his head—“off-center.”

Alexei adjusted his bust with both hands.

Ivy tittered, Rose snickered, Flora choked back a giggle, Jocelyn’s eyes watered with the effort of holding back laughter.

“I think that’s better,” he said to Rand, “don’t you?”

“Much.” Rand nodded somberly.

“I think you’re both, just, well”—Jocelyn sniffed hard and tried not to choke on the words—“lovely.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” Rand yanked her into his arms and dipped her backward. She stared up in surprise. A teasing light sparked in his eyes. “Lovely, eh?”

“My yes, my lord, you are quite fetching.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “A diamond of the first water, the brightest star in the heavens, an incomparable among incomparables.”

“You just want me because I’m pretty,” he growled.

“Oh no, my lord.” She widened her eyes in an innocent manner. “I am much more interested in your—”

He cut her off with a kiss, firm and fast and full of promise. Just when her toes started to warm, he drew back and grinned. “Never been kissed by a man in a gown before, have you?”

“I’ve never suspected it would ever be a possibility.”

“Nor have I.” He laughed and pulled her upright. “Now then, if you are ready—”

“I need just a minute more to finish packing my bag.” She turned to Flora and the other women. “Cook was going to pack a hamper. Would you make certain that’s been done and it is put in the carriage?”

The three bobbed curtsies and took their leave. Peals of laughter sounded in the hall. Apparently the older women could not restrain themselves anther minute.

“Go on.” She gave Rand a little push. “I shall follow momentarily.”

“Do be quick about it.” Alexei sighed. “The sooner we are off, the sooner we will be in London and the sooner we can remove these ridiculous clothes. Although”— his gaze traveled over Rand in an assessing manner—“I do believe I am the prettier of the two of us.”

“Then you shall, no doubt, be asked to waltz first,” Rand snapped and headed toward the door.

“I didn’t say he was unattractive, although one doesn’t always need to state the obvious, just that I am prettier.” Alexei grinned at Jocelyn. “I hope I have not offended him.”

“I’m certain he’ll recover.”

Alexei strode after Rand, and she made a mental note to explain to them both how ladies, even tall ladies with overstuffed bosoms and large feet encased in men’s boots, walked properly.

A cackle of laughter sounded from the hall, followed by muttering male voices. A moment later Nigel appeared in the doorway.

“You’ve done a decent job, girl. As long as they keep their heads down, you travel by night and try like hell not to let anyone get a good look at ‘em, you should be fine.” Nigel chuckled and moved into the room. “I’d like to say I’ve seen less comely women in my time but I can’t seem to think of any.”

“As the wife of one of them I daresay I’m grateful for that.” She grinned and stepped to her bag waiting on the bed. Nearly everything she’d brought originally was back in the satchel. Of course, she hadn’t acquired anything new since they’d been here and she did think it appropriate to leave behind the few gowns of Rand’s grandmother’s she’d worn.

“I see you have plenty of room left in that bag of yours. Good.” He turned toward the doorway. “Rose!”

Rose hurried in, a flat paper-wrapped package in her hand. She stepped to Nigel’s side and handed it to him.

“Better things to do than this at the moment, you know,” she said to him, then turned at once and left, muttering all the while. “Whole house in an uproar. Fires being set. Men dressing like women ...”

Nigel shook his head. “Don’t let her fool you. This evening is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to her.”

Jocelyn laughed. “I can certainly understand that. It’s probably the most exciting thing to happen to me in, oh well, at least since the last time someone shot at me and I married a man I’d barely met. Odd to realize so very much has happened in such a short time.”

“Some of the best experiences of life happen when you’re not looking. The twists and turns that come when you aren’t prepared and you don’t expect ‘em. Love is like that, you know. Comes even when you might not be ready for it and hits you hard.” He studied her sharply. “But I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”

“No, you don’t,” she said with a quiet smile. “I understand exactly what you mean.”

“Thought so.” He nodded with satisfaction.

“My lord.” She hesitated, then gathered her courage. She might not have another chance. “I was wondering ... I saw the scar. Was he badly hurt?”

A shadow passed across Nigel’s eyes. “His wound was serious, of course, but he recovered quickly. It was his, well, heart, I suppose, for lack of a better word, that suffered most.”

Nigel paused, choosing his words carefully. “He was not a suspicious sort as a boy. He was easygoing and trusting. Refused to believe the worst about anyone. He was different when he came home. It might have been a combination of maturity and war or specifically connected to his injury. In truth he never told me exactly what happened. I suspect it involved betrayal of some sort.”

“By a woman?”

“It’s possible but I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “But then I have never asked.”

“I see,” she murmured.

“However, what I have seen of him recently, and most notably since you’ve come into his life, indicates his heart too has healed. And for that you have my thanks. Now then.” He held out the package. “Take this with you. Rand should have it. It doesn’t belong here. It never did.”

She accepted the parcel and turned it over in her hand. It was square in shape, perhaps a foot across and a bit heavier than she’d expected. “What is it?”

“It’s the portrait of Rand’s grandfather. The one his grandmother brought with her from Avalonia.” Nigel stared at the packet for a long moment and Jocelyn wondered if he was thinking of the unexpected twists and turns of life. If he was wondering what might have happened if he, and not his father, had been the one to meet and marry the desperate young princess. If he was thinking about love. “She wanted her grandson to have it. Even if he wants nothing else of his heritage, he should have this.”

“Wouldn’t it be wiser to keep it here until the next time we visit? When things aren’t quite as, well, hectic?”

“Come now, girl. We’re about to burn down a castle.” Nigel’s bushy brows drew together. “That brother of yours has taken no end of precautions, damned impressed with him by the way, and storm clouds are rolling in, but you never know for certain with fire. Can’t be too careful. I promised his grandmother he’d get the portrait and I think the time is now.”

“You do know, Nigel...” She tucked the portrait into her bag. “Should anything happen to the castle you are more than welcome to make your home with us at the cottage.”

“At the ... cottage?” Nigel said carefully.

“Absolutely.” She closed the bag, fastened it, and smiled at him. “We would insist on it.”

“You’re very kind.” Nigel studied her. “I’m quite pleased with how the quirks of life have caught the two of you so nicely and brought you together. My nephew is a lucky man.”

“I feel rather lucky myself. It addition to all his other sterling qualities, it’s quite pleasant to discover”—she smiled innocently—“that I shall never have to worry about his borrowing my clothes.”

They drove a short distance from the castle and waited until the glow from the tower fire lit the evening sky.

“That’s it then,” Nick called down to them. A moment later the carriage lurched forward.

Jocelyn settled into the seat opposite Alexei, beside Rand, his leg pressed next to hers. His muscles were tensed and she knew he was alert to any possible problem. For those on the road and those they left behind. Rand’s hand found hers in the dark and at once a sense of calm enveloped her. What harm could possibly come to her with this man at her side? In her life? Jocelyn vowed to herself to do whatever was necessary to make certain no harm came to him as well. For this journey and for rest of their lives.

They drove in silence for a good hour until thunder cracked overhead and lightning illuminated the sky. The heavens opened and rain poured down. Soothing relief filled the carriage, in stark contrast to the storm outside. Rand squeezed her hand and Jocelyn realized she’d scarcely breathed at all until now.

The downpour lasted for much of the next hour and ended as quickly as it had begun. The now muddy roads slowed their progress but Nick was experienced at the reins and they continued steadily onward, each turn of the wheel bringing them closer to London. Jocelyn dozed on and off, lulled by the rocking of the vehicle and the comforting warmth of the man at her side.

Rand spelled Nick at the reins so the other man could rest, throwing on a coat over his gown and tucking the skirts in as best he could. Shortly before dawn, the men again exchanged places.

The hours passed at an inexorably slow pace. They stopped only for necessities and to change horses. The carriage was stuffy, overly warm, and even opening the windows did not help. Tempers frayed. Any comment from Alexei or Rand was met by the other man with a response that was sarcastic at best, snide at worst. They reminded her of petulant children and there were moments when she wanted nothing more than to smack them both.

Finally, a little after dusk, the carriage rumbled into the yard of an inn and shuddered to a halt. A moment later Nick pulled open the door.

“I’ll see to the horses as fast as I can but it will take a bit,” Nick said. “The place isn’t overly busy but I’d suggest Your Lordships ... er ... Your Ladyships stay put.”

“Very well.” Rand sighed.

The trio sat in silence for no more than ten minutes.

“We’ll stay beside the carriage,” Rand said firmly, “but I think we all could use a breath of fresh air.”

“Without a doubt.” Jocelyn sighed with relief. She’d never been particularly bothered by enclosed spaces but right now, she desperately needed to escape the close confines of the carriage.

Rand moved to the door and allowed Nick to help him out. By the faint glow of the carriage light Jocelyn could see that the older man was having a difficult time keeping a grin from his face.

“One laugh from you and you’ll regret it,” Rand muttered. “I’m only accepting your help at all because it’s damned difficult to move in these bloody clothes.”

“Wouldn’t think of laughing, my lord. This is serious business it is,” Nick said as if laughter was the furthest thing from his mind and quickly turned to help Jocelyn out of the vehicle, hiding his face in the process.

Bright light shown from the windows of the inn and raucous laughter sounded from inside. At once Jocelyn was grateful there was no need to go into the facility.

Alexei climbed down and cast a disgusted look at their surroundings. “Another charming taste of the English at their best. I daresay, once I leave this country I shall never return.”

“Englishmen everywhere are raising a toast at the thought.” Sarcasm dripped from Rand’s words.

“I don’t see—”

“That’s because you’re—”

“Stop it at once, both of you,” Jocelyn snapped. “Honestly, you two are like squabbling sisters. And I have had more than enough.” She turned on her heel and stalked off, knowing full well it was impossible to leave them altogether yet needing at least the respite of a few yards distance.

“Jocelyn,” Rand’s voice sounded quietly behind her. “I am sorry. I know this is difficult for you.”

“For me?” She whirled to face him. “It’s difficult for all of us. Nick can barely keep his eyes open. You’re no doubt as hot and sticky and cranky as I. And as for Alexei...” She glanced around Rand to see Alexei with crossed arms leaning in a bored manner against the carriage in a most unladylike position. “Regardless of what you or I might think of him, he has gone along with all this with a remarkably good nature.”

“Good? Hah.” Rand snorted.

“As good as yours,” she said firmly. “I think he’s behaving admirably.”

“And I am not?” Rand said indignantly.

“Of course you are.” She struggled to keep her voice cool and not lash out at him. “And you should be. After all, he has only a crown to look forward to. You”— she favored him with a suggestive smile—“have me.”

He studied her for a moment. “Very well then. I’ll behave. For now.” He grinned slowly and leaned closer. “But I’ll make no promises as to my behavior when we get home. When we are—”

“Do go away.” A high falsetto voice rang in the evening air. “Leave me alone or you shall be sorry.”

Jocelyn and Rand turned as one and started back.

“My, yer a big ‘un you are.” A stocky, grubby man a good foot shorter than Alexei stood leering up at him in a decidedly drunken manner. “I like ’em big. Like a woman with meat on ‘er. Shows a ’ealthy appetite.”

“Well, you wouldn’t like me.” Alexei’s tone was imperious but had absolutely no effect on his admirer.

“Come now, luv, give ‘ol ’Enry a little kiss.” He reached for Alexei’s arm.

“Now, now,” Rand said in an overly high-pitched voice. He grabbed the besotted Henry by the scruff of his neck and pulled him away. “The lady said she’s not interested so be on your way, good sir.”

Henry’s eyes grew huge and he looked from Rand to Alexei and back. “Bloody ‘ell, there’s two of ’em.” He grinned a wide, toothless grin. “We could ‘ave a good time, we could, the three of us.”

“Not with you.” Alexei sniffed. “And if you make one more improper suggestion my ... my sister and I shall be forced to give you a proper setdown.”

“Like a woman with spirit.” Henry stepped closer to Rand and gazed up at him. “And always been fond o‘ sisters, I ’ave. You—” Henry squinted and studied Rand’s face in the shadow of the hat. His brow furrowed and his voice dropped. “Don’t mean no insult, miss, but I think you be needing a bit of a shave.”

“Heavens.” Rand held his hand up to cover his face and choked back a sob. “I have never been so mortified. Jocelyn dear, do help me into the carriage.” Jocelyn stepped to his side and assisted him into the vehicle.

“You beast,” Alexei said and cuffed Henry on the back of the head. “How could you have been so cruel?”

“Yow!” Henry cringed with the blow. “Didn’t mean nothing by it.”

Nick stepped into view.

“Humph. You men are all alike.” Alexei lifted his chin and climbed into the carriage. “You only want one thing from a girl.”

Henry cast Jocelyn a brief glance, then dismissed her. Not enough meat, no doubt. He looked plaintively at the carriage door and called after the
sisters.
“I like a woman with a bit o‘ ’air on ‘er.”

“Get on with you now.” Nick firmly grasped the lovestruck Henry’s arm and steered him away, then returned to help Jocelyn into the carriage. He didn’t say a word but it was apparent he was struggling not to laugh. Nick closed the door, and the moment the carriage started moving, laughter rang from his perch.

It was all Jocelyn could do not to join him. She sat in the darkened carriage and waited for someone to say something, firmly resolved it would not be she.

“Apparently,” Alexei said at last, in the same high pitched tone he used with Henry, “Lord Worthington isn’t the only one who likes long legs.”

Shocked silence hung over the trio for a moment, then all three burst into laughter.

“Did you see his face when he said you needed to shave?” Jocelyn choked out the words between gales of laughter.

“His face?” Alexei laughed. “Did you see the drunken sot’s eyes when he realized there were two of us? Sisters?”

“ ‘E likes ’em ‘airy, ’e does.” Rand’s falsetto imitation of Henry triggered another round of laughter.

“Well, I do have to say one thing for our erstwhile swain.” Alexei sniffed. “He has exceptionally good taste.”

“Hardly.” Rand laughed. “He preferred us to Jocelyn. I’d call his taste anything but good.”

“That’s simply because he likes them big. Meat on their bones and all that,” Alexei said dismissively. “However, of the two of us, he liked me best.” A grin sounded in his voice. “I told you I was the prettier.”