Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

a moment, sensing her disapproval. "Katharine's father must have forced her to leave. She would not have gone of her own will."
    Cassandra did not share Ruyen's faith in Lady Katharine. Her brother was blind to his betrothed's many shortcomings. Why did he not see that she would always do what was in her own interest?
    "You should take comfort in the fact that she is safe," was Cassandra's noncommittal reply.
    "It is fortunate that we had not yet married, or she would be sharing this prison with us. My regret is that I shall never again look upon her face."
    His sister's words cut into his thoughts. "Do not think about that now. You must rest."
    He stood, moving to the smaller bedchamber. "Aye, I do need sleep."
    "Ruyen," she said, her voice stopping him at the doorway, "will the winter last long?"
    "Why do you ask?"
    "I overheard a guard saying that political prisoners of import are rarely executed until spring. It seems Henry likes to turn the execution into a celebration."
    "Father was fond of saying that as long as there is the flicker of life, there is hope."
    "But then father is dead," she reminded him. Tears glistened in her eyes. "What a sad end for a proud and noble family."
    He came back to her and pulled her into his arms. "If only Richard were king of England."
    "Yes, if only," Cassandra said, brushing away her tears. "We must not think that. No one can defeat Henry, he has the power of the devil on his side."
    Ruyen lay upon the narrow cot, too weary to think. His sister was right about one thing: they were the last of the Rondache family.
    Now the crown of Falcon Bruine had fallen into King Henry's power-hungry hands.

 
     
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    The wind rattled the shutters while chilling drafts stirred the tapestries on the wall.
    Queen Eleanor sat gazing beyond the moat of the impregnable walls of the castle. An ache that would not heal throbbed within her heart.
    Once she had held sway over the most dazzling court in all Europe. She had been surrounded by brilliant scholars, poets, artists, and courtiers. Now, her husband had imprisoned her in this dreary, cheerless castle. It had become her exile from life, her tomb.
    Ominous clouds swept across the skies and rain began to fall in great torrents, casting the world in darkness. Her eyes appeared incredibly sad as she glanced down at the parchment clutched in her hand. With a resigned intake of breath, she closed the window, shutting out the fury of wind and rain.
    At length she rose and turned to her maid, Ameria. "Tis time to summon Jilly. Bring her to me at once."
    The servant nodded, then disappeared into one of the many corridors that led off the Great Hall. Her footsteps were noiseless as she ascended the wide stone steps that curved upward into the dark recesses, her candle flickering into the hidden shadows, casting them into muted light.
    Jilly was halfway between waking and sleeping when her bed curtains were pulled aside and someone called her name. She sat up, blinking her eyes, to stare in bewilderment at the queen's maid.
    "Mistress Jilly, Her Majesty awaits you in the Great Hall. She's asked that you come at once."
    Without hesitating, Jilly pulled on her crimson velvet-dressing robe, wondering why the queen would send for her at this late hour. Sliding her feet into soft velvet slippers, she nodded.
    "I am ready."
    They left the bedchamber and descended the stairs into grotesque shadows cast by the single candle carried by the maid.
    But when they entered the Great Hall, Jilly was astonished to find dozens of candles ablaze. King Henry only allowed Eleanor a pittance, forcing her to conserve even the candles that lit her dreary existence.
    Eleanor was seated on a cushioned chair and motioned Jilly forward, indicating that she should sit on the stool at her feet. There was affection in the queen's eyes as they rested on the lovely young woman who had been her pupil for more than three years.
    "Your Majesty, you are not ill, are you?" Jilly asked in