Free Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

him.
    Slowly his red face whitened and he managed a smile. "Had you come to us sooner, we would have offered you our son John as husband."
    Jilliana lowered her voice, so only those standing near could hear. "Why should I put my trust in the man who caused the death of my mother, and why would I want to marry your son, whom I dislike intensely?"
    Henry's breath hissed through his teeth and his face stained red with anger.
    "You dare say this to me?"
    She moved to stand beside Prince Ruyen and clasped his resisting hand, praying he would not reject her gesture. She felt his hand tighten on hers in a painful grip.
    Ruyen knew of Talshamar, and like everyone else, he had heard of the missing queen. If this was she, why had she come to stand beside him when it would surely mean her death? He did not understand or trust this woman, but he would not expose her just yet.
    Jilliana raised her voice so everyone could hear. "I am ready to die beside the man I love and the father of my unborn child. Think you that the people of my country, and indeed the civilized world, will applaud our deaths?" She paused, ready to play Henry as Eleanor had instructed her. "Perhaps France being the exception. Philip could very well rejoice at my death."
    King Henry roared to his courtiers: "Everyone out. Now !" Then he waited impatiently while the guards cleared the room.
    "Now, what say you, young prince?" Henry demanded of Ruyen. "Does Queen Jilliana carry your seed?"
    She drew Ruyen's startled gaze. He paused, looking deeply into eyes the color of a summer sky.
    "I had not known about the baby," he said truthfully, deciding to trust this woman, who seemed to have no trouble manipulating Henry.
    "But you have lain with her?" Henry pressed accusingly. "Surely you admit that."
    "Being a gentleman," Ruyen said dryly, his eyes lowered to the woman, "I could hardly admit to that. I may lose my life, but I will never defame a lady's reputation."
    Jilliana did not have to feign embarrassment because her cheeks flushed scarlet. She could not look at the prince, but hurriedly spoke before her courage failed her.
    "I ... love him, does that not answer your questions?"
    Henry scowled as he felt Talshamar and Falcon Bruine both slip from his grasp.
    "It seems instead of being queen of England, you prefer to cast your lot with a rebellious prince who would rather die than yield."
    "I am not your chattel to do with as you desire. And until I reach Talshamar, I am under the protection of Rome." She raised her chin, remembering that Queen Eleanor had cautioned her not to show weakness. "I would rather die with the man I love, than live in a world without him."
    Suddenly King Henry startled them all when boisterous laughter shook his ample frame.
    "Gad, you're too much woman for John. If I were twenty years younger, I might consider taking you as my own wife."
    Jilliana bit back her angry retort and said in a soft voice. "Twenty years ago, you already had a fine wife, Your Majesty. You still do."
    Henry's face became impassive as if he were remembering. "So I did and do. Eleanor is still the best of them all." He nodded at Ruyen. "If I release you and Princess Cassandra, will you give your solemn oath that you will no longer raise your sword against England?"
    Ruyen looked at his sister, who was at the moment bent over coughing and trying to catch her breath. If it only concerned him, he would gladly meet death, but how could he allow his innocent sister to suffer for what he had done. Still, the words were not easily uttered.
    With a defiant look, he answered. "I do so swear, as long as England does not take up arms against me."
    Henry glared, knowing that the young hothead would not yield further. He spoke to his lord chamberlain. "Let the word go forth to all counties and shires that the king of England is generous. This day I free a known enemy so he may return to his country and no longer take up war against us."
    Jilliana was weak with relief. She had not