Free Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney Page A

glared at him. I . . . How did you . . . ?' He turned to look at Max, who was suddenly very occupied with munching grass. 'Oh, thanks very much . . . big mouth!'
     
Max lifted his head and gave Sebastian an innocent look. 'Oh dear, did I say something out of place?'
     
'Turncoat!' Sebastian stared gloomily into the fire. I didn't mean it to go as far as it did,' he said. I think she over-reacted.'
     
Cornelius seemed to consider for a moment. 'Whatever your reasons for saying it, it's up to you to try and make amends. We only have tonight. If we arrive in Keladon with her in that kind of mood, the chances are we'll all be in big trouble. Now, I suggest that you go over to her carriage and apologize to her.'
     
Sebastian scowled. 'Do I have to?' he said. 'It'll mean tremendous loss of face.'
     
'Perhaps. Rather preferable to tremendous loss of head though, wouldn't you agree?'
     
Sebastian sighed. 'Oh, very well,' he said. He got reluctantly to his feet. 'She'll probably just tell me to clear off.'
     
'Well, if she does, at least we can't say you didn't give it a try,' reasoned Cornelius. 'Now, just make sure you keep your temper . . .'
     
'And don't say anything else you might regret,' added Max, talking through a mouthful of grass.
     
'Yes, yes!' Sebastian stalked away across the campsite, leav?ing the warmth of the fire behind him. It was very quiet and the moon was full and bright. The flocks of black birds were all asleep up in the branches of the trees, which cast long angular shadows across the clearing. Somewhere not so far off something howled, a long, low, mournful tone.
     
Sebastian approached the steps of the carriage where, not so long ago, Cornelius had made a valiant stand against a rabble of armed Brigands. He stood for a moment, listening, but no sound came from within. He climbed the steps and then politely rapped his knuckles against the door frame.
     
'Your highness?' he ventured. 'We were wondering if you would honour us with your company for supper.'
     
There was a long silence. Then her voice came softly from within.
     
'Please go away,' she said.
     
He was about to follow the instruction, but something within him rebelled. 'No,' he said. T will not. Princess, you may punish me for disobeying you, but I refuse to go until we have discussed this like two adults.'
     
Silence.
     
'Listen. I . . . want to apologize to you. I overstepped the mark. I know that. But . . . I still stand by what I said. And anyway, what's worse? Being left in ignorance of your own faults, or being told, so that you can make changes?'
     
More silence. But no, not quite. Sebastian moved his head closer to the curtains because he thought he had picked up a muffled sound from within. He listened very carefully for a moment. Yes, he had been right. It was the sound of crying.
     
'Princess?' Emboldened by the sound, he climbed the last step and pushed through the curtain, instinctively lifting one hand to guard his head, just in case she was in a vengeful mood. But no, she was not waiting for him with a chamber pot this time. In the subtle glow of an oil lamp, he saw that she was sitting cross-legged on her silken bed, her head bowed, her shoulders moving rhythmically up and down. She looked up at him and he saw that her lovely face was wet with tears.
     
'You're right,' she gasped. 'I'm a terrible person. I'm selfish, shallow and self-opinionated. And I'll never be a good queen, never!'
     
Sebastian stood there staring at her in astonishment, realizing that this was his doing. He felt terrible.
     
'Your highness,' he whispered. 'No. You mustn't say such things.' He hurried over to the bed and, without thinking, sat down beside her and threw an arm round her slender shoulders. She didn't push him away. Instead, she turned towards him and buried her face against his chest, until he could feel her hot tears seeping through the fabric of his singlet. Suddenly it was all coming out of her in a rush. She sounded not like