Once Upon a Castle - Jill Gregory [51]
“I have been smuggling food to him when I go for my daily visits,” Katerine said brokenly. “Some bread and cheese. One of the guards looks the other way—I think he believes it cannot do any harm.”
“Daily visits?”
“Yes. Julian comes to my chamber each afternoon and insists that I accompany him and whatever visitors are in the castle on a tour of the dungeon. He is no doubt on his way here at this very moment, Arianne. By all that is holy, you must hide…”
“No—take me with you.”
“But none of my ladies has ever come. They hate going there. They have begged me not to force them. Julian will notice if one of them changes her custom.”
“We’ll have to risk it,” Arianne decided, biting her lip. “I must see Marcus so he will know that rescue is at hand.”
She had only just finished speaking when they heard the sound of heavy footsteps in the hall. A knot tightened in her stomach. She had not seen Julian since she was a child. On his last visits to Castle Dinadan, her father had not brought Arianne along, and when Julian had accompanied Duke Armand on a royal visit to Galeron a few years ago, Arianne had been away, visiting at the court of Count Paxton. So Julian ought not to recognize her. Especially if…
Her gaze fell on a wimple atop a wooden chest in the corner. No doubt it belonged to Katerine or one of her ladies-in-waiting. She dashed toward it and slipped it over her braided hair, in one smooth movement fastening the linen band beneath her chin and adjusting the stiff white cap so that it completely hid her hair.
Katerine let out a small gasp as the door swung open without warning. Arianne turned calmly toward it.
“My lord,” the duchess murmured, a slight quaver in her voice.
Julian surveyed her from the doorway. Behind him stood an entourage of noblemen, soldiers, and courtiers, among them, Arianne noted in a swift glance, one who wore the starred black-and-white robes and pointed black-velvet hat of a Dinadaian astrologer. But Arianne paid scant attention to any of them—she was interested only in the tall, slim man whose sea-blue eyes chilled her even from across the room.
Julian was handsome in the same way a beautiful marble statue is handsome. There was a cold perfection in the way his wavy golden hair fell to his shoulders, in the arrogance of his chin and of his long, thin nose. His hands flashed with the fire of numerous rings, and his richly embroidered robes and velvet shoes bespoke royalty as much as did the golden emerald-studded crown upon his head. But there was no spark of warmth, no trace of humanity in that finely chiseled face. His narrow mouth revealed cruelty, and his movements were sweeping and precise as he stepped forward into the chamber and offered his arm to his wife.
“Come, my dear, it is time for our tour.”
Katerine hurried toward him. As Arianne, head bowed, went to follow, she heard his voice bark out, “What’s this? You never take your ladies into the dungeon. They are too weak and sniveling to face the enemies of this land.”
“I am feeling ill today, my lord,” Katerine answered at once. “Lady…Lucinda offered to accompany me should I have need of her.”
“Lady Lucinda.” Heedless of the group waiting in the hall, Julian turned his head to inspect Arianne, studying her with curiosity. “You are braver than the rest of my wife’s serving women,” he sneered. “Your devotion is touching.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Look at me when I speak to you, insolent woman!”
She snapped her head up. Her heart was hammering. Julian was staring at her, scrutinizing her every feature with heart-stopping shrewdness. “Have I seen you before?”
“Of course, my lord.” Arianne was thankful that her voice did not quaver. But beneath her gown her knees were shaking.
“It seems I would remember such a pretty face.” There was a different tone to his voice now, a considering, almost admiring tone. Right in front of his wife, Arianne