fingers toward her. âMy sister is easily shocked. My parents sheltered her to preserve her virtue. Helena doesnât understand the games that the other ladies at court like to play.â
âYeâre a liar.â The Scot was furious but his voice was so controlled it made him seem deadly. The king held up his hand, but the man didnât instantly back down. He sent another look at Edmund that clearly said he wasnât afraid of his position. Helena bit her lip to keep from gasping. Never once had she witnessed anyone, save her father, standing up to Edmund. This man only controlled himself for the king, but he shook with anger, clenching his hands into fists.
âLady Helena.â
âYes, Your Majesty?â She snapped her gaze back to the king, heat brushing her cheeks. She had to break this habit of staring at the Scot. Immediately.
âWas it passion and your naiveté, or something else?â
Tension gripped her so tightly, time froze. She became aware of each heartbeat and the time between them. Edmund looked down his nose at her, so supremely confident of her obedience to his will. She hated him for that. For the first time in her life she became aware of what it felt like to actually hate. She hated the callousness she saw on his face. It was ugly and horrible in a way that threatened to make her sick. The Scot watched her, his eyes burning once more, but this time he seemed to be hoping that she would not disappoint him by lying. She actually felt the weight of his opinion and she discovered that it mattered to her what he thought of her.
âIt was not passion and I was shocked by my brotherâs behavior. It was none of Raelinâs doing.â
The king leaned forward. âYe were together?â
âYes, Your Majesty.â
Edmundâs eyes bulged. Promise of retribution burned in them, but Helena did not lower her head. She stared at him, proud of herself. She had spoken the truth. The shame was her brotherâs to bear.
The king sat back, his expression pensive.
âIt was much more than that, Yer Majesty! He struck her.â The Scot was still enraged. The tone of his voice sent a shiver down Helenaâs back. She was suddenly very grateful that she had spoken truthfully. This was not a man to cross.
âRidiculous. I am a gentleman. A descendant of one of the oldest noble houses.â Edmund sneered at the Scot.
âIs that a fact? I noticed ye didna simply say ye didna strike her. If yeâre innocent, speak it plainly.â
âEnough!â James Stuartâs voice cracked like a whip. He pointed at the Scot. âIâll question you when Iâm ready. Hold yer silence.â He pointed at the captain of his guard.
âCaptain, ye will escort my queenâs maid of honor back to the queenâs chamber. And I mean every step of the way.â
There was a click of polished boot heels against each other, and a moment later Raelin was being ushered toward the doors. She didnât release Helenaâs hand but tried to pull her along.
âLady Knyvett will remain.â
The kingâs guard didnât allow them any time to question the will of the king. Raelin was taken away without another word. The king glared at her brother.
âEdmund Knyvett, ye may be the only son of the Earl of Kenton but Iâll no have ye placing rough hands on maidens.â The king never raised his voice but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone. âYe shall be in the great hall when I summon ye and yer sister will be in my queenâs chambers on the morrow. Dinnae make my chamberlain call yer name twice.â
âYour Majestyâ¦â
âBegone.â James Stuartâs voice cracked like a whip. The guards standing next to him were lowering their pikes. Helena curtsied and backed toward the door. Her brother hesitated, earning him a scowl from the king.
âDo not test me, sir. Your name protects you
âYeâre a liar.â The Scot was furious but his voice was so controlled it made him seem deadly. The king held up his hand, but the man didnât instantly back down. He sent another look at Edmund that clearly said he wasnât afraid of his position. Helena bit her lip to keep from gasping. Never once had she witnessed anyone, save her father, standing up to Edmund. This man only controlled himself for the king, but he shook with anger, clenching his hands into fists.
âLady Helena.â
âYes, Your Majesty?â She snapped her gaze back to the king, heat brushing her cheeks. She had to break this habit of staring at the Scot. Immediately.
âWas it passion and your naiveté, or something else?â
Tension gripped her so tightly, time froze. She became aware of each heartbeat and the time between them. Edmund looked down his nose at her, so supremely confident of her obedience to his will. She hated him for that. For the first time in her life she became aware of what it felt like to actually hate. She hated the callousness she saw on his face. It was ugly and horrible in a way that threatened to make her sick. The Scot watched her, his eyes burning once more, but this time he seemed to be hoping that she would not disappoint him by lying. She actually felt the weight of his opinion and she discovered that it mattered to her what he thought of her.
âIt was not passion and I was shocked by my brotherâs behavior. It was none of Raelinâs doing.â
The king leaned forward. âYe were together?â
âYes, Your Majesty.â
Edmundâs eyes bulged. Promise of retribution burned in them, but Helena did not lower her head. She stared at him, proud of herself. She had spoken the truth. The shame was her brotherâs to bear.
The king sat back, his expression pensive.
âIt was much more than that, Yer Majesty! He struck her.â The Scot was still enraged. The tone of his voice sent a shiver down Helenaâs back. She was suddenly very grateful that she had spoken truthfully. This was not a man to cross.
âRidiculous. I am a gentleman. A descendant of one of the oldest noble houses.â Edmund sneered at the Scot.
âIs that a fact? I noticed ye didna simply say ye didna strike her. If yeâre innocent, speak it plainly.â
âEnough!â James Stuartâs voice cracked like a whip. He pointed at the Scot. âIâll question you when Iâm ready. Hold yer silence.â He pointed at the captain of his guard.
âCaptain, ye will escort my queenâs maid of honor back to the queenâs chamber. And I mean every step of the way.â
There was a click of polished boot heels against each other, and a moment later Raelin was being ushered toward the doors. She didnât release Helenaâs hand but tried to pull her along.
âLady Knyvett will remain.â
The kingâs guard didnât allow them any time to question the will of the king. Raelin was taken away without another word. The king glared at her brother.
âEdmund Knyvett, ye may be the only son of the Earl of Kenton but Iâll no have ye placing rough hands on maidens.â The king never raised his voice but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone. âYe shall be in the great hall when I summon ye and yer sister will be in my queenâs chambers on the morrow. Dinnae make my chamberlain call yer name twice.â
âYour Majestyâ¦â
âBegone.â James Stuartâs voice cracked like a whip. The guards standing next to him were lowering their pikes. Helena curtsied and backed toward the door. Her brother hesitated, earning him a scowl from the king.
âDo not test me, sir. Your name protects you
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