what I think happened,â Sheila said.
Trent nodded. âHis disappearance does sound a little suspicious, judging from what you've said."
âThere's not much to go on. Actually it's all mostly based on this sneaking suspicion I've got that something's up at the castle."
âSomething very well could be. But the question is who's behind it all. Have any ideas?"
âWell, we were thinking..."
âMy sister Ferne?"
Sheila nodded. âI'm sorry, butâ"
âNo need. She's a bad one. But she can't be the culprit, because as far as I know, Incarnadine did away with her. No one but my brother knows exactly what happened to her, but he did inform the family that Ferne's case had been adjudicated âwith coldest justice,â I think his phrase was."
âDoes that mean he had her executed?"
âWell, everyoneâmy other sister, Dorcas, and I, along with the more distant relativesâwe all took it to mean that Ferne had been dispatched to her heavenly reward, to phrase it kindly if not plausibly."
Sheila sighed. âWell, that eliminates her as a suspect, I guess. And if it's not her, then I haven't the foggiest clue who it could be."
âOn the other hand, you do have a castle full of peopleââTrent nodded toward Snowclaw, who had taken a seat on the sofaââand other gentle beings. No end of suspects. As far as motives, well, there you have a problem."
Trent suddenly rose and walked to the fireplace, behind the glass doors of which a cheery fire glowed and crackled.
âThere is one other possibility,â Trent said, looking deep into the flames.
Sheila looked at Snowclaw. They waited.
âI know my brother,â Trent said finally. âHe just might not have killed her.â He gave a rueful chuckle. âI have to confess that I would have, without hesitation or remorse. She nearly destroyed everything, including the castle.â He shook his head, still staring into the fire. âReckless, reckless woman."
Presently Trent returned to his seat. âBut Incarnadine has a soft spot for her, always did. I've always suspected he might be in love with her. He's never let on, though. If so, I don't blame him. As you know, she's something to look at."
âOh, she's beautiful,â Sheila said. âThat made her even more scary."
âAnd I've always suspected that the feeling was mutual, between the two of them. All very repressed, of course, at least on Incarnadine's side."
âSo she could be alive. She could even be in the castle somewhere."
âIt's a possibility,â Trent said, âbut a slim one. Mind you, Incarnadine is an able ruler, and a wise one. He wouldn't compromise his security and the security of the crown for the sake of personal feelings, his own or anyone else's.â Trent leaned back in his chair. âAt least, I don't think he would."
âYou should know your own brother ... er, Your Royal Highness."
Trent laughed. âForget the honorifics. This is Earth. This is America, after all."
âSorry. It's just that I don't get to talk to princes every day."
âYou should be so lucky every day."
Sheila giggled. âI kind of like it."
Trent gave her an engaging smile. âWell, it's easy playing Prince Charming to so charming a lady."
Sheila melted a little inside, then tried to put romantic thoughts out of her mind.
âOf course,â Trent went on, âthere's always me as a suspect."
Sheila reddened. âSir, there's never been any doubt in my mindâ"
âOh, but there should be!â His Royal Highness chuckled. âI have the motive, the means, and no end of opportunity. I should be number one on your suspect list. In fact, when you called, I assumed you were coming here to play detective."
âOh, no, that wasn't the reason at all,â Sheila protested. âI wouldn't presume. It's just that we need help, and with Lord Incarnadine awayâ"
âI understand.
Trent nodded. âHis disappearance does sound a little suspicious, judging from what you've said."
âThere's not much to go on. Actually it's all mostly based on this sneaking suspicion I've got that something's up at the castle."
âSomething very well could be. But the question is who's behind it all. Have any ideas?"
âWell, we were thinking..."
âMy sister Ferne?"
Sheila nodded. âI'm sorry, butâ"
âNo need. She's a bad one. But she can't be the culprit, because as far as I know, Incarnadine did away with her. No one but my brother knows exactly what happened to her, but he did inform the family that Ferne's case had been adjudicated âwith coldest justice,â I think his phrase was."
âDoes that mean he had her executed?"
âWell, everyoneâmy other sister, Dorcas, and I, along with the more distant relativesâwe all took it to mean that Ferne had been dispatched to her heavenly reward, to phrase it kindly if not plausibly."
Sheila sighed. âWell, that eliminates her as a suspect, I guess. And if it's not her, then I haven't the foggiest clue who it could be."
âOn the other hand, you do have a castle full of peopleââTrent nodded toward Snowclaw, who had taken a seat on the sofaââand other gentle beings. No end of suspects. As far as motives, well, there you have a problem."
Trent suddenly rose and walked to the fireplace, behind the glass doors of which a cheery fire glowed and crackled.
âThere is one other possibility,â Trent said, looking deep into the flames.
Sheila looked at Snowclaw. They waited.
âI know my brother,â Trent said finally. âHe just might not have killed her.â He gave a rueful chuckle. âI have to confess that I would have, without hesitation or remorse. She nearly destroyed everything, including the castle.â He shook his head, still staring into the fire. âReckless, reckless woman."
Presently Trent returned to his seat. âBut Incarnadine has a soft spot for her, always did. I've always suspected he might be in love with her. He's never let on, though. If so, I don't blame him. As you know, she's something to look at."
âOh, she's beautiful,â Sheila said. âThat made her even more scary."
âAnd I've always suspected that the feeling was mutual, between the two of them. All very repressed, of course, at least on Incarnadine's side."
âSo she could be alive. She could even be in the castle somewhere."
âIt's a possibility,â Trent said, âbut a slim one. Mind you, Incarnadine is an able ruler, and a wise one. He wouldn't compromise his security and the security of the crown for the sake of personal feelings, his own or anyone else's.â Trent leaned back in his chair. âAt least, I don't think he would."
âYou should know your own brother ... er, Your Royal Highness."
Trent laughed. âForget the honorifics. This is Earth. This is America, after all."
âSorry. It's just that I don't get to talk to princes every day."
âYou should be so lucky every day."
Sheila giggled. âI kind of like it."
Trent gave her an engaging smile. âWell, it's easy playing Prince Charming to so charming a lady."
Sheila melted a little inside, then tried to put romantic thoughts out of her mind.
âOf course,â Trent went on, âthere's always me as a suspect."
Sheila reddened. âSir, there's never been any doubt in my mindâ"
âOh, but there should be!â His Royal Highness chuckled. âI have the motive, the means, and no end of opportunity. I should be number one on your suspect list. In fact, when you called, I assumed you were coming here to play detective."
âOh, no, that wasn't the reason at all,â Sheila protested. âI wouldn't presume. It's just that we need help, and with Lord Incarnadine awayâ"
âI understand.
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