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

attend his banquet so he can show his subjects how generous he is to his enemies."
    "You will forgive me if I do not so readily accept that he is your enemy. I am still not convinced that you are not in league with that devil."
    She lowered her silken lashes. "Your opinion of me matters but little. I have helped you and I will soon ask help of you. Beyond that, we are nothing to each other."
    "What can I give you that you do not already have?"
    "I will tell you when the time is right. We must not keep our host waiting."
    The banquet hall was crowded with nobles and their ladies. Long trestle tables were covered with white linen cloths, and magnificent tapestries hung on the wall. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, all speculating on the young queen and her husband, the Golden Falcon.
    When Jilliana and Ruyen entered the room a hush fell over the hall. A servant bowed before them and led them to the high table, where the king waited.
    "Welcome, welcome, my little lovebirds," Henry said, boisterously. "At last you are tied to one another. Come Queen Jilliana, sit to my right—you, Prince Ruyen, on my left. Eat, laugh, be joyful. This is your wedding feast."
    The moment they were seated, meats and other delicacies were brought to the table. There was a continual progression of turnovers filled with chicken, cheese, and eggs. Courses of fowl, duck, geese, peacock, basted roasts of pork, mullet, sole, and lobster were offered to first the king's table and then the lower tables. Later, there followed plump figs, candied fruits, and tarts smothered with almonds and powdered cinnamon.
    Ruyen insolently studied the people in the room, his eyes showing his dislike for them. Jilliana took a bite of succulent fowl, but found that she could not swallow. If only Eleanor were here to help her get through this evening. All she could think about was that Henry was responsible for her mother's death.
    "Tell me, Jilliana—you do not mind if I call you Jilliana, do you—how do you like London?"
    She raised her eyes to his. "Tell me, Henry—you do not mind if I call you Henry do you—how do you like Talshamar?"
    For a moment, his mouth came together in a severe line. "I have not had the pleasure of visiting your country. It seemed that after your mother ... died, His Holiness became the administrator, and I was ordered to stay away. I hope you will change that order, Jilliana, and we can be friends."
    She lowered her eyes so he would not see the hatred reflected there. "I do not think that Talshamar would be good for your health, Henry. Imagine how devastated I would be if you visited my country and something untoward befell you."
    Ruyen almost choked on his wine. She had the kind of courage he admired, he admitted to himself grudgingly.
    Henry moved toward Jilliana menacingly, and Ruyen automatically reached for the sword that usually hung at his side.
    Unperturbed, Jilliana smiled and raised her gaze to Henry. "The food is delicious," she said, taking a dainty bite from a fig, thus reminding Henry that their actions were being watched by the whole court.
    "I am glad you show no fear of me—I would never harm you," Henry said.
    "Nay, of that I am certain. It would not fit your plan for me to meet with an ... untimely death."
    He had a satisfied look on his face. "We shall keep you here so you will be safe until you give forth a son or daughter."
    Now her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "I can assure you that if you keep me prisoner, I shall never have a child."
    "But did you not tell me that you were already with child?"
    She shrugged. "I spoke untrue."
    Ruyen wondered if she knew what she was doing.
    Henry nodded, not in the least perturbed. "I know. I knew it at the time, but it suited me to agree to this marriage. You will remain with us for a time, and we shall make you happy and see that you want for nothing. And of course, you shall have your husband to keep you company."
    Jilliana came to her feet. "I will not remain in