Bianca did not find Lord Draco when she descended to the Great Hall. The hall was filled with many other guests who were breaking their fast but he was nowhere to be found. She let Modesta lead her to the high table where Lord Charles waited for them.
“I waited in the hope that you would join me for the morning meal, dear ladies. I had begun to despair that you would not.” His gaze slid over both woman but settled on the blushing Modesta as he took her hand and led her to the table and helped her into her chair. He then assisted Bianca into her chair before turning his attention on his future bride, treating her with gentle manners.
“Have you seen Lord Draco this morning, my lord?” Her words had a strange effect on him, causing him to pause. She glanced up and found that he would not meet her eyes.
“Ah, yes, I recall now. He and his brother went for a morning ride.” With that, he moved to Modesta’s side and taking her hand brought it to his lips, taking his time kissing her. A sigh of pleasure escaped Modesta as she gazed tenderly at the handsome nobleman who had captured her heart.
Bianca hid a smile of amusement behind her hand as she watched the by-play between the two. She was so happy for her cousin’s good fortune. She would see to it that her father settled a large dowry on Modesta. She would speak to him as soon as he was feeling better. His latest bout of illness had not dissipated as she had expected. In fact, his health had deteriorated at an alarming degree.
Even as these thoughts crossed her mind, a servant arrived with a message requesting her presence in her father’s chambers as soon as possible. For a moment, she stared at the missive and then she quickly made her excuses to her cousin and the baron.
Bianca arrived at her father’s chambers to find Galen waiting for her. “What is wrong? Is my father worse?”
“Her Grace requested that I examine the duke because he was unable to rise from his bed this morn. I find it a bit strange that he has become so ill in such a short time. I spoke with him only last night, his stomach was bothering him a little but he had no other complaints. Come, my dear, let us not keep your father waiting.” When they entered the room, they found Heloise bending over her husband, speaking softly to him.
“The healer is here, my dear. I am sure he will know what to do.” Heloise walked forward to meet Bianca and Galen, a look of deep concern on her plump face. She was the picture of a distraught, loving wife.
“Galen, thank God you came so quickly. I fear the duke is much worse. I am at my wit’s end as to what to do for him. My potions do not seem to be working to ease his discomfort.”
At the mention that she had been doctoring her husband, Galen raised a questioning brow. “What malady have you been doctoring him for, Your Grace? I was not aware that he had more than a slight case of indigestion. The diet I prescribed should have cured that.”
At his spoken censure, a dark flush of anger heated Heloise’s face. With a great effort she managed to hold her tongue. Heloise did not appreciate being criticized no matter that the one doing the criticizing was a highly reputed healer.
“Heloise.” The weak voice coming from the bed drew all their attention and the Duchess turned back to attend her husband.
“Rest, dear. Do not overtax yourself. Sir Galen is here as well as your daughter.”
Her gaze swung to Bianca whose attention was focused solely on the haggard man lying in the bed. Heloise’s gaze narrowed as she took in the Beauty de Neige. The older woman was jealous that her stepdaughter managed to look so lovely even in her distress. The boil of hate that had been festering deep within her soul was near to bursting. And when it did, the poison would be far-reaching. It would not be long, she promised herself.
Soon, my little beauty, soon.
An ominous chill swept over Bianca as her violet gaze met the icy blue one so filled with hate. The abhorrence shocked her. Never had she faced such malevolence. She moved closer to her father, bending down to kiss his gaunt cheek.
“I love you, Father. Do not die.” Her whispered plea was for her father’s ears alone.
He raised his hand to capture hers, squeezing it in a weak gesture.
“Do not cry, my little Bianca. I am not about to die before you are wed.” A fleeting smile touched his lips before his eyes closed and he slept. Tears filled her eyes at the show of affection Bianca had missed so dearly. She touched her father’s cheek lovingly before turning to the old healer.
“Can you help him, Galen?”
“I will do what I can. Wait by the door, Bianca.”
Bianca nodded her head, but she did not move for a long moment as she gazed down at her father’s face, lost in memories of her childhood with her father being her only parent. They had been happy days, those days that now seemed so long ago.
“Bianca.”
Her head jerked up at the sound of her name. She met Galen’s eyes, warm with understanding and affection. “Go sit by the door until I am finished here.” His tone was commanding but gentle. She obeyed him unquestioningly.
After a thorough examination, which lasted for some time, it was apparent that Galen was perplexed by what he found. He drew Heloise aside and spoke quietly.
“What have you been giving him for his indigestion?”
“Only small doses of calamine and whort root. Willow bark simmered in hot tea for his stomach pain. Nothing you would not have recommended.” Her answers seemed honest and the remedies common but there was something wrong here. Galen studied Heloise’s face as he asked, “Are you sure that you have not given him anything that might make his malady worse?”
“Of course not!” But as Galen continued to look at her, Heloise lost some of her usual composure. “What are you suggesting, sir? I would never harm my husband!”
A gasp from behind her brought Heloise’s attention to Bianca who had been waiting patiently for a diagnosis from the healer. In an attempt to get Galen’s focus off her, Heloise raised an accusing finger and jabbed it at Bianca.
“Too many apples, I am sure of it!” The words held an outrageous accusation.
Bianca was horrified by her stepmother’s words. For some reason Heloise wanted the blame for her husband’s illness to be placed on her stepdaughter. She wanted Bianca to think that the fresh fruit she had picked for her father had somehow made him grievously ill.
Bianca stared at her stepmother, watching as the woman stood there making veiled insinuations, refusing to believe that any one could be so ignoble, so evil. For a poisonous barb, it was the sharpest Heloise had hurled at her so far and this one hurt her deeply, as she was sure her stepmother intended.
As Galen watched her, Bianca crossed the room and stood next to the bed. Resolutely, she refused to acknowledge the vicious suggestion that her stepmother had just made. He glanced back at the haggard nobleman who lay beneath the red velvet portiere of the enormous canopy bed as pale as the lacy white linen he lay between. He retired from the room.
A short while later, Bianca found Galen breaking his fast in the Great Hall. She questioned him about her father’s condition, but he had no answers for her. She knew he had suspicions about the potions Heloise had been giving her father. But like her, he was in no position to make accusations. There was no proof Heloise had done anything to injure the duke. Galen finished his meal and together they made their way up to his chambers were he looked in on his youngest patient, Theron.
Bianca was relieved to find that that the young page was recovering and would most likely be out of bed in another few days, to be spoiled by several of the maidservants who had taken quite a liking to the young orphan boy. Bianca spent a short while talking to him and reassuring him that he was safe. Whatever had happened to him had wounded not only his body but his mind as well. He had been so afraid to be left alone that Galen had sat with him most of night after Theron had regained consciousness. He would recover from his physical injuries. Galen had told her so. She would have to be satisfied with that for now.
Bianca spent the rest of the morning looking for Draco to tell him the good news, but he had not returned since he had left early this morning. She had asked several knights if they had seen him but no one had. It was afternoon before she began to panic.
She began to believe that he had mounted his great black steed and ridden out of her life forever, never to return. But before the thought could take hold, she calmed down enough to do some checking around the stables and found out that Lord Draco and his younger brother had let it be known before they left that they had gone hunting, just as Lord Charles had told her. She was relieved to have this reaffirmed. Her confidence in their personal relationship was shaky to say the least.
After having an amazingly difficult day, Bianca did not think that she could take any more bad tidings. All she desired was to feel the strength and warmth of Draco’s arms wrapped around her and the taste of his sweet kiss upon her lips. But since she was in need of something to occupy her mind until he returned, she decided to take her palfrey out for a ride. It was not the usual time of the day that she like to ride, but it was something to do and she needed the time to herself to clear her mind and think.
She found Leia preparing her wardrobe for the evening meal when she returned to her chamber and, with her help changed into an old gown.
“I will be back in time to dress for supper. Do not tell my stepmother where I have gone. I have had enough of the woman for one day.”
“Do not concern yourself about the duchess, my lady. I know how to keep out of her way.” At her maid’s reassuring words, Bianca picked up a pair of well-worn leather gloves and stole out of the castle. She made her way to the stables managing to avoid anyone who would slow her down.
Glace, her little white palfrey, nickered noisily when she saw Bianca. It had been with much joy that Bianca discovered her little mount had made her way home safely after she had been ripped from her saddle by the outlaws in the forest. Now Glace met her with impatience, stamping her forefoot as she waited for her mistress to retrieve her bridle and saddle. It had been several days since she had had the courage to ride out of the safety of the castle walls and across the verdant green valley.
“Easy, ma petite. We will run soon enough and we will run long and hard.” Her horse nudged her affectionately as she entered her stall to saddle her. “Yea, it will be delicious to ride free with the wind once again.”
It was not hard to get out of the stables and through the castle gate. In her old worn clothing and with her hair covered with a kerchief, she was through the gate with no questions asked. Even if anyone did recognize her, they merely waved at her as she rode by. Her people loved her well and would do anything she asked. This was the case when she waved to Sir Gregory who happened to be on guard duty at the portcullis this day. He smiled broadly at her and waved her through.
“Do not go too far, my lady.” She nodded to let him know she heard him.
With heart soaring and hoofs thundering along the well-worn road, Bianca rode her horse hard and fast until they were across the lush green valley and then she turned west toward the river Garonne. The afternoon sun shone warm down on the rider and mount as they moved over hill and dale reaching breakneck speed when they arrived at the flat, cultivated fields beyond.
Bianca turned her mount north and made for higher ground toward the bluffs that overlooked the Garonne. From there she could view the river far below as it twisted through the valley, a sapphire ribbon between emerald fields.
As she urged Glace up along the cliff edge, Bianca unexpectedly discovered that she was not alone. She had just reached a small grove of ash when a large gray stallion came out of nowhere straight for her. Before she could guide Glace out of the way, the wild-eyed beast crashed into them. Her palfrey and the gray went down in screams of terror and pain as Bianca was thrown clear landing in a heap of tangled legs and skirt.
As she lay there fighting for breath, she watched as the gray gained his feet and ran off with a wild-eyed, terrified Glace following close at his heels. Bianca stared after the two mounts in consternation and then she collapsed onto her back in the deep grass and cursed at the ill fortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Damn you, Glace, how could you just run off and leave me like this?”
The only answer she got was the sound of thundering hooves receding into the distance leaving her with only the soft breeze rustling through the grass and the leaves of the nearby trees. Grumbling a few choice curses she had overheard a stable boy using, Bianca slowly gained her feet moving carefully to make sure that she had not broken any bones. But it seemed that the only thing to be truly hurt was her pride. She had always considered herself as an excellent horsewoman and now she was left to find her way home afoot with a bruised backside and scrapes and scratches on her arms and legs.
“Damn, damn, damn!” Her exclamation broke the silence around her and then a thought came to her. She glanced behind her in the direction from whence the wild gray had appeared. Had the horse been spooked and thrown his rider? Without thought to the consequences of her actions, Bianca rushed up the trail, intending to give aid.
But it was a powerful black stallion standing in the middle of the path that stopped her in her tracks as she came around a particularly thick bit of foliage. Bianca recognized Inferno instantly. As she drew closer, the stallion began to dance away nervously, snorting and stamping the ground in a threatening manner. She knew better than to approach the agitated horse, so she kept her distance. Bianca glanced around for Draco, certain that he must be near. A movement near the edge of the bluff caught her attention and she moved closer. Lying on the ground with his upper body hanging dangerously over the edge of the bluff was Draco. His precarious position had her hurrying to his side. What in the world was he doing?
“Hold on, Cynric!”
Draco had never been more terrified in his life as he watched his brother fall from the back of his half-broken mount when it shied from a darting hare and disappeared over the side of the bluff. The scream of terror that broke from his brother’s throat pierced the air and echoed across the valley before abruptly ending.
Leaping from his saddle, Draco threw himself to the edge of the precipice bellowing his brother’s name, his heart in his throat nearly strangling him. His heavy body slid to a halt just short of sliding over the edge. But at that point, he had no thought for his own safety. His gaze searched the rocks below expecting to see the broken, smashed body of his young brother. But to his astonishment, Draco found that a narrow rock ledge jutting out a short ways below the top of the bluff had interrupted Cynric’s descent. The sight brought tears of joy to his eyes and Draco had to pause a moment to wipe his face over his sleeve to clear his vision.
“Cynric.” The word came out a little more than a croak as Draco’s throat had gone dry in his horror. In his relief, Draco had to admit that the white frightened face of his younger brother was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. For a few moments he could do no more than take in the sight before his brain began to function properly.
“Are you hurt, little brother? Can you move?”
There was a slight pause before Cynric answered. He moved slowly, cautiously to a sitting position and then carefully rose to his feet. “No, I believe that I am unharmed, at least as far as I can tell.” He kept his gaze on the rock surface above him refusing to look below. Cynric reached up as high as he could without overbalancing himself from his precarious perch. But he could find no handholds to help him climb up.
“It looks like you will have to do the rescuing here, big brother. There is no way I can climb back up.” Cynric was unable to keep the slight quiver of apprehension from his voice. Draco knew that his brother was more than a little shaken by the fall but he was attempting to hide it. He reached his long arms as far down as he could but he knew even without asking that Cynric was unable to reach him.
“I will have to find something to reach down to you, Cynric. Do not worry I will have you up in no time.” But when he would have pulled back from the edge, his brother stopped him.
“Do not leave me, Draco. Not yet. I am…a little scared. Stay…a bit and t-talk to me. Draco?” The half-sob brought a lump to Draco’s throat.
“I am here, little brother. I will not leave you until you say.” As he reassured Cynric, Draco’s mind worked on a solution to the dangerous situation. He had not come prepared for an emergency such as this and as he mentally went over the few items he carried on his saddle, a rope was not among them.
A slight noise at his back had Draco on his feet and drawing his sword even before he recognized the newcomer. “Bianca?” A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he watched the small beauty coming toward him. And then anger replaced his pleasure at seeing her as he realized that she was alone. “What the hell are you doing here? Have you no sense at all? Where is your escort?”
Draco’s verbal attack was so unexpected that Bianca stopped and stared at him in disbelief. But instead of letting him see how much his harshness hurt, she stood a little taller and raised her chin in a show of defiance.
“I could ask the same of you, my lord, but I would be a little more civil in my address.” The hurt that she thought to conceal, showed so obvious on her lovely face and over bright eyes that Draco silently cursed his harsh words and reached for her.
“Ah, Bianca, I did not mean to snap at you. Your sudden appearance took me completely unaware.” But even as he placed his hands on her shoulders to draw her close, his brother’s voice reminded him that there was a much more pressing matter to deal with a the moment.
“Draco?” At the low call that came from behind Draco, Bianca gasped and pushed away from him and with an agile move, stepped around him to move to the edge of the precipice.
“Who is it? Who is down there?” Before he could stop her, she moved so close to the unsteady edge that he ground beneath her feet began to crumble. If Draco had not caught hold of her, Bianca would have joined his brother on the ledge below.
“Damn it, Bianca. Are you trying to kill yourself?” The heart-arresting sight of her nearly tumbling to her death had him clutching her to his chest. His embrace threatened to crush her.
“Please, Draco, I cannot breathe.” Her gasping statement had him loosening his hold on her, but only slightly. Wide, frightened violet eyes gazed up at him as he lowered his head and he gave her a quick, hard kiss before he released her and pushed her behind him, away from the edge.
“Stay there while I talk to Cynric.” A look of horror masked her face as she glanced to the edge of the bluff. “Yea. My brother is down there. I will explain everything later. For now just stay away from the edge.” At that command, Draco moved forward to peer below.
Standing precariously upon a tiny ledge, Cynric waited. His face was ashen and beads of sweat rolled down his temple.
“That damned stallion threw him. He went over the side.” It was all the explanation Bianca would get for now. Draco set his mind on a way to get Cynric up. Tentatively, he eased as far over the ledge as was safe and reached as far down as he could, but it was not enough. The distance was too great. He would need a rope or a long piece of something. He glanced at the reins of his stallion and sent up a prayer. The leather strap would work as well as hemp rope, maybe better.
“Bianca, take my dagger and cut the reins from Inferno’s bridle and bring it to me.” He drew the weapon and handed it to her. “The strap should be just about long enough to reach. Hurry.” Even as he instructed her on what he wanted, he noticed that the fragile rock ledge on which his brother stood was crumbling beneath his feet. It would be close. “Hurry, Bianca. Be as quick as possible, he does not have much time.”
Giving a quick nod, Bianca ran to the great black stallion with every intention of carrying out Draco’s instructions. But Inferno had other notions. The stallion snorted a warning and stamped his huge hooves as he danced away from her.
“Here boy, easy now.” She held out her hand and tried to coax him to accept her but he danced away, shook his great head and snorted in arrogance, but he would not hold still long enough for her to cut the leather rein from his bridle. After several moments of such nonsense, Bianca was nearly in tears.
“Hurry, Bianca, the ledge is disintegrating rapidly. There is not much time.” Draco’s bellow brought a sob of frustration and terror from her.
“Please, Inferno, please,” she begged the black stallion but he ignored her pleas and turned and trotted away to stop beneath the shade of a tree were he gave her an imperious look before lowering his head and grazing on the grass.
“You damned beast!” Tears rolled down her face as she stood helplessly, she turned to go back to the bluff edge empty-handed when a thought came to her. Then an inspiration came to her and before she could change her mind, Bianca quickly plaited her long hair as she made her way back to the edge of the bluff.
“Keep back from the edge, Cynric. It will not be long now. Bianca has gone to get a length of leather. I will be pulling you up any moment.”
Cynric’s eyes were wide with fear as another piece of the rapidly disappearing ledge broke loose and fell away. Even as the seconds ticked by, rock by rock, bit by bit his sanctuary disintegrated. He glanced up to see Draco’s head and shoulders still visible above him. “Make it soon, big brother. I fear the end is near.”
Draco heard Bianca’s footsteps behind him and he reached back for the strap. “I could not get Inferno to stand still long enough to get the rein, Draco. This is all I have.” She placed a length of rope in his hands and without pausing to heed her meaning, he lowered the life-saving line down to his brother’s waiting hands.
Cynric grabbed hold of the lifeline and Draco pulled him up and over the top in no time at all. He fell into the safe embrace of his older brother, who nearly strangled him in his enthusiasm of having his baby brother safe. But then he found himself being shaken until his teeth rattled in his head.
“What were you thinking, you little rascal?” It took a moment for Draco’s words to make sense. But when Cynric realized what he was saying, he could do no more than make weak excuses.
“I just wanted to show you what a great trade I had made.” He smiled weakly in the face of the fury in his brother’s eyes. “I know it was foolish to let the stallion take control, but I wanted to see how fast he could go. How was I to know that the fool horse would shy at a tiny hare?”
“It was irresponsible of you to ride an untried horse with no thought about the consequences. You could have been killed, Cynric.”
“I am sorry, Draco. But I was assured that the stallion was but a little spirited.”
“The man lied to you so he could rid himself of a useless mount and part you from your hard-earned coin. I thought I had taught you better.”
Draco’s harsh tone was a cover for his true feelings but still he needed his brother to realize that his poor judgment had caused serious consequences. Cynric had nearly been killed and the aftermath played havoc on his emotions. Perhaps with time, Draco would get over the horror of those moments just after Cynric disappeared over the bluff. Maybe in another fifty years. For now, all he could think to do was hold Cynric and shake some sense into him, which he did for several moments before he gave his younger brother one last, fierce hug and released him. Yea, he was more scared than angry. Draco took a deep breath and expelled it slowly as he fought to unbend.
“Come, little brother, we will take that dangerous animal back to this man you traded with and get your horse back and the gold you paid for the gray.”
“No, Draco. It would not be fair. I made the deal and I will not go back on it.”
Admiration for his brother’s honor warmed Draco’s dark eyes. He was forced to admit that his little brother had grown into a worthy man, no longer needing him to play nursemaid at every turn.
“Very well, Cynric. I will allow you to make this decision. But you will train the horse properly before you try riding him again, assuming that you manage to catch him.” It was then that he looked around to discover that Inferno was nowhere to be seen. Nor was Bianca’s palfrey.
“Bianca, where did you leave your…?” But he did not finish his statement as his gaze fell on her. It took a moment for him to recover but when he did, it was with a vengeance and a very loud shout.
“God Almighty! What have you done? What happened to your hair?”
Her beautiful blue-black locks, which had cascaded down her back to just below her knees had been shorn so short that it hung in a cloud of curls just past her shoulders.
At his startled exclamation, Bianca froze for a moment before she raised a trembling hand to sift it through the mass of curls framing her face. A sense of loss suddenly filled her as she became aware of the missing weight of the mane of hair that had only a short time ago had brushed the backs of her calves.
“Inferno ran away when I tried to get the leather strap off him and you needed a rope…but there was none…” Her words came out slower and slower, nearly gagging her as she realized what she had done. She shrugged her shoulders when her voice gave out and tears darkened her sad eyes as she stared at something in Draco’s hand.
Draco looked down and found that he was still clutching the rope she had given him to save his brother’s life. He had never felt such pride or such humility at the sacrifice this small, beautiful woman had just made to save a man’s life. No female he knew would have ever done such a thing. But his beautiful Bianca had, without hesitation, willingly cut off her lovely hair to save his brother. The notion took his breath away and his chest swelled out with gladness.
After a moment of perusing Bianca’s shorn head Draco turned his attention to her face and found that silent tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched him with anxious eyes, waiting for his denunciation.
“I am sorry I have disappointed you, Draco. But there was nothing else I could do. It is only hair, after all, it will grow back…eventually.”
It was a plea for understanding and before she could say more, she found herself engulfed in his huge arms, crushed to his massive chest. He placed a kiss on the top of her head as he murmured, “I know it will, sweetheart.”
“Then why are you so angry?” Her voice was heavy with tears.
“I am not angry, Bianca. How could I be at such an unselfish act? You saved my brother’s life, for God’s sake. For that I will always be grateful.”
“Oh! And what think you of my…hair?” She could barely bring herself to say it.
“The length of your hair matters naught. Your beauty lies deeper than your outer appearance, Bianca.” Draco placed a finger beneath her chin when she refused to look at him, and raised her face. “You are more beautiful to me at this moment than I can say. You have courage and selflessness that most would never understand.” He tapped her chest with his finger. “In here. And, in here.” He moved his hand to her head where he thrust his fingers through her soft shining curls. “You are lovelier to me than you will ever know.” And then his mouth covered hers and he kissed her deeply showing her just how much he meant his words.
They were so lost in the passion that threatened to engulf them that they forgot where they were until Cynric discreetly cleared his throat to remind them that he was standing only a few feet away watching them. Draco ended the kiss but held Bianca close in his arms for a moment more as he glanced at Cynric, who sported a brilliant color of crimson upon his cheeks.
“Have you never seen a man kiss a woman before, Cynric?”
“Yea, but never quite like that.”
“Then you have never seen a man kiss the woman whom he loves.”
* * * * *
When Heloise saw her shorn locks for the first time, she was furious. Her eyes narrowed to slits of blue fire and her face turned an alarming shade of red. For several moments, Bianca feared for her stepmother’s health.
“What were you thinking, you little fool? Or perhaps you were not. I suppose you imagine this new style will somehow catch on and be all the rage in society.” Before Bianca could defend her new look, Heloise raged on with her criticism leaving Bianca with little option but to stand there and listen. “This, this…” Heloise could not seem to find the appropriate words to describe her feelings about the matter. “This…” Her finger jabbed at the new curling mane of her stepdaughter as she tried to think of how to express her horror at the unfashionable style. “This makes you look like an eccentric old maid who cares nothing for securing a husband. You did this on purpose did you not? You think to punish me for trying to help you and your father find you a man willing to marry you, but in truth you are only hurting yourself.”
“I did not do this on a whim, stepmother. It was a matter of need. I was very fond of my hair and that it is now gone saddens me more than I care to admit. It was not vanity that forced my hand to do the task but necessity. Lord Draco’s brother was in great peril.” The tale of Cynric’s misadventure must, by now, have spread through the castle. Bianca wondered why her stepmother had not heard it. Or perhaps she had and refused to let Bianca’s sacrifice sway her to compassion over the loss of her mane of hair. “It matters naught now. And my hair will grow back.”
“Hah, perhaps, but not soon enough. It will take years and you do not have that much time. No man will want you with your hair so scandalously short. It makes you look so…common.” Heloise was actually wringing her hands in her agitation.
“I can think of one or two who would not care.” The dry retort slipped out before she could stop it and her eyes flew to her stepmother’s face and by the look in Heloise’s eyes, her quip was not taken lightly.
“It belittles you to joke about such a serious matter, Bianca. As it happens, your hair was your only redeeming feature. With that gone, a man might find little else to recommend you as an acceptable wife or companion.” The meaning of her stepmother’s last words were not lost on Bianca, and though she refused to rise to the bait, the seeds of doubt where planted firmly in her mind as Heloise intended.
Where men really so shallow as to be enamored by only her hair? Surely not. Bianca refused to believe it of Draco or any of the other suitors who had come seeking her hand in marriage. It was her money they wanted. Most of the young lords who came to court her would not have cared if she were cross-eyed and going bald. It was her inheritance that attracted them, not her hair.
As she picked up her brush and began to pull it through the shortened locks, she glanced in the mirror at her stepmother who continued to hover at her shoulder. Heloise watched her with a strange expression on her face, which she hid the moment she realized that Bianca was looking at her.
“We must do something about this travesty. Fortunately, I came to your chambers when I did. Now I can assist you with your toiletry. That little maid of yours…what’s her name?”
“Leia. Her name is Leia.”
“Yea, that one,” Heloise responded as if it gave her a bad taste in her mouth. “I have to tell you, I do not consider Leia as a fitting lady’s maid for you.”
“But she is very good to me, stepmother. She knows exactly what to do for me. I have trained her well.” Leia had been her personal maid since she was a small child and Leia only a few years older. She would be lost without her.
“Still, I think I will have another more experienced maid assigned to you.”
“No, you cannot! I mean, that is not necessary.”
“My dear Bianca, it is your well-being for which I am most concerned.”
Bianca fought to keep the disbelief from showing on her face at the outrageous statement. Her stepmother had never cared a whit for her. Heloise de Neige had never been concerned about her stepdaughter’s well-being or been the least bit amicable to her in all the time she had been married to Bianca’s father and living here at Castle Neige. Before that, there was a time she feigned a fondness for the motherless child of the man she wanted to wed. Bianca had thought then she might come to like Lady Heloise. Become a friend to her. But that notion changed the day Heloise had become part of the Neige family. It had not taken long for Bianca to realize Heloise wanted only the Duke de Neige, not his offspring, in her life. It had been a bitter truth to learn, but she had swallowed her tears and learned to keep out of the woman’s way as much as possible. Now, however, Heloise had come to offer her assistance and Bianca could not help but be suspicious of her motives. Even as she sat still letting Heloise comb and twist and plait her hair, pinning it in place, talking convivially all the while, Bianca tried to discern her purpose.
“I would have you know that I regret that I have not been a better stepmother, but I am here for you now. This is an important time in your life and you need an experienced woman to help you through it. To have so many young men come to pay you suit can be very confusing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. A lady of your station deserves the very best and I intend to help you get exactly what you deserve.”
As Heloise dressed her hair, Bianca sat quietly listening to her friendly overture. She was not sure how to react to this peace offering. She turned to face her stepmother not quite certain whether to thank her for her offer or to be wary of Trojans bearing gifts. For a moment, she simply looked at Heloise and finally decided for her father’s sake that she would accept her offer.
“Thank you.”
“It is nothing really.” Heloise smiled as she reached out with her plump fingers and put a few finishing touches to Bianca’s hairstyle. She then turned Bianca to face the mirror. “It is magnificent. I swear, your flaw will not even be noticed at tonight’s revelry.” Heloise patted her shoulder before she moved to pour them each a cup of the cider she had brought with her.
Bianca studied her appearance in the mirror. She had to admit that her stepmother managed to hide the fact that she no longer had her beautiful long hair. Unfortunately, with her new coiffeur she had an astonishing resemblance to Heloise, a younger version in fact.
“Here you are, my dear. Drink some of this delicious cider. It will give you the energy you need for the evening to come. Then we will pick out something suitable for you to wear tonight. This will be a special evening for you and for your father and me. There will be entertainment and I am assured a proposal or two will be forthcoming.”
“Oh I would not be so sure, Heloise. I cannot take any proposals too seriously. So far, there have been few suitors with whom I would even consider speaking.”
“You are being too hard on the young hopefuls. I know of at least one young lord who went so far as to come to me, asking what he could do to gain a quiet moment with you. I fear I had to disillusion him as to that improper assignation, but it is encouraging to know that there is always such as he who would not care how short his bride’s hair was. It might be to your advantage to at least speak to the man.” As Heloise spoke, she had been going through a pile of gowns that her maid had brought in. The maid had laid them across the bed and departed discreetly at a signal from her mistress.
“Take my advice, Bianca, stay away from the kind of man who takes what he wants from a woman without a promise of marriage to come. We may not always have seen eye to eye, but as an older woman, I know the ways of men much better than you do.” She paused to drink from her cup as she waited for Bianca to do the same before smiling and continuing.
“Choose a man whose intentions are above reproach and forget the one who would use you and then leave you with nothing but empty promises to move on to the next woman when he tires of you.”
“I will consider your advice, Heloise. Thank you.”
“Of course, what is a stepmother for if not to help her stepdaughter through these confusing times? I consider it my duty to see to your future.”
With an ambiguous smile, Heloise turned her attention back to choosing a gown for Bianca to wear. Something to complement her new coiffure while Bianca sat finishing her drink. The little twit had no notion of what the evening held for her.
* * * * *
Spirited away from her Knight by a stranger.
Destiny unknown but fraught with imminent danger,
Was the only sure thing that the Maid could foresee.
Her Knight retained by his duty to the monarchy
Left her alone to shed her silent tears,
Of the loneliness, year after year.
But the brave Knight did not let the Maid go that simply,
For she made his heart soar with love never-ending.