Conor. Ruth Langan

House, Outside London.

      “I grow weary of waiting for the throne.” Henry, Earl of Huntington, paced back and forth. “Elizabeth grows more popular with her subjects every day.”

      His sister put a hand on his arm. “Queens have a way of dying.”

      He turned on her with a snarl. “Elizabeth is young and healthy. She could live for years.”

      “She need not die of...natural causes.”

      He studied her with new interest. “What are you planning?”

      “What I have always planned. What we have always planned, brother. You will be king.” She turned to the other man in the room, who had remained silent throughout their exchange. “You, Dunstan, will get richer. And I...” Her smile bloomed. “As the new Lady Vaughn, I hold power over a certain someone who will do exactly as I say.”

      Her brother Henry’s frown deepened. “How can you be certain your stepdaughter will spy for us, Celestine?”

      She walked to the window and pointed. “You see? Even now she rides up the lane. The girl is as predictable as the English rain. She thinks herself smart and strong. But I intend to prove her wrong.” She touched a hand to his arm. “Leave Emma Vaughn to me. And put your fears to rest. Prepare, instead, for your reign as King of England.”

      Huntington’s voice was rough with impatience. “I am not prepared to wait forever.”

      “Nor am I,” Dunstan said. “For I have a few plans of my own.”

      “Then see to them. But if your plans fail, mine will not.” She left her brother and Lord Dunstan and went to her chambers to prepare herself for her performance. It was an art that she had perfected.

      When she was ready she descended the stairs and made her grand entrance. “Foolish, defiant child. I ordered you to stay away. It is enough that I permit you use of your father’s London townhouse.” Celestine swept into the parlor with the polished air of a courtesan. Her gown had been artfully designed to show off her lush figure to its best advantage. Her eyes blazed as she confronted the young woman who was pacing before the fireplace. “Did you think the servants wouldn’t tell me you were lurking about?”

      “I am not lurking.” Emma stopped her pacing and lifted her head to stare at the older woman. “I’ve come to see my father and little sister.”

      “I’ve told you before, Emma. You are forbidden to see them.”

      “You have no right, Celestine.”

      “I have every right. I’m your stepmother now. Yours and little Sarah’s. And your father’s wife. It is a wife’s duty to look out for her husband.”

      “Husband.” Emma’s hands knotted into fists at her sides. “You care not a whit about being a wife to my father. All you care about is securing his wealth.”

      The woman gave a chilling smile. “It is my wealth now. I’ll use it as I see fit. And you, my girl, will not see a farthing.”

      “I care not for my father’s wealth.”

      “If that is true then leave.”

      “Oh, I shall. But first I will see my father and little sister.”

      “I forbid it.”

      “You cruel, wicked creature. If my father knew what you were doing, he would renounce this farce of a marriage and have you publicly flogged.”

      “Beware that idle tongue, my girl. For I am the mistress of Clermont House now. And I am telling you that your father and sister do not wish to see you.”

      “That’s a lie. My father loves me. He would never turn away from me. Sarah adores me. I’m like a second mother to her.” With an anguished cry Emma crossed the room and caught the older woman’s arm. “What have you said to them? What have you done to turn them against me?”

      She looked up into those narrowed eyes and saw a flicker of amusement. “They don’t know, do they? You’ve never told them that you banished me from this home. Oh, how could they not know? Unless...” As a thought struck, she cried, “What have you done? Are they unwell? Dear heaven, are my father and little sister ill?”

      Celestine stared at the offending fingers wrinkling her sleeve. “You will unhand me at once, or I’ll see that you are physically removed from this house and never permitted to return.”

      When Emma released her, Celestine stiffened her spine and with a haughty gesture crossed to a side table. Pouring herself a goblet of wine she sipped, regarding her stepdaughter in silence.

      She was pleased to see that all the anger had drained from the girl. In its place was fear. A terrible, palpable fear that her beloved father and sister had fallen under some horrible spell.

      That must be the reason for this silence, Emma thought. Her strong, handsome father had been duped into marriage and was now being betrayed by this woman. And her sweet little sister, who had already suffered the loss of their mother, was now being denied the only comfort she had ever known.

      Just how far would this new bride go to insure that all the Vaughn wealth, all the power, all the titles, would be in her hands? Would she poison not only their minds but their bodies as well? At the very thought, Emma felt the terror begin to grow. A woman as ruthless as Celestine would be capable of anything.

      “Just how much do you desire to see your father and sister, I wonder?”

      “I wish it desperately.” Emma felt a tiny flicker of hope. “Just to assure myself that they are not ill. And if, after seeing me, they should order me to leave, I will do so and never darken their door again. But please, I beg of you, I must hear it from their own lips. Let me speak with Sarah and my father.”

      “Sarah is no longer here.”

      “Not here? Where has she gone?”

      “I had her sent to the country. To stay with friends.”

      “But why would you send her away? She’s only six years old. Far too young to leave her father.”

      “Aye, young. Young enough to forget.”

      “Forget?”

      “I wanted Sarah far away from you, Emma. You’ve had too much influence in her young life. Like you, she refused to accept my authority. But she will learn.” A hint of a smile touched the corner of Celestine’s lips. “I intend to keep Sarah away from you. But I might be persuaded to let you see your father.”

      “Oh, thank...”

      She held up a hand. “Save your gratitude. Before I grant this favor, you must do something for me, to prove that you deserve such kindness.”

      “Anything. Anything,” the girl said with a sob of relief.

      “As you know, I am cousin to the queen. As such, I can arrange for you to live in the palace, and act as lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth.”

      “But I...have had no training in such things. I wouldn’t know what to do. And I would be all alone, for I know nobody at court.”

      “All the better. You will get to know them. And one in particular.” Celestine lowered her voice, to avoid being overheard by any of the servants who might be passing by. “It is rumored that the queen is enamored of a certain Irishman, whose advice she values. I need to know what advice he gives the queen, and precisely how she intends to act upon that advice.”

      The girl’s hand flew to her mouth. “You wish me to spy?”

      “Don’t be so melodramatic. There are no secrets at court. I merely wish to know what everyone else shall eventually learn. Only I wish to know it sooner.”

      The girl was already shaking her head. “I cannot do this. What you ask is wrong.”

      “So be it, Emma. The choice is yours.”