Chapter Twenty-Three

E lysande watched as Beatrix was whisked away from the room by her brother. She could only image what that conversation might be about since Richard had not appeared pleased. Beatrix, however, was not the only person who was being talked about since she could not miss her name being whispered among those she passed on her way to break her fast.

She had been so happy when she espied Reynard and would have joined him but when he shook his head to deter her, she could only wonder why he did not wish for her to eat with him. Then she became privy to the gossip that floated in the air. 'Twas about her! Someone had seen her leave Reynard's bedchamber last eve, but who?

Her attempts to eat the offerings before her were for naught since she all but choked on the food that passed her lips. She at last gave up and began looking around the room to determine who might have been the one to begin spreading the gossip among these shallow-minded people who only wished to gain the empress's favor. From the snide looks that were tossed her way, it could have been any number of men or women. Her eyes slid to Lord Constantine who raised his goblet toward her in a silent toast. He could be the culprit, but she had her doubts. Others gave her a wink as though they believed that now that she was ruined beyond repair, she would willingly welcome them into her bed. The cads!

Since she had no idea who to confront on spreading gossip, she decided to make a hasty exit and return to her room. Better to hide away in the safety of her bedchamber than continue to be the topic of conversation that did not favor her.

She had barely closed the door, or so it seemed, before there was a knock. Thinking mayhap Reynard had decided to follow her, she opened the portal with a smile that quickly shrank from her face. She had not been expecting the entourage that stood in the passageway.

Surprise must have been reflected on her features as she saw the empress's attendants. Beatrix was also present and with a toss of her head entered first. The other three women followed behind her. Lady Eden Howlande, Lady Rovena Eatone, and Lady Petula Wintere were the empress's most trusted confidents. This could not bode well for Elysande.

"Ladies…" Elysande began as the women filled her chamber, finding various places to sit. "Is something amiss?" They all answered at the same time causing her eyes to widen.

"Everything is amiss," Petula started.

"Aye, unfortunately," Beatrix said smartly.

"'Tis of grave import," Eden replied, patting her hair into place, not that a single strand was out of place.

"Most definitely," exclaimed Rovena.

Since the available chairs were taken, Elysande was forced to stand as three of the four women inspected her as if looking for some flaw. "How may I be of service?" she finally asked.

Before any of them could answer, another knock sounded upon the door. 'Twas louder than when these women bid entrance, giving Elysande the notion that the person on the other side was impatient.

Elysande went to the door again and her mouth hung open before she quickly dropped down into a curtsey. She allowed the empress to enter, and Eden stood and vacated her seat. The empress began to drum her fingers on the arms of her chair.

"I am in a quandary where you are concerned, Lady Elysande," the empress stated.

Elysande came to kneel before her empress. "What can I do to please you, my Empress?" she quietly asked.

"What can you do to please me?" she repeated in a snarl of contempt. "You could have kept yourself from Norwood's chambers, to start with. What were you thinking? And to be caught by Gerold Morcant of all people. That man wasted no time spreading the word throughout my court to anyone who was willing to listen. I am surprised anyone is left who would continue to fight in my games to win your hand."

"Nothing happened," Elysande began to explain whilst a sound of disbelief left the empress's mouth.

"Nothing happened only because I was informed by Grancourt that Norwood was incapacitated with fever! Clearly you have had too much idle time on your hands since this infernal rain began," she snapped. She held out her hand until Petula went to Elysande's table to pour the empress a chalice of wine. Once she took a sip, she handed the cup back to her attendant.

"He slept the whole time," Elysande continued in her defense.

"And you were the only one who tended him which does not look good for you since clearly you are an unmarried young woman." The empress heaved a heavy sigh before she waved her hand for Elysande to at last rise to her feet. "I have come to the decision that you shall join my ladies in waiting and attend me as they do. That should keep you out of trouble long enough for the games to be completed."

"I am honored, my Empress," Elysande murmured, bowing her head to hide her true feelings of apprehension at being under the close scrutiny of her monarch.

"As you should be," the empress declared, coming to stand. "I shall expect you to be dressed accordingly. My ladies will ensure you have sufficient gowns and jewels to complete your attire for the evening meal."

The empress left as abruptly as she arrived whilst her ladies began to also exit from the room. Beatrix was the last whilst she held the handle of the door looking over her shoulder. "Do not worry, Elysande. 'Tis really not that bad to be an attendant for the empress."

"How often do you repeat such a mantra to yourself, Beatrix?" Elysande asked, already guessing what the answer would be.

Beatrix gave her a weak smile. "Almost every day…"

The door closed behind the young woman who was obviously not happy with her life. Elysande slumped back onto her bed once she was alone. Attendant to the empress, of all things… just when she thought her day could not get any worse now she would never have a free moment to be with Reynard.

When the time came for the evening meal, she was called to attend the empress to help her dress. The other women were familiar with the routine and Elysande could do little more than stay out of their way as they assisted the empress. Standing behind the woman during the meal until they were bid to finally eat was difficult considering all eyes were upon her. The evening lasted far into the night until Elysande was at last able to seek her slumber.

When the new day dawned cloudy but dry, Elysande knew that the games would once more begin. She had dismissed Olive after her maid had seen that she was gowned appropriately and that she was now ready to head down to join the empress and her ladies for the resumption of the tourney. She was just inspecting herself one last time to ensure all was in place with her attire when a sound upon her door interrupted her. Thinking one of the empress's ladies had come to escort her down to the hall to break her fast, Elysande gave no thought to inquire who was without. She automatically opened the door, expecting to see Beatrix or one of the other ladies-in-waiting.

Elysande had no time to call out for aid nor to even take a breath to scream as a cloth was quickly placed over her mouth and nose. With no choice, she breathed in a foul scent and began to lose her vision. The last thing she remembered was something heavy being thrown over her before she was hoisted like a sack of grain over a man's body. Then, she knew no more…