Page 106 of Duty and Desire

I laughed. “Will you stop speaking in riddles and just tell me?”

Nick grinned. “How would you like to visit the spookiest place in the palace?”

I gave a mock gasp. “You’re going to throw me into the dungeons. Is this where I tell you that’s not my kinda thing?”

He laughed. “I’m not even sure the dungeons exist anymore. But thereisthe Royal Vault.”

I frowned. “What’s in there?”

His eyes glittered. “Centuries of royal heirlooms.”

I grinned. “Medieval instruments of torture?”

“I think they’re more along the lines of suits of armor, statues, weapons, maybe jewelry. Relics of former monarchs.” He peered at me. “Do you want to see it?”

I wiped my lips with my napkin. “Count me in. Who were you thinking of to show us around?”

“Maybe Heinrich. He used to be the head of the royal stables—when therewerestables—but now he helps out around the place. He knows everything.”

It turned out Heinrich was also a writer, but of non-fiction. He was in the middle of cataloging the collection of heirlooms for a book about the kings of Eisenland, and he seemed delighted to share his knowledge.

“Your Majesty, I know your late father gave me permission to write my book, but?—”

Nick held up his hand. “Heinrich, I’m not going to stop you. And I can’t wait to read it.” He smiled. “I might even learn something.”

We spent two hours examining paintings, weapons, clothing, and items gathered from far-off countries. Along one wall stood painting after painting, and I carefully moved each one, gazing at mostly landscapes and portraits, with Heinrich providing a running commentary on each one.

“Why aren’t these in the gallery upstairs?” I asked. I pointed to a portrait of a solemn-faced man. “This guy, for instance. He has the look of the family about him.”

Heinrich muttered something I didn’t catch.

Nick crouched to peer more closely. “There’s a plaque on theframe.” He frowned. “It saysKing Georg, 1825-1847. If he’s one of my ancestors, why isn’t he with all the others?”

“His portrait did hang in the royal gallery once. But it was….” Heinrich coughed. “Removed.”

Nick jerked his head in my direction. “The space we saw.”

I nodded. “Do you know why his portrait was taken down?” I asked Heinrich.

“I’m sure I have no idea.” His flushed face told a different story.

I glanced at Nick, who rose to his feet. “Heinrich, you can tell me.”

“It was only a rumor,” Heinrich protested. “And it was so long ago, no one really knows the truth.”

“But if there was a rumor, thensomethinghad to have been circulating,” I argued.

The older man sighed. “It was said he was in love, but as to who with, that was kept secret.”

I put my writer’s hat on. “That leaves us with a few options. Either he was in love with a married woman, or maybe someone from an opposing family…” I froze. “Thereisa third option—King Georg was in love with a man.”

Judging by the way Heinrich almost leaped out of his skin, his gaze locked on me, I had a feeling I’d nailed it.

“I could do with a drink,” Nick murmured.

That made two of us.

We thanked Heinrich and climbed the stone steps leading away from the vault. Nick was deathly quiet, and all I wanted to do was hold him, cradle him in my arms, kiss him, and tell him everything would be all right.

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