Page 59 of The Queen's Crown
“And why is that?” Sabine asked, amusement dancing in her voice.
The servants entered, setting several trays on the table, and then leaving.
“Everyone knows how much people from Bakley like their tea.”
“That we do,” Sabine said, gesturing to the table. “Why don’t you all help yourself to sometea.”
The guests began reaching for the tea pots and pouring the liquid into their cups.
Karmen took a sip and then began laughing. “This isn’t tea.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “I like you. I think we are going to be great friends.” She saluted her teacup in Sabine’s direction.
The other women looked confused.
“No, it’s not tea,” Sabine explained. “Oftentimes things aren’t what they appear.” She reached forward, taking her own cup in hand.
The women all took small sips, then smiled in understanding.
“Forgive me,” Cassandra said, “but you’re nothing like your sister.”
“Do you have siblings?” Sabine asked.
“I do.”
“And you are the same as your siblings?”
“Well, no. We are each vastly different. I see your point.”
Sabine pretended to take a sip from her own cup. The last thing she wanted was for her own lips to be loose, so she couldn’t drink the strong mead. Hopefully, everyone else would open up once they started drinking.
“I think court is going to be much more interesting with you around,” Karmen said. “You’ve already livened things up.”
Within a few minutes, the women began to gossip. Apparently, two different women had been seen kissing the very handsome and available Duke Trenton. Then the conversation steered to what fashions seemed to be up and coming for the season, who Lottie should consider marrying, and so on. No one said anything about Alina and her murder. Sabine would have to find a way to steer the conversation in that direction if the opportunity afforded itself.
“My servants are all gossiping about a new handsome guard here in the palace,” Marin said. “I think he’s one of your soldiers.” She nodded her chin toward Sabine.
“Markis?” Sabine said, startled by the change in topics. “My guard from Bakley?”
“Oh yes,” Karmen said. “He’s all anyone is talking about.”
“He is easy on the eyes,” Lottie added, smirking. “I’m sure that’s why Sabine keeps him around.”
“How do any of you know what he looks like since he’s always wearing a mask?” Sabine asked.
“When he fought the king, he didn’t have a mask,” Marin said. “All of my servants were there watching.”
“More like drooling,” Lottie mumbled with a chuckle.
“And it’s his eyes,” Karmen said with a sigh. “There’s something so powerful and sexy about them.”
Glancing at the perimeter of the courtyard where her guards stood watch, Sabine hoped they couldn’t overhear them—especially Markis. Wanting to redirect this conversation, Sabine leaned forward. “I’ll let you all in on a little secret.” All the women leaned forward as well; their eyes gleaming with excitement. Sabine took another pretend sip of her drink, as if she might be slightly tipsy, which was why she was so readily divulging this information. “Markis is here to help me find my sister’s killer.” She put her finger at her lips, as if this were a secret.
The information seemed to surprise them all.
“And once you find the killer,” Cassandra asked, “then what?”
“I need to make sure I stay far away from him,” Sabine said, trying to keep the tone light, so the women would continue to talk.
“Let’s face it,” Regina said as she poured herself another cup of mead, “it’s a trained assassin. No regular person could have slipped the princess poison like that.”
