Page 86 of If The Crown Fits
Cai
The carriage hit another rock on the dirt road and Lara let out a groan.
“You’re a real ray of sunshine this morning,” I teased.
She glared at me from the opposite bench. “If you’re going to be annoying all the way there, tell me now, so that I can throw you out of the carriage.”
I chuckled, watching the grassy fields pass by through the partially curtained window. “My, what could it possibly be that has caused you such misery?”
She sighed. “It’s much too early to be awake, I haven’t had breakfast and this dress is more uncomfortable than a torture chamber. I suggest you don’t attempt messing with me if you wish to live.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I promise to make no such attempts, then.” She was hardly in the mood for any humour, though this was in no way going to stop me from saying or doing anything I pleased.
I moved from my seat, placing myself next to her, and she kept her arms crossed and stared through the window like a small child throwing a fit.
“For what it’s worth,” I whispered, “you look really pretty in that dress.” I pressed a lingering kiss beneath her ear and she shivered slightly, though made no attempt to address me in response.
We said nothing more for the rest of the journey, but Levington Estate came into view and I caught Lara gazing at it somewhat in awe. We pulled up around the fountain and aservant opened the carriage door for us. I got out and helped Lara down the steps.
“Who should I tell my master is calling?” the servant asked.
“The Lord and Lady Attebury,” I replied and the servant nodded, before running up the portico steps. Lara hooked her hand into the crook of my elbow and we made our way into the house of Levington Estate.
Lord Levington was a man well into his years, accompanied by a belly that told of decades of overeating. His face was a strange reddish colour and I felt Lara squirm slightly next to me as he approached us.
“Lord and Lady Attebury.” He greeted us with open arms and I forced a smile. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“We’re here to discuss business,” I answered, and we followed him to a drawing room.
“I like the sound of that. A man can never have too much money, I always say.” We sat down and he called for a servant to bring us refreshments. “I must admit, I was surprised to hear of your visit. We have never met before? Or have I forgotten? You must forgive me, age does not accord well with clarity of the mind.”
“No, we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting before,” Lara said. “We were hoping to see you at court but since you haven’t visited the palace in a while, we thought it best to come and see you here at your estate.”
“Can’t say I’m very fond of staying at court,” Lord Levington admitted. “I much prefer the quiet of the country if possible.”
“Did you spend much time with the royal family on your last visit?” I asked.
“I saw the King a few times in passing. He had to take on so much responsibility before his father passed.” I could see Lara holding back from making a snide comment. “But her Highness I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting. It seems the princess andI share the same love of the country. From what I’ve heard, she spends most of her time at one of the royal estates.”
The room fell silent for a moment while Lord Levington observed the two of us. “So what can I help you with today?” He rested in a large reading chair and started shoving cake into his mouth.
“Well, Lord Levington, I like to get straight down to business, so I’ll tell you first-hand that we know about the money you stole from the Crown.”
Lara flinched next to me as he choked on a cake and let out a few coughs before looking at us wide-eyed.
“Who told you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I retorted. “What matters is that we know how you cheated the late King Magnus out of money and I am quite sure the royal family would not respond well, should they be made aware of your treason.”
Lord Levington looked at a loss for words but finally managed to get out, “What do you want?”
“Your allegiance,” Lara said before I could respond. “We know there has been some unrest amongst some of the aristocrats about the royal family. The truth is that soon the monarchy will fall, and once this happens, we need the security and support of the lords as well as their soldiers and knights.”
“You plot against the King?” He sounded almost in agony. “And insult me? I shall alert the authorities immediately.” He jumped up from his seat, but toppled back down again.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I said quickly. “Should King Lance find out about this, he will also immediately be notified of your own treason. In any case, we have the woods around the palace filled with armed bandits, so I can guarantee whatever messenger you send will not make it there.”
The red-faced lord had gone as pale as a white linen sheet. “This is blackmail.”
