LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

on the floor directly below the dais. They were of similar coloring and facial structure. Though still in their early twenties, their skin was rough and weathered. Rowan listened as one of them spoke.

      “No matter what our father wrote down,” the man said, “by right the boat is mine. I am the eldest.”

      “That’s not what Father wanted,” the other man responded angrily. “He wanted us both to have a living! He made certain before he died.”

      Rowan studied the brothers. “So, while your father lived, the three of you were able to peaceably run your fishing business, but now that he’s gone, the two of you cannot work together?”

      The elder brother spoke again. “We could if my brother would only recognize me as the captain, with greater rights of spoils, and he would follow my orders with the other men. I am the eldest. Such is my right.”

      The younger brother grew angrier. “Then why did Father leave a will making us equal partners?”

      I absorbed this story with interest, wondering how I might solve it myself. If Rowan ordered the two men to make peace and try to work together, it appeared that only greater conflict would ensue, but…it would be unfair of him to alter the final wishes of their father.

      “Could you sell the boat and divide the profits between you?” Rowan asked. “Then you might each have money to begin a new business of your own.”

      “Sell the boat?” asked the elder brother in amazement. “No. It has been in our family since we were boys.”

      Before Rowan could speak again, Ashton rose and leaned in close to his ear, whispering softly. He tilted his head and listened. After a few moments, she sat back down.

      Rowan looked to the brothers. “The princess tells me that she knows your wives, and the family owns a second fishing boat, a somewhat smaller one that you hire out.”

      “Yes, my king,” the elder brother answered.

      “And this boat was also left to both of you, and you equally split the money from any profits earned from hiring it out?”

      “Yes, my king.”

      “Would you be willing to sign the second boat over to your brother outright?” Rowan asked the elder brother. Then he looked to the younger. “If he did this, would you be willing to give up rights to the first one? This way, you would each have your boat and your own fishing business.”

      While this was somewhat disadvantageous to the younger brother, it did sound like the best possible compromise.

      At first, neither brother appeared pleased. The elder was greedy for any profits, and the younger was indignant over being challenged for what he considered his due. But within a moment or two, they also must have seen the ultimate sense of the king’s suggestion. At least they would no longer need to work together.

      “Yes, my king,” they both said, and rose partially to begin backing away.

      But Rowan was already looking to the well-dressed secretary. “Jarvis, announce the next case.”

      My eyes moved to Ashton as I mulled over the realization that this compromise had come from something she’d whispered in Rowan’s ear. How often did she sit up there with him when he held court?

      Feeling a presence at my left shoulder, I looked up. Captain Caron towered over me.

      “My lady,” he whispered softly in greeting.

      Though I tended to prefer clean-shaven men, his blond, close beard suited him. His eyes were so light brown they were almost transparent. Again, he made me feel small and delicate. I pushed the thought away.

      “The king takes counsel from his sister?” I whispered back.

      At first, he didn’t answer. Then he said, “Rowan is a good king. He’d defend this nation with his life. But he has a blind spot when it comes to the daily lives of the people, and he’s wise enough to know it. Princess Ashton understands the needs of the people.”

      I hardly believed the latter. Ashton didn’t strike me as bright enough to lace up the front of her own gown. She’d most likely passed Rowan some snippet of gossip she’d heard and he had extrapolated. But I was impressed by the loyalty in this captain’s voice. I hoped that someday soon, he’d be as loyal to me when I sat in the chair beside King Rowan.

      As the morning passed, though, the captain stayed with me while I listened to case after case, and with each one, my confusion about the dynamics here only grew. In nearly every dispute, at some point, Ashton would rise and whisper to her brother. Only after this would Rowan make a decision or present a compromise. He was never impatient, and he clearly preferred for people to agree with his rulings rather than having to enforce them.

      But Ashton was becoming more of a mystery to me. Was she actually providing him with assistance or was her presence here for show? I had to admit they did make a pretty pair of royals up on that dais, appearing to work together for the good of their subjects.

      When the last case had been heard, the secretary named Jarvis announced that court was now closed.

      Rowan stood. Ashton followed suit. He offered his arm, and she took it. Together, they walked through the crowd as their guards followed.

      I stood near the archway.

      Ashton glanced at me with a warm smile, but Rowan kept his eyes straight ahead. Perhaps it was time I learned more about Ashton.

      “Where will the princess go now?” I asked the captain.

      “To the old stable on the east side of the courtyard. She and some of the women do their charity work in there.”

      Charity work? What did that mean? But I wasn’t going to ask him, lest I look even more uninformed.

      I nodded. “Thank you.”

      * * * *

      After walking outside and through the courtyard, I asked a guard for directions to the old stable. He escorted me partway and pointed to a somewhat faded building beside the barracks.

      “There, my lady.”

      “Why is it called the old stable?”

      Turning, he pointed to the other end of the barracks. “Because a new one was built several years ago.”

      Though I was still uncertain of the situation, I nodded and walked toward the old stable. The doors were open, and I stepped inside to see numerous tables spread all around, stacked with a wide variety of items from blankets to clothing to food stores. Several wagons were parked in open spaces between the tables.

      There was a second level above, and instead of the usual ladder, a set of makeshift stairs had been arranged.

      Princess Ashton stood on the main floor, near a table, and she was folding blankets. The sleeves of her gown were rolled up. She must have come directly from court.

      “Reanne,” she called toward the stairs. “We’ll need one more sack of flour. Can you carry it, or should I call in one of the men?”

      “No, I can manage,” a voice called back.

      Several other women moved about the main floor. Some were servants, but others looked more prosperous, not noble, but perhaps the wives or daughters of merchants.

      When Ashton saw me enter, her face lit up. “Olivia, how good to see you. Have you come to help?”

      Help? I wasn’t even sure what was happening here.

      Approaching her, I nodded. “Yes, Princess. I’m glad to help…but what is it you’re doing?”

      “Please call me Ashton. We’re nearly sisters. I think we can use given names in private.”

      Again, everyone seemed so certain my marriage would take place soon—with the exception of my would-be husband.

      A young woman came down the stairs carrying

Скачать книгу