“Who’s heard anything?” I ask. “Any rumors? Any guesses? I want to know.”
They’re quiet a long time, then Antonia rises from where she was sitting at the window seat. “I heard it was poison. But I don’t know why.”
“That’s what I heard, too,” Charlotte says.
“Do you think she upset the emperor?” Genevieve adds.
“She was sleeping with him,” Charlotte says. “Everyone knew that.”
“I didn’t know that,” I say. “Was she with him? When she died?”
“I think so,” Charlotte says.
“No, she wasn’t. She doesn’t go to him during the day. He always calls for her at night,” Antonia says.
“Not always,” Charlotte returns.
“Are you sure she was still with him?” Genevieve asks. “He’s so old now.”
There’s a knock on the door, and I hurry to open it. Brevan actually looks concerned. “There was an assassination attempt on the emperor. Marian drank the wine meant for him.”
“Thank you for checking into that for me.” I walk back into the room numbly.
I find my way to a chair and sit. “You were right, it was poison.” I wait to feel sad, but it isn’t there. I’m shocked. How can she just be gone?
Genevive wipes her eyes, and Charlotte comforts her on the nearby couch. Antonia plops down on a chair. “It’s hard to believe she won’t walk through that door.”
“I know.” It doesn’t feel real.
I catch sight of Katherine near the window. She’s as pale as a ghost. The surprise fades to anger and frustration. Was this planned? And if so, how could they get that close and end up killing his mistress instead?
And then I realize that if someone else is trying to kill the emperor, I’m not alone.
Aside from Katherine, my other ladies are huddled in a group, comforting each other and wiping their tears. I should probably be there with them, but I can use their distraction first.
I head to the window and pause in front of Katherine, leaning close so I can whisper in her ear. “Was it you?”
She shakes her head. “I know as much as you.”
“Alright.” I pat her on the shoulder and offer a stiff smile. “You should be with the others.”
I rub my temples, then sit in the window seat. I’m there a long time, staring at the clouds and the gardeners trimming the topiaries. The others continue to sniffle and cry but I don’t join them. This is their time to grieve and as much as I’m trying to act like I belong, I don’t. And I’m not sure I can pretend right now.
Eventually, the ladies find other distractions. They pretend to work on small tasks, but most of them are staring into space. Charlotte and Antonia are huddled together, whispering. Both of them have red faces and puffy eyes. They must have been the closest to Marian.
A knock sounds, then an envelope shoots out from the crack under the door.
Brow furrowed, I hasten to retrieve the letter. Everyone watches me.
“It’s addressed to Princess Sabina and her ladies.” I open the envelope, then read the card aloud. “Your presence is requested at a ball tonight. Nine o’clock. Grand Ballroom.”
“There isn’t supposed to be a ball tonight,” Antonia says.
“The next one isn’t for weeks,” Genevieve adds.
“I guess they made a change.” I read the note again, making sure I didn’t make a mistake.
“Do you think it has something to do with Marian?” Katherine asks.
