Incarceron (Incarceron, Book 1) Read Free Page B

immediately."
    The Warden's eyes surveyed the room. She knew he wouldn't miss the single pane of Plastiglas in the corner of the casement, or the prefabricated spiderwebs on the pargeted ceiling. So she said hastily, "How is Her Gracious Majesty, my lord?"
    "The Queen's in excellent health." Evian spoke through a mouthful of cake. "She's very busy with arrangements for your wedding. It will be a great spectacle."
    Claudia frowned. "But surely ..."
    He waved a plump hand. "Of course your father hasn't had time to tell you about the change of plans."
    Something inside her went cold. "Change of plans?"
    "Nothing terrible, child. Nothing to concern yourself about. An alteration of dates, that's all. Because of the Earl's return horn the Academy."
    She cleared her face and tried to allow none of her anxiety to show itself. But her lips must have tightened or her knuckles gone white, because her father stood smoothly and said, "Show His Lordship to his room, Ralph."
    The old retainer bowed, went to the door, and creaked it open. Evian struggled up, a shower of crumbs cascading from his suit. As they hit the floor, they evaporated with minute flashes.
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    Claudia swore silently. Something else to get seen to.
    They listened to the heavy footsteps up the creaking stairs, to Ralph's respectful murmurs and the rumble of the fat man's hearty enjoyment of the staircase, the paintings, the urns from China, the damask hangings. When his voice had finally faded in the sunlit distances of the house Claudia looked at her father. Then she said, "You've brought the wedding forward."
    He raised an eyebrow. "Next year, this year, what's the difference? You knew it would come." "I'm not ready ..."
    "You've been ready for a long time."
    He took a step toward her, the silver cube on his watch chain catching the light. She stepped back. If he should drop the formal stiffness of the Era, it would be unbearable; the threat of his unveiled personality turned her cold. But he kept the smooth courtesy. "Let me explain. Last month a message came from the Sapienti. They've had enough of your fiancé. They've ... asked him to leave the Academy."
    She frowned. "For what?"
    "The usual vices. Drink, drugs, violence, getting serving girls pregnant. Sins of stupid young men throughout the centuries. He has no interest in education. Why should he? He's the Earl of Steen and when he is eighteen he will be King."
    He walked to the paneled wall and looked up at the portrait there. A freckled cheeky-faced boy of seven looked down at
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    them. He was dressed in a ruffled brown silk suit, and leaning against a tree.
    "Caspar, Earl of Steen. Crown Prince of the Realm. Fine titles. His face hasn't changed, has it? He was merely impudent then. Now he's feckless, brutal, and thinks he is beyond control." He looked at her. "A challenge, your future husband."
    She shrugged, making the dress rustle. "I can deal with him."
    "Of course you can. I've made sure of that." He came over to her and stood before her, and his gray gaze appraised her. She stared straight back.
    "I created you for this marriage, Claudia. Gave you taste, intelligence, ruthlessness. Your education has been more rigorous than anyone's in the Realm. Languages, music, swordplay, riding, every talent you even hinted at possessing I have nurtured. Expense is nothing to the Warden of Incarceron. You are an heiress of great estates. I've bred you as a queen and Queen you will be. In every marriage, one leads, one follows. Though this is merely a dynastic arrangement, it will be so here."
    She looked up at the portrait. "I can handle Caspar. But his mother ..."
    "Leave the Queen to me. She and I understand each other." He took her hand, holding her ring finger lightly between two of his; tense, she held herself still.
    "It will be easy," he breathed.
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    In the stillness of the warm room a wood pigeon cooed outside the casement.
    Carefully, she took her hand from his and drew herself up. "So, when?"
    "Next