Page 100 of A Prince Among Pirates
The night crew is at work on deck now, and Thomas has already come to serve me evening tea and undress me for bed, even though I insisted that it’s not necessary. I sip my tea as I sit in the wingback chair by the stove. Thomas has built a small fire in it, and its warmth radiates into the room.
“If I may, Your Highness,” he says after carefully sealing the stove and rising to his feet.
I look up at him, and the serious expression on his face makes me set the cup of tea back onto the saucer. “Thomas?”
“I must confess something,” he says. “I’ve committed a crime against the Crown, and therefore against you.”
“Christ, Thomas,” I say, getting to my feet. “What are you on about?”
He pulls something from the inner pocket of his livery waistcoat, and at once recognition shudders through my bones. I am rooted to the spot, my gaze locked on to the familiar writing across the front of the worn envelope he holds.
Has he read it? How is that a crime? I swallow hard, but I can’t speak, so I wait for him to raise his gaze to meet mine. He looks ashamed, which is nonsense. I could kiss him, would it not be a horrid abuse of my power.
“I stole this from the king’s chamber. I…” He draws in a deep breath. “I believe it means something to you.”
I step forward and take his hands in mine firmly. “Thomas,” I say as he stares at me with wide eyes. “You risked so much to get this for me. You are the greatest friend any man could ever ask for.”
His shoulders relax, his grip on the envelope slackening. I take it from him and draw him into a tight hug, one hand grasping the back of his neck. He allows it—and after a moment he relaxes a little, and we are embracing, as brothers.
When his body slackens just a little more, I follow his cueand release him, taking a step back and staring down at the envelope. “I can’t thank you enough,” I say. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
“I heard him order Haines to burn it after he gave you the rings. I swapped it out for another envelope with your name on it, stuffed with blank paper. I don’t think he realized. What do you think is inside it, Your Highness?”
I swallow hard and finger the broken seal. “I suspect… it’s proof that could lead to the ruin of the Stuart name.” I exhale slowly as I brace myself for what I am about to read.
Seeing the horror in Thomas’s eyes is like staring at my own reflection. I know that horror; I have lived it. “I hope I’m wrong,” I whisper, studying the envelope once more. “But something Falmouth said to me last night makes me fear the worst.”
“I’ll leave you to—”
“No,” I say, lifting my head. “I beg of you, stay. I can’t open this alone.”
“Surely, Captain Sharpe…,” he starts, then trails off to let me complete the thought.
I shake my head and swallow the lump forming in my throat. “No. I suspect he already knows what’s in here. Stay with me. Please?”
He watches me for a moment, looking as though he wants to refuse. But then something in his gaze changes, and his expression shifts into one of determination as he nods. “Of course, my prince.”
I give a humorless laugh and suck in a trembling breath. “I’mnot a prince,” I say, sinking back down into the chair. Hands trembling, I flip open the top of the envelope and slide out the small collection of letters inside.
Dropping the envelope into my lap, I unfold the worn papers and turn them over. The lettering is old and faded, and gone entirely along the creases where the papers have been folded, but it is still legible. I recognize Henry’s steady hand.
My Dearest Friend,
I have done a thing that could destroy my future if word gets out. I write now to beg a favor of you, and in return, I will grant you the viscountcy of the port city of Falmouth, so you might live away from court with my secret carefully hidden.
I have given in to the temptation of Eve, and eaten the apple dangled before me to its very core. I fear the seeds may poison my crown if you do not help me. When I become king, and I have the power to do so, I promise I will elevate you and your heirs to a dukedom, so long as you do this thing for me.
The girl cannot speak a word to me. She knows no English words apart from “please” and “highness.” I have kept her bound to the post of my bedchamber in Kensington Palace, where no one may find her. The servants assure me her monthly courses have stopped. I knew in my heart that it was not my fault Eleanor would not conceive, and here is my proof.
The Turkish girl will bear my child, but that child must remain clandestine, at least until a time comes when I may need him. I would send her to you to wed and do with as you please. She is beautiful and obedient, for I have broken her like an exotic mare with my mastery and virility. Raise my child as your own, and allow her to bear more for you, for she is fertile and of strong stock. Her father, and unfortunately, her young sister, have been dealt with as David with Uriah, and will trouble us not.
Reply in haste, my beloved friend, for I fear she will soon begin to show, and we will be unable to hide the truth of her conception. Send to me the gift of a ruby, and I will send you, in return, the girl called Yumna. Falmouth shall be your wedding present from the Crown, and the princess and I will be in attendance, to show our love for you to the realm.
Destroy this letter, or it may bring a black mark upon us both—for a bastard with the flesh of heretics and slaves would be a blight upon the House of Stuart and would surely bring about our ruination.
Henry
The lettering blurs as I reach the bottom of the page. Breathing is impossible. I blink, and the tears roll freely down my cheeks. I fold the letter before I can smudge the faded ink. I knew it tobe true, and yet to read the truth so plainly from my own father’s hand fills me with disgust and shame.
