Betrothed to the Barbarian. Carol Townend

for my good wishes on her husband’s accession. In return she sends heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of my betrothal.’

      ‘Congratulations? She is attending the betrothal ceremony?’

      ‘Empress Irene begs to be excused, she is sure I will understand. She has joined His Majesty in doing penance for the unrest that took place in the City before his enthronement. She does not consider it would be appropriate for her to attend such a joyful celebration.’

      Sophia sent her a concerned look. ‘It sounds as though the Empress approves the match.’

      ‘It would seem so, for she goes on to say that a marriage between myself and the Duke would be in the best interests of the state. She understands that I feel nervous—nerves are natural, she says. I must be strong. My cousin will pray for me.’ Theodora looked blankly at another gown Sophia had unearthed from one of the packing cases. ‘Thank you, Sophia, that one will do.’

      It would seem there was no escape. Yet.

      ‘The Empress is very young, my lady,’ Sophia said. ‘It might have been better to have written to the Emperor …’

      Theodora shook her head. Duke Nikolaos was known to be close to the Emperor, it was likely His Majesty’s reply would have mirrored his wife’s. ‘In the circumstances, I have decided not to draw attention to myself.’

      ‘That might be wise, my lady.’

      ‘Lord, it seems I have little choice but to attend the ceremony and pray the right moment comes.’

      ‘The right moment, despoina?’

      Theodora looked down at her hands, astonished to see they were shaking. Nerves.

      Nervousness was not something that Theodora usually experienced and she did not like it. It was the Duke’s fault.

      ‘I shall know the right moment, when it comes.’

      ‘Do you think your aunt might attend, despoina?’

      ‘I hope so, but I am uncertain. She may not consider it appropriate. As wife to two previous Emperors, both of whom have been ousted, her position at Court is tenuous.’

      It was a pity, because Theodora would have welcomed some moral support. An afternoon of thought had confirmed her decision. She could not marry the Duke. Such a man, a man of experience, would find out first one secret, and then another, and then …

      If only she could be the virgin he expected … if only … But, no, Theodora would never wish her daughter unborn.

      Sweet Mother, His Majesty would not thank her if she repudiated his most powerful general in public. Yet given that they were not supposed to meet until formally introduced, what choice did she have?

       How will the Duke react?

      ‘Excuse me, Princess?’ The maidservant was back under the arch. ‘Duke Nikolaos is waiting to greet you in the small throne room.’

      Theodora swallowed. ‘I shall be down directly.’

      She stood like a statue in the middle of her dressing room, arms held out slightly from her sides, and submitted to being eased into another violet gown. Her ladies were efficient. Thetis twitched the gown into place; there was a sharp pull on her scalp as Sophia adjusted a hairpin. Finally, the hard weight of a gold diadem settled on her head. She grimaced.

      ‘You are fortunate to have such thick hair, my lady,’ Sophia said. ‘It cushions the weight.’

      Thetis fluttered about, swiftly slipping amethyst rings on to her fingers, pushing a heavy enamelled bracelet on to her wrist, finding earrings to match the rings. ‘The Chamberlain Lord Basil will be there, my lady,’ Thetis said. ‘And there will be other generals besides Duke Nikolaos, I am sure.’

      ‘No doubt.’ Theodora looked down as Sophia lifted her feet, one after the other, to push on her silk slippers. ‘In her letter, the Empress says she is sending a couple of her ladies to wish me well.’

      ‘That is kind of her,’ Sophia said.

      Theodora took a violet and gold fringed shawl and draped it about her shoulders. Her stomach was churning. ‘Please attend me, both of you.’

      Heart pounding, head high, she led them through the double doors. Pearls swung from her diadem; amethyst earrings gently tapped the side of her neck.

      Ladies had emerged from all corners of the women’s quarters to see her, the marble hallway was lined with them. Indeed, half the population of the Palace seemed to be crushed into the stairwell. Theodora had known what to expect, but she had led a quieter life in Rascia and it was something of a burden to feel the pressure of so many eyes. It had been the same this morning when she had paraded about the City. It had been exhausting. With a flash of insight it came to her that the real reason for her exhaustion was not that she had stepped back into her life as an Imperial princess, it was that she was hiding so many secrets. Secrets are exhausting and I have too many of them.

      ‘Congratulations, my lady.’