The Nutcracker Reimagined: A Collection of Christmas Tales Read online

  Juliana’s heart did flips. “You remember me?”

  “Of course I remember you. How could I forget you? The fairest lass in all of England.”

  Juliana flushed a violent shade of red. “It has been a long time,” she said, listening to Charlotte giggle next to her. “My father told me that you have been in France but I had not heard of your return.”

  Rhogan could see the flush to her cheeks and it only made a beautiful woman more beautiful. He was enchanted.

  “I am only recently returned,” he said. “I have been to see my father and mother but little else. I’ve not yet made it to Selborne Castle to visit you and your family, and more’s the pity. I should have made it my first stop.”

  Juliana was blushing so deeply that she was sure she was about to go up in flames. Beside her, Charlotte could no longer keep quiet. “My sister has spoken of you often,” she blurted. “I heard your name tonight and saw someone talk to you! I told her you were here!”

  Mortified, Juliana stepped on Charlotte’s foot and the girl yelped, having no idea why her sister should do such a thing. As she scampered off, rubbing her offended toes, Rhogan stepped closer, coming to stand beside Juliana at the table.

  “Ah,” he said softly. “Out of the mouths of babes. So you have spoken of me often, have you? I would have thought that you surely had forgotten me.”

  Juliana was wishing the floor would open up and swallow her at that point. She turned to the food, pretending she was more interested in the presentation than in speaking with Rhogan. The way the man was looking at her was causing her to feel faint.

  “I often speak of friends from my childhood,” she said casually. “It was a long time ago, but I do remember how you used to play with my brothers. I remember when you would pretend that you and Gabriel were knights and Gavin was the evil wizard who held me hostage. You threw rocks at Gavin and hit him in the forehead. He still bears the scar.”

  Rhogan snorted. “That is his punishment for holding you hostage,” he said. “How is Gavin, by the way? I’ve not seen him here tonight.”

  Juliana shook her head. “He is at Westminster,” she said. “I do not know if he will be here tonight. He serves in the elite guard at the palace. Garret de Moray is his commander. Do you know Garret?”

  Rhogan nodded. “I know of him,” he said. “He is one of the king’s favored knights.”

  “Aye, he is. His wife is my dear friend. She is pregnant with their first child, in fact, and it is all Garret can speak of. You have never seen such a proud man.”

  Rhogan pretended to be interested when, in fact, he didn’t want to speak of someone he didn’t really know. He wanted to talk about Juliana.

  “Then all is well in the world,” he said. “And you, my lady? Have you married since last we saw one another?”

  She shook her head. “Nay,” she said, hoping he might take the hint that she was free to receive interest. “Papa says I am not old enough but my mother says that I am.”

  Rhogan’s eyebrows lifted. “A dilemma, to be sure,” he said. “I would say that you are more than old enough. How old are you now, anyway?”

  “I shall see seventeen years in March.”

  “Then surely you have had more than your fair share of suitors.”

  Juliana glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips. “No suitors,” she said. “Papa chases them all away.”

  Rhogan laughed softly. “He is being protective of his daughter, as well he should be,” he said. He sobered, his gaze lingering on her. “In truth, he was chasing them away because he knew I would return for you. He would not dare chase me away.”

  Juliana looked at him in surprise; handsome, square-jawed Rhogan with a flowing mane of wavy blond hair. The man had made many a maiden swoon with his broad-shouldered, comely looks, and Juliana was no exception.

  But the words from his mouth… God’s Bones, she wished them to be true. She’d wished them to be true practically all of her life, but she was certain that he was jesting with her. It seemed to her as if the subject turned personal very quickly, but she was glad for it. Thrilled, in fact. But she couldn’t be certain that he wasn’t jesting with her. So, to avoid embarrassment, she would jest in return.

  “All you need to do is ask him to see if he will chase you away,” she said, wondering how he would react. “But surely you are spoken for after all of these years. A man of your skill and background would make a proud husband for any woman.”

  He frowned at her. “God’s Bones, lass. I am far too young to marry.”

  “How old are you now?”

  “Only around six years older than you are. Do you not recall?”

  She did, but she pretended that his “too young to marry” comment didn’t bother her. “But you just said you would return for me,” she said. “When did you plan to return, then? Next year? In ten years? Did you really believe I would wait for you so long?”

  He looked at her in surprise – and perhaps some outrage – before breaking down into a grin. “You should,” he said. “I am the only man good enough for you. So surely, you should wait for me to decide when I am ready to marry.”

  She could see this was turning into a joke for him but, in truth, it didn’t bother her so much. There was a flirtatious air between them that kept the mood light.

  “Hmpf,” she scoffed. “If I waited for you, I could be a spinster before you decided to return for me. And if you were intent on returning for me, why not send me word in the past ten years? I’ve not heard one word of interest from you, Rhogan de Garr. Not one.”

  He grinned, that massive dimple in his left cheek making a bold appearance. Juliana remembered that particular trait well.

  “I should not have to tell you what my intentions are,” he pointed out. “You should have known. I spent years of my childhood courting you and…”

  “Courting me?”

  He pointed a finger at her. “Aye, courting you, and do not interrupt me. I have put my time in with you, Juliana. The least you could have done was wait for me to return.”

  There was such a glimmer in his eyes when he said it that Juliana wasn’t sure if he was taunting her or not. It was a rather fun game, trading coy remarks, seeing where the conversation would lead. It was better than Juliana could have hoped for in this sweet reunion of old friends and her heart was beating strongly for the knight with the lush blond hair and flashing hazel eyes. In just these past few minutes, it was as if he’d never even left her. They were back where they were ten years ago, children playing together, him being sweet to her and her following him around like a puppy. Some of the best days of my life, she thought fondly.

  They were back to that easy, warm repartee.

  “Well,” she finally said, cocking her head at him. “You have returned. I have waited. Now what?”

  His eyes took on a rather impish gleam. “Tell me where your father is so that I may speak with him.”

  Juliana pointed towards the entry, where her father and mother had been cornered by their host, Hugh de Winter, and were in lively conversation with him.

  “There,” she said. “The tall man with the dark hair? That is my father in case you do not remember him. He is right there if you wish to speak with him.”

  Without another word, Rhogan headed in Val’s direction. Realizing that he was really going, Juliana abruptly lost her humor and grabbed him by the arm before he could get away. When he looked at her curiously, she gawked at him in surprise.

  “Are you serious?” she asked, aghast. “Are you really going to ask him?”

  Rhogan could see that she hadn’t believed any of what he’d just said. In truth, he hadn’t, either, until this very moment. But the more he looked at her, the more he realized that he’d spoken the truth. Something about seeing Juliana again had him feeling more comfort and joy than he’d ever known. She wasn’t spoken for…

  Perhaps she should be.

  “Aye, I am serious,” he said. “Weren’t you?”

  Julia
na was. God help her, she was. But could she admit it and not sound like a silly, besotted fool? “I… I…”

  Rhogan patted the hand that was clinging to his elbow. “Permit me to explain something to you, Lady Juliana de Nerra,” he said. “Why do you think I was here tonight? I was not invited, yet I came as part as Aland de Ferrer’s contingent because I had a feeling you and your family might be in attendance. I was hoping I would see you. Now that I have, I will not let this moment pass and not do anything about it. If you are truly agreeable to my suit, then I shall speak with your father right now. But if you are not, then all you need do is deny me. I shall not ask again.”

  Juliana’s heart was pounding so loudly that she could hear it in her ears. She’d dreamed of this moment for the past ten years. But now that it was upon her, she hardly knew what to say. Or do. It didn’t seem real. But gazing into Rhogan’s handsome face, she could see that it was real enough. He seemed very serious. With an expression that relayed her surprise, and her joy, she finally nodded her head.

  “If you are serious, I am agreeable.”

  Rhogan smiled broadly. Taking the hand on his elbow, he brought it to his lips for a sweet kiss. Then, he flipped her hand over and kissed the tender inside of her wrist. It was lingering and heated, a gesture that made her knees go weak.

  It was the most delicious thing Juliana had ever experienced.

  “I am very serious,” he murmured, his lips against her flesh before lowering her hand. “You have waited for me this long. I dare not disappoint you.”

  Juliana was having difficulty breathing, so tender his touch. “How… how do you know I waited for you?”

  He looked at her and lowered her hand. “Because I have waited for you.”

  Juliana was gazing into his eyes, unable to look away, unable to think beyond the bliss of his words and the gentleness of his touch. “I will always wait for you,” she murmured.

  With a smile that hinted at his untold longing for her, Rhogan let her go and headed in the direction of her father.

  He kissed her hand!

  Princess Augusta of Brabant was used to getting her way.

  She’d been introduced to the handsome young knight with the flowing blond hair and since that introduction, she’d been trying to get the man’s attention the only way she knew how. Her mother’s ladies and her own women had taught her the art of flirting and she was very good at it. At least, she thought she was. It had brought many a man to her feet but, for some reason, it wasn’t working on the English knight. To make matters worse, he’d been speaking with a very beautiful dark-haired woman and he’d even kissed her hand.

  Quelle horreur!

  It should have been her hand he kissed!

  Now, it was a matter of pride. Augusta didn’t know who the dark-haired young woman was and she surely didn’t care. All she knew was that she wanted the blond knight to come to her, to fawn over her as all men did, and to feed the colossal ego she’d developed at a very young age. Spoiled, pampered, somewhat chubby from the sweets she liked to eat, Augusta couldn’t, and wouldn’t, stand the thought of not getting her way in all things.

  Especially not with men.

  When the knight finally left the dark-haired girl, Augusta sent out her reconnaissance team – her nurse, in fact. The woman was cunning, cultured, and brave. She’d taught Augusta well but she wouldn’t let her charge go running after a mere knight. So without much coaxing from Augusta, the woman made her move when the object of her young charge’s attention began to move across the room. She intercepted him somewhere near the entry and, although he’d seemed annoyed, she managed to convince him to come and speak with her lady. After all, only a fool would refuse a summons from a princess and the young knight seemed to understand that. He wasn’t happy about it, but he understood it.

  Now, Augusta had him where she wanted him.

  “My lord,” Augusta curtsied to him politely when he finally stood in front of her. “I hope I am not causing you too much inconvenience, but I very much wished to speak with you. Would you please remind me of your name?”

  Annoyed wasn’t quite what Rhogan was feeling. Angry was more like it. But, he kept his composure because it wouldn’t do to insult a princess. Still, his manner was less than friendly.

  “I am Rhogan de Garr, my lady,” he said.

  Augusta smiled, revealing slightly yellowed teeth in an otherwise pleasant smile. “Rhogan,” she repeated. “That is a very nice name. I understand that you are a knight, Sir Rhogan.”

  “I am, my lady.”

  “Have you seen much action?”

  “I have seen enough, my lady.”

  Augusta had been schooled well by French women in the art of conversation. She had her dialogue well-planned, something she had been taught – to control the man, you must control the conversation.

  She was prepared.

  “Our host has told me that you are a fine warrior,” she lied. She’d never even spoken to de Winter about him, but she had a point to make and favor to gain. “I am in England because I am looking for fine warriors. That is why I am here with Sir Hugh. I am in negotiations with him.”

  Rhogan wasn’t interested in anything she was saying. He kept looking over his shoulder at Val de Nerra, a tall man whose head was above most of the people in the room. Val was still speaking with de Winter but that could rapidly change. Rhogan kept an eye on him. Still, he thought he should pay some attention to the conversation as to not appear entirely rude. Therefore, he focused on her last statement.

  “Negotiations?” he said. “For what?”

  Augusta had been hoping he would ask. “For support for my properties in Limburg,” she said. “You see, my father’s mother has passed away and I inherited her properties, but there is a terrible lord who has taken them over. I want them back. My father has supplied me with men but I need more. That is why I am here. I have money to pay for men and Sir Hugh has promised to help me find them.”

  Rhogan simply nodded; he was still looking over his shoulder. “Then I wish you well, my lady. If you will excuse me, I have something I must attend to.”

  “Wait,” Augusta said quickly, becoming increasingly upset that he didn’t seem interested in what she was saying. When he paused impatiently and looked at her, she knew she had to do all she could to make the man remain with her. She wasn’t used to men who weren’t interested in her and it was a blow to that massive ego. “I wished to speak with you because you are a knight. Lord de Winter said you were a great one. I can see that he spoke the truth.”

  Rhogan was like any other man; he had his pride and his pride liked to be fed, even by an annoying little princess. “Thank you, my lady.”

  It was at that moment that Juliana moved away from the table with Aland next to her and Rhogan’s attention shifted to the pair. Damn Aland! He didn’t want that fool anywhere near Juliana. But his lack of attention towards Augusta was obvious and the girl could see that she was all but forgotten. He had no interest in her. But she couldn’t stand losing out to an Englishwoman. The tears began to come, however forced.

  “I need help,” she said, lowering her head and sniffling. “My lord, I know I am not as grand as your English ladies, but I need your help. I need the help of strong and seasoned knights such as yourself. That is why I wished to speak to you; I have an army but I need skilled commanders and I would pay you very well. I would even give you lands in Brabant that belong to me. Of course, if fortune and lands do not interest you, then forgive me for wasting your time, but what I am offering, most men would gladly take.”

  Fortune and lands. Those two words echoed in Rhogan’s head. He had virtually shut the princess out until he heard that. Now, he found himself pondering those words. Fortune and lands. For a man who had nothing but his good name, the words were as alluring as a whisper from a beautiful woman.

  They were, in fact, something all men wished for.

  Augusta was right – most men would gladly take a reward of fortune and lands f
or their service. That was how almost all knights that weren’t born into nobility received their wealth. Rhogan had been a squire for eight years and a knight for the past two, and he’d been low in the ranks of importance because he was simply a young knight, without much to his name, with a father who had also simply been a knight in the service of de Nerra and had very little to pass to his son. Rhogan had always known he would have to earn whatever he wanted in life and, now, he was evidently being afforded that opportunity far sooner than he’d ever expected. A French princess with a problem, seeking men to help her.

  As much as he hated to admit it, the prospect was more attractive by the moment.

  Perhaps speaking to Val de Nerra was going to have to wait.

  “Very well, my lady,” he said to Augusta. “You have my interest. I will listen.”

  Augusta smiled, relieved and thrilled that she’d won his attention away from the English woman. “May we go somewhere to speak privately?” she asked. “It is so noisy in here. I do not wish for others to hear our conversation.”

  With a final glance over his shoulder at Val, and also at Juliana who was now standing with her parents, Rhogan emitted a grunt of frustration that he was letting this princess pull him away from what he’d really wanted to do. But with the lure of a fortune and lands, he couldn’t pass it up. He had to hear what her proposition entailed because if he didn’t, he’d probably wonder for the rest of his life just what he’d missed.

  And, by damn, he wanted wealth and glory for himself.

  Rhogan never made it to Val after that, and Juliana didn’t see him for the rest of the night. Disappointed, she returned with her family to Hampshire, wondering if Rhogan had simply forgotten about her. She believed, completely, that her entire conversation with him on that snowy night had been a lie. He hadn’t been serious about her in the least and the disappointment she felt as the days and weeks passed, and still no Rhogan, consumed her from the inside out. Her heart, so tender in Rhogan’s hands, had become a broken and bleeding mass. His lies had crushed her.