Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(47)

"Rise now," Gwen demanded.

Isabel sat up but didn't get to her feet. "In a nicer tone, Gwen, I'll consider whether or not to agree to such a rather rude demand. Until then, we are having a very good time down here."

Although Mary obviously had stopped having a good time. She attempted to stand, but Isabel held her down.

Gwen looked shocked. "'Twas not a demand, Countess, 'twas but a request."

"Sounded more like a demand, Your Highness. I'm so not into that haughty holier-than-thou thing."

The entire room went completely silent, as if sound had been sucked from it.

"I ne'er meant it as such," Gwen said.

"Then in a nicer tone," Isabel suggested, staring up at the woman who had first won Arthur's heart. And then shattered it. Isabel liked Gwen and disliked her all at once, and wasn't certain which of the pieces of this amazing puzzle fell into which category.

"I need not be nice," Gwen said, her eyes suddenly squinty.

"Not part of your job description? What, you only need to be gracious to those of your station and bitch queeny to all else?"

Isabel ignored the gasps.

She got to her feet, pulling Mary up with her. But she kept Mary behind her. "Until you learn to have fun with the people who work so hard to make your pampered life comfortable, you will never connect in an important way. These people work their asses off to make your life glorious. Treat them like shit, and you receive the love and respect of no one. You haven't earned it."

"Off with her head!" was the next thing Isabel expected out of Gwen's mouth. But the queen seemed to be speechless.

So far Isabel's head seemed to be secure.

"You are such a kind lady, Gwen. What the hell? What is wrong? I thought you asked me here to show me something really nice. What is it?"

Gwen rubbed her temples. "Yes, we are here to see . . . What are we here to see, Jenny?"

A young girl, probably a year or two older than Mary, stepped forward. "We are here to see the women's leggings, as you had requested."

"I suggested, I did not request. But I find it wonderful that you have set it in motion, Gwen."

"You have attempted to take over Camelot, Countess," Gwen said.

"Excuse me? I had nothing to do with this. We had a good chat and you thought it was an idea to pursue."

"Liar! The marriage of James and Mary was my idea. This," she said, waving around vaguely, "this was all my idea! You stole it. You stole it all from me."

"Okey-dokey, then. It's all your idea. No problem. No patents happening here."

Isabel glanced around and every single face was frozen in shock. Hers probably was as well.

"Do you know if she's had a little too much wine this morning, Mary?" She watched Mary and the girl called Jenny exchange worried glances, and then Jenny shook her head no and shrugged.

"Heretic!" Gwen yelled.

"I don't have my handy dictionary with me, Mary, but isn't that a word that means witch or something?"

"I am not sure of the word witch," Mary whispered, "but I believe it means you are of the underworld. Of the dark forces."

"So I'm guessing it isn't a compliment?"

Mary was apparently too afraid to laugh.

"Gwen, how about you and I take a walk and talk about this?" she said, figuring she'd direct Gwen straight to the first pond and dunk her face in it until the woman sobered up.

"You will walk me straight into hell! You want my husband and my crown and my throne, and I see it all now."

Isabel turned to the closest seamstress. "Please go find the king. Find my man Tom if you can. But most importantly King Arthur. He will know who else needs to be here."

The girl hesitated. "The king will not trust my request."

"Please. Tell him that Isabel requests it. It is an emergency. He will thank you. Now run behind me and out as fast as you can."

The girl glanced from her to Mary. Mary must have given her some signal, as the girl nodded and said, "Yes, m'lady."

Had to give her credit, that little girl had lightning speed.

But apparently Gwen caught it, and caught it in LSD time.

Or so Gwen appeared. "That was beautiful," she said. "All others are allowed to leave as well. They are innocent and have not tried to harm me. You have."

"Then allow them to leave. You and I can speak privately."

"No! They have work to do."

"It appears, Gwen, this is personal. Just you and me. No reason to involve anyone else."

"You stole James."

"James? You mean Mary's James? I don't even know the man, other than he's my friend's future husband and your husband's most trusted soldier."

"You would steal him from Mary as you stole Arthur from me." Gwen shuddered and then seemed to whither. She took several labored breaths before lowering her accusing arm. "I am so sorry. I do not know what is the matter." She shook her head. "Isabel, I wanted to show you the progress we have made on the breeches for women."

Okay, this wasn't crazy and this wasn't drunk. And this was so very far out of Isabel's knowledge and comfort zone.

"I have been watching, Gwen, and I'm very impressed. And I thank you for taking my suggestion and running with it."