The Fatal Crown (15 page)

Matilda gazed lovingly at Stephen. “At last you will be recognized as you deserve, dear husband.”

Such a loyal, dutiful wife, Stephen reflected, smiling down at her. What an admirable queen she will make. Yet at the back of his mind, his thoughts were of Maud, wondering if this confirmation of his hopes would impress her. It was absurd, this desire to look well in her eyes, but her approval was important to him.

He grinned at Robin and Brian. “You all know that I hoped my uncle would favor me, and if he has at last decided to bestow this great honor upon the House of Blois—I will spend my life trying to be worthy of his trust.” The words had an earnest ring that sounded well in his ears. He must try and remember them.

There was a moment of respectful silence. Then Matilda clapped her hands. “We must invite Cousin Maud to the Tower to celebrate with us. Why, I’ve hardly set eyes on her and I was devoted to my aunt, her late sainted mother. I so want us to be friends. Do you go to Westminster in the morning, dear heart, and bring her back with you for a few days.”

The suggestion caught Stephen by surprise, and he hesitated. He longed to see Maud again, but he would have preferred it be elsewhere. On the other hand, sooner or later Matilda must spend some time with Maud. Such an occasion could not be avoided.

“A good thought, Wife. I will do as you suggest.” Stephen, his blood quickening at the thought of seeing Maud so soon, could not now sit still. He rose and strode toward the open doors of the great hall.

“I will join you tomorrow morning,” Brian called out.

“Tomorrow is Friday, we are to attend the horse fair,” Robin reminded him.

“I’ll meet you both at Smithfield,” Stephen called over his shoulder, determined to have at least a short while alone with Maud.

Elated at the impending proclamation, he knew he must get word to his brother in Glastonbury at once. Christmas was less than three months away. Only a short time to wait and then the whole of Europe, including his mother retired to a convent now, would know he was to be the King’s heir!

It was still dark when Stephen left for Westminster the following morning. He reached the palace about noon only to be told that Maud and Aldyth had gone to the drapers’ stalls in Cheapside.

He rode to this section of London with Gervase, left his horse in the care of a groom, and, followed by the squire, wandered through the crowd. Every so often someone hailed him, or stopped to talk. No matter if the person were a great lord or simple yeoman, Stephen always made it a point to inquire about the man’s health and family. He had always been popular in London and he knew it was because he had the common touch, readily available to exchange a jest or share a pint of ale at a tavern.

At a goldsmith’s stall, Stephen stopped to examine an exquisite enamel box from Limoges. He must buy it for Matilda, he decided. Then a stall selling boots of Spanish leather caught his eye and he ordered two pairs to be made for him. A peddler with a tiny monkey on his shoulder, carrying a large wooden cage of brightly feathered birds, passed him. He must have one for his children. The smell of roasting chestnuts wafted through the air, and Stephen took a paper cone of the hot nuts from a strolling vendor.

Finally he caught sight of Maud, standing alone in front of the stall of a merchant whom he knew specialized in fabrics from the Levant. A bolt of sky blue silk shot with gold thread was draped over one shoulder. Maud saw Stephen at almost the same moment, and his heart leapt at the blaze of joy radiating from her wide gray eyes. With the exception of the Limoges box, which he thrust into the pouch at his belt, Stephen handed all his purchases to Gervase and pushed through the crowd toward her.

“I—well, it’s good to see you, Cousin,” he said in a husky voice, the urge to take her in his arms almost overpowering. “That blue is a wondrous color, like a midsummer sky at dawn.” He could not stop himself from touching her arm, letting his hand linger a little too long for propriety. “It favors your hair and eyes.”

She smiled up at him. “I will buy it then. What a happy surprise to see you here.” Her body seemed to sway toward him in response to his touch.

“The truth is I’ve been looking for you,” he said, quickly withdrawing, aware they were in a public gathering place. “My lady wife, your Cousin Matilda, invites you to the Tower for a few days.”

“Oh. I see.” Her voice was heavy with disappointment.

“I also wish it. Very much,” he added impulsively at the look of naked hurt in her eyes. She was so open, so obviously vulnerable that Stephen knew an instant of disquiet. Matters were moving too fast, he thought, regretting the easy flow of compliments which came so readily to his lips where women were concerned. This could never be a lighthearted dalliance, he had always known that. It had been a mistake to touch her, he realized. Now was the moment to draw in the reins and curb his growing desire before—he did not allow himself to complete the thought.

Maud said nothing but bent to examine another bolt of silk, this one saffron-colored with silver threads.

“Of course, if you prefer not to come at this time,” Stephen said, now hoping she would refuse. He understood her reluctance only too well. If anyone were to perceive what was happening between Maud and himself, it was sure to be Matilda, who would have the opportunity to observe them together over the next few days. Had he not had similar doubts? On the other hand, seeing Maud under the very eye of his wife might be just the damper he needed to bring him to his senses. “Matilda and your mother were very close,” he added. “She is eager to see you again.”

“Of course,” Maud said in a tight voice, her face set. “If I seem hesitant it is only because your wife so resembles my late mother that our first meeting pricked old memories. I will be glad to come.”

Aldyth appeared, immediately on guard when she saw Stephen.

“I’m going to see my Cousin Matilda at the Tower, Aldyth, so I won’t be returning directly to Westminster,” Maud told her, then to Stephen: “Let me complete my purchase and I will join you.”

Stephen nodded, aware of an awkwardness that had arisen between them but making no effort to dispel it. Perhaps this sudden coolness was all for the best, he decided in relief. The nature of his feelings for Maud both confused and dismayed him; Stephen preferred everything in his life, including his emotions, to be easy and uncomplicated. With Maud he had been caught off guard, unprepared for the strongly sensuous pull between his cousin and himself, an undercurrent as powerful as the treacherous tides in the channel. She had cast a bewitching spell over him and he knew he must exorcise it before it led to trouble.

He watched Maud smile sweetly at the silk merchant, who returned her look with a bored expression on his swarthy face.

“How much for this bolt?” she asked.

“Ten silver pennies, gracious lady,” he said in a thick accent, bowing obsequiously.

After all, Stephen reminded himself, Maud was the King’s daughter, his own first cousin, Matilda’s first cousin, Robert’s half-sister—Jesu, he must have been mad ever to entertain carnal thoughts of Maud considering the intricate coil of family relationships involved. Why, even his future as king might be affected.

“That is outright thievery,” Maud cried, her eyes suddenly flashing.

There was such a note of indignity in her voice that Stephen was taken aback and glanced quickly at the merchant. To his astonishment, the man brightened immediately.

“Thievery? Gracious lady, I’m as good as giving this silk away. May God strike me dead if I ask an unreasonable price.” His eyes rolled heavenward. “I have a wife, ten children, aged parents, not to mention aunts—”

“You are a liar, the son of a liar, and the grandson of a liar,” Maud interrupted, then began to speak haltingly in a tongue Stephen did not recognize.

Clearly delighted, the man, beating his breast, responded with an incomprehensible flow of words and extravagant gestures. After what seemed an eternity to Stephen, Maud and the merchant finally came to some kind of agreement. The man handed her the bolt of silk and they parted with mutual expressions of respect and goodwill.

“I didn’t know you spoke a heathen language, Cousin,” Stephen said, taking the bolt of silk from her arms. “What did you finally pay him?”

“Five silver pennies. Still too much, but to bargain properly takes a long time. There were many visiting Semites at the Emperor’s court, so I was fortunate enough to learn a few words of Arabic,” she replied as they strolled through Cheapside, followed by Gervase and Aldyth.

“Where did you learn to bargain like that?”

“At the straw markets in Italy, and from a clever Semite who sometimes advised the Emperor on matters of finance.”

Stephen laughed. “There is so much I don’t know about you. What other talents lie hidden under that lovely exterior, I wonder.” He kept his voice light so she would know he was only teasing, but she did not smile in response.

When they arrived at the place where they had left their horses, Stephen heard himself telling Gervase to accompany Aldyth back to Westminster. “The Lady Maud will ride with me to Smithfield.” It was not at all what he had intended to say.

Stephen climbed into the saddle, then reached down to lift Maud up in front of him. Aware of an open-mouthed Aldyth radiating disapproval, Stephen quickly spurred his horse forward before Maud could change her mind. What about his own change of mind? he wondered. What in God’s name was the matter with him? His horse’s sudden spurt threw Maud against him and his own course, so clear only a moment ago, was once again in doubt.

It was early October, his favorite time of year. The sky was a deep blue, fleeced with white streaks of cloud; the air, crisp and cool, carried a hint of winter in the sudden gusts of wind that blew about them. With the excuse that he wished to show her the sights of London, Stephen rode as slowly as possible through the crowded streets, savoring the feel of Maud’s body within the circle of his arms.

He stopped to show her plain wooden houses with tile facings, prosperous dwellings made of stone quartz, public cookshops with their tantalizing aroma of roast meats, and leather craftsmen busy at their benches. A band of students ran by shouting at each other, and Stephen slowed his horse to point out a group of apprentices practicing archery.

“Of course you’ve heard about the Christmas court,” Stephen said.

“Oh yes, some weeks ago. At Windsor various people were speculating that the King has chosen this occasion to name you his successor. I must congratulate you.”

“Has your father spoken to you of this matter?”

“As usual, my father says nothing.”

Stephen felt her body grow tense. “Not even about his future plans for you?”

“Least of all about that. All in good time, he replies when I ask, like a cat toying with a mouse.” She paused. “I cannot help but feel bitter. He brings me back here with the utmost urgency, as if his very life depended on it, and now that I’m here, there appears to be no urgency at all.”

Prudently, Stephen decided to say nothing. It was hardly politic to voice a criticism of the King, lest Maud, in all innocence, might repeat it. But he tightened his grip ever so slightly about her waist, hoping she would feel his silent flow of sympathy. He had managed to put all his doubts aside and was now simply enjoying the moment.

Finally they came to Aldersgate. Here they waited to be let through the city gates, double doors of heavy oak reinforced with iron. Atop the massive eighteen-foot walls that surrounded the city of London, guards armed with tall spears carefully watched the throng of people coming and going.

“You will fall victim to this queen of cities,” Stephen said in her ear. “London has captured my heart ever since I arrived here from Blois.”

“But I have known Rome, Paris, and the great cities of the Empire,” she teased. “What is London compared to such as these?”

“What indeed. She will cast her spell over you in time.”

They rode through the gates into the open area of Smithfield where the horse fair was already well under way.

“Keep an eye out for my lords of Wallingford and Leicester. We are to meet them here,” Stephen told Maud.

They first visited the area where the colts were tethered, then the section where the palfreys were gathered. When they came to the war-horses, Stephen dismounted and helped Maud down.

“I’m in the market for a new destrier. You can help me pick one out.”

As they wandered companionably around the compound observing the great stallions, Stephen discovered that Maud not only shared his love of horses but was surprisingly knowledgeable about them. Finally the big event of the day was announced: the horse races. A great crowd began to gather at one end of the field.

“Over here, Stephen,” Brian FitzCount called. When they had joined them, he turned to Maud. “A good afternoon to you, Lady. Robin and I have a wager going: I say that the bay colt in the corner will win over all the others.”

“A fool and his money are soon parted,” Robin said with a grin. “Anyone can see that the bay is too flighty to control. I favor the chestnut over by the fence. What do you think, Stephen?”

Stephen raised his hands in protest. “Oh no, I have learned never to take sides when the two of you wager against each other.” He pointed his finger at Maud. “But my cousin is no mean judge of horseflesh. Let us hear what she has to say.”

Maud looked carefully over the racing pairs. “I rather fancy the black colt with the white blaze on his forehead.”

Robin hooted. “I wager two silver pennies you’re wrong. Look at those spindly legs. By my faith, I will be a rich man this day.”

Maud gave him a cool smile. “Indeed? That unchivalrous remark will cost you three silver pennies, my Lord of Leicester.”

“Done. Three silver pennies it is.”

Stable boys, using only a headstall and no other harness or saddle, jumped on their mounts and rode to the starting place. With much shouting from the onlookers, the colts started running across the wide field. The black colt fell back at first, while the bay frolicked ahead of the others.