The Lily and the Lion (32 page)

‘And did you expect such knowledge to slide from her tongue to yours as you kissed her?'

‘Cécile, be fair! How was I to know you were watching?'

‘Oh, you insufferable cur! So my
not
knowing makes it acceptable?' I held out my hand. ‘Since I have a gown to wear after all, can you give me any reason why I should not attend tonight with Gabriel? Just one!'

He stared at me for a moment then dropped his head. ‘I have no right to stop you.'

‘Have you not? Then I suppose I have no reason
not
to attend.'

Later that evening, seated at a long table with the blonde knight at my side, I could think of a hundred reasons why I should not have accepted. I had made a terrible mistake in coming and, worse, it was unfair to my escort. I stared dispassionately at the extravagant dishes cluttering the board, copious amounts of fare served with each remove, but I had no appetite for food and even less for socialising.

‘You are very quiet,' said Gabriel. ‘You have barely spoken all night. I trust I have said nothing to offend you?'

‘Heavens no! I'm just … a little tired after the tourney today.'

‘Speaking of which, I believe this is yours. It will match your attire nicely.' He handed me the blue ribbon. ‘Well, I am glad I can finally put a smile on that pretty face.' He sat back and surveyed the crowded hall as I tied the ribbon around my wrist. ‘I do believe, Cécile, that you are the most alluring woman here tonight.' He leaned forward, running a finger over my hand. ‘'Tis plain that the men envy me. See how they stare.'

Following his observation, I looked around. Though it was a different court, it had the usual assortment of courtiers, the same dour faces on the wives as their husbands flirted outrageously, the fierce looks from the women, and the beguiling advances from the men. I was suddenly tired of it all.

‘Gabriel, I am sorry but I must go.'

‘What now? But they have not yet brought forth the subtlety! It is supposed to be a huge castle worked in spun sugar, and the dancing is yet to come.'

‘Your pardon, Sir. Stay if you will, Monsieur de Beaumont de l'Oise but please, I wish to return to my lodgings.'

‘No, wait!' He jumped up and solicitously led me from the room. He was silent as we walked the short distance to the inn.

I hated myself for what I had done and, as we approached the rear entrance, I smiled at him. ‘Thank you for your kind invitation tonight, Sir. I am truly sorry I was such poor company. Please return to the banquet, if that is your desire.'

He leaned over and placed one arm against the stones to support his weight. ‘I know what I desire, Cécile, if you would but grant it. I have craved it since first laying eyes on you. Call it compensation for having our time together cut short. One kiss, Lady. That is my price.'

It was a small enough request for the ruination of his evening and I nodded.

His lips swooped confidently onto mine but as he moved to take me into his embrace something inside me panicked. Babbling inane excuses, I pushed him away and, bursting into tears, scurried for the door. I ploughed headlong into Gillet. His arm fell around me.

A dark and foreboding expression swept over his face and he snarled at Gabriel. ‘What did you do?'

‘Nothing! I but asked the lady for a kiss and she accepted.'

‘One kiss does not make a lady weep.' His hand curled around the dagger at his hip, his voice demonic. ‘I will ask you only one more time.
What … did … you … do
?'

Confused, Gabriel held out his hands in supplication. ‘Gillet, I swear I tell the truth. She accepted and as I kissed her she suddenly started gibbering about oranges and lemons. Next thing I know she is crying!'

‘'Tis true what he says, Gillet,' I laughed through my tears. ‘He did nothing wrong.' I wiped my face, and spun within Gillet's arms to face Gabriel. ‘Thank you for your kind invitation this evening. I am sorry I spoiled it.'

‘It was my pleasure, Cécile. Think nothing of it.' He flicked Gillet a look of uncertainty and bowed gracefully. Gillet made no move and I was suddenly aware he still held me. It had not escaped Gabriel's attention either. ‘I have the feeling that I am the intruder here,' announced Gabriel, bowing again, ‘I shall withdraw. A good evening to you both.'

Gillet took my hand and we walked in silence to the fishpond. He hoisted me to the high wall and then jumped up beside me. After a long moment he spoke. ‘Did you enjoy your evening?'

‘I cannot tell you.' There was a pause.

‘Oh, may I ask why not?'

‘Because some might say that my evening has not ended. Some might say it is only just beginning.'

He smiled in reply and reached for my hand. ‘Tell me about the banquet. You did not stay for the dancing?'

‘No,' I shrugged my shoulders. ‘For some reason it gave me no pleasure. These feasts are all the same. I see that now, the bored faces, the diversions and useless idle chatter about nothing. I cannot believe I once thought it so important to my life.'

‘And now? You may not be so easily reprieved. Your blood entitles you to attendance at court and may even demand it at times, depending upon whom you marry.'

‘Yes, that may be true but even so, were my life to travel a different path …' I glanced up to find his dark eyes upon me. ‘I would not miss it.'

He grinned, unconvinced. ‘Yes you would. You cannot hide from the truth, Cécile. Not about who you are or what you feel. Sooner or later it always reveals itself. I think you, of all people, know that.' His finger firmly lifted my chin. ‘Why could you not kiss Gabriel? What truth were you afraid to face? Did you not want to discover which of us was the lemon?'

‘No,' I whispered. ‘I was afraid I had two oranges.'

‘Ah.' He kicked one foot against the stone in contemplation. The silence between us grew. ‘Hmm, two oranges, then you would have to choose, oui?'

I looked up, my voice trembling. ‘No, Gillet, no. Do you not see? I could not kiss Gabriel because I had already made my choice.'

‘Céci.' His whisper carried on the wings of the breeze and his mouth swooped to claim mine. His breathing was fired with passion. A thrill of delight swept through me as his kiss deepened. One arm swung around my back and a hand caught at my waist to slowly slide upwards. My heart pounded erratically, my senses ablaze as his palm cupped my breast and his lips traced the column of my neck.

‘Céci.' His fingers brushed my throat and slid to the neckline of my gown, his eyes pleading consent.

I offered my lips and his sweet assault was renewed. My gown was eased from my shoulder. I ached to feel his touch upon my skin. Gillet groaned and lowered his mouth. In complete surrender I leaned back, arching to grant him full access.

I felt a shift in our universe and my stomach rolled. His head flew up with a look of horror as we tumbled backwards into the fishpond. The next thing I knew, I was spluttering for air and fighting with pond weed. My foot slipped on the slimy floor and I was submerged again.

‘Steady, Céci. Don't thrash! Put your feet down and stand. The water is merely waist deep. Do not fear, I have you.' I resurfaced gasping as Gillet's powerful grip lifted me to the edge of the stonework. He hoisted himself from the pool, grinning sheepishly. ‘Lady, if my advances were offensive, a simple “no” would have sufficed.'

‘I d–d–did n–not w–w–want to say n–n–no.'

‘Your teeth are chattering.' He tore off his doublet, shook it and settled his warmth around my shoulders, grimacing. ‘Come. Let us get you inside before you catch your death.'

There is no experience quite like squelching along in a heavy, sodden gown. We made it to the first floor unseen but not inconspicuous. Our trail of puddled water would hardly go unnoticed. As we reached my door, Armand stepped from his room and gaped in disbelief.

‘She's fine, Armand,' intervened Gillet hastily. ‘Just wet. We, er, had a little mishap at the fishpond.'

‘What, Céci? I find that hard to believe.' He headed for the staircase, laughing. ‘Perhaps you mean fish-hap!'

Gillet pushed me inside my chamber. ‘I will send a maid to you. Meet me in the morning.'

‘I will want an explanation, though,' sung out Armand. ‘Perhaps you should meet
me
in the morning.'

It is amazing how a warm bath and a night of good sleep can alter one's perception of an event. I was humming by the time I descended the stairs to break my fast, the water incident forgotten as I dwelled more upon the kiss that had preceded it. As I arrived at the table Gillet was unfolding a newly delivered parchment. Seating myself opposite, I watched as he read the missive, his welcoming smile gradually fading to a deep scowl.

‘It's from Simon,' he commented. I jumped as he thumped the table. ‘
Merde
!'

‘Gillet,' I said, reaching out. ‘Lower your voice. You are drawing attention to us.'

He looked up at the curious faces and waved the document with a feeble smile. ‘She wants me to swap all the chickens for geese!' Heads nodded in sympathy and went back to their own business.

‘
Jesu
,' he growled, in a lower tone. ‘Does God give with one hand only to plaguey well take with the other?' He slid the parchment across and I picked it up.

Monsieur de Bellegarde,

It grieves me that I must write under such circumstances but
considering my current position and the responsibility I bear, I
feel I have no choice.

Forgive my opening, I do not wish to allude that either I or my
charge, the Mistress Catherine, are in any direct danger.

Unfortunately, the matter I must address is that of the maid, Anaïs, whom I have been forced to pacify these last weeks. In a spiteful rage, she attacked young Catherine, but be assured that the wounds heal well. I had planned to continue to sedate the culprit. However, this does her health no good and I fear that, without restraint, she will flee this place and inform the Prince Regent, Salisbury or Moleyns not only of our location but also of yours and that of your ward. This she has threatened on numerous occasions of late.

Sir, she has become unmanageable and demands your presence.
I feel that the matter requires urgent and immediate attention.
Therefore, I respectfully request your attendance, whereupon we will be able to deal with this situation together.

I await your prompt arrival.

Your trusted servant and friend,

Simon Marshall, Lord Wexford.

Written from Broughton Manor, Salisbury, England.

‘When will you go?' I sighed, handing back the letter.

He stared at his congealing potage as though it were a bowl of swill. ‘I will leave at sunrise tomorrow.' My heart sank. His departure had been inevitable for some time but that did not stop the disappointment. His fingers slid across the table to entwine with mine. ‘I have business to conclude in Arras. Armand will have to escort you to the mêlée in my stead.'

‘But it will be your last day in France! You do not spend it with me?'

Gillet grimaced. ‘'Tis not for the lack of wanting, Cécile, but I have other matters at hand.'

‘What could be so important? I thought
I
was your mission.'

‘I know, but we cannot always choose our path in life. I have not cared for mine for some time now, but events of late have seen a turn. I wish to disengage myself from Edward's employ and there are other issues to which I would attend.' His face softened. ‘Lady, I can offer you nothing but my protection.' He took both my hands and tenderly pressed them to his lips. ‘I had hoped you wanted more.'

Unbidden tears rose to sparkle on my lashes. ‘I do,' I whispered.

‘Listen, there will be a courtiers' and commoners' dance tonight to celebrate the tourney. I will ask Gabriel to take you, for I know Armand wishes to catch up with his own companions. Go, sweetheart,' he encouraged, ‘and I will meet you there as soon as I can.'