The Troubadour's Romance (19 page)

“
Nay, but it almost seems as though
--
”

“
Their presence will be useful on the journey. We
’
ll travel by day with the added arms.
”

“
Is it a long journey, Royce?
”

“
A few days, no more.
”

“
Very well,
”
she said resolutely.
“
Let us get the riding done and see to Segeland. I did hear you say i
t required a good hand, did I n
ot?
”

Royce felt the tugging of a prideful smile as he looked down at her.
“
A woman
’
s hand,
”
he corrected.

She nodded and turned away from him, her skirts swirl
ing, and fled up the stairs. She passed Vespera, that wise dame keeping a serious expression until Felise passed, then allowing a slow smile to spread across her face. Vespera turned and went up the stairs again, feeling her presence was required by Felise and not by the men.

The three men standing at the hearth and judging the back of their sister
’
s husband shared few common charac
teristics beyond their looks. Evan was the most like his father. Maelwine, closest to
Felise
in age, was also most
kindred to her in spirit. And Dalton, who was ambitious and enjoyed his labors, found this retreat from his own duties to be bothersome. But all of them seriously consid
ered their father
’
s word to be law.

It was Evan who attempted to speak to Royce.
“
Sir Royce, I judge this inconvenience to be great in your mind, but if you mean to do well by our sister, I see no reason we should not travel in a lighter spirit. We are, after all, bent upon one purpose.
”

Royce turned to look at them, a nerve twitching in his jaw. He eyed them coldly for a moment and then, taking large steps, left the hall, his action giving the lie to their idea of common purpose.

When the door had closed, Dalton let loose a long, low whistle. Maelwine sat heavily on a stool, and Evan reached for three empty tankards on the table, filling them with cool ale.
“
He takes this interference badly,
”
Evan said.

Maelwine laughed shortly.
“
You, who have lived so many years with Lord Scelfton, should not wonder at a man who despises any outsider impinging on his authority.
”

“
We are not outsiders,
”
Dalton asserted.
“
Felise
is of our name.
”

Maelwine looked between his brothers, taking a cup from Evan.
“
You are blind or fools. She has made her choice. She takes a new name.
”

“
You think she wants him, then?
”
Evan asked.

“
There is no question. The lass has chosen. He plays the game to her satisfaction.
”

“
And if we find him to be unworthy and the keep unsafe?
”
Evan asked.

“
‘
Twill be a bed of thorns, Evan,
”
Maelwine answered.
“
She will not willingly come away with us. Her eyes speak for her, she has cast her lot with him.
”

Evan sat heavily and took a long pull on his drink.
“
I see no love pass between Royce and our sister.
”

“
Mark me, Evan,
”
Maelwine said with a sly smile.
“
We
’
ll see little of love while we hover over the groom with swords drawn. And unless I am wrong about
Felise
, she may well drive us away at dagger point to have her husband in her bed again. Let us give the man time. She is not a complete fool. Something of worth must lie hidden there.
”

“
She has changed,
”
Evan argued.
“
Perhaps he abuses her and she is too proud to tell us.
”

Maelwine laughed loudly at that. He slapped his brother on the shoulder.
“
Yea, she has changed, but I don
’
t think it is wrought of abuse. We
’
ll watch closely, but I venture we will only see the little one has be
come a woman ..
. and she has found her man.
”

***

Four days and nights were spent on the road to Segeland. On the first night, when there was no adequate lodging on the road, they made a camp within the shelter of their wagons. On the second night there was a humble stable for the women, and the men found pallets on the cold ground outside. The third night saw a merchant dispossessed that nobility might sleep more comfortably, and on the final night of the journey there was an adequate travel house in Coventry. Twenty horsed men could have done the trip in two days, but carts, women, and baggage took longer.

Felise
tried to keep her spirits light and travel well, but it was an internal battle that would challenge the most coura
geous person. Royce was distant and glum, riding well ahead of her most of the time. Her brothers, much of the same mood, rode behind her. There was a cursing and tension between the Twyford knights and the Segeland troop. The loyalties of each were firmly tied, and
Felise
had ceased to know with whom she should be bound. She traveled within the group on a spotted palfrey, trying not to think in terms of opposing forces. Vespera rode beside her.

“
Do you plan to return to Eleanor or Fontevrault after we have reached Segeland?
”
Felise
asked her.

Vespera looked straight ahead.
“
I need not,
”
she said quietly.
“
Neither am I required to stay with you. But, if what Sir Royce says is true, you may have need of an extra hand with the poor place. I am willing.
”

“
I have little understanding of your interest in this,
”
Felise
said with candor.
“
I knew you to be a castle servant bidden to the queen and knew your place was to take my cloak and bring me k
indly messages, but after that.
..
”

Vespera laughed softly.
“
I have been bidden to Her Majesty for almost five decades
--
since I was a child my
self,
”
she said, her eyes wistful.
“
I was released to Fonte
vrault just before she was taken prisoner by Henry. I cannot accompany her into confinement now.
”

“
But do you stay with me for her?
”
she asked.

“
In a manner. I can reassure her that you are well. And in a manner
‘
tis for Lady Edrea, for she trusts me. But in the main,
‘
tis for you. I have said I served the queen for many years. You were born in her house.
”

Felise was suddenly interested. She had continually put the past far to the rear of her thoughts, for it had little to do with the present.
“
You knew my mother?
”
she asked.

Vespera sighed.
“
Truth, I knew the woman who gave you birth only slightly. I knew she reigned as the most beautiful in Eleanor
’
s court and sang of love and longing in the troubadour fashion. She was a gifted poetess. And I knew she loved a knight of Eleanor
’
s co
mpany who left her for another
... I knew she loved you. I
’
m afraid that is very little to know.
”

“
Her name? Do you know her name?
”

“
She has been gone a very long time, lady. How many years are you?
”

“
Eight and ten. Too old, some say, to marry.
”

Vespera laughed again and Felise began to remember that musical ripple as a comfort, before the madness of wed
dings and beddings had begun.
“
I think not too old, dear Felise. I think perhaps the time was exactly right. What do you think?
”

“
I think, madam, that too many are hurt by this.
”

“
But still we move to Segeland, and as I watch you, I see that even though you worry, you venture on. Surely if you wished it otherwise, your brothers would take you home.
”

“
In defiance of the king?
”
she asked.

“
In defiance of God, should you reject the choice made for you.
”

“
You forget, Vespera. It is possible that I
already carry my lord
’
s child.
‘
Tis done.
”

“
Only if you wish it so,
”
Vespera quietly added.

Felise was silent for a moment, thinking heavily on these words. Harlan would give succor not only to her but to any offspring of this hastily consummated union. Edrea would in like rear any child as lovingly as she had her own. It was not as though she was without people who cared for her. But
whether the one she wanted cared ... it was too soon to know.
“
Until this order from the king, he had an obligation to another,
”
she said quietly, the sting of tears creeping into her eyes.

“
We will reach Segeland soon,
Felise
. Will the weight of jealousy bear down on you and keep you from making a home for Royce?
”
Vespera asked.

“
‘
Tis not jealousy,
”
she said softly, turning toward the woman with tear-filled eyes.
“
Or perhaps it is. I know that Celeste has for many years managed Lord Orrick
’
s home, and my lord has made it clear he regrets that he cannot have her.
”

Vespera sighed.
“
Then you shall find a way to change his mind.
”

“
I don
’
t know if that is possible,
”
Felise
said dejectedly.
“
And if it is possible, I do not know the way.
”

Vespera looked at her sharply, that boldness creeping again into her eyes.
“
You are clever enough, my lady. I have little knowledge of these worldly things, but Lady Edrea became dear to me ... and I know she did not fail you. And I know nothing of men, having never been a wife or mistress of a hall, but I, too, judged the fair Celeste when she was in the company of Royce. I did not see him cast any smitten look her way.
”

“
When were you in their company?
”
she asked.

“
I am seldom noticed.
”
Vespera shrugged.
“
The way of the sisters is to move softly and silently, and I think it has become my way by their example. But I frequented the halls in service to Her Majesty and was oft in the great hall when many others din
ed. I am not very noticeable ..
. but I am careful to take notice.
”

“
Then you have seen the others
--
Wharton and Boltof?
”

“
Yea. I saw them.
”

“
And yet you asked me how I found them?
”

Vespera looked pointedly at her.
“
I looked at their eyes as well, my lady. And I saw what you saw. Neither was the worthy knight in my mind.
”

Felise
was instantly distracted by conflicting thoughts. She had been ready to take either man, had her father approved. But now that Royce had made his mark on her,
she had trouble imagining the meagerest smile from the cast-off knights.

“
And Royce?
”
she asked Vespera.