The Troubadour's Romance (3 page)

“
Indeed, my lady,
”
the knight returned casually.
“
But your young temptress makes a mockery of my oath. I am not one to take honor too much to heart when faced with witch
’
s locks and a full bosom.
”

Fel
ise was certain she heard smothered coughs follow the knight
’
s brazen remark. There was a moment of silence, during which the color rose high on her cheeks.

“
Sir knight,
”
Lady Edrea questioned calmly,
“
does your lady wait in yon keep while you dally with my daughter?
”

“
Never that, madam,
”
he replied.
“
I am untethered and bent on the business of the king.
”
He chuckled.
“
I confess it is my preference.
”

“
Then unless you would see your preference quickly changed, I beg you make haste from my house. Your words are too intimate for a maiden
’
s ears, and I
would fear to tell Lord Scelft
on that promises and oaths were spoken to my daughter this day.
”

Now the laughter was loud, for the proud lady had put the knight on his heels. His playful courtship could well be
taken seriously by
Felise
’
s father. It was a good threat and nicely leveled.
Felise
straightened proudly, her smile superi
or, though no one could see but Daria.

“
We will make haste from here, madam,
”
came Sir Royce
’
s commanding retort
“
And I trust your young temptress is already busied with her threads, as young virgins should be. And madam,
”
he continued,
“
I give you this advice freely: the lass is in need of counsel. London is for well-guarded and discreet ladies or for harlots. There is no ground between.
”

Felise
felt her cheeks begin to burn with anger and shame, and Daria reached out and pinched her, nodding her head once in emphasis.
Felise
winced at her maid
’
s reprimand as she heard her mother
’
s voice return softly and with dignity to the warriors who towered over her.
“
Your advice is well taken, sir. Your travels will not be distracted again on this path, and for any future glance upon my daughter
’
s fairness, either you or your men should plead honorably to Harlan, Lord Scelfton of Twyford, and no other.
”

“
Then we part friends, my lady,
”
Royce replied.
“
Which
ever of you louts upset this cart, draw a coin for this man. We have no more time for folly, even so pleasurable a folly as this.
”

Felise
could hear but did not dare watch the chaos that followed as the men tried to push the cart out of the way to get by. Within moments, the door to her chamber opened and her mother entered, a look of quiet disapproval on her face and her hands clenched together before her.
Felise
bit her lip rather self-consciously.

“
Felise
,
”
she sighed.

“
Madam, I meant no harm, truly. And were it not for that beast who leads them,
‘
twas all in good fun.
”

Edrea shook her head slowly.
“
His point is well taken. You were raised within the halls that housed a hundred honorable men. You do not know the dangers that could prevail when strangers look upon your fair face.
”

“
But madam, until he turned the game,
‘
twas only jesting we did.
”
She shivered slightly.
“
He is vulgar and slow-
witted.
”

Edrea frowned.
“
Neither that, dear. He is a man quick in knowing what he wants. Such a man will wed you and not
some stripling youth that plays at courtship.
”
As she moved toward Felise, her eyes softened and she reached out a hand to stroke her daughter
’
s glorious hair.
“
I may have done you ill. You have been too safe to be wise. Do you think all men as well mannered as your brothers?
Felise
, you must aban
don these childish notions and have a care.
”
Edrea
’
s eyes dropped to her daughter
’
s full, swelling breasts. She sighed heavily.
“
We will discuss a husband for you instantly. It cannot wait another day.
”

“
But Mother, I
--
”

Edrea held up her hand, and her soft eyes took on that steely quality that meant no argument would be considered.
“
It is decided. I will not consider further delay.
”

***

The living arrangements for Harlan Scelfton and his family were comprised of the larger portion of an inn, comfortable enough for the family, servants, knights, and squires who traveled with him. Although his service to Henry had been long and devoted, it still came as a surprise when the king requested his presence in the city during the Chri
stmas celebrations. Edrea and Fel
ise were alive with excitement at the prospect of trading with the merchants and visiting court, his sons were enthusiastic over the opportunity to greet old acquaintances, but Harlan braced himself for what the king would require of him.

When Felise noticed his frown of concern and his dis
tracted manner, she inquired of him,
“
My lord, is there some trouble that brings us here?
”

Answering with as much honesty as he could, he said,
“
I can
’
t say trouble, lass, but I know Henry calls me because he has need of something.
”

Felise simply shrugged and gave him her prettiest smile.
“
Could the king ask anything of you that you
’
d not willingly give?
”
she asked, knowing well his loyalty.

Harlan couldn
’
t suppress his own smile. She had ever the talent of simplifying things to a better level of understand
ing. Since she had come to him at the tender age of seven, she had soothed his family
’
s hurts and softened the rough
ness in their lives. He adored her.
“
Nay, love. I will better show my honor at being asked.
”

When the time for the audience came, Harlan was asked to present his lady, Edrea, also.
Felise
excitedly helped her mother prepare herself, fluttering about her rooms in search of wraps, jewels, ribbons, or any extra bauble that would enhance her appearance. While her parents were away,
Felise
could barely remain still, she was so eager to hear every detail of the palace; the royal couple, only briefly united for a family holiday; and all the pomp and politics surrounding them.

Felise
had some vague memory of such things, for her life had been near the queen. As near as she could surmise, her mother had been an unmarried servant to the queen who, when
Felise
was born, had either died or been sent far away, never to return. Eleanor, in a rare mood of compassion, had taken custody and placed her as an infant with a noble family in Poitou, where she kept her court. Then Eleanor had failed in a plot to overthrow her husband and had been captured. She had been held prisoner ever since.

Felise
had then been shipped in a rather haphazard way back toward England. No monies were to be spent on this ward of the imprisoned queen, and the noble family that had fawned over her while Eleanor was her sworn protector quickly lost interest. She was a mere child and in possession of a trunk of clothes, a ragged doll fashioned years earlier by some French hand, and a mass of tangled red curls. She was unceremoniously dumped on Henry
’
s stoop at Westmin
ster, and someone had to do something with her. A kindly bishop knew a family in the south that grieved the death of their own daughter, and he took great liberty in sending this waif to Twyford to see if the lord and lady would give her a home.

Felise
had many times considered how sad her circum
stance might have been but for Lord
Scelfton
and Lady Edrea. They did far
more than feed and house her. T
hey bathed her in love, and her life was rich with possessions and devotion. She thought of herself as their own. Lord Harlan could extend his property with his sons
’
able war
ring skills and hard labor, so he generously fixed this child with a dowry, fine clothes, and a sound education. And Lady Edrea, who found tenderness lacking in her life with
three stout boys to raise, relished having a daughter to pamper. There was no deficiency of love in their household.

Felise virtually ran circles around her parents when they returned from Windsor. The day had been long for her, alone with the servants.
“
What did they wear, madam? What did the king ask? Was Duke Richard present? Did the queen seem sad or ill? Was she friendly with the king? Did you hear minstrels or see jugglers?
”
Finally her mother laughed lightly, drawing off her mantle.

“
Felise
, I beg you let us in the door.
”

“
Oh, madam, were there ladies-in-waiting there? Was the king with a mistress?
”
Excitement flooded her so that she barely noticed her father
’
s dour mood. Lord Scelfton
’
s eyes were downcast as he brushed past his wife and daughter to enter the hall.
“
Oh, madam,
”
Felise suddenly gasped.
“
Has my lord been called to arms?
”

“
Nay, my love,
”
she said softly.
“
But he is displeased. Come and help me soothe him.
”

Harlan was already draining a large draught of ale when joined by the women. Felise began to feel the tension in the room, for although Edrea was more controlled, it was discernible that she likewise felt some discomfort.

Harlan slammed the empty tankard down onto the table.
“
In one breath we are thanked and called fit guardians, and in the other denied the privilege of completing the chore. By damn, the insult is too great. I have served well these many years.
”

“
My lord, no insult was meant.
‘
Tis just that Eleanor be given her due now, for without her generosity in the past, we
’
d not have had these many pleasurable years,
”
Edrea returned.

“
And now they would be revoked,
”
he blustered.

“
Nor that, Harlan. Her request is simple and decent, and I pray you remember, she has suffered a great deal. Indeed, though she seems well seated at Henry
’
s side, it is only for a moment. And then her prison is again her home. Have patience.
”

“
Madam, you
’
ve taken leave of your own good wits. The woman is treasonous and sought to rob Henry of his kingdom. How can I pity her prison when I fought against
her sons for my king? And for your part, you sent a missive to her that
--
”

“
My lord,
”
she said loudly and with stern conviction to halt his tirade,
“
let us use measured care with this news. We are without choice, and whether my action was right or wrong, I would have the matter quietly behind us. Now, need you be drunk of ale to speak with our daughter, or will you lower the cup and your voice?
”

Harlan slowly let his hand leave the tankard on the table and strode to the blazing hear
th. He turned once to beckon Fel
ise, who stood astounded at her parents
’
harsh words. He pointed to the bench near the fire, indicating that she should sit there. Edrea followed and sat beside her. It was many long moments before he turned toward them.