The Troubadour's Romance (33 page)

Felise
stepped back and looked at the rigid knight, who looked like an oversized boy, frightened to death. She could not suppress a teasing giggle.
“
Don
’
t worry, Hewe. I swear I will not tell Sir Royce how you shamelessly beg my affec
tion. He should find little cause to run you through
--
at least not for taking such advantage of me.
”

Clutching the prized bundle to her breast, she fled up the stairs to her chamber with the thought of immediately laying out the cloth and designing something with her shears. Vespera followed and quietly watched as Felise excitedly considered the many possibilities.
“
I suppose Royce will be returned soon, and I should like to hurry the new gown,
”
she chattered.

“
Have you any word, lady?
”
Vespera asked.

“
Nay, but a messenger is too costly. He warned me it might well take two months. I am certain he will send word if he is delayed.
”
But she frowned slightly, either doubtful of her husband
’
s consideration for her worry or puzzled with the best way to cut the cloth.

“
Do you know how to send word to him?
”

“
Nay. I know the lands in Aquitaine are formerly of the de Raissa family, but not the location. That is what he
travels to find.
”
She turned to Vespera.
“
Something of my mother
’
s kin, but none is living.
”

Vespera turned her face away, but Felise did not notice.
“
What of the Leightons? Are any still living?
”

“
Not to my knowledge,
”
she answered, paying more attention to the cloth than to the question.

“
What shall you do if friends or family come to Sege
land?
”

“
I suppose I shall try to make them welcome and com
fortable. But who would come here?
”

“
Did Maelwine not suggest that Boltof would visit?
”

Felise turned to Vespera with an incredulous look on her face.
“
Aye, but I assumed that would be much later. Surely he would not venture here without an invitation from Royce.
”
Vespera shrugged as if she could not answer.
“
What manner of man would be bo
ld enough to do such a thing?”

“
I met Sir Boltof in passing at Windsor,
”
Vespera lied.
“
I think him bold enough.
”

Felise sighed at the possibility.
“
You could be right, but should he arrive unsummoned, poor Sir Hewe will faint for loss of sleep. That trusty knight would strap himself to my skirts and sleep by my door lest any man so much as look my way. He takes his oath to my husband very seriously.
”

“
More
’
s the mercy.
”

Felise
simply ignored Vespera
’
s comment and busied herself with the new fabric, finally deciding on a style that would reveal much of her bosom and had long, flowing sleeves. The color had been chosen to compliment her hair and eyes and was of a shining turquoise hue. She cut out the pieces that very day.

In the following days she stole away to her chamber whenever her usual toils did not occupy her. She sewed the cloth with silver thread, trimmed it with a white and silver lace trim, and tried it on for a proper fit with every new seam. She thought of how Royce might view her in the candlelight or early dawn in the dressing gown. She hoped the style and color would please him, if not seduce him.

On the fifth day that she sewed, again with time she could ill afford to spare, Sir Hewe knocked on her chamber door. She thought perhaps Hewe might never view the finished garment, bold as it was, and so left the piece on her bed as
s
he bade him enter. He would have this one opportunity to see how skillfully she joined the gift of threads and trim to the fabric.

But Hewe entered wearing a troubled look and did not glance about the chamber.
“
My lady, Sir Boltof and Lady Celeste approach the hall. Sir Trumble has admitted them. They will be here in a moment.
”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. How could she face either of them? What would she find to say to Celeste, who must surely hate her now? And Boltof
--
did he mean to court her away from Segeland and her husband?
“
Hewe, do they say why they
’
ve come?
”

Hewe shrugged as if he did not know, but answered just the same.
“
They have brought you a fine wedding gift: a gentle mount of considerable value. Boltof claims his friendship with Royce is too precious a thing to be set asunder by King Henry
’
s order.
”

Felise
rose and found her legs shaky as she stood.
“
That explains Boltof,
”
she said, her heart beating wildly.
“
What of Celeste?
”

Again Hewe shrugged.
“
The same, I assume.
”

“
What am I to do with them?
”

Hewe shook his head, having no answer at all.
“
Two chambers can be found for them, if you will it. Or, if it is your preference, I can set them on the road home.
”

She chewed her lip thoughtfully, holding her hands clasped in front of her. The quaking of her insides would not still. She was terrified of facing them alone, not to mention the disquiet she felt at the thought of Royce returning to find his old lover in residence.

Again, as many times before, she longed for Lady Edrea
’
s wisdom and Lord Scelfton
’
s blustering bullheadedness.

“
Nay, Royce would be ashamed of my poor hospitality. This is my husband
’
s home, and friends of his shall be comfortable here, even if I am not.
”
She took a deep breath and tried to stand erect, demanding of herself that she at least appear to be dignified and strong.

She approached Hewe, her worried frown still evident. She dearly hoped that by the time she faced the couple she could present a gracious mien.
“
Poor Hewe. Your work shall be made difficult once again.
”

Hewe tried to smile away her discomfort.
“
I think
‘
tis better to watch a wolf who is securely penned than to seek his trail in the open country. Come, lady. We will greet them, and Sir Boltof and his sister shall be assured that you are safe from harm while I am here.
”
He presented his arm to lead her below.
“
And remember, do not pity me. I cherish my labors.
”

Felise
had to fight for self-control. She would have trem
bled miserably had Hewe not stood straight and determined at her side. Several long moments passed within the entry before Lady Celeste and Sir Boltof dismounted and came forward to greet her. It was Boltof who pressed himself ahead of his sister and spoke.

“
Dear Lady
Felise
,
”
he said, reaching out a hand to her. She allowed him to take her hand, damp though it was, and press a kiss on its back.
“
We honor you with gifts in celebration of your wedding and, more important, a decla
ration of friendship. Our households need not be in conflict because of past obligations.
”

Felise
felt her pulse pick up. How often, she wondered, would these two remind her of Royce
’
s past?

“
How very kind of you, sir knight. My thanks.
”

“
And Royce? Is he out on some errand?
”

“
Nay, he is yet in Aquitaine. Did he not tell you?
”

“
He did not,
”
Boltof said, looking quite surprised.

Felise
found it difficult to believe that no one of Lord Orrick
’
s household had had word from Royce. Although her husband made no mention, she had seen him working dutifully on letters and assumed he had at least written apologies to that family, if not visited them while in London.

She raised a questioning eyebrow.
“
Surely my brother told you?
”

“
He may have mentioned it, lady, but I gave little heed. When does he return?
”

“
Soon, I hope. He would certainly hate to miss your visit.
”

Trying to hide her frown of displeasure, she moved past Boltof and sank into a deep curtsy before Celeste.
“
My lady,
”
she crooned, smiling as well as she could under the pressure of the moment.
“
How good of you to come.
”

Celeste matched the curtsy with one of her own, keeping her eyes shyly downcast.
“
It is kind of you to receive us,
”
she nearly whispered.

“
And why would I not?
”
Felise
said.
“
My husband
’
s close friendship with your family has been a valuable thing to him and something I am certain he hopes will continue.
”
She paused, waiting for Celeste
’
s eyes to meet hers that she might judge the effect of her words. In the pale blue she saw the pain of lost love and none of the toughness of a woman bent on vengeance. Celeste appeared a hurt little lamb, at least as uncomfortable with the situation as
Felise
.
“
Alas,
”
Felise
continued quietly.
“
My husband consoles me that ours is not the first union of necessity, nor shall it be the last.
‘
Tis our hope that friends and family will work as fervently as we to see our king well pleased.
”

Celeste only nodded a bit forlornly, trying to smile.
Felise
looked suspiciously out of the
corner of her eye and saw Boltof
’
s frown of displeasure.

“
Your journey has been a long one,
”
Felise
said.
“
Sir Hewe, if you will show our guests to their chambers, I will instruct the cooks to prepare a gallant fare for their evening meal.
”

“
Aye, it is a long ride to Segeland,
”
Boltof said, looking around the hall and judging its worth.
“
And I am tired and hungry.
”
He bowed over the lady
’
s hand.
“
You will find us better company after a short rest, madam. My thanks.
”

Boltof took his sister
’
s hand and led her, behind Sir Hewe, up the stairs. Felise watched them each step of the way. Many unusual things confused her. The one thing that she had quickly determined was that they were not here to secure her friendship, however much it looked that way. She did not think she could voice her suspicions to Royce, should he return during their visit. But she heartily hoped for his swift return.

She felt a
presence beside her and turned to see Vespera also watching the couple ascend the stairs. Hers was not a perplexed frown, but a black scowl.

“
Madam,
”
Felise
whispered,
“
you are most certainly a soothsayer. How did you guess they would come?
”

Vespera continued to look at the staircase, although the visitors were out of sight. A certain fury flickered across her
brow and she did not answer Felise.
“
They are about trouble,
”
Vespera finally said.

“
That is fact,
”
Felise said.
“
The journey from Lord Orrick
’
s home would take days, especially with a woman of Celeste
’
s delicacy. Yet they are clean and appear rested. They have not traveled far. And Boltof would have me believe they were unaware of Sir Royce
’
s absence. In my heart I know Boltof wished to arrive here while I was much alone. Does some army of knights perhaps wait in yon glen to attack us?
”