The Troubadour's Romance (38 page)

Daria giggled, covering her mouth. Felise frowned at her maid
’
s inanity, for it seemed Daria was of a constant romantic bent, yet it was unlikely she had ever been kissed. And Felise was not as intent on romance as she was on winning her husband once and for all.

The full tub steamed, the boys having used the water already boiling in the cookery below, and a bowl of porridge sat on the hearth along with bread and meat for their morning meal. Felise sat in Royce
’
s chair and waited, trying
to still her nervous stomach and wondering how she would handle the situation if he did not return to his chamber this morning. Or if he became angry upon finding her within.

She did not have to wonder long, for he soon snatched open his door. Upon seeing her, he curtailed what seemed to be an angry gesture and eyed her and the tub. His expression softened into a gentle smile.
“
Good morning, my love. What is this?
”

“
A morning bath and something to break the fast.
”
She rose and went to him, putting the thought of Celeste as far from her mind as possible.
“
I was disappointed that you were gone when I awoke, but I will not shirk my other wifely duties.
”

He chuckled and kissed her nose.
“
Should you choose, you may serve me only as you did last night, and I will hire an army to do the other chores.
”
He smiled roguishly.
“
You need your rest.
”

But
Felise
was serious.
“
Come, my lord. You must crave a leisurely bath after so many weeks of travel.
”

“
Indeed,
”
he relented.
“
But you need not assist me. It has also been my custom to enjoy a private bath.
”

“
But since I am here ...
”

“
We will share a morsel and then you may occupy yourself with your other chores while I bathe,
”
he said.

“
Nay,
”
she returned, shaking her head. She began to unfasten the laces of his gamberson and drew it aside.
“
You must not be shy of my ministrations, whatever has been your custom.
”

He frowned in confusion.
“
But there is no need
--
”

“
Tis my need, if you will,
”
she went on, not looking into his eyes but pushing the gamberson over his broad shoul
ders and then walking around to his back to pull the garment off.
“
I am the wife who cleans your hall and orders your servants. I am the wife to ease your manhood and give you pleasure. I will be the wife to know all your needs
--
to aid your bath, fetch your meals, and bear your children. Until then, I cannot claim myself in truth your wife, for you hide yourself from me in the light of day.
”

Royce winced slightly at her words and then turned around to face her.
“
Lady, to aid my bath is hardly
necessary. To fetch my meals, less so. We have many helpmates to do these things.
”

“
But Royce,
”
she said, her eyes glittering in earnest,
“
it does not please me that you creep into my bed only in the dark of night and abandon me before the first light of dawn. I would have more of your time to learn your habits, your needs, and your desires
--
not only those needs met in our common bed.
”

He put a finger under her chin and lightly kissed her lips.
“
What if,
Felise
, when you know me more intimately, you do not like what you find?
”

She reached for his other hand, which still hung at his side, and placed it on her stomach.
“
Some months hence you will be a father. Yet I know only a small part of you. I cannot fight your seclusion, your obligations to Celeste, or your past. But I must ask you to give me a chance to be fully your friend ... fully your wife. I need a strong father for my son.
”

“
A child?
”
he questioned.

She nodded.
“
The Chaney house, I suppose, since there has been no time since. Punish me for my wanton ways, messire, but I have dearly missed your presence. And if I have to fight for you, I will.
”

Royce
’
s arms came around her waist and his eyes grew dark and warm. He swelled with love and pride. Somewhere in his mind there was a lurking fear, but he quickly decided he must face the truth. There were parts of her that he wished to know as well.
“
You are a seductress, woman.
”
He smiled, kissing her fondly.
“
Don
’
t you worry what I
’
ll think of this brazen behavior?
”

She smiled devilishly.
“
In time you will beg me to take a moment to warm your water or scrub your back, but there will be too many children clinging to my skirts for me to serve you.
”

He extracted himself from her and went to the chair, sitting to take off his boots.
“
You have purchased your own fate, love,
”
he said, his expression serious.
“
But there is a child growing and in this you are right. We have lost the luxury of playing our marriage as a game and must hence
forth rule this house together, as man and wife.
”
His voice
lowered to a hoarse whisper.
“
I warn you, if you find some part of me that does not appeal, it is too late for me to release you.
”

She laughed softly at his grim countenance.
“
Royce, you are so able a warrior and so timid a mate. Ah ... in the dark of night you are the boldest man, but in the light of day you blush as any maid at the thought of my wifely ministra
tions. Come, husband.
”

She pulled off the fetching morning gown for greater ease in helping him wash. This left her wearing only the sheer nightdress through which her bountiful beauty could be easily viewed. His eyes instantly devoured every part of her, but his expression did not lighten. He rose, turned his back to her, and slowly pulled his linen shirt over his head.

Felise
had the full view of the mark she had seen earlier. It was the size of a man
’
s hand, covering perhaps a quarter of his back, and a dull pink in color. Still, it did not even occur to her that this was his reason for preferring darkness to light.

He turned back toward her and unfastened the cross garters of his hose, all the while eyeing her suspiciously. She only smiled, moving to the tub and taking up the sponge in her hand, waiting for him to get in. He watched her closely as he moved toward the tub and settled himself in the water. He leaned forward that she might scrub his back.

Felise
lathered the sponge and, kneeling, got on with her task, humming lightly as she did so. He leaned his elbows on his raised knees and gave her several moments at her work. When she
’
d rinsed the soap from his back, he reclined in the tub and looked at her with troubled eyes.

“
You do not mention it,
”
he said.
“
Do you mean to be kind to this deformed man?
”

“
Deformed?
”
she questioned.
“
‘
Tis a birthmark. I have seen them before.
”

“
Like this?
”
he asked.

“
Nay,
”
she laughed.
“
One of the village children had such a mark on his backside. My mother said he was kissed by the rose of heaven and promised it brought good fortune. I saw your mark when you were washing in the stables.
”

“
It does not distress you?
”
She shook her head.
“
Do you worry that your son might bear such a mark?
”

She shrugged.
“
Twould be a helpful reminder that he is your son. Nay, how does it matter?
”

“
My mother called it the devil
’
s mark. She said I was cursed.
”

Felise
felt a deep sympathy for the boy who had been ignored and hated by his mother. And now she knew why he had resorted to darkness to love her. How senseless, she thought, that something so insignificant could have come between them for so long. Hadn
’
t their problems been great enough without this, too, being a burden for him?

She leaned into the tub, her breasts pressing and swelling on the rim, and gently touched his lips with hers. The water splashed and wet her gown, rendering it useless as any cover of her nakedness.

“
She made your boyhood difficult, my lord. But now you are a man and should be able to plainly see, no devil has marked you.
”
She kissed him again, long and deeply.
“
Indeed, an angel must watch over you. This rose you wear on your back is part of the man I love.
”

He reached his arms under hers and embraced her, pulling her into his bath, extracting a squeal of surprise and then a giggle from her.
“
I was to help you bathe, not share your tub, messire,
”
she laughed, squeezing the sponge over his head. But she did not try to escape him.

“
You were worried about the mark?
”
she finally asked.

He shrugged, but smiled. The grim line to his mouth had faded.
“
I thought you would find it repulsive,
”
he ad
mitted.

She put her arms around his neck and looked closely into his eyes.
“
Your mother
’
s treatment of you cursed you with a useless fear. I wish you to believe that as long as I live, our children will feel their mother
’
s love, no matter the shape of their bodies or minds. Not all trees are straight and tall, their leaves the common green, but all are beautiful and made by God.
”
She smiled warmly.
“
Now, pray, what other things must you tell me, that I am not sore surprised by some devilish habit I cannot abide?
”

He shivered slightly under her and she knew that his
bath was
at an end and he would pursue other pleasures. Her cheeks grew warm in anticipation and she felt her skin tingle. It was destined to be a long while before they shared their meal. His lips were like hot coals on the delicate rise of her breasts.
“
There are one or two other things, wench,
”
he said hoarsely.
“
But I doubt you will be surprised.
”

Seventeen

Their marriage being nigh on three months old, it would seem they could not be allowed all the seclusion of a new bride and groom, even though the entire household must be
aware of their greater-than-two
month separa
tion. Before
Felise
could rise, dry herself, and don her morning gown, the tapping at Royce
’
s door had become insistent.

“
A moment,
”
Royce said, sighing in frustration as Felise wriggled from him to gather her gown. She shed the soaked nightgown and pulled on the morning gown in its place. Royce
’
s eyes warmed at the mere sight of her, with the ends of her luxurious hair still dripping from their play. The tapping came again. Royce began to rise from his bath, then on second consideration stayed there.
“
Who disturbs me so early?
”
he demanded.

“
Sir Hewe, milord,
”
came the reply.

Felise gathered the drawstring under her breasts and gave it a sharp tug. Royce frowned as he looked at her.
“
I have not seen that wrapper before,
”
he said.

She smiled brightly.
“
A morning gown, my lord. I made it from a gift of cloth and trim purchased by Vespera and Sir Hewe. Do you like it?
”

“
I think it meant for a husband
’
s eyes alone,
”
he ob
served.

“
Indeed, it was sewn most hopefully for a husband
’
s seduction,
”
she said brazenly.

“
Aye, and you
’
ve done well with a bolt of cloth, lady. It will warm Sir Hewe
’
s blood a mite as well.
”

“
I
’
ll leave you to Hewe,
”
she said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“
Nay, love. He brings his report on this estate. Tis your home. Stay. If he looks at you more than once, I will kill him.
”

The tapping came again.
“
My lord? May we speak?
”

“
I do not wish to embarrass the young knight,
”
she said, troubled, tugging at her bodice as if to cover more of her swelling breasts.

Royce smiled roguishly. His bold gaze warmed her as he leisurely appraised her beauty.
“
Consider it a gift to the man. It far outshines his to you. I fear to rise lest I shock him further.
”

Again Hewe knocked.
“
Blast you, come in,
”
Royce shouted. Before he even acknowledged the young knight
’
s presence, he turned to Felise.
“
A goblet, my love, would ease my aches the more,
”
he beckoned.

Felise welcomed the chance to turn from Hewe
’
s first glimpse and pour her husband a drink from a decanter of wine.

Hewe fidgeted slightly before Royce.
“
I... ah ... if there is a better time.
”

Royce gave the man a good-natured frown and said,
“
Truly there are better moments, but if you will excuse my bath, I will hear you.
”

Hewe pulled a stool from before the hearth and looked cautiously away as Felise handed Royce his wine and then retreated to a place discreetly behind Hewe. Royce chuck
led.
“
Your gift adorns my wife well. My thanks. All my knights should serve my pleasure so well.
”

Hewe could not suppress a light coloring of his cheeks.

“
Twas the lady Vespera
’
s idea,
”
he said somewhat shyly.

“
Just the same, the two of you did well. Now, what have you to tell me?
”

“
I had thought ... that is ..
. the lady might prefer some other occupation while we talk.
”

“
Nay, this is her home. Let her remain.
”

“
But Royce, I...
”

Royce sat up a bit in the tub.
“
Do you report some misconduct on the part of my wife?
”

“
Nay, Royce, but I
.
.. there are those things I did not share with my lady.
”

Royce sat back, better liking that answer than another Hewe might have given him.
“
Share them now, then.
”
He noticed that
Felise
took a step closer to the conversation.

“
Your pardon, lady ... I did not wish to frighten you, though you were always well guarded.
”
Hewe turned his head slightly in
Felise
’
s direction but was not bold enough to look at her while she was so scantily dressed. He turned back to Royce.
“
I know you are aware that Boltof is here, but there is more.

“
Sir Maelwine first sighted Sir Boltof in Coventry, and he was there with Sir Wharton. We accepted that strange brotherhood as a truce, for they said they had buried their differences over the lady
Felise
and the dowry, since you were named. They told Maelwine that they had met in Coventry and were bound for other places. It was then that Boltof assured Maelwine he would come to Segeland to impress you with his loyal friendship, that all might happily abide this order of the king.

“
But less than a fortnight past, they were together in Coventry again. While I went with Vespera to purchase the lady
’
s gift, we saw them. I took a rear passage back to where our troop waited while Vespera walked by them, lingering close enough to hear their exchange. They plot some over
throw here, but we know nothing more.
”

Royce
’
s scowl blackened, though not from surprise. In the course of this very interesting morning he could have guessed as much.

“
It was in my mind to turn them away when they came, but the serving woman convinced me it is better to let Boltof in and try to foil his plan, rather than find him lurking about in some thickly wooded copse, in wait.
”
He cleared his throat.
“
The woman, Vespera, is an accom
plished spy. She watches and listens closely, though no one pays her any heed. Sometimes, by God, she is invisible.
”

Royce gave a sly smile and looked at his wife. Felise wore a confused frown and ventured still closer to the conversa
tion.
“
Aye,
”
he said to Hewe,
“
Vespera is adept in this.
”

“
So they are within the hall, Vespera taking on any chore that can place her in hearing of their conversations, while I have guarded my lady all the day and night. From what was said between the two in Coventry, Wharton lingers close at hand with men. It is possible some attack is planned.
”

Felise came even closer.
“
That is why Vespera is so often absent. I have had to seek her out to help me in my rooms. Hewe, you should have told me.
”

“
Pardon, lady. Twas Vespera who cautioned me to si
lence. She cannot weave her way close to them when everyone within this hall shows their suspicion in their eyes. What say you, Royce?
”

“
How does Boltof use Celeste in this?
”
he asked.

“
In truth, I don
’
t know. Even Boltof should know that Celeste is no match for Lady Felise. He cannot mean to tempt you with his sister.
”

“
He suggested this to Lady Celeste,
”
Royce said.
“
I
think I have convinced her this
would be foolish and she would only further shame herself.
”
He reached out to Felise, who moved to take his hand, no longer concerned with her immodest gown. Even Hewe kept his eyes discreetly on her face as she took her place in a chair near enough to Royce
’
s tub to bridge the space with her hand holding his.
“
Al
though it pains Lady Celeste, she knows I am committed to my wife and have no interest in her affections.
”
His wife squeezed his hand in warm communication.
“
If Boltof pressures her,
”
he went on,
“
she will refuse. But that is not our problem. He has another use for her. We need to know what it is.
”

Sir Hewe gave a snort.
“
Royce, I do not fear battle, nor am I shy of strength, but this method Vespera insists upon sits ill with me. To allow him into this hall and so close to you when there is every reason to suspect he is about trouble, this burdens me greatly. I would have it out with him.
”

“
Nay,
”
Royce said easily.
“
Vespera is right: he is better placed within our sight than in Coventry with Wharton, making plans away from our ears. But I will force him to hurry, for I will tell him that his presence strains our friendship. This very eve I will take him aside and strongly urge that he take his sister from here. Yet I do not intend to push him beyond his plan. Let us give him time to work his plots. I will give him one week.
”

He looked to Felise.
“
Though we sleep lightly for a week, it may ensure a lifetime of better nights ahead.
”
And then to Hewe, he added,
“
We
’
ll get the best of him now, and be free of him later.
”

“
I hope you are right, Royce. I have never trusted the man.
”

Royce frowned at this comment.
“
You have been with me for a long time, Hewe. Since you were a squire. When did you begin to distrust Boltof?
”

Hewe struggled with the answer, for he could scarcely name the time.
“
Boltof is not strong of arms, and few have been eager to pledge any loyalty to him. In truth, you are the only man of reputation that has given him an oath of friendship, for it is well known that Boltof only befriends those who might better his influence or purse.
”
Hewe
’
s cheeks took on a dark pink stain as he went on, clearly uncomfortable with this honesty.
“
When he speaks of his friendship with you, he is boasting much as a man does when he is counting his coin. Rather than building his own fortune, he has only deepened his alliance with you.
”

Royce thought heavily for a moment.
“
You remember Aylworth? My brother?
”
he asked Hewe.

The young knight nodded.
“
I was there,
”
Hewe said quietly.

“
Do you think Wharton killed him?
”
Royce asked with direct boldness.

“
Nay, Royce. Wharton is stubborn and greedy, but I have seen him upon the field and in tourneys. He fights fairly. Your brother was killed while he slept. With his own knife.
”

“
And do you suspect me?
”
he asked.

“
I would not have made my oath to you when I was knighted had I thought you that kind of man.
”

Royce sat up in his tub, leaning his elbows on his raised knees. He looked closely at Hewe.
“
Who, besides me, would have profited from Aylworth
’
s death?
”

“
Aylworth, rest him, was not known for kindness to his servants and squires ...
”

“
No peasant or sallow youth possessed the strength or courage to do what was done. Another
--
”

“
Wharton claimed the booty
--
”