The Troubadour's Romance (41 page)

“
But you endorsed Boltof to Lord Harlan,
”
Royce said.

Aswin shook his head almost sadly.
“
I had never had such high hopes as those I suddenly enjoyed when I dined with Harlan
’
s family. Do you see this old man
’
s dreams? Those two whelps could bring two fine chi
ldren into my home. I could have
you through Celeste, and the Lady Felise might have turned the worst of Boltof into a proper knight. I had
no right, Royce, but still I wished to do honor to Dulcine by helping her children.
”
He shrugged.
“
My disappointment at losing you equaled Celeste
’
s, I vow. But I would not allow those two to plot against Henry
’
s order. The king is wiser than I allowed.
”

Royce chuckled. He should have known it was foolish to distrust this man even for a moment. He looked over his shoulder and saw that they were still far from the hall. They had paused beside Ulna
’
s modest house.
“
Come, Aswin. Let us hide you quickly. The widow Ulna will give you a proper meal.
”

“
Hide me? Take me to yon hall and I
’
ll rid the place of serpents!
”

“
We have much to discuss before you next meet your stepchildren. It appears that I was alone in trusting them.
”

“
By damn,
‘
tis a pity. Dulcine was a good and kind woman. But she failed with those two. I hope I am not too late.
”

“
I hope no one has seen you, for
your arrival could dampen Boltof
’
s courage. He has a mighty plan afoot here. There is only one way I can catch him: I must let him try to see it through.
”

“
How can I help you?
”
the old lord asked.

“
First, you must get out of sight,
”
he said, smiling.
“
And next, you must give me a great deal of time to explain.
”

Eighteen

Vespera rose early on the day of her trip to Coventry to make preparations. After a light morning meal, she went to Celeste
’
s chamber and knocked on the door. She was not surprised to find Boltof already within, although she had wondered if Celeste would be the one to give her the message to carry. He greeted Vespera warmly, putting his most courtly manners on display for her.

“
It is good of you to offer these services, madam.
”
He smiled.
“
My sister is most appreciative.
”

Vespera looked at Celeste, who sat meekly on a stool near the bed. It was obvious by her drawn features that she had become exhausted and frightened. She wondered how badly Boltof threatened and abused his sister to force her to follow his instructions.

“
Does my lady have a preference for the color of cloak?
”
she asked.

“
Nay,
”
Celeste replied solemnly, barely raising her eyes.
“
Anything will do.
”

Vespera looked at Celeste with pity. Her appearance had changed remarkably from what it had been at Windsor, when she had stood erect and proud. Though plain, she had possessed an inner glow when she was full on the devotion
of Royce. Now, rejected, she seemed to be dying inside. She had only Boltof now.

“
Come, Celeste,
”
Boltof insisted happily.
“
A deep green, to darken your eyes and set off the gold of your hair? A royal purple? Blue?
”

“
It doesn
’
t matter.
”

“
Well, you see the lady
’
s skin is fair and her eyes are blue. Do you think you can find a mantle that will both enhance her beauty and liven her spirits?
”

“
I will try, messire. How much would you like me to spend?
”

He shook a bag of silver and placed it in her hands. Vespera could tell by the weight that it was a generous sum. She let her eyes widen accordingly so these two would think they had bought themselves a good servant.
“
The sum is less important than the piece. It must be rich and worthy of my sister
’
s beauty. You may keep what is left for yourself. And if it would not be too much trouble for you, I have carefully written this short letter to my father
’
s friend, the Coventry priest.
”
He pressed a small scroll into her hand.

“
The priest,
”
she repeated.

“
Monseigneur Trothmore,
”
he advised.
“
And madam, this priest is not well liked in this burg. I would appreciate your silence on the matter of family friendship. Our wel
come here is sorely strained as it is, and I would rend it no further by association with a man who has been cast from this town. Oh, yea, I have heard the fair
Felise
banished him. It was a contest I would like to have seen,
”
he chuckled.
“
But, I only communicate with the priest out of honor to my father, God rest him.
”

“
Your father is dead?
”
Vespera asked, a note of surprise in her voice.

“
Aye, many years past. My stepfather lives and manages his lands now. I suppose they will be mine one day.
”

Vespera looked down, for she knew the shock would have registered on her face. Of course Boltof was too much older than Felise to be a son of Aswin
’
s born after she had known him, but at the time the relationship was first mentioned to her, she had panicked at the thought. It had occurred to her when she first saw Boltof that there was some resemblance, but she wondered now if she had imagined that. Or perhaps
Aswin sired the boy before she met him nearly twenty years ago.

All that had been clear to her at the time was that Aswin had a son, Boltof. And this son wished to marry her daughter. She had fled to Henry and thrown herself on his mercy. Henry
’
s approval of Boltof would see brother and sister wed. It was the first time in twenty years she had named
Felise
’
s father.

And she had misunderstood it all.

“
Madam?
”
Boltof questioned.

She looked down at the small, rolled parchment. It trembled in her hand.
“
Messire?
”

“
The missive. You will not mention it?
”

“
I will say nothing. But this priest, you do not know him?
”

Boltof shrugged and smiled.
“
As I have said, I feel an obligation to my father to make contact with the man, since they were friends. I may visit him upon leaving here. But since I was a small child I have not seen him.
”

“
I will take your letter to Monseigneur Trothmore and buy a cloak for Lady Celeste,
”
she said, tucking the bag of coins and the note into her deep pockets.
“
Is there anything else you would have me buy?
”

“
Nay, that is all. You return on Sunday?
”
Vespera nod
ded.
“
Good, we will leave as soon as you deliver the cloak.
”

“
Thank you, my lord. You are generous and kind.
”

“
I will escort you to your mount,
”
Boltof offered.

“
There is no need, messire,
”
she attempted.

“
Ah, I insist, madam,
”
he said, taking her arm.

Vespera had no alternative but to let him walk with her to where her horse and three escorts waited. An empty wagon would accompany them to give the impression that goods were being brought back to Segeland, although their pur
pose in going had nothing to do with making purchases, other than Celeste
’
s cloak. But with Boltof
’
s escort, Vespera lost the chance to read the message before leaving the keep.

Felise
waited by the door below. She nodded briefly to Boltof, trying to remain expressionless. She concentrated on Vespera.
“
Do you remember every item?
”
she asked.

“
Aye, my lady. Would you have me repeat them again?
”

“
Nay,
”
Felise
said.
“
Though
‘
twould be a simpler matter
if I could give you a list to read to the merchants there.
”
She noted Boltof
’
s sly smile out of the corner of her eye.
“
You have never made a mistake in the past, and I will not worry now. I will walk with you to the gate.
”

“
I will take her to the gate,
”
Boltof said.

“
You needn
’
t bother, Sir Boltof, I
--
”

“
But I consider it my obligation, since I have asked the good woman to make a purchase for my sister. A cloak of lighter weight to make the journey home more comfortable for her will liven her spirits. By your leave.
”
He gave a short nod and took Vespera
’
s arm again.

“
Madam,
”
Felise
said,
“
have a care to be prompt with my goods. I have need of them by Sunday. Don
’
t dally.
”

“
Nay, madam.
”

“
And do not wander from Royce
’
s men. Take them with you on your errands.
”

“
Aye, madam.
”

Vespera felt an urgency in
Felise
’
s manner, although the younger woman tried to remain poised. Before Boltof could become suspicious, Vespera quickly left the hall with him, for it was better to get on the road to Coventry than to delay. She knew well
Felise
’
s distress. They had all hoped to know the
contents of Boltof
’
s message forthwith. Now Royce would have to ride out on some excuse and try to intercept the travelers to know
Boltof
’
s
plan.

Boltof walked with Vespera well away from the hall, leading her palfrey while the three escorts, two horsed and one managing the empty wagon, trailed along behind. Vespera paused as they entered the village and the gate was in sight. She turned to Boltof.
“
Will you give me aid in mounting, sir?
”
she asked.

He stopped, looked toward the gate, which Trumble was having pushed open, and must have reasoned he could watch her departure from where he stood. He placed his hands on her waist and gave her a lift into the saddle.
“
You needn
’
t take guards on all your errands,
”
he said softly.

“
I know the Coventry streets quite well, monseigneur,
”
she replied.
“
I need no escort.
”

He nodded, the look in his eyes conveying his belief that he had succeeded in getting his message to Wharton
through Trothmore. Vespera gave her horse a gentle heel and proceeded ahead of the others toward the gate. She did not turn to see if Boltof watched, for she felt his eyes on her back. He would assure himself that his letter was safely out of Segeland.

As they moved down the village road, Vespera let her eyes travel to either side and gave a slight nod to those villagers she knew. The trains coming and going to Coventry had become a common enough sight to these people, for
Felise
’
s custom of making purchases for the hall and town was an accepted practice now. As she passed Ulna
’
s cottage she looked there out of habit, for the widow usually came to the door when she heard the sound of creaking wagon wheels.

The top half of Ulna
’
s door was open, and as Vespera looked, she saw a man standing in the frame. The darkness within the cottage made his features difficult to see clearly, but she knew the face far too well to be confused. Although he had accompanied Boltof and Celeste to Windsor, she had not seen him. But there was no mistaking him, it was Aswin Orrick.

Their eyes met over the brief space for but an instant. She looked away quickly before he had a chance to recognize her, although with her covered crown and high-collared mantle he would most likely not know her.

Her heart began to pound within her breast. She had not spoken to Royce that morning, but perhaps Aswin
’
s pres
ence in the village was the cause of
Felise
’
s agitation. They surely knew he was arrived; indeed, who but Royce or Felise would have placed him in Ulna
’
s house? The widow was a trusted friend and it was unlikely she would hide a conspira
tor. Had Aswin come to aid his stepson in some plot, he would be in the hall, for he was nobly bred and in better graces with the couple than was Boltof. Royce must have hidden Aswin and enlisted his aid. That was all Vespera could imagine.

Before she was well out of the gate, she knew that her plans had been greatly changed. She would not return from Coventry, but leave from there to buy passage to Fonte
vrault. Some excuse could be delivered to Felise, and her meager possessions could be sent to her at a future time. She
would not face Aswin. The pain had been too great, his betrayal of their love too deep. She would not allow that hurt to reach her ever again.

A thick tear gathered on her lashes and her breath caught. Perhaps it was better that there were no farewells. She would meet Wharton and convince him that he was be
trayed, Boltof would be captured before he could do injury
--
her time with the young couple was done. She had been foolish to think it could go on much longer. She had given up Felise years before, knowing she could lay no further claim to the lass.