The Troubadour's Romance (42 page)

She gave her horse another spurring heel to hurry the pace. Once out of sight of the wall she would read Boltof
’
s letter. Royce would surely reach them before midday to gather the information and,
she hoped, reassure her that As
win
’
s presence in the town was to aid them. These chores, once accomplished, would be her last for Felise.

But although she knew she
’
d made the best decision for all concerned, her tears marked her cheeks just the same.

***

Royce had let the sun rise high above the keep before he set Hewe to the task of watching over Felise and rode out of the gate with a few men-at-arms, as was the landholder
’
s rote. Vespera and her group had been gone for several hours, but he knew they would wait. Boltof was enjoying his favorite pastime of lounging in the main hall before the hearth and ordering the servants to fetch him ale or food.

The first time Royce left Segeland to survey his lands, Boltof had invited himself along.

“
I ride the perimeters of the farmlands and hunting areas every day to be assured there are no trespassers on my property,
”
Royce had rather brusquely replied.
“
I do not invite guests to ride with my men and me. Especially guests whose presence I do not understand.
”

Boltof had bristled at the rude remark.
“
I am at a loss as to why you are so determined to destroy our long friend
ship, Royce. I came here to pledge anew, in spite of the insult, and you have ignored us and asked us to leave.
”

“
Perhaps you will wait upon an invitation in the future, Boltof,
”
Royce had replied. And he went on to say,
“
It is on
Sunday that you will leave, is it not? My hospitality will extend itself no further, that is certain.
”

“
Someday, Royce, you may regret your lack of generos
ity.
”

“
Perhaps,
”
Royce had replied.
“
Then again, perhaps not.
”

From that time forward, Boltof must surely have been sorry for his presumptuous behavior, for he was allowed only the hall, the stables, and the hunting birds for his pleasures. They dined together in the hall, as all members of the household did. The conversations were strained and heavy. Celeste in the main stared at her plate, although
Felise
occasionally turned kind words her way. Boltof tried to turn the talk to old war stories, but in finding Royce sulky and uninterested, he let the subjects die. Boltof and Celeste were assured, upon Royce
’
s arrival, that they were unwel
come and should not have come.

That Royce endured their presence beyond the first day after his return had only to do with
Boltof
’
s
plan. Had Hewe not seen the two knights in Coventry and had Vespera not overheard the plotting, Royce would have provided an entourage to take the brother and sister away immediately. He often shook his head in wonder that Boltof assumed it was his cleverness that had gained him access and contin
ued lodging in Segeland. He seemed not even suspicious that though Royce voiced his displeasure with their visit, he allowed them to stay another week.

When he returned from his afternoon ride, he found
Felise
seated in the main room, busily sewing an article of clothing. Hewe was faithfully near, rubbing a high shine onto his shield. And Boltof was there, swigging ale from a generous tankard and enjoying the company and the warmth of the hall.

“
Do you find your lands in good order, Royce?
”
Boltof asked, unusually high in spirits.

“
All is well,
”
he replied.

Hewe
’
s eyes were on him, and he considered calling a meeting, but thought better of it. He would make no excuse to speak alone with his wife and this young knight. Instead he pulled off his gauntlets and hauberk and made himself
comfortable in the room. He asked for drink and aid in removing his boots, and proceeded to make small talk with Hewe about the hunting and planting that must proceed and what masons must be fetched from neighboring towns to begin the building of the church.

Boltof tossed in comments here and there, many of which were meant to be unkind.
“
It has been a long time since there was a church here, has it not?
”
he asked.

“
Too long,
”
Fel
ise replied coolly.
“
That has all changed since Royce has returned to Segeland.
”

And later, Boltof interrupted their conversation with another comment
“
I didn
’
t know the villagers here had so many tools for their farming. On one of my brief visits with you, your people were hard put to farm, yet now it seems they could not want for more in the way of plows, hoes, shovels, and scythes.
”

“
The generosity of Tw
yford,
”
Royce snorted.
“
My wife
’
s family saw fit to extend their purse to our needs.
”

“
You seem to lack nothing now.
”

Royce looked at him closely.
“
Nay. We are well fixed.
”

“
You have extended the farm plots,
”
Boltof said.
“
You
’
ll have need of more farmers, as well as masons and crafts
men.
”

Royce wondered at
Boltof
’
s
attempts at pleasantry.
“
Al
ready there are more villagers than upon our arrival. They are busy roofing their huts and enlarging their farm plots. Their number grows equal to our new prosperity.
”

Boltof looked into his cup.
“
You have been more fortu
nate than I realized.
”
All eyes were on him, but Boltof looked at no one.
“
I have known you for a decade and a half, and your lot has changed greatly since our meeting. I remember when you battled the bad reputation of the Leighton name, for few trusted you. The Leightons paid no homage to church or king, and the place was poor. There were oft hostages here, and battles with neighboring barons. The people for miles around would bolt their doors when your shield was seen as we passed, for the Leighton family was to be distrusted and feared.

“
I remember when you cared little about heirs and said, quite frankly, that you would be pleased enough to see my children inherit Segeland.
”
Royce
’
s head snapped in his
direction. Had he been so bold as to confide even that? Looking back, he thought he might easily have done so, knowing that Boltof must have suspected he had lain with Celeste. Little had Royce known back then that Celeste must have proudly confirmed the fact. So, Boltof had had his eye on Segeland for some time. Perhaps the marriage to Celeste alone would not have been enough. Perhaps Boltof had long ago planned further treachery.

“
Yet now,
”
Boltof droned on,
“
the keep and town are rich, you have a beautiful wife to dote upon and the trust of the king and the mighty Scelfton family and lands in Aquitaine.
”
He let his eyes rise to meet Royce
’
s.
“
I know you must value the change. You must work hard to keep your reputation sound.
”

Royce gave him a leveling stare.
“
I never fought my family
’
s reputation in the past and I do not struggle with mine now. Let people believe what they will. We will live on the same.
”

Boltof shrugged and smiled.
“
Perhaps you have finally buried the past, Royce, and it will not rise up against you again. I am happy for you.
”
He tilted his cup and drained the contents.

Royce felt
Felise
’
s eyes on him and looked at her. The question was shining bright and torturous. She was eager to know if
Boltof
’
s
message to Coventry further incriminated him.

Royce gave her a slight but firm nod. She let her eyes gently close and she gripped the shirt in her lap. The moments dragged like hours. They all waited, trying to keep suspicion from their eyes and all praying that their theories were right and Boltof would not surprise them with some move they did not anticipate. It would prove a very long two days.

Boltof, it seemed, was the only one at ease. When Celeste joined them for the evening meal, he was solicitous of her comfort, fawning over her in a most gallant, brotherly fashion. He helped her find a chair, propped up her feet, and called for a goblet of wine to soothe her. He apologized quietly for her sullenness and said she suffered from melan
cholia and must be dealt with gently. A side of pork sizzled over the hearth and Royce distractedly gave the meat a
poke. Boltof moved to stand beside him.
“
You are right, Royce. I was foolish to bring my sister here and so strain our friendship. It has been difficult for all of us. I hope one day you will find it possible to forgive me.
”
He shrugged his bulky shoulders.
“
I had thought myself well schooled in the finer manners of the nobly born, but I can see now that I presumed too much of you. I am sorry.
”

Royce looked at him closely. His words as well as his eyes held sincerity. He appeared at least as genuine as he had on that dim morning long ago when he had offered to support a story that he had been with Royce all through the night on which Aylworth was killed.

“
Time may indeed lessen the strain, Boltof. But you must take Celeste home. It is clear she suffers here. You should have known better.
”

Boltof showed a childlike look of shame and fairly hung his head. He picked up a nearby poker and stirred the logs in the hearth. Royce felt the urge to grab him and shake him, for this kind of lying and plotting made his insides churn. This waiting while the snake slithered toward its victim gnawed at him. He
’
d rather meet an opponent in fair battle.

“
I
’
ll secure the stables before the sun sets,
”
Royce said, no longer able to endure the hall.
“
See to your sister, should she need anything.
”

He turned from Boltof and went out into the late after
noon air, closing the huge doors behind him. He stood there, viewing his town before him, and made no move toward the stables. A long while passed as he stood watching the sun lower, deeply considering his situation. He thought he knew
Boltof
’
s
strengths and weaknesses, but he couldn
’
t imagine how he would tie the plot together.

He went over small details in his mind again and again:
He will leave on a quick journey to a neighboring town on the pretense of meeting a friend, but he does not call for Wharton to meet him until early Sunday. How does he use Wharton? With arms or as a witness? He convinces Celeste that they can accuse me of adultery, but that fair dame cannot think such a ploy would prompt me to abandon
Felise
and marry her. Surely she is not so stupid. Yet she does his will
.
There is more to their plotting; there must be.

Royce shook his head for the hundredth time. He would have to lay in wait. There was no other way.

The door slowly opened and Fe
lise came out onto the step, her shawl pulled tightly around her. He smiled and raised an arm to encircle her shoulders.

“
I thought you were going to the stable,
”
she said.

“
I could bear no more of Boltof
’
s good humor,
”
he replied.

“
His message?
”
she asked.

“
He calls for Wharton to meet him at Hunter
’
s Cross, well out of sight of the wall, on Sunday morning. I suppose he will extract an oath from Wharton that they were together in Coventry, and Boltof expects to be above suspicion.
”
He sighed heavily.
“
To what purpose, I have no idea.
”