The Troubadour's Romance (47 page)

By midday all but one traveler had returned to Segeland. In Vespera
’
s place came a letter, excusing herself from further duty to Felise. Only the most essential information

was contained in her message: she had convinced Wharton and expected he would ride to Segeland in due time to test the truth. She had enough money to take her bade to the convent, and she sorely missed the sisters. And a line or two referred to the prayers she would continue to direct to the good fortune of Segeland and the lord and lady.

Less than an hour after the escorts had returned, Aswin was ready to mount his own steed.

“
Let me go with you,
”
Royce attempted.

“
Nay, Royce, this is mine to do.
”

“
I would go alone and bring her back here. You are not fit to ride.
”

“
I
’
ll show you how fit I am,
”
he said, grabbing the saddle with his good hand and pulling himself up.
“
Youngsters,
”
he snorted.
“
I
’
ve gotten through these many years without your services. I
’
ll manage a few more.
”

“
You could wait for the morning,
”
Fel
ise attempted.

“
Nay again. She escaped me once, she won
’
t again! By damn, she
’
ll hear my excuses and I
’
ll
beg her forgiveness or follow her trail for the rest of her life. We both hid ourselves away and pitied our poor lot, when we might have found the truth years ago.
”
He looked pointedly at
Felise
.
“
We might even have raised you ourselves, though that blasted Harlan did as well with you as I could have.
”

Felise laughed at the mere thought of the two fathers she could now claim.
“
As if it is not enough that I must endure my lord Harlan
’
s sorry temper, I shall have two of you blustering about.
”

“
God willing, lass,
”
Aswin said hopefully.
“
That is, if I can find the woman and talk some sense into her. Royce, you say she has complained of a lost love? You are certain?
”

He nodded.
“
My guess is that her longing has matched yours, but through many years of confusion. I think you have nothing to fear from the woman. But you have much to set to rights, Aswin. Godspeed.
”

Aswin gave a brief salute and clicked his tongue.
“
I
’
l
l accept your prayers. I once fancied myself a gallant trouba
dour who knew much of love... but I
’
m sure out of practice and could use some help in wooing her. We are old now, you see.
”

Fe
lise looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
“
Just bring her home, my lord. There is time enough left for us to share.
”

The old lord smiled brightly.
“
Ah, but there lies the hope, child. We old lovers have not many years left. We are careful not to waste time as you young people are wont to do.
”
He held the reins and leaned down toward her.
“
I hope she is as impatient as I. Tis time I made good my affections.
”

Felise
rose on her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“
Then hurry, lest you must follow her all the way to Ranee.
”

He took the advice and turned his horse down the road. Looking back only once to wave, his urgency showed in the brisk trot of his steed, and he did not slow his pace as he passed Boltof. That one slumped in the hot sun, secure within his ropes.

“
I envy him,
”
Royce said.
“
Still eager for his proper mate after all these years.
”

Felise
looked up at him with laughter in her eyes.
“
Oh? Do you mean to imply that you will not be eager for me ... when we are old?
”

“
When my back aches and I cannot ride so swiftly? When the grandchildren pester me for stories and lessons? When you are round and your hair is gray and thin?
”
he teased. He bent and swept her into his arms, carrying her into the hall and up the stairs. He kicked open the door to his room and with his heel pushed it closed behind him. He dropped her on the bed and, in spite of her giggles, threw himself on top of her.

“
You had better hope my back aches, wench. Otherwise we will spend little time out of bed.
”

She looped her arms around his neck and kissed him long and lovingly.
“
Oh, Royce, I do love you! Rid the house of pests, my noble husband, and let us find those old bolts and bars and make ourselves prisoners here for a month of new springs. Hasten those two from our house quickly, that you can return to me with trouble finally gone.
”
She smiled temptingly.
“
I have plans for you.
”

His lips brushed hers.
“
With pleasure, lady. In just a little while. Boltof and Celeste can wait
.
I cannot
.
”

Segeland Castle

Christmas, 1185

Sir Trumble
’
s bell sounded to alert the residents within Segeland
’
s main hall. A large fire warmed the room, ale and wine flowed freely, and all within enjoyed a festive mood for the Christmastide celebrations. At the sound of the bell,
Felise
jumped to her feet and excitedly ran to the large oaken doors, throwing them wide in spite of the wintry cold.

“
God
’
s blood, she hasn
’
t changed a bit,
”
Lord Scelfton blustered.
“
Felise, be damned, close the door
‘
til they
’
ve come.
”

“
Harlan, be still,
”
Edrea scolded.
“
Neither have you changed.
”

Felise ignored the lord
’
s command, just as she ignored Edrea
’
s scolding. She stood in the frame of the door and waved. A man and woman traveled toward them on horse
back, while behind them a heavily laden wagon was pulled.

Royce moved to stand behind his wife and when he did so, pulled the door slightly closed to spare the inhabitants of the hall any unnecessary cold. He rested a hand on
Felise
’
s shoulder and waved with her. Within moments the riders were before the hall and Felise could contain herself no longer. She ran to them, her long, unbound hair flowing behind her, without giving the slightest thought to a cloak.

The sky was a clear blue, a soft cover of snow lay on the earth, and the winds were gentle for the travelers. She could not wait for Royce to help her mother down, but reached her arms up to her before she had dismounted.

As Royce strode toward them, Aswin was already strug
gling down from his horse. Royce frowned at the man
’
s stubbornness and moved to the lady.
“
Madam,
”
he greeted, reaching for her.
“
You look as though the journey agreed with you.
”

He helped her to the firm ground and Felise embraced Veronique again, a laugh escaping from the mother at the sheer power of her daughter
’
s affection. When she could breathe, Veronique faced Royce.

“
Our travels did agree with us. Aquitaine prospers, as you might guess. Celeste is settled and I do think she
’
ll be happy with the sisters. Fontevrault is a good shelter for abused and troubled dames, and since Boltof is gone
--
”
she paused, crossing herself and muttering a brief blessing
--
”
ah, since his life is forfeit for his crimes, Celeste has no interest in her mother
’
s lands.
”
Veronique shrugged and smiled.
“
We
’
ll keep the property and
if she changes her mind, well ..
. and good. But I think perhaps Celeste has finally found her place with the sisters. They are kind. And,
”
she said, looking sideways at Aswin,
“
we were wed in the de Raissa manse. It is finally done,
”
she chuckled.
“
Our sins are laid away to rest.
”
The twinkle in her eye gave the lie to her supposed guilty conscience.

Veronique took
Felise
’
s hands in both of hers and held herself away, looking her up and down.
“
You have changed, my dearest. Motherhood agrees with you.
”

“
Come, madam,
”
she said brightly. She pulled Veronique into the warm hall filled with members of the Segeland household, the Scelfton family, and now two more cold travelers come to join them in celebration. The cheer within the room was bright and joyful. A smile graced all lips but Harlan
’
s, whose face, it must be said, would break into many pieces should he smile.

Edrea came quickly toward Veronique and gently kissed her cheek, all the while very mindful of the bundle she held. She pulled away and drew back the blanket that protected the baby from the blistering cold and showed Veronique a
bright thatch of red on its crown.

“
Madam, our grand
daughter,
”
she said, holding the baby toward her.

“
Ah, love,
”
Veronique
sighed, holding out arms to take the baby.
“
Your letter spoke true. She is beautiful.
”

“
Humph,
”
Harlan grumbled, moving toward Aswin with his hand stretched out in greeting.
“
Another head full of devil
’
s red and another lifetime full of beating the lads off the stoop. Aswin, you wounded old stag, did I hear tell of a wedding? I thought you were too old for such nonsense.
”

Aswin took the hand gratefully, smiling broadly.
“
Too old? Nay, she adds wine to my cup and takes away a score of my years.
”
To that
Veronique
cast him an unquestionably embarrassed glance over her shoulder.
“
Too old? Mayhap you are too old, but I am not.
”

Harlan
’
s hand gently patted his Edrea
’
s posterior, earning him a damning look.
“
My lord,
”
she gasped.

“
Be careful who you call old,
”
Harlan blustered, the corners of his mouth tugging upward in a smile.

“
Sit you down,
”
Royce urged.
“
Get these people hot wine to warm them and stoke the fir
e before my daughter freezes. Fe
lise, a goblet for Lady Veronique and something to slow the wit of those two old war-horses. By God,
”
Royce cried, raising a handy cup high in the air,
“
we are in no short supply of grandparents.
”
Cheers went up and around the room and those who had a cup drank.

He let his arm drop around Fe
lise
’
s shoulders and watched the scene before him.
Veronique
and Edrea cooed over the baby, but each found an extra hand to accept a drink. Maelwine and Evan rose to greet Aswin. Dalton and Hewe braced arms in a contest of strength at a nearby table. Cloaks were taken by pages and brew delivered to each guest found to be lacking a cup. Royce raised his cup again.
“
To family, large enough to please many noble households.
”

Many voices agreed, many hands tilted cups. Roasting meat spat at the fire and dry logs crackled with a friendly sound. The room began to quiet slightly as Royce and Felise stood closely watching the happy gathering.
“
‘
Tis well,
”
Royce confirmed.
“
Since my wife is not shy of my affec
tions, we have need of many grandparents for our children.
”
He dropped a husbandly kiss on her brow.
“
And uncles,
”
he added, lifting his cup in the direction of
Felise
’
s brothers.

An infant
’
s squeal rose in defiance of the last toast and laughter shook the room.
Felise
giggled happily.
“
It is not that our fair daughter has no use for her uncles,
”
she promised.
“
It is only that she can remember the day these noble Twyford knights were too much in the way of things.
”

“
In the way?
”
Royce questioned.
“
Not quick enough. Our family was started without their permission. My pardon, sirs,
”
he said, bowing toward the Scelfton brothers.

The child began to whimper anew and
Felise
left her husband
’
s side to take her and nurse her. She excused herself to a quiet corner to settle the baby at her breast. Royce was soon beside her while all the others held their noisy reunion just paces away.
Felise
softly hummed to her child and Royce placed a possessive hand on her shoulder. She found his wandering days over, his reclusive nature gone. He was never very far away now.

She looked up at him with glowing eyes.
“
We can rest easy now, my lord. We are all home. At last.
”