Velvet & steel (14 page)

"I ... no ... I think it's time Cerise went to sleep.

It's late, Cerise. I'll finish the story tomorrow night."

"All right," Cerise said, disappointed. But she knew Lynette had already told her several stories, and that it was time to sleep. Royce watched as Lynette took Cerise to the bed and covered her carefully.

They walked to the door together and continued to Lynette's room without speaking. Royce was not sure what his feelings were; he only knew he needed to talk to her and he didn't want to say good night. They paused before her door.

"May I come in? I wish to talk to you."

"Do you think that wise? It is late."

"It is important," he said firmly.

Lynette didn't want to hear his decision, didn't want to hear the name of the lady who would take her place... and worse, she didn't want to tell him that it was impossible for her to choose a knight to replace him, that there was not a man walking who could match him. She did not want to weaken and beg him to stay with her, and if she let him into her room now, she had a feeling she might do just that.

She looked up at him, and he was startled by the vulnerability in her eyes; it unsettled him.

"Please ... no. I... I'll speak to you tomorrow. I am sure you can tell me what... anything .. . then. Good night."

She stepped inside her room and closed the door before he could find an excuse to stay. He paused for several minutes, considering the look in her eyes. Had she found someone to please her and was waiting only for the king to arrive? He walked slowly to his chamber, his mind on a bargain that was getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

Once in his bed, he folded his hands behind his head and considered his alternatives.

Lynette, too, considered the situation, and wished she could cast her pride aside and tell him that he was the only one she would choose. She thought of all Robert had told her, and wondered if there really was a way to reach Royce's frozen heart.

She longed again to feel the strength of his arms about her. Tonight she would have surrendered to that desire and begged him to stay, whether he married someone else or not. That was how shameless she had become. She would go to him right now if she had not known that he had no room in his heart for any other than Sybella.

"Oh, Papa, how can I win him when his every thought is of her? When he doesn't want me? How can I... " She paused. Was her pride more important than anything? Was it so important that she should let him go? Was she a coward that she could not go to him with the truth and learn what his answer would be? No. She would not let pride stand in her way. Tomorrow she would go to him and reveal her feelings. If he denied her, then what did it matter whom she chose?

Tomorrow... tomorrow...

...
Tomorrow
, Royce was repeating to himself; tomorrow he would force her to face him and hear what was in his heart. Tomorrow he would tell her he wanted to return to Creganwald with her and Cerise. Would she refuse him? If she did, would he fall back on the king's command? The answer was an unqualified yes. He meant to keep her, one way or the other.

Both made a decision, and both looked to tomorrow to put an end to their difficulties. Both decided to take their lives in their hands. And fate made a decision too.

Royce woke very early and was breaking his fast in front of a newly rekindled fire long before most of the men were stirring. Neither Lynette nor Cerise was awake either. Royce had just finished eating when Robert, sleepy-eyed and quiet, joined him.

Robert found a comfortable place close to the fire and with ale and food in hand turned to Royce.

"You rise early."

"Aye, I found sleep difficult."

"Something preys on your mind?"

Royce considered his words before he spoke, and this drew Robert's closer attention.

"It is my thought, Robert, to see an end to this bargain between Lynette and me."

Robert took a deep drink of ale, and tried to control his relief and pleasure at these words.

"Lynette has already chosen another?"

Royce looked on Robert with a dark scowl. "Nay, she has said no word to me. But it is not because there have not been enough rutting idiots stumbling around her. You would think her a pot of honey and they a swarm of bees."

Now Robert could have shouted his joy to the rooftops. Royce was jealous of the attention Lynette was attracting.

"Then why rid yourself of the bargain?" he said slyly. "Let her choose, and you can be gone and forget this... swarm. You cannot fault them. Lynette has beauty enough to draw them even without the land and the king's favor." He shrugged. "You can hardly blame them. She is a tempting morsel for any red-blooded man."

"That is not the plan I have in mind. Robert, I would see the king's will done," Royce said stiffly.

Robert could not help a bit of tormenting. "How very generous of you. Surely the king will be well pleased, but what of the maid? Mayhap she does not want to see the end of the bargain. Mayhap," he added quietly, "she would rather choose?"

"A bargain made can be a bargain broken, if both agree. I do not intend to take nay as an answer. If need be—"

"You will force her to comply," Robert said. He leaned forward and said in a different tone, "Why can you not just find out where her heart leads her ... and tell her that you tread the same path? A few soft words and a touch of love will stand you in good stead."

"I don't think she would believe me. I have said too many harsh words to smooth them with soft ones now."

"You truly think she will hold to the bargain?"

"Aye."

"Then you should find the truth of it. Speak to her first, and if you find the bargain settled in her mind... then the king's command will be your weapon."

"Mayhap you are right. I will speak to her today. Since the king does not arrive until tomorrow, there will be time to make sure her will and mine are the same."

"Take her from this hall," Robert laughed, "or you will be fighting off lovesick swains while you try to convince her."

"Aye." Royce smiled. "We will ride out this morning as soon as she wakens."

"Royce, make no mistake. The lady is held in esteem by all your knights, and all she comes in contact with."

"Even you, old friend?" Royce was amused, for he knew Robert spoke the truth.

"Aye," Robert chuckled. "Especially me. I have given thought to how pleasant it would be to see her each day. My old age would be greatly brightened."

Before Royce could speak again, there was a knock on the door. A message was brought to Royce, who read it with first a look of shock and then dismay. He turned to Robert.

"The king has arrived a day early. He commands our presence ... now."

"Now?"

"The message says
immediately
. I surmise that means now."

"Aye, the king does not twist his words."

"Robert, you know the confusion around him. This may take hours. You and I may not get back here before nightfall, if then."

"There is little you can do about it."

"I know."

"What if you were to ask Giles or Ferragus to take Lynette to the yuletide fair? There is much to show a maid, as you well know."

Royce brightened at Robert's suggestion, and he went to kick Giles and Ferragus awake. Into their foggy minds he finally forced the mission he required of them. The task was an easy one, for both were fond of Lynette and enjoyed her company.

"Take Cerise with you or Lynette will worry over her care and want to return too soon. See that your day is well spent and that there is little time left, other than to prepare herself to meet the king when she returns."

Royce and Robert left soon after, and rode quickly to answer the summons. They were welcomed by a host of old companions, and finally found their way to William, who added his welcome to theirs.

"You have come a day before you were expected, sire," Royce said. "Otherwise I would have been here to greet you."

"I know, Royce. The roads were clear and the travel was easy. I wanted to meet the maid, Lady Lynette. Have you not brought her with you?"

"Nay, sire, she will see to Cerise and join us later."

At the mention of Cerise's name, William was a bit surprised, for he had not heard Royce say her name in his presence before. He exchanged a quick look with Robert, and knew the tale would be given in full later.

"Come, join me for a meal. We have much to talk about."

Royce could have groaned. This would indeed take hours and there would be no chance to talk to Lynette before she joined them later that evening.

The activity around them grew with each passing minute, as knight after knight appeared. It was some time before Robert was able to speak with William.

"And so, Robert, how do your plans work? I heard his child's name for the first time. 'Tis a good sign."

"Aye, but there are other signs that bode better. The lass has unlocked doors with a gentle touch, and has brought Cerise to him. I believe he has opened his eyes, and once we have them wed, the problem will be well resolved. You will have a loyal subject happily ruling your lands with care, and with the help of a lady I have come to see was the best thing to have happened to him."

"Excellent... excellent. I am glad there is an end to his grief."

"I see that as a good possibility." Robert smiled. "The lady is most interesting. She has been, as Royce put it, surrounded like a pot of honey by a swarm of bees."

"And that pleases you?"

"Aye, a great deal. Tell me, have you ever seen anyone take from Royce what he considers his?"

"And he considers her his." William chuckled.

"Aye. He is chafing under the idea that he might lose her, should you change your command."

"I am the one who wanted this wedding; why should I change my command?"

"It seems," Robert said calmly, "that Royce and the lady made a bargain."

"A bargain?"

Robert explained the bargain quickly. "Now, I think his heart is not in it, nor do I think hers is. But each thinks the other is set upon it. She will come to you."

"He does not want to be free?"

"I think not, and I am almost certain that the lady would go most willingly to him should she really believe he has changed his mind."

"Robert, I will not change my command."

"Thank you," Robert replied simply.

"Do not thank me. I care deeply for Royce. He has been loyal to me from the beginning, and I understand his grief. Had I lost Matilda, I believe I would have cared little for going on. We will see this to the end. What else can prevent it, if both are in agreement?"

"Aye, what else?"

Lynette was surprised to find both Robert and Royce gone when she arose; she was even more surprised when she was told of the king's early arrival and the need for Royce's hasty departure. She was assured that they expected her to come later. Then Giles and Ferragus informed Cerise of the yuletide fair and said they would take both her and Lynette, if Lynette agreed.

Cerise pleaded, and Lynette surrendered with a laugh. She enjoyed the ride and the fair and, most of all, Cerise's enthusiasm, but she wondered what Royce might be saying to the king. Her hopes to win him would come to naught if he asked William for release. She wished she had had time to speak to him before he left. She was prepared to toss her pride out the window and tell him that there was no other man she would want as husband and future lord of Creganwald.

When the shadows grew long, she was eager to head for home. A message from Royce was already there: she was to dress and accompany his men to meet the king.

She made her way to her room, unsure of what to expect from the upcoming interview. She was no more to the king than a means to an end. What did it matter to him if another were chosen? But her heart would break if she lost Royce.

Lynette sank slowly down on a chair. Tonight she would meet William. She summoned up everything she had ever heard said about the king.

He was loyal to those who were loyal to him.... He adored his wife and was surprisingly loyal to her He was reasonably just. But what did all this

avail her if Royce wanted freedom? He was a loyal knight of William and would most likely be given his way.

It was an impossible situation! How could she cold-bloodedly stand in a gathering of William's knights and their ladies, and casually pick a lady to suit Royce? And just as casually pick out a knight to suit her, as if she were in the marketplace choosing a cabbage for the evening meal? The more she thought of it, the more impossible it became.

But evening came whether she willed it or not, and she found herself more richly attired than she had ever been, on the way to meet the man who held her future.... and her heart ... in his hands.

She was surprised to find Royce waiting for her close to the door, so that he could be the first at her side. He was pleased to see his knights surrounding her protectively and meant to thank them heartily the first chance he got.

"Lynette, you look very beautiful."

She looked up at him in surprise. This was the first compliment he had given her. But his look was warm, and she returned his smile. "Thank you."

"I must have some time to speak to you about something important. I would like to talk to you before you make any requests of the king."

"Do you think he is going to consider your petition?"

"I hope so," he said, testing her.

"So ... so do I ... if that is what you wish." She wondered if her heart would break when William freed them from their pledge.

Lynette had not known what to anticipate when she entered the room, but she had not expected to be inundated with admiring knights almost from the moment she and Royce entered the throne room. Lynette was quick to notice that Royce received just as many looks from the ladies of the court.

The announcement of the king's entrance put an end to Lynette's thoughts and to the stabs of jealousy she felt. She wanted to meet the king, look into his eyes, and try to see for herself if he was the kind of man who would bend because of a pleading request from a conquered lady. Her doubts shivered through her, and Royce bent closer.

"Are you all right?"

"Aye," she said, looking up at him in surprise. Obviously he was somehow aware of her thoughts and feelings. Royce gazed down upon her and was about to say more when a buzz of excitement pervaded the hall and William entered.

Dressed in brilliant robes of state, he made a fine appearance, but Lynette unconsciously compared him to Royce and found even the king wanting. He was a massive man, commanding and well made, yet he stood half a head shorter than Royce. William's face revealed nothing of his thoughts, and Lynette could read nothing but mild interest as each knight greeted him.

Yet she saw a subtle change when he paused by Royce. And then he was looking at her. He was magnetic, and she found herself smiling up at him.

"You are Lady Lynette of Creganwald," he stated as he searched her face with interest.

"Aye, Your Grace." She sank into a curtsy and rose to stand before him proudly. William kept his thoughts to himself, but he felt pleased that a man he respected and admired would hold Creganwald and this lively maid.

"I would be more interested in you than in your lands, were I the one chosen to govern them. Have you any complaints of your warden, Lady Lynette?"

"Nay, sire, but... there are matters of which Royce and I would speak to you in private." William saw a flicker of doubt and pain touch her eyes fleetingly, and gave a puzzled frown at Royce.

"It is nothing of great importance, sire," Royce said. "A small matter we can speak of in private." He did not want the words said in the presence of the entire court.

Lynette was shaken and struggled to retain her smile. He did not even consider her important enough to discuss until the festivities were enjoyed.

Royce saw the puzzlement in her eyes and had no answer she would accept.

"Lynette ... I must talk to you before we discuss our... situation with the king," he whispered, bending close. But Lynette was in no mood for his games.

"Discuss? I believe we have been of the same mind. What has changed?"

William had been listening to someone else, but only with half an ear. He tried to hear what Royce whispered, but he couldn't.

"Much has changed. Will you hear me out, or must you be obstinate?"

"Obstinate?" she hissed. "'Tis as much your will as mine. You are as changeable as the weather. I do not understand you at all."