La Flamme (Historical Romance) (31 page)

Garreth stood in the doorway, observing the domestic scene. Sabine had been more than he'd expected in a wife. Under her watchful eye, his home ran smoothly, and she always found time to be with his children.

He came into the room and took his son from her.

"He grows stronger every day." He nodded to his sleeping daughter. "I believe she has our son as baffled as her mother has baffled her father."

Sabine's calm gaze met his. "You are mistaken. Our son has a strong mind; he is merely patient like his father and allows his sister the greater part of everyone's attention."

He looked at her in surprise. "A pretty compliment?"

"Your tolerance is what I admire most about you. Of course, there is a point when you reach the end of your patience, and anyone who would test you beyond that is a fool."

He laughed. "You have ofttimes tested me to the limit, Sabine."

She decided to change the subject. "Can you tell them apart? They look very alike."

"Of course. Thayne's hair is noticeably darker than Ryanne's, and he is slightly larger. While their features look identical to most people, I can distinguish them with no trouble."

Sabine was surprised that he knew them so well.

"If you will excuse me," she said, walking to the door, "1 will go below and see to your supper. I didn't expect you home until later."

"I have a surprise for you," he said, laying Thayne in his bed.

"Oh?"

He watched for her reaction as he spoke. "A courier arrived today from King Charles. He and Queen Henrietta will be arriving for a visit one week hence."

Sabine could only stare at him. "Their majesties are coming here?"

"Yes. And we are fortunate that we have time to prepare for them. The king seldom gives advance notice of his visits. Will this be a hardship for you?"

Sabine was already beginning to calculate in her mind the meals she would serve. "How many in the party, and how long will they reside with us?"

"There will be some seventy people, counting servants and lords and ladies of the Court. The message says that they will remain with us for two days. Do you feel you can play hostess to so large a gathering?"

"Yes, of course," she answered, feeling less sure than she sounded. "My mother trained me well for just such an occasion. You will have no reason to feel concern, Garreth."

"No," he said, his dark gaze softly sweeping her face. "You are quite capable in all things."

34

Sabine was busy from morning until night. The royal suite, where three previous kings of England had slept, was her first task. It was stripped to the bare furnishings, washed, polished, and shined. In a trunk, she found bed coverings that had been woven with the royal crest. These were cleaned and placed on the bed. Crushed flower petals were soaked in oil of mint sewn into small packets, and placed in hidden nooks to make the rooms smell sweet.

Everything was sparkling clean, and all the bedrooms made ready for the guests. Sabine opened the huge dining room, as well as the large salon. She talked to the head huntsman about arranging hawking for the ladies, knowing that Garreth would plan hunting parties for the gentlemen.

Extra women came from the village to help in the kitchen. Fruits and vegetables were gathered, fish and game prepared—grain was milled and baked into loaves of bread, blocks of cheese were prepared and butter was churned, ale, wine, and casks of brandy were stocked in the pantry, cattle were slaughtered and preserved in salt, pork and deer was roasting over the fire. Great pots of stew were bubbling over the fireplace, while capon and quail were stuffed to be baked to a golden brown.

Sabine had brought many of her mother's recipes with her, and she instructed the cook to bake French tarts stuffed with spices and nuts and covered with a sweet cream sauce.

Tomorrow, the king and his entourage would arrive, and Sabine had assured Garreth that everything would be in readiness, but had she forgotten anything? She went over in her mind everything her mother had taught her. She could think of nothing that had been left undone.

Wearily, she went up the stairs and into the nursery because she had not seen her son and daughter all day. Thayne was asleep, but Ryanne was kicking her feet and gurgling. Sabine lifted the child in her arms and sat in a chair by the window. The baby curled up, closed her eyes, and fell asleep. Sabine felt her own eyes drifting shut, and she soon fell into an exhausted sleep.

She awoke with a start to find Garreth standing over her. He took Ryanne from her and laid the child in her cradle. He then lifted Sabine in his arms and carried her down the corridor.

"You have worked diligently to make my home shine, little mistress. It's time you rested."

Entering his bedchamber, he deftly undressed her and slipped her nightgown over her head. Then he lifted her into the bed and lay beside her, holding her with tenderness. She nestled her head against his shoulder, falling asleep. No nightmare would haunt her tonight.

*                                          *                                          *

Sabine had chosen carefully what she would wear for the meeting with the king and queen. Ysabel laced her into a dark green silk gown with frilly white underskirts. Her hair was pulled away from her face and fastened with emerald clasps.

A deafening noise broke the silence as the king's cavalcade rode over the wooden bridge into Wolfeton Keep.

Mrs. North hurried up the stairs, and was puffing to catch her breath when she knocked on Sabine's door. "Your Grace," she cried, her eyes bright with excitement, "his majesty has arrived!"

Sabine rushed from the room and down the stairs to join Garreth, who already stood on the steps, ready to receive their illustrious guests.

He gave her a warm smile. "Have no fear, his majesty will be the one who's nervous when he sees you."

Sabine hardly heard Garreth because the king was already before them. He looked older than she remembered. She knew of the difficulty he was having with Parliament and the insurrection involving the Scots— also, many of his own lords were rebelling against him. He looked haggard, and she found herself pitying him.

"Your Majesty," Garreth said, descending the steps to greet Charles Stuart. "We are honored by your visit."

King Charles laughed jovially. "It's been too long since I've been to Wolfeton Keep. As we rode through the woods, I saw game aplenty."

"Yes, Sire, this mild weather has made for good hunting. I believe you will not be disappointed."

"Gads, who is this lovely creature?" the king asked, moving up the steps.

"Sire," Garreth said, "You remember my wife, Sabine."

The king's eyes held a light of amazement. "This was the little girl I met at Heyworth Moor?" He clasped her hand much as he'd done that day. "She's a beauty." The satisfied look he gave Garreth as much as said that Garreth should thank him for such a winsome match.

Sabine dipped into a curtsy. "Welcome to Wolfeton Keep, Your Majesty."

"Quite so, quite so." His attention turned to the woman who was dismounting. "Your Grace, may I present you to the queen?"

Queen Henrietta was petite and pretty with dark hair and eyes. Her smile was sincere, and she offered her hand to Garreth before she turned to Sabine.

"We are pleased to meet you," she told Sabine graciously.

Sabine curtsied and then spoke in French. "You are most welcome in our home, Your Majesty."

"Ah, you speak my language very well, Your Grace. I would almost believe that you were from France."

"My mother was French, Your Majesty, and I believe you know my aunt quite well. Before her marriage, she was Margretta de Chavaniac."

The queen was delighted. "Of course, Margretta is my dear friend. She wrote me concerning you. I hope everything was resolved to a happy conclusion."

"It was, Your Majesty, and I thank you for your notice."

"You must encourage your aunt to come to England. I have missed her dreadfully." In a move that signified marked favor, the queen linked her arm through Sabine's. "I have long wanted to see Wolfeton Keep. Will you show it to me?"

"It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."

The banquet table sparkled with golden vessels. When everyone was seated, a servant appeared behind each chair with scented water and a towel for washing hands. Course after course was served, and everyone ate with relish.

Sabine sat to the right of the king, while Garreth was on the queen's left.

"Your wife is charming, Garreth," the queen observed. "I am quite taken with her. Is it not amazing that she gave you twins? You are the envy of us all."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

The desserts were served, and Queen Henrietta clasped her hands in delight after she took a bite of the sauce-covered tart. "But this is wonderful! I have not tasted tarts such as this since I was a girl in France. Garreth, your wife is exceptional."

Garreth looked down the table, where Sabine appeared to be keeping the king amused with her wit. Pride swelled in his chest, for there was no denying that Sabine was playing to her most critical audience tonight, and she had so easily enthralled them.

The banquet ended, and the king insisted the men would not be separated from the ladies. So men and women alike migrated to the large salon, where they were entertained by three minstrels and a juggling act. Confections were served from golden platters, then delicious spiced wine, another of Sabine's mother's recipes, was offered in crystal goblets. Everyone praised the evening, but none louder than the king.

When the king and queen were at last ready to retire for the night, King Charles took Sabine's hand. "You are a gracious hostess, Madame. I have seldom been so well entertained."

The queen brushed her lips against Sabine's cheek and smiled at her husband. "Magnificent. I almost felt as though I were visiting France tonight."

*                                          *                                          *

The hour was late, and silence had settled over Wolfeton Keep as everyone sought their bed. Sabine made a last tour of the kitchen, making certain everything was in readiness for the next day.

Wearily, she climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor with the intention of going into the nursery, but Garreth stepped out of the bedroom door and closed it softly behind him.

"The children are sleeping soundly, and so should you be." He slipped his arm about her waist and guided her toward their chamber. "You made me proud, Sabine. But you also have me amazed. Is there no feat you cannot accomplish?"

He opened the door and she preceded him inside. She was pleased by his compliments. "If I was successful tonight, my mother deserves the tribute. I did only what she trained me to do."

"Their majesties were most impressed with you. I believe they will be singing your praises for months to come."

Since she had sent Ysabel to bed hours ago, Sabine unpinned her hair to let it cascade down her back. "All 1 want is to sleep."

Garreth came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "The king is taking credit and boasts that he brought us together."

"His majesty has much to answer for."

Garreth's hands dropped away. "Yes, so he does."

Sabine yawned, and then looked apologetic. "I have arranged for the ladies to hunt with bow and arrow tomorrow since the queen expressed that she is partial to the bow."

She climbed into bed, and Garreth pulled the covers over her. Before he could undress and get in beside her, Sabine was fast asleep.

*                                          *                                          *

Sabine wore a wine-colored riding habit with a matching brimmed hat. She smiled at the queen, who looked lovely in a blue habit trimmed with silver braid.

"Had I known we would enjoy ourselves so much, Sabine, I would have insisted on spending more time at Wolfeton Keep. You are an excellent companion," the queen said.

Sabine nudged her mount forward to keep pace with the queen while the other ladies fell in behind. "You must return often, Your Majesty."

Queen Henrietta applied her whip to the horse's rump and shot out ahead, and Sabine raced beside her. "We shall certainly do just that."

After they had ridden for a while, the queen halted her mount. "I see our husbands, just there, shall we join them?"

"If that is your wish," Sabine answered.

As they approached the king and his lords, the queen halted her horse and stared in amazement. "Who is that?" she asked, pointing with her whip handle to a nearby ridge that jutted out over a stream. That woman is not one of my ladies. Is she of your household?"

"I do not see anyone, Your Majesty," Sabine said.

"There just above the incline—the woman with the poised bow."

"I see her now, but I don't recognize her from this distance, Your Majesty."

In that moment, Sabine gasped, for the woman aimed her arrow at one of the men. At first, Sabine thought it was the king himself, but when the arrow flew, Sabine cried out as Garreth slumped over and fell from his horse.

Sabine didn't remember riding across the meadow to her husband, or sliding from her mount. She ran to

Garreth and dropped down beside him. Blood stained his doublet, and she gasped, fearing the arrow had pierced his heart!

She took his head in her lap and touched his face while chaos reigned about them. Several men had ridden after the woman, and others gathered about Sabine and her fallen husband.

"My love, my love!" Sabine cried as Garreth's eyes fluttered open. "Do not die. I love you so."

"Your Grace," the king said, touching her shoulder. "We should get him to the Keep as quickly as possible."

She leaned forward and placed her lips against Garreth's mouth, while his blood soaked her gown. "Do not worry, my dearest love, I will not allow anything to happen to you," she assured him.

Garreth tried to speak, but no words issued from his lips. There was such sorrow in his eyes as he looked at Sabine. He reached up to her, but his hand fell away and he went limp.

"Please," Sabine cried in desperation, looking beseechingly at the king. "Help my husband."

Several men came forward and lifted Garreth's body, and he was handed into the stalwart arms of Captain Barkley.

"Take him along slowly," the king commanded.

The queen led Sabine's horse forward, and the king himself lifted Sabine into the saddle.

"He will be all right, Sabine," the queen said, squeezing her hand.

Sabine was too stunned to think clearly. "I must find Ysabel," she said, with a last look at Garreth. "She will know what to do." She kicked her mount forward and raced for the Keep.

When she arrived, word had preceded her, for Ysabel was waiting on the steps.

"Is his grace's injury serious?" Ysabel inquired, hurriedly.

"Yes." Sabine jumped from the horse. "Very bad." There was pleading in her eyes. "You must help him, Ysabel!"

By now, the rest of the party had arrived, and Ysabel took one look at Garreth and ordered him to be taken to the kitchen.

Sabine ran ahead of them, ordering the servants out of the kitchen. She waited fearfully as two men brought Garreth in and laid him on his side across a long table.