The Troubadour's Romance (29 page)

Felise gave them letters for home, these being carefully sealed to ensure their privacy. She walked with Hewe and her brothers toward the gate, the latter leading their des
triers. When they parted, it was with thanks and good wishes. Hewe, feeling a new tenderness toward
Felise
, shook each man
’
s hand and promised to remain and care for
Felise
in their stead.

They were far into the distance when the mighty gates were being pushed closed. The rearmost knight turned at the sound and raised a hand to
Felise
and Hewe. Hewe waved in return and
Felise
felt lighter of heart.

“
They will return one day, Hewe, and I trust you will help me make them welcome.
”

Hewe presented his arm to the lady to escort her back to the hall.
“
When Sir Royce is assured that your family wishes him no ill, even he will welcome these brothers of yours and perhaps one day call them brother as fondly as you.
”

Felise
slowed her step.
“
You have changed toward them,
”
she observed.
“
And toward me.
”

“
Have I?
”
he laughed.

“
Perhaps all most of us need, Hewe
, is time. In time even Royce .
..
”
Her voice trailed off into nothing and she walked toward her home.

Hewe gave her hand a reassuring pat, not requiring her to finish the sentence to understand what she was feeling. He wondered why he and Royce had thought that to under
stand the workings of her mind would be so difficult. She had opened her heart with a few simple utterances. She loved her husband deeply, and craved his love in return. Though she still appeared desirable and beautiful to Hewe, in a manner she had freed him from longing with her declaration for her husband. Hewe
’
s love of loyalty was yet greater than any lust, and he found himself hoping for both husband and wife that they could find the way to each other.
“
Yea, madam, in time even Royce ...,
”
he whispered.

“
Hewe, will you have my mare saddled and ride with a few men and me to Daventry? I would be home before sunset. We must leave early.
”

“
Daventry? Whatever you need could be brought from Coventry. That town has more to offer and the distance is not so great.
”

She shook her head.
“
What
I
need cannot be got from Coventry. I would find an honest priest to hear my confes
sion and give me counsel. I know the man in Coventry cannot do this.
‘
Tis my hope that this wretch, Trothmore, does not serve the city of Daventry. But we can
’
t know before the journey.
”

“
I would ride there forthwith and bring the word back to you. You could travel there tomorrow if there is a priest.
”

Again she shook her head.
“
I enjoy a good ride, and I must trust my heart to judge a priest. I knew instantly the devil who came here for the tithe was wicked. I must see the next priest before I can be sure that he is good.
”
She stopped and looked at Hewe.
“
Was it for want of an honest man that this town has suffered so long without a church, or were the Leightons before Royce infidels all?
”

“
I can
’
t say, madam,
”
he responded truly.
“
During my years with Sir Royce, he has oft visited a church and partaken of confession and communion. He would not wear the cross, but he is a believer. And he did not speak of his family, though we heard the tales.
”

Felise sighed heavily as they walked.
“
It is hard to know, Hewe, whether to try to bury deeper the dead or dig them up and look at their secrets.
”

“
I perceive no great secrets lie buried here, lady. You saw the man Trothmore come openly, with no cloak of mystery. And these people do not hide their misery
--
it is evident in their slight bodies that they are ill from poverty. The bolts on your chamber door told another dire story. If you continue to look, I trust all the questions you ask yourself will find answers simply. Carry on with faith, madam,
”
he urged.

“
You are right, of course,
”
she said, knowing full well there were answers to every question right before her, but she was impatient with the waiting. They reached the door to the hall.
“
My horse, Hewe?
”

He dallied a moment.
“
Let me go to Daventry ahead of you and bring you word about the priest.
”

“
Nay,
”
she said firmly.
“
This town has been too long without God. I have filled their bellies, but I cannot feed their souls. Hurry now.
”

She turned and went into the hall and Hewe stared after her until the door was closed. He smiled in equal parts of awe and respect.
“
Oh, don
’
t be too sure, lady. I think those who know you are nourished in every way, body and soul.
”

Fighting down the barest touch of jealousy, he went quickly to the stable. And before he had taken many steps, he was whistling happily.

Thirteen

Royce had found the journey through England and across the Channel to be harsh and exhausting, but as he neared Narbonne, the closest city of any size to the de Raissa demesne, he enjoyed a bright and early taste of spring. He was not lulled into believing that the cold days were over, but he relished a chance to better view this promised land.

He and his men found shelter in Narbonne for two days. They knew only the approximate location of the estate and feared to push the hospitality of the castellan without first testing their acceptance there. But if he found the place decent and the people friendly, he and his men would perhaps spend some days within whatever house this dower land could boast.

Royce knew only a little about fair Aquitaine. This was the dower land of Eleanor, and it was at her behest that the knights and lords managed here, paying tithe, rent, revenue. This was why Henry would not divorce her. King Louis had made a sad mistake when he gave up Eleanor, for all of Aquitaine had been his through her hand, and with the annulment had returned to the queen. Now, even though Eleanor survived in genteel poverty and confinement, the
money from this fertile land fell into England through Henry and Eleanor
’
s son, Richard, the duke of Aquitaine.

Royce could not deny the beauty of the rich, rolling hills. He passed vineyards where some of the finest wines were made. Although the new crops had not yet been planted, there were orchards and fields aplenty, and those farmers who had tenant homes along the road appeared healthy and happy. It was a vastly different atmosphere from that at Segeland. It was a thriving and robust land. Even though he had not yet seen the plot assigned as the de Raissa dowry, Royce already felt two stinging desires: to improve Segeland to match this, and one day to bring Felise here to enjoy the tranquil beauty, even if the house on the land was not great.

He and a few men spent two days surveying the general area, for all the information that had been handed down was that de Raissa had left a parcel of orchard, vineyard, and farming land in the valley between Toulouse and Narbonne. He knew better than to spend endless days in search, but he wanted to get a feel for the place before asking those people he encountered if they knew the precise location.

At the end of the third day of local travel, the knights, growing both weary and impatient, rode upon a large country manor built of stone and surrounded by a wall. It was well placed in the center of the valley and could be seen from the farthest knoll as they approached. As they drew nearer, it became obvious that this was a rich house indeed, as large as Segeland and far better kept. Royce paused in his ride and spoke to his men.
“
This noble would know most of the smaller tenants. They do not appear to man their gate in fear of attack and perhaps will send us straight away to this dower place.
”

Royce rode ahead of his men and spoke first to the gatekeeper, a young man who did not appear by any manner of his dress, arms, or attitude to be prepared for an invading foe.
“
I am Royce, Lord Leighton, of England, and I bear letters from Her Majesty, Eleanor, and her husband, the king, granting me lordship of a small demesne once belong
ing to a knight known as Sir Flavian de Raissa. Can you direct me?
”

The young man nodded and repeated Royce
’
s words to a knight who then ran quickly toward the manor doors.

“
Will you come into the courtyard and give your steeds rest, Lord Leighton, while Sir Jasper is called?
”

“
Sir Jasper? He is the lord of this?
”
he asked.

“
Nay,
‘
tis you who brings letters naming you lord,
”
he said with a brief bow.
“
Sir Jasper has been the seneschal for many years. He has been expecting you.
”

Royce was jolted by this news. He had expected a five- or six-room stone farmhouse, perhaps rich enough to boast a stable and with fewer than one hundred tenants. This place was more than he had dared hope for
--
as was the friendly welcome. All of his men looked around in like wonder, one whistling low and long in awe.

He turned back to the lad at the gate.
“
How did you come to expect me? I sent no word.
”

“
But the message was delivered here, just the same.
”

Royce was only a bit perplexed, quickly reasoning that either Henry or Eleanor had sent word ahead that he would claim this on behalf of his wife. He entered, beckoning his men to follow, and they waited in the warm sun within the courtyard for a long time before they were greeted by Sir Jasper.

He was a pleasant man of nearly sixty years who hailed these visiting knights with a warmth that startled them all.
“
It is good to know you. I am told your English land is too plentiful to expect you to make your home here, but when you come to know the land, my lord, I hope you will visit here often.
”

“
How come you by so much information, Sir Jasper?
”
he asked.

The man laughed happily.
“
The heir is much in touch with this land and these people. I hope you will continue to entrust it to me.
”

Royce frowned.
“
The heir?
”
he questioned.
“
How much is there, Sir Jasper?
”
he asked, almost afraid of this good fortune.

“
As far as you can see, and then more. I have lived here all my life and have left only for short trips in the last twenty years. I served here in the stead of Sir Flavian de Raissa
when he traveled with Eleanor to England. That was the first time I managed without his presence, and have since.
”

“
This is a rich place,
”
Royce thought aloud, raising a brow.

Again Jasper laughed, seeming to be greatly at ease with the arrival of this new lord.
“
Indeed, it is a rich land. But come, you must let me make you welcome. Sample our wine. Our baker makes the best breads in the land. You will stay and grow fat and lazy in this hall. And while you drink and eat, I will tell you the workings of this land and show you the ledgers.
”

The hall was clean and comfortable, and there were chambers prepared for all the men. Their steeds were taken and tended in the stables, and tubs were soon steaming in the rooms. Since they had spent many days in travel, they did not need much coaxing to give up their dirty clothes and accept fresh ones from Sir Jasper
’
s servants. But these overcautious knights would not part with their mail or arms, still feeling somewhat ill at ease. They had not planned an invasion here, but it often happened that a castellan became attached to land he managed over many years and began to think of himself as lord, balking at giving up his power.

Shortly they were all lulled into trusting, for the food was good, the wine was excellent, and this Jasper did not show any fierceness or hostility. Royce leaned back in his chair after a plentiful meal and sipped from his goblet, peering at Jasper over the rim. He was clean, shaven, full, and warm. Yet it was difficult for him, as usual, to accept contentedness without suspicion.
“
You are not wary that I will take this from you and remove you?
”

Jasper
’
s eyes rounded in amusement for a moment and he smiled.
“
If you think you can find a better castellan, or a more honest servant, I bid you seek him out. But you must remember for every two grains I harvest, one is saved for seed, and I have guarded this land with a care that my son might have something to guard ... and his son and his
son .
..
”

“
That was not my intention, but neither was I prepared for a welcome like this. You give it over to me so easily.
”

“
But, my lord, I was made aware of you some time ago.
And I have always worked for the owner of this property, given assurance of my place on the land if I served well. So there is no change in my life, only a change in yours.
”
He paused for a thoughtful moment.
“
Yet I did not think you would travel here before spring.
”

“
Who made you aware? The king?
”

“
Nay, it was the heir. I have managed these lands for her for twenty years.
”

“
The queen?
”

“
Nay, Lady
Veronique
. She comes every year and carries back the tithe and tax.
”

“
Who is this?
”
Royce asked, suddenly feeling he knew nothing at all about Felise and her dowry. Not only had it never been said that the inheritance was rich, it had never been imparted to him that there was a living landholder to which the land had been entrusted.
“
I was told only the location of this land and assumed the place was without heir.
”

“
Not so, Royce. I was in residence here when she was born, nearly fifty years ago. I was a child then myself, but I worshiped her father, who ensured my training as a squire and saw me knighted. When he swore his allegiance to Eleanor and left France, taking the child with him, I stayed here in his behalf.

“
Lady
Veronique
was a woman grown when she was orphaned, and this was to be her dowry, but no husband came to view the land. She was in service to the queen until Eleanor
’
s confinement, but
she did not return to us. Vero
nique chose the convent of Fontevrault over her home. Still she comes, every year, and the tithe goes to the church, the tax to Richard, the queen
’
s heir, and the rents are given to the sisters at Fontevrault for her retirement
.
”

“
Then who inherits?
”

Jasper sighed uncomfortably.
“
I would have you under
stand that we love the lady heir, my lord. Besides her gentleness and love, there are practical reasons for the respect she has earned here. What is left after debts is usually mine to use, that this place may never fail or the people and the farms be reduced to poverty.

“
The lady said there was a daughter to inherit, and no one here would dishonor her by asking for the details. If Lady
Veronique
chooses silence about her widowhood, or if the child was born to her outside a proper marriage, it makes no difference here. She gives this to her daughter at marriage and chooses Fontevrault. And I abide by her choice without question.
”

“
I assure you, Jasper, neither would I wish to see this a less than prosperous place.
”

Jasper instantly relaxed.
“
Some do not see the frugal way, but rather wring as much from the land as it will yield, until it dies and there is nothing left. But you wish for sons, my lord, and a place to give them.
”

Royce contemplated this gravely, for he had seen the effects of greedy lordship on his own home. Still, the question of heirs bothered him. And he did not feel the same obligation to respect the privacy of this
Veronique
. He only felt a riveting curiosity as to how it came to
Felise
.

“
Veronique
?
”
he mumbled, distracted.
“
Fontevrault?
”
Jasper went on with his description of how each minor coin was spent to enlarge the orchards, repair the stables, bestow gifts on the villeins at holidays, plant and harvest. He expounded on the benefit of giving the peasants many celebrations and how his generosity with them had in every way made him and the land richer.

But Royce still thought heavily on this woman.
“
Jasper,
”
he asked quietly, cutting the man off in the middle of one of his elaborate descriptions,
“
did this
Veronique
name her daughter to you?
”

“
Yea, though I have never seen this child. She was named by her mother
Felise
de Raissa. Is this not your wife?
”

He sat back in his chair, deep concern wrinkling his brow. He listened absently as Jasper continued, describing the beautiful
Veronique
.
“
Hair the red of an angry morning sun, eyes that when she was an excited little girl would glow as green jewels of the sea; she is slight and meek, but betimes an idea drives her and she does not rest until she sees it done. Yet her voice is softer than down, her manner as gentle as a newborn lamb. She is more like one of the sisters than the sisters themselves, but she has vowed not to take the veil and confine herself with the nuns until her daughter is cared for. Tell me, Royce, is
Felise
de Raissa your wife?
”