The Troubadour's Romance (9 page)

“
That will be taken care of with haste,
”
Harlan informed him.
“
An old family demesne in Aquitaine dangles before
the eyes of these roving studs, and I have gifted her dower lands in England. Henry presses for her company at court to appease some whim of Eleanor
’
s, and already the young men pant at my doorstep begging an introduction.
”
He shrugged.
“
‘
Tis just a matter of days before we settle on a husband for her.
”

Aswin whistled low.
“
So it is she,
”
he said knowingly.
“
You are right, Harlan, the word is well out. Even my son speaks of her.
”

“
Your son?
”
Harlan asked, suddenly interested. Even Felise
’
s ears perked up, for she genuinely liked this gentle
man.
“
I wasn
’
t aware
--
”

“
My stepson, if you please. Dulcine gave over to my care her two children, Boltof, a knight of Henry, and Celeste. You might do well to consider Boltof, my lord. He is strong and able.
”

“
And I will,
”
Harlan said, happier about his daughter
’
s situation than he had been since it all began.
‘
“
Twould balm my hurts to have a man who is closer to the family than those strangers seeking riches alone. I would rest easier, finding someone I could trust.
”

“
The tale is that the king will influence your choice of husband,
”
Aswin remarked.

“
He will influence us away from alliances with the duke.
”
Harlan shrugged.
“
How can I blame him for that? Has he not already battled with his wife and his own sons to keep his crown? And with all the trouble in their family, those Englishmen who would not give Richard aid are not easy to discover. Henry has but a few he can trust. Those knights of Henry who sympathize with the duke are cautious.
”

“
Where are the fathers and sons who serve each other
’
s purpose?
”
Aswin mused. Then his attention was drawn away to a young man standing alongside their table. He returned his amused gaze to Harlan, murmuring,
“
A young stag in rut seeks a kindness from us.
”

Harlan returned the smile knowingly and rose, Aswin rising with more difficulty. The young man approached with a gleeful light in his eyes. He bowed before the elder lords and ladies.

“
I would present my son, Sir Boltof,
”
Aswin said.
“
Lord Scelfton and Lady Edrea.
”
Then he sighed heavily.
“
The
woman whose acquaintance you have anticipated, Lady Felise.
”

Boltof postured over her hand for a long moment, seem
ingly finding the proper words difficult. Aswin finally urged the younger man onto the bench that he might be eased by conversation.
Felise
looked at him with a puzzled frown. She thought she had seen him before, but he was difficult to place.

“
Have we been introduced before, sir?
”
she asked.

“
Nay, lady, I would have remembered.
”

“
But your face is familiar to me.
”

“
I have watched you from afar, in this very hall.
”

“
That must be when I saw you,
”
she said, but she was unsure, for many stared at her but she was usually unable to meet their eyes.

Boltof made every attempt at impressing her, telling her about his many travels, the home he shared with Aswin, his prowess in battle, and his frequency at court.
Felise
was entertained, but more so by Aswin. And since her encounter earlier in the day with Sir Royce, she had been feeling even more strange about this entire marriage problem.

“
‘
Twas in Anjou with Royce
that I ..
.
”

“
Royce,
”
she breathed unconsciously, startled by the mention of his name.
“
You ride with Royce?
”

Boltof stiffened slightly.
“
He is a good friend, but we each command our own arms, madam. I am not a vassal of his.
”

“
Nay, I did not mean ... that is, I have twice met this Sir Royce and I may have seen you with him.
”
She immediately flushed, thinking Boltof might have been in Royce
’
s compa
ny the afternoon she had so brazenly leaned out of her window and toyed with the knights.
“
But then, perhaps not
...
”

“
I couldn
’
t say when, lady, but I
’
ve been about these last two days, and mayhap we passed in the courtyard or halls.
”

“
I suppose we have ...
”

“
So you
’
ve made the acquaintance of my future son, Sir Royce,
”
Aswin broke in, leaving
Felise
startled once again.
“
Aye, the lad will wed my Celeste early in the new year. Harlan, you know Sir Royce Leighton, do you not?
”

“
Nay,
”
he frowned.
“
The name
--
”

“
For his father, long dead. He is the son and namesake of
Royce Leighton of Segeland. You would remember. The old Leighton had a dreary reputation.
”

Harlan frowned.
“
There is sour talk of Segeland
--
”

“
Babble,
”
Aswin blustered.
“
Royce is as fine a man as I
’
ve ever known. But truth, many men prefer rumors, especially those of the darkest nature, to knowing the real man. I will vouch for Royce. He is an honorable man and a fine knight.
”

“
His family was none
too fine. There were many ill-
concealed battles,
”
Harlan continued.

“
Years ago,
”
Aswin allowed.
“
But all that is buried, for Royce is the only one left. Aye, there were family battles that rival the king
’
s own, but they are laid away with Royce in possession of Segeland Castle and the town. He has courted Celeste for many years, and
‘
tis my hope the wedding will be soon
--
before she is past childbearing. His work for Henry has left Segeland to crumbling, for he spends little of his time there. Indeed,
”
Aswin laughed,
“
I can
’
t doubt the lad
’
s intentions for Celeste, he is more in my home than his.
”

Felise began to feel warm and flushed listening to this talk. She observed the narrowing of her father
’
s eyes when Royce
’
s family was discussed. Yet, Lord Orrick defended him, perhaps because of Royce
’
s claim on his daughter or his friendship with Aswin
’
s son. But it was always the same: no one laid criminal charges to him, but there was some strange suspicion surrounding him. And other peculiar feelings arose in her upon hearing of his betrothal. Would a man soon to be wed kiss another woman with such passion? A chill possessed her suddenly and she trembled.

Felise leaned close to her mother.
“
Madam, will you be allowed to visit me in my chamber?
”

Edrea frowned slightly.
“
I think I would not be forbidden. Are you ill?
”

“
Nay, but I am weary and would go there for quiet. Madam, will you come?
”

Edrea studied her daughter closely, failing to find the reason for her sudden withdrawal. Then she turned to her husband and whispered to him. He gave a nod and Edrea stood, drawing her daughter up with her.
“
I beg your indulgence, my lords, but I would see to my daughter
’
s retiring. Good eventide.
”

“
Good eventide, madam,
”
Aswin quickly replied.
“
I look forward to our next meeting.
”

When Edrea had drawn Fel
ise well away from the hall and into the sec
lusion of the stairs, she took Fe
lise
’
s hand in hers as they walked.
“
What troubles you, dear heart?
”

“
‘
Tis naught, madam. I am weary.
”

“
Nay, you of all can endure a long day. That is not the problem.
”

“
It is this hellish business of marriage,
”
Felise
boldly exclaimed, for
getting herself completely.
“
Beg pardon, madam, but this odd dowry prize frightens me. There is not a man at court who hasn
’
t heard of some lands in Richard
’
s Aquitaine and lands in my father
’
s demesne. Those knaves who would not have plied me with a kind word would today cloak me in silver for my merest smile. I don
’
t know what to do.
”

Edrea smiled tolerantly as they walked.
“
You might enjoy it,
”
she replied.

“
But madam, the courtly gentleman of the day might be a beast of the morrow, once my dowry is promised.
”

“
I think not,
Felise
. You can judge a man
’
s character better than that. And I beg you remember this is the first time you have been in the company of so many men. You were too protected in your father
’
s house.
”

“
Mother, I want to go home,
”
she said, a small whimper
ing sound coming from her.

Edrea halted and turned her daughter to face her.
“
Felise
, have done with this childish display. You are a woman now and your time has come. I cannot take you home, nor can your father. If you are frightened, pray for courage; if you are confused, pray for sight. If you find all of this unpleas
ant, think on this: your father and I can protect you for only a short time longer. After you are given in marriage, you must rely on your husband for protection and guidance or, lacking that, upon yourself. You must find some strength within yourself. You might ask it of God.
”

“
Oh, madam, do not berate me,
”
she pleaded.
“
I would not have you ashamed of me,
‘
tis only that I can
’
t abide these fears I have. I have no strength at all. And how am I to expect any help from God?
”

Edrea looked at the glowing beauty before her, remember
ing with some pain that she had contributed nothing to the lass
’
s fairness. She reached out a hand and stroked the child
’
s soft cheek. She couldn
’
t even be in the company of Felise without thinking on the strange luck the girl had enjoyed all her life
--
from ward of the queen to daughter in a loving family to a sought-after bride. Any other orphaned girl-child might have been left to starve alone, yet this one grew up in riches and grace. This dowry, however burden
some at this moment, was yet another incredible piece of good fortune. There was no doubt every man who saw her would have asked after her even without the dowry, but this only served to bring the strongest and most noble to the forefront of her consideration.