Courtly Love (21 page)

Serena smiled. "More I cannot ask, Bryan. I know you will not disgrace our family; for if you do, Aurelia and her kin will fall heir to Broughton, of that I am certain." With great satisfaction, Serena noted the change that came over Bryan's features at her words. Well, a small white lie could do no harm, Serena thought. Bryan was fiercely possessive about Broughton and would do everything he could to keep it intact for his own son. In that respect Bryan and his father were similar. She had given him enough to ponder, so Serena deftly changed the subject. "Did Father come with you?"

Bryan took her arm and once again they circulated through the hall. "No, but Aurelia—as you would guess —insisted on coming without him. Did Beda accompany you?"

Serena nodded. "Oh, Beda wouldn't have missed this if both of her legs were broken, you can depend on that. As you can imagine, the trip here was anything but pleasant."

"Father will be disappointed that he did not see you." Bryan frowned. "Could you come home for a while, Serena, after your stay at court?"

"Father?" Serena asked with a slight tremor in her voice. "He's not well, is he?"

Bryan shook his head. "He is not ill, yet neither is he well. It is as if he has no strength or will. He needs you, Serena; he speaks of you often."

"I will speak to Gyles. Oh, the queen is retiring." Serena reached up to kiss Bryan's cheek. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"I'll come to your chamber. Good night, Serena."

It took considerably less time to divest the queen of her clothing than it had to dress her, and this time Serena was not alone with Matilda, but was nearly lost in the flurry of a dozen other women trying to find favor with the queen. Serena eased herself out of the maelstrom and busied herself folding away the discarded royal garments. Serena had thought that once the queen was ready for bed her ladies were excused to their own chambers, but such was not the case. Until Matilda gave them leave to retire, her ladies-in-waiting remained in her chamber to provide entertainment and conversation. And such conversation!

Serena's face burned bright red as the ladies fell to discussing the attributes of the young lords who were visiting the court. Even Matilda contributed her observations to the ribald comments, and Serena was astounded to hear the queen speak in such earthy terms. What was it Gyles had said? Matilda was a woman and bearing a title did not alter that. The conversation became even more blunt as the women began to describe, in intimate detail, what commended their newest lovers to them; yet it was obvious that no one but Serena was the least embarrassed by the conversation. And she realized with horror that she might be expected to add her observations to theirs. What could she say? Serena had known no other man but Gyles and she could not bring herself to speak of him.

Salvation came from an unexpected quarter, for just then the woman Serena had admired during the evening meal breezed into the queen's bedchamber. Elspeth dipped into a brief curtsy then moved forward to be warmly embraced by Matilda.

"Lady Elspeth, it has been too long since you were last with us!" Matilda pulled Elspeth down beside her. "I was grieved to learn of your recent loss."

"That is kind of you, Your Highness." Elspeth's low, cultured voice floated through the room to Serena. Surely no other woman on earth was so perfect!

Serena edged farther away, so that she could have an unobstructed view of Elspeth and in the process, bumped into one of the other women.

"Oh! I beg your pardon." Serena turned to face a woman just slightly older than herself.

A wave of a delicate hand dismissed Serena's apology. "In view of the circumstances"—she nodded her head toward Elspeth—" 'tis perfectly all right. I am Lady Catherine."

Serena returned Catherine's smile and said, "My name is Serena."

"You are Saxon, are you not?" As Serena's chin lifted, Catherine continued in her natural blunt speech— which, surprisingly, never offended those she met. "I meant nothing by that remark, Lady Serena, except to comment on your heritage. The question will be put to you many times during your stay, so I advise you to become accustomed to it."

"I imagine you are right," Serena said with a small sigh. "But it does become wearying to be asked that so often. It makes me feel as if I had the plague!"

Catherine's crystal laughter caused Serena to grin in spite of herself. "You are right, of course. Come, let's find a nice cozy corner where we can talk." When they were seated with a goblet of warm wine each, Catherine asked, "Is this your first time at court?"

Serena nodded. "My father and brother have been here before, but I was never allowed to join them."

"Small wonder! No doubt they feared for your honor, for I noticed throughout the meal that even the crown prince's eyes strayed often to you." Serena wrinkled her nose in distaste and Catherine laughed. "That, I take it, is for our dear William Rufus?" Serena nodded. "Well, I don't blame you; he is such a bully."

"Have you been to court often?" Serena asked as she sipped her wine.

"Every winter for the past four years, since I was fifteen. I loathe crossing the channel—'tis so choppy, and I fear I am not a good sailor. I detest being tossed about in the water like a toy. Tell me," Catherine leaned forward, "are you married?"

"Indeed, yes," Serena answered with a bright smile. "My lord fought with our king at Hastings."

"You are wed to one of us—a Norman? Well, it should come as no surprise, as lovely as you are. I suppose you had many suitors." There was a touch of sadness in Catherine's voice.

"Nay, only two. A lad I had known all my life, and my husband who I did not meet until the day before we were wed. And you?"

Catherine gave a small, wistful laugh. "That is why I am packed off to court every year, to find a husband. My family has nearly given up hope, I'm afraid. Nineteen years of age and still a maid."

"You will find someone," Serena assured Catherine. "You are far prettier than I—I'll wager the men simply beat at your door day and night."

Catherine grimaced. "That they do, but none bear a proposal of marriage." Catherine looked slyly at Serena. "However, I saw one tonight with whom I would not mind dallying."

"Oh?" Serena's eyes flashed with mischief. "And is there some way I can be of service?"

"Yes." Catherine pounced immediately on Serena's offer. "You can introduce me to him."

Serena looked at Catherine blankly. "But I know no one here save for my husband ... and my brother."

"And which was the one you spoke so long with after the meal?"

"Oh, that was my brother," Serena said offhandedly, then her eyes widened. "Bryan? You wish to meet Bryan?"

"So that is his name." Catherine mused. "It suits him most admirably, don't you think?"

"Indeed I do. But... Bryan!"

"He's not married is he?" Catherine asked worriedly.

Serena laughed shortly. "Not that I know of. He ..." Serena paused. It had never occurred to her that Bryan was attractive to women. Undoubtedly her picture of her older brother differed radically from Catherine's. And perhaps if Bryan was occupied with Catherine he would have less time and energy to devote to treason. "I'll introduce you tomorrow," Serena decided.

"Splendid!" Catherine squeezed Serena's hand in genuine delight. "You must speak of me in glowing terms so that he cannot wait to meet me."

"Rest assured," Serena laughed. "For when I have done, Bryan will be happy just to beg a smile from you."

"We shall get along famously, Serena," Catherine announced. A spate of laughter from the queen drew her attention and Catherine's brown eyes narrowed. "Have you had the dubious pleasure of meeting Lady Elspeth?"

"Not yet." Serena tilted her head to one side. "She is lovely, isn't she?"

Catherine shrugged. "On the outside, perhaps, but inside she's ugly as sin."

"I cannot believe that. Anyone so beautiful could not possibly have a dark soul. Do you know her?"

'To my eternal misery, yes. I met her the first time I came to court." Catherine's mouth pursed in disapproval. "Elspeth's husband was alive then, but he was off somewhere engaging in his favorite pastime—war. I suppose it was partly his fault that Elspeth was so unhappy, and when he returned the scandal had died down, but he still took her back to his castle—almost by force—then left her there while he went back to his silly war. She was forbidden to receive guests or go anywhere save for the cloister that she supported. He made her a virtual prisoner and now look at her—parading about in her mourning gowns when everyone knows she's ecstatic because he died."

Gossip was as intregal a part of court life as was romance, and Serena, already caught up in Catherine's story, prodded her new friend on. "What scandal, Catherine? No, wait, let me guess." Serena chewed on a fingernail. "Elspeth finally met the man she loved here at court and when her husband found out he was furious and dragged her off. And . . . and her lover killed himself out of remorse. Is that close?"

Catherine shook her head. "What a vivid imagination, Serena. But, no, that's not precisely what happened. Elspeth was no more in love with her paramour than I am with your English winters. She was attracted to him, yes, and although I was only fifteen and everyone was very silent when I was around, it was common knowledge that they spent the nights together. And the mornings. And the afternoons. In the end, they were both tiring of each other, so when Elspeth's husband appeared, I think she was happy enough to leave. After all, he was quite wealthy and Elspeth has a taste for finery. As for her lover, I don't know, but I'm sure he didn't kill himself. I remember he was very handsome, the type that could make a woman melt if he wanted her to. I haven't seen him since then, but I would know him if I ever saw him. My mother was with me then, and she made certain I met only the eligible young men."

"And he wasn't? Was he married?" Serena persisted.

Catherine frowned. "I don't know. No one ever told me. All I knew was that I wasn't supposed to speak to him. Oh, look. There's the signal from the queen. Tis time we all retired. William hates for her to be surrounded by her women when he comes to her."

Serena rose with Catherine. "I wonder how the council went?"

"What council?" Catherine laughed.

"Why, the one held tonight, of course."

Catherine shook her head. "The first council is to be held the day after Christmas as it always is. The king insists that everyone enjoy themselves before they battle the affairs of state. You must have misunderstood. Who told you that?"

Serena's brow creased. "I... I must have overheard it at the meal."

"Well, I pity the poor man who spent this evening waiting in the council chamber."

"Yes," Serena said absently as she walked beside Catherine to her chamber. Had Gyles been mistaken or had she not heard him correctly?

Catherine was bidding her goodnight and Serena vaguely replied to Catherine's suggestion that they meet the following morning before attending the queen.

There were no candles lit when Serena entered her chamber and the only light came from the small fire. Gyles sat in front of the hearth, his face all planes and angles in the flickering shadows, his expression brooding. The room was cold and Serena shivered, then hurriedly placed more wood on the fire. Flames leaped up greedily to consume the new logs, and as the warmth began to creep into the room, Serena gratefully sank into a chair and tugged at the ribbons that held her snood in place.

"How was the council, Gyles?" Serena's small voice sounded quite loud in the silent room.

"What?" Gyles sounded preoccupied. "Oh, that. There won't be a meeting until after Christmas." He lapsed back into a bleak silence.

Serena closed her eyes and expelled the breath she had been holding. Gyles rose and poked aimlessly at the fire. "How did you pass the evening, Gyles?"

"In the same inane fashion everyone at court does: chess, conversation..."

"Beautiful women?" Serena added teasingly.

Gyles swung on her. "What makes you say that?"

"I did but jest. You are very sensitive this evening, Gyles."

Gyles strode about the room preparing for bed. "I am sorry to be so abrupt, Serena. I dislike court life intensely." Gyles threw himself upon the bed. "And we have at least another month to spend here."

Serena dropped a nightgown over her shoulders and slipped into bed beside Gyles. "I thought you enjoyed the court."

Gyles sat up and drew the curtains around the bed, enveloping them in total darkness. "Well, I don't." He muttered as he relaxed upon the pillows. Serena pressed her chilled body full- length against his side, her slender hand resting in the dark thatch of hair on his chest. Gyles sighed and slid his arm beneath her shoulder, his long fingers caressing the silken skin beneath her nightgown. "How fared you with the queen? Were you properly respectful?"

Serena's breath fell warmly upon his shoulder. "She is such a kind woman; she made me feel quite welcome and at ease." Serena chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip before she continued. "The queen bade me speak with Bryan . . . 'twould seem he is involved in some way with those who would depose William."

Gyles felt himself warming beneath Serena's touch and he had to work to keep his voice level. "And did you do so?"