Mystique (28 page)

A
lice stood in the center of the great hall and concentrated intensely. There was a fire on the hearth but the chamber was cold. “There is something missing from this hall, Julian.”

“Stolen, do you mean?” Julian put down the harp he had been plucking in a negligent manner. “Not likely. No one would dare steal anything from Hugh the Relentless. The devil knows that there would be no peace for the poor thief.”

“Not stolen. Just … missing.” Alice waved a hand to indicate the barren walls and rush-covered floor. “This is where Lord Hugh dines every day with his men. It is where he sits to judge matters of law on Scarcliffe. ‘Tis where he will entertain his guests. And it lacks a certain aspect. It needs something.”

“Ah, now I comprehend you, my lady.” Julian grinned. “The word you are groping for is
elegance.”

“Elegance?”

“Aye. This hall lacks elegance, grace, charm, and fashion.”

“All of that?” Alice bit her lip as she studied the chamber.

“All of that and more. Lord Hugh is skilled at many things, my lady, but he has no interest in matters of fashion and elegance and, no offense, it shows.”

“I do believe you are correct.”

“The problem, as I see it,” Julian continued, “is that Lord Hugh orders everything from his boots and tunics to his messenger’s travel cloak made up in only one color. Black.”

“Hmm. He does seem to have a strong preference for it. I do not believe that he would care to return and discover that everything had been done over in sky blue or pumpkin orange, however.”

“I would not dream of suggesting that you get rid of the black.” Julian began to stroll around the hall, examining it in some detail. “Black suits Lord Hugh in some way. But what if we were to enliven it with another color?”

“What color do you suggest?”

“Green or red, mayhap. The contrast would be most effective, I believe. White would be interesting, too.”

Inspiration struck Alice. “Amber.”

“My lady?”

Alice smiled with satisfaction. “Amber is the color of Lord Hugh’s eyes. ‘Tis a lovely hue. Almost gold. We shall use amber in contrast to the black.”

Julian nodded thoughtfully. “A rich amber would suit this room rather well.”

“I shall order a canopy made of those colors to go over the head table.” Alice’s enthusiasm grew swiftly as images formed in her mind. “And I shall have a new tunic made up for him in amber and black.”

“‘Tis almost time for Sir Hugh to order new garments for his men,” Julian said smoothly. “He does so every year. ‘Twould be an excellent occasion to change the colors of their robes also.”

“Of course.” She was not particularly skilled at this sort of thing but it was clear that Julian had a talent for it. “See to it, will you, Julian?”

Julian swept her a deep bow. “With great pleasure, my lady. Shall I order a new gown for you also?”

Alice had a vision of herself greeting Hugh in a gown
sewn in his new colors. “Aye. That would be most appropriate.”

I
n London Hugh steeled himself against the gloom and despair that seemed to emanate from the very walls of Erasmus’s private chamber.

“Ah, Hugh.” Erasmus looked up from his chair near the fire. His smile of welcome was weak but it conveyed his pleasure. “‘Tis good to see you. Who is this with you?”

“This is Benedict, my lord.” Hugh motioned for Benedict to step forward. “He is the brother of my betrothed.”

“Welcome, young Benedict.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Benedict made a proper bow.

“Come here so that I may become acquainted with you,” Erasmus said. “Tell me what you and Hugh did down at the docks this morning.”

Hugh exchanged a glance with Erasmus’s wife as Benedict obediently went toward the hearth. Eleanor was a fine-looking woman who was not much older than Hugh. She gave him a brave little smile as Erasmus spoke quietly with Benedict, but nothing could hide the shadows in her eyes. Hugh knew that Eleanor was very fond of her lord. The couple had two children, a boy and a girl.

“There has been no improvement?” Hugh asked her quietly.

“The attacks grow worse. I dismissed the doctors.”

“Always a sound notion,” Hugh muttered.

“Aye. I am convinced that they were doing him more harm than good with their vile instruments. I vow, they were going to bleed him dry. And those terrible purges.” Eleanor shook her head in disgust. “They did no good at all. He has reached the point where all he wishes to do is die in peace.”

Hugh looked at Erasmus. His liege lord had aged ten years in the last few months, he thought. The strong, compelling figure who had been the center of Hugh’s life during his youth and the man to whom he had given his loyalty and sword as an adult was now pale and thin beyond belief.

“I cannot believe we are losing him,” Hugh said softly. “He is only in his forty-second year and he has always enjoyed good health.”

“He barely sleeps at all at night,” Eleanor whispered. “And when he does manage to fall asleep he awakes with a terrible start. He rises, shaking, and paces until dawn. His greatest fear is not that he will die, but that he may be going mad.”

“My betrothed sent these herbs and this letter of instructions.” Hugh reached into his black leather pouch and took out the contents. “I do not know if they will be effective but it cannot hurt to try. She has a certain skill with medicines.”

Eleanor frowned slightly. “I do not wish him to suffer any more from harsh remedies.”

“My liege lord is a warrior at heart,” Hugh said. “Whatever this sickness is, it will not have altered that fact. Let him fight one last battle before you abandon all hope.”

“Aye, you are correct, Sir Hugh.” Eleanor closed her hand very tightly around the herbs and the letter.

Erasmus raised a hand. “Hugh, come here. I would speak with you for a few minutes.”

Hugh walked toward the fireside, his heart heavy with impending grief.

A
lice surveyed the warm, bustling kitchen with a critical eye. Two massive iron caldrons, each packed with various stews, stuffed chickens, and savory puddings, simmered over the large cook fire. Sweat beaded the brows of the scullions who turned the handles of the roasting spits. Meat pies browned on a hot plate set at the edge of the flames.

“See that the caldrons are completely emptied, cleaned, and scoured every sennight, Elbert,” Alice said briskly. “I do not favor the common practice of using them continuously for months on end without scrubbing them well.”

“Aye, m’lady.” Elbert’s face was set in an earnest, intent frown.

In the five days that Hugh had been gone, Scarcliffe Keep had been cleaned from top to bottom. Every linen chest and wardrobe had been emptied, dusted, and fitted out with fresh herbal scent bags. Each chamber, from the one where Hugh slept to the smallest storeroom, had been opened and assessed. Elbert had been at her side during the entire process. He had made careful notes on his wax tablet as she rattled off an endless list of instructions.

Alice had saved the kitchens for last.

“Make certain that the scullions are given other tasks on a regular basis. I do not want any of them to spend too long near the fire. ‘Tis hot, uncomfortable work.”

“Other tasks.” Elbert made another note with his stylus. “Aye, m’lady.”

The sweat-streaked scullions grinned.

Alice walked through the busy kitchen, pausing at various points to observe certain things more closely. She smiled at the cooks, who were clearly awed and excited by her presence. Alice knew that they were also quite anxious. It was the first visit she had paid them. Their only other contact with her had been via Elbert, who had brought them the precise instructions and menus she had made up for her personal meals.

Alice studied a worktable where a cook was chopping onions. “I want the special green pottage that you make for me served once a day to Lord Hugh and everyone else in the keep.”

“Special green pottage,” Elbert repeated. “Served to everyone. Aye, m’lady.”

“‘Tis very healthful,” Alice explained. “Also, I want at least three vegetable dishes served at the midday meal.”

“Three vegetable dishes. Aye, m’lady.”

“Do not allow the cabbages to be boiled for too long.”

Elbert made another note. “Aye, m’lady.”

Alice peered down at the wheat and milk concoction cooking in an earthenware bowl. “Have the frumenty sweetened with honey, ‘Tis rather plain without it.”

“Honey in the frumenty.” Elbert’s stylus skimmed across the tablet.

“I shall provide you with a list of ingredients for a
sauce made with cloves and cardamom and another made with ginger and saffron. Quite tasty. They should be used on dishes of boiled fish or on the roast meats.”

“Aye, m’lady.” Elbert glanced at her with sudden anxiety. “As to the spices, m’lady, how should we go about obtaining them?”

Alice looked at him in surprise. “What do you mean? Sir Hugh has a vast quantity of excellent spices stored in chests here in the keep.”

Elbert cleared his throat cautiously. “His lordship keeps the keys to the storerooms. He has given strict instructions that I am to come to him whenever spices are needed in the kitchens. But on the two occasions that I went to him to request the spices the cooks wanted, he was most annoyed.”

“Why?”

“He, uh, complained of the quantity that was requested,” Elbert said unhappily. “He said that I had no notion of economy and that I was encouraging the cooks to be wasteful.”

“I see.” Alice chuckled. “Lord Hugh enjoys dining well, but he has never been obliged to actually prepare his own meals, let alone plan dishes for a household this size. These cooks must feed forty people daily. More on special occasions.”

“Aye,” Elbert said glumly.

“Sir Hugh may be very good at figuring his accounts, but he has no notion of proper quantities of ingredients for dishes.”

“Nay, m’lady, he does not,” Elbert agreed fervently.

“Do not concern yourself, Elbert. Sir Hugh gave me the keys to the storerooms before he departed. I shall keep them permanently in my possession after he returns. From now on, see to it that a list of the spices needed each day is given to me in the mornings. I will measure them out for the cooks.”

Hope lit Elbert’s eyes. “I will not have to go to Lord Hugh for the spices?”

“Nay. I will deal with it.”

Elbert relaxed visibly. “My thanks, m’lady.”

“Now, then, as to the menus. I shall prepare several.
You may alternate among them as you choose.” Alice smiled at two women who were stirring a pudding. “Be certain to bring me any suggestions that the cooks make. I’ll no doubt find them useful for adding variety to the list of dishes.”

The two women glowed.

Alice moved on toward a table laden with eggs. “Egg dishes are quite strengthening. I want at least one served at every midday meal.”

“Aye, m’lady.” Elbert studied the vast pile of eggs. “How do you wish them to be prepared?”

“They are most healthful when cooked with—”

“My lady,” a servant called from the doorway. “Pray, pardon me, madam.”

Alice turned from the eggs. “What is it, Egan?”

“I am sorry to disturb you but there’s a lad here,” Egan said. “He says he must speak with you at once. He claims ‘tis a matter of life and death.”

“A boy?” One of the cooks scowled. “Tell ‘im to be off. Lady Alice is occupied with more important matters.”

Alice looked at the small figure who hovered behind Egan. She saw a lad with dark hair and yellow-brown eyes standing in the kitchen doorway.

He appeared to be about eight years of age. She did not recognize him as one of the village children. His clothing was smudged with dirt and grime but it was of excellent quality.

“I must speak with the lady.” The boy sounded as though he were out of breath. “‘Tis most important. I will not leave until I’ve talked with her.”

“That’s what ye think.” One of the kitchen workers hoisted a bread paddle in a mildly threatening manner. “Begone, boy. Ye smell like a garderobe.”

The breeze through the open doorway proved the servant correct. There was no denying that the distinctive odor of a privy clung to the lad.

“Put that paddle down,” Alice said firmly. She smiled at the newcomer. “I am Lady Alice. Who are you?”

The boy straightened his shoulders and elevated his chin. The simple gesture conveyed a pride so innate that it easily transcended his grubby attire and unpleasant odor.
“I am Reginald, my lady. My father is Sir Vincent of Rivenhall.”

Elbert sucked in his breath. “Rivenhall.”

The kitchen suddenly became very quiet. Reginald’s small jaw tightened but he stood his ground. His gaze did not waver from Alice’s face.

“You’re from Rivenhall Manor?” Alice asked carefully as she walked toward Reginald. “Sir Vincent’s son?”

“Aye.” Reginald gave her a crisply executed bow and then raised eyes that held equal measures of desperation and determination. “I have come to plead with you to help me save my father’s manor and my mother’s honor.”

“By the Saints. What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”

“My mother said that it was no use appealing to Scarcliffe, but there is no place else I can go. You are the only ones close enough to help. I have heard my father say that he and Hugh the Relentless are cousins. So I came here today.”

“Calm yourself, Reginald,” Alice said soothingly.

“They tell me Sir Hugh is away in London but you are here and many of his men-at-arms are here, too. You can help us. Please, madam—”

“You must tell me this tale from the beginning,” Alice said firmly.

But something seemed to have snapped inside Reginald. It was as though he had held himself together by sheer willpower for too long. Now it was all coming undone. Tears shimmered in his eyes.

“We are lost if you do not come to our aid.” The words poured out of him in a torrent. “My father is far away in the south attending a joust. He says we need the money. Most of the household knights and men-at-arms are with him.”

“Reginald—”

“Sir Eduard arrived yesterday and forced his way into our hall. My mother is terrified. I do not know how to get a message to my father in time to save her.”