The Everlasting Covenant (34 page)

Anne
’
s mother and all three Gifford men were in London for the festivities. Quentin and Bart meant to play the tourney, but Trenton seemed content to watch. Anne wished that she could have found a way to keep her mother at Heathwick and was in
a nervous twitter the first day of the tournament, racked with worry that the presence of the deFrayne men would goad Mar
cella into some evil.

The four of them, Lady Gifford and Trenton, the Earl and Countess of Ayliffe, watched the jousts and melees from under the awning sewn for them in the colors of Ayliffe. Anne groomed herself with great pains each day, selecting her wimple or hennin with care, the color and style of her gown with prudence. She wished to be beautiful because she suspected that she would see Dylan. There might be nothing more than a glance, but even at a distance, she would meet with that faint glitter from those familiar turquoise eyes. In that much there was always promise.

The greater battle was between the two Anthonys, but for the purpose of arousing excitement and building suspense of the crowd there were other challenges and many smaller jousts for ransom and prizes. Anne tried to keep her face impassive as Dylan rode, fought, and collected prizes enough to draw some attention away from even the celebrated Lord Scales. It gave her great secret pleasure to note that Dylan was becoming rich in the lists. He won ransoms, men, equipment, and fame. Anne searched the crowd, when she dared, for a glimpse of the women who might be wearing his colors or cheering for him. She found Daphne, sitting tall and proud and alert, but there were no other women. She wondered why his wife did not give him tokens and kisses. She would die for a chance like that, to name her love, to show her adoration.

Lord Forbes did not ride in the melee, nor did he issue or accept any challenges. Through three days of jousting Brennan was quiet, and almost glum. Banners were flying, heralds were shouting, the crowd was screaming excitedly, but there was no mistaking the earl
’
s discontent. She had begun to notice subtle changes in him that she could not quite understand.

“
Do you mislike the tourney, my lord?
”
she asked.

“
Why would I not enjoy the joust? When have you seen one more grand?
”

She had heard similar snappish replies from him over the past year. He never talked of his unhappiness. Sometimes she thought
he worked too hard, sometimes she thought he was ill. Some
times she found herself wondering if he had ceased to love her.

The third day of the tournament dawned bright and clear and the contestants gathered again. A late challenge was issued by the Earl of Trelaine against Dylan deFrayne, and when the herald announced the contest, Anne
’
s eyes shot to Marcella
’
s face. She could not mistake the superior smile on her mother
’
s face, though Marcella did not meet her eyes. She checked eyes with Trenton and was driven back in time, Trenton was the image of a younger Ferris. He had grown tall, strong, and broad. His dark, brooding eyes held a gentle strength for only Anne.

“
This should be interesting,
”
Brennan mumbled.
“
DeFrayne may get to own some of my land.
”
It was the first time Anne had heard delight in her husband
’
s voice for days. He clearly thought that Bart would lose, and it gave him pleasure. Anne was not so confident. Of her entire family only Bart and Marcella kept the hatred alive. And then she knew: Marcella had some
how driven Bart to do this.

Anne
’
s heart pounded as the mounts were readied, as the herald read the rules, as the lines for the joust were drawn. The field was cleared as the steeds tore impatiently at the turf. The clarions were raised to begin the contest. The men lowered their visors and were told to take their positions. Dylan held his blunted lance firm and straight. Bart tipped his toward the ground and brought it up again.

“
What is he doing?
”
Brennan asked as if thinking out loud.

The blunted end fell off Bart
’
s lance just as the clarion sounded and the destriers charged. The contestants
’
visors were down, and the crowd rose as one, a common worry embracing them. Dylan could be killed by the sharp lance, he might not have seen Bart
’
s movement. Women screamed. Brennan and Trenton both stood. Anne
’
s hand moved unconsciously to her throat, sheer panic enveloping her. Only Marcella sat calmly.

Suddenly Dylan threw down his lance and dove from his galloping horse, rolling once, twice, and thrice to avoid the charge of Bart
’
s destrier. But Bart, committed, rode past Dylan all the way to the other side. He turned his charger around,
lifted his visor to see what had happened to his opponent, and stared down at his lance as if he did not know what happened.

The crowd gave a single sigh. Some, Anne suspected, would have liked to have seen a little blood.

“
The fine will be a good one,
”
Brennan said, disgust ringing in his voice.
“
I will not pay it. Bart will take it from his own purse and bear the weight. And he dare not ever ask another thing of me.
”

“
My lord, su
rely it was an accident. He ..
.
”

“
Accident?
”
Lord Forbes repeated, staring at Marcella in won
der. He turned his face back to the lists. Marcella sat beside Anne, the men sat on the other sides.
“
Nothing was ever more deliberate. He will find the price of his dishonor a high one indeed, for he is hereby out of my influence. He has had more of me than he deserves!
”

“
My lord,
”
Marcella cried, half-leaning across Anne
’
s skirts toward Lord Forbes.
“
Would you promote the deFraynes when they
--
”

Suddenly she was drawn back into her place. Anne turned her head. Trenton
’
s hand firmly held Marcella
’
s arm. Their eyes were locked. Trenton glared into his mother
’
s eyes with barely controlled anger.
“
If you say another word in defense of Bart or to slander the deFraynes, I will take you from the lists if I have to carry you. And do not doubt that I can.
”

She blanched, as did Anne.
“
It is simple to see where your loyalty lies,
”
she murmured angrily.

“
Do not doubt it, madam,
”
Trenton advised sternly.

Anne closed her eyes briefly, letting out her breath.
Will it never end?
she asked herself. And then a slow smile grew as she realized that Trenton protected her. It had been over a year since he had taken Heathwick for Marcella. It was apparent he had learned much about their mother
’
s hatred.

Marcella properly cowed, Anne
’
s attention returned to her surly husband. He now had good cause for his anger and churlish mood, but Anne still worried. He had been acting strangely for some time. His troubles could not all be focused on Bart and Brainard.

Late on the third night of the tournament, after feasting, dancing, and celebrating were finally done, Anne approached him again.
“
Is it me, Brennan? Have I done something to anger you?
”

He looked her over, his eyes raking her from top to bottom, but his tone remained curt.
“
How could I possibly be displeased with you? Who has a more beautiful mate?
”

Anne was dressed for bed in a long, flowing white gown, and Brennan was lounging in the room with a mulled posset that still steamed. Jane was pulling back the coverlet and pounding the mattress with her fists to soften it. She turned toward Anne when she heard Brennan bark at his wife. Anne inclined her head toward the door and Jane lowered her eyes and left them quietly. Anne knelt before her husband, her forearms resting on his knees, and looked up into his eyes. She had only seen Dylan at a distance and was filled with hope that she could speak a few private words with him, perhaps a quick embrace, a kiss. But first this trouble in her marriage had to be settled to her satisfaction. She had no idea what irritated Brennan so.

“
Please tell me what troubles you, Brennan. Let me help some
how.
”

“
And how would you help me, Anne?
”
he asked, with an impudent, churlish curl to his lip.

“
I might try to correct my injustice, whatever it may be. Surely I cannot have done anything too terrible.
”

He sighed heavily. His hand trembled slightly as he touched her cheek.
“
Have you not noticed?
”
He gave a rueful chuckle.
“
You look as though you should be a passionate creature, but you are always the demure wife. Tell me the truth, Anne. Have you said nothing out of propriety, or is it that you have not missed my lovemaking?
”

“
Oh Brennan, do you wish for me to seduce you? You have never been shy, nor have I ever rebuked you.
”

“
Did you notice? Did you even take notice?
”

“
That you have needed me less?
”
she asked, confused.
“
Of course,
”
she said shyly.
“
But, my dear, the demands made upon you are constant
--
should I add mine? What would you have me do?
”

His eyes seemed to fill with tears, but she did not know if it was sadness he felt, or something else.
“
I cannot blame you, no matter how hard I try,
”
he whispered.
“
Anne, I did you wrong. I am old.
”

“
Oh my dear, dear husband. What nonsense you speak.
You ...
”

He pushed her gently away and stood, draining his cup and placing it on the table with a loud bang.
“
Anne, I have babies at home who should be my gra
ndchildren! I have a young, pas
sionate, and beautiful wife whom I cannot satisfy. And though I look at you and crave to taste your sweet flesh, I think a part of me has died. It was wrong of me to marry you. I did not know I would become old so soon.
”

She walked toward him and placed her hands on his chest, trying to keep the inevitable guilt and pity from her eyes. She had noticed that his demand for her body came less often, but she had not thought anything particularly wrong. He was a busy man, often away from her, and they still shared a bed, even if they shared little else. She had always counted Brennan as her dearest friend, but she never said so for fear of offending him. She knew that was not what he
wished to be. And he was right –
she had paid little attention because she did not hunger for his lovemaking.

She had been able to soothe him so many times, by a simple touch, a caress, her understanding. She hoped she could again.

“
Brennan, please don
’
t torture yourself over some nonsense that has no meaning. I love you! I have never thought you old!
”

“
I do not ride in the tournament for fear of breaking my bones on a chance fall. I rise stiff and sore each morning, and I do not have the strength I once had. My appetite is leaner, my nights longer, and I desire the comfort of a restful night over the comforts of your body.
”

She laughed lightly in spite of herself.
“
Perhaps the fault is mine. I have worried for so many years that you would be disappointed in me! You have always been kind and generous with me despite the fact that you have always wanted a more passionate bride than I.
‘
Tis my lacking, Brennan, a more skilled
paramour would succeed in arousing you properly. Truly, if I were a better wife, you would have fewer worries.
I
cannot blame you if you love me no more.
”

“
It is because I love you so that I am beset, my sweet.
”
He turned away from her.
“
I wonder what problems I
’
ve created for you, when I could have let a younger man have you.
”

“
Brennan, I did not want a younger man,
”
she lied. The only other man she would have was not allowed her.