The Marriage Prize (26 page)

and strength for her own, and she wanted to do the same. "I

shal miss you sorely, my lady."

"Nonsense! Out from under my shadow, you wil spread your

wings like a butterfly and acquire your own power."

At that moment, Lord Edward gal oped past them and bowed

gal antly. With unflagging energy, he spent each day riding up

and down the line, checking on the knights and men-at-arms,

as wel as conversing with Simon de Montfort for hours and

also finding time to ride with the ladies.

Rosamond fol owed Eleanor's gaze as it fel upon Edward.

With the sun touching his flaxen hair and glinting off his

breastplate, he looked like a golden god. "I am astounded that

my brother Henry produced

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such a magnificent son," the countess said. "Thank heaven he has decided to join forces with Simon. You played no smal

part in that, Rosamond. I thank you with al my heart for setting

aside your reservations about Rodger de Leyburn and helping

to cement the bond."

Suddenly, Rosamond felt proud that she had done her duty by

the de Montforts. Someday the prince would be King Edward,

and already he looked every inch a king. He had been gifted

with an abundance of physical beauty, strength, energy,

intel igence, and charm. If he used his gifts wisely, he would

make a magnificent king.

When they arrived at Berkhamsted, Rosamond was delighted

to see Griffin. She took the note from him and blushed,

knowing it was from her husband. It was not a love letter, but

his words were warm, informing her that Princess Eleanora

was at Windsor, and assuring her that the chambers he had

selected for her were quite lovely.

"What is the princess like?" she asked Griffin.

"I did not see her, my lady."

She realized Griffin had been sent with messages for Lord

Edward, and that Sir Rodger's note to her was only a courtesy.

In Berkhamsted's dining hal , Edward shared the news with

Simon. The message prompted more questions than

answers. How long had the queen and Edward's bride been

at Windsor? If the queen had returned from France, would

King Henry fol ow? The spring Parliament was uppermost in

Simon's mind, while Edward's thoughts were fil ed with his

Castilian wife.

The fol owing morning, when the travelers departed

Berkhamsted, the de Montforts would take the London road to

Charing near London, while Rosamond, Lord Edward, Harry

of Almaine, and their train of knights would head directly south

to Windsor in Berkshire. Rosamond bade Eleanor and Demi

goodbye. "I wish I could see Princess Eleanora," Demi said

wistful y.

Lady Eleanor refrained from tel ing Rosamond what a bitch

the queen was; she would learn for herself soon enough.

Instead she kissed Rosamond and urged, "When you are at

Westminster, you must visit us at Durham House, downriver."

Later in the day, Rosamond caught her breath when she

realized that the rider gal oping toward them was Rodger de

Leyburn. She

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thought it a most gal ant gesture for him to meet Lord Edward

and herself and escort them to Windsor.

He greeted her first, seeming to have eyes for no other. She

did not flinch as the big black destrier drew close, though she

felt a moment's apprehension. Her husband lifted her gloved

hand to his lips and held her gaze. "Welcome, Rosamond, you

have never looked lovelier."

She was wel pleased. "Thank you, my lord."

He wheeled his mount instantly and joined Lord Edward.

Griffin fol owed him immediately. Rosamond knew he should

have greeted the prince first and was flattered by her

husband's chivalrous behavior. As she watched the two men

become engrossed in their conversation, she was reminded

of how darkly handsome Rodger de Leyburn was, and how at

ease he was with the prince. He and Edward were truly

bonded, and she felt a surge of pride at their close

connection. She was blissful y unaware of the tense subject of

the men's conversation or the rippling undercurrent of events

that had already been set in motion.

"Thank you for sending Griffin to warn me that I have a mother

and a wife awaiting me at Windsor. I shal gird my loins."

"I come with a very different warning, Lord Edward. Yesterday I

went to ready your apartments at Westminster and found

Richard of Cornwal in residence. I avoided him, but late in the

afternoon the Justiciar Humphrey de Bohun rode in hel -for-

leather with a large force."

"Splendor of God, there is some plot afoot. Too bad you didn't

arrive in time to advise Earl Simon."

"I can ride to Durham House with your message."

Edward's brow furrowed. "De Montfort has spies; I warrant

he'l know the moment he arrives." Edward sent his squire

down the line to summon Harry of Almaine. When Harry

reached the prince's side, Edward said, "Your father is at

Westminster."

"My father?" Harry swal owed hard. "Mayhap you can

persuade him to stand in Parliament with you and Simon and

the barons."

"How would you like the job of persuading him?"

"Me? I shal avoid him at al costs. I would rather take the men-

at-arms to the Tower, while you go to Westminster!"

"We wil remain together at Windsor tonight. Tomorrow I shal

see Richard, alone if you haven't the stomach for it. Rod can

go to Durham

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House and learn de Montfort's thoughts on why the justiciar

has been summoned hotfoot to London."

As Windsor Castle came into view, Rosamond caught her

breath at how splendid it looked. The imposing Round Tower,

built by King Henry I from beautiful Bedfordshire stone, was

bathed in a golden glow by the setting sun. The cavalcade

passed through the outer wal s by way of the Curfew Tower

and entered the Lower Ward. When grooms and servants

rushed out to attend the travelers, they made obeisance to the

prince, but it was de Leyburn, the royal steward, who gave

them their orders.

Rosamond dismounted unaided and helped Nan from her

saddle, then she lifted Chirk from her traveling basket and set

the dog down on the cobblestones to pee. When both de

Leyburn and Griffin came to attend her, she graciously

demurred. "You have so many official duties; we wil manage."

"I have no higher priority than your welfare. Nan, please direct

Griffin to your baggage." Rod bowed to Rosamond, scooped

up Chirk, and held out his arm. "Al ow me to escort you to our

apartments. Once you are safely in the hands of the servants,

you wil have ample time to bathe and rest while I attend to my

official duties."

The new Henry I I Tower, built with local heath stone, was the

last word in luxury. Their chambers were bright, spacious, and

richly furnished. The apartment consisted of two large rooms

and two smal er ones, one of which was a dressing room with

a carved wooden bathing tub. The bedchamber held a

massive bed with green velvet curtains and mounting-steps

because of its height. Rosamond averted her eyes from the

bed and moved to the tal round-topped window which

overlooked a wal ed garden.

Sir Rodger set Chirk down so that she could explore her new

home, then fol owed Rosamond to the window. "We have a

fine view of the Thames Val ey and the Chiltern Hil s beyond.

When spring arrives, the colors of the entire landscape

change. The royal apartments take up the entire two top

stories of this new tower. The king and queen occupy the top

floor when they are in residence. Directly above us are Lord

Edward's apartments, and adjoining are those especial y

designed for Princess Eleanora."

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Rosamond turned to look up at him. He had said that he

hoped they could start afresh at Windsor, and suddenly she

wanted that too. She swayed toward him, but Rodger stepped

back politely and she realized that an invisible barrier stood

between them.

"If there is anything you need, Rosamond, you must ask." She stared after him as he departed. His words held a wealth of

double meaning. She pul ed off one of her riding boots and

hurled it at the door he had just closed. "Ask? Ask? You devil,

de Leyburn! You'l do the bloody asking!"

******************

his life. After he turned his destrier over to his squire, he

strode to the top of the Lower Ward, entered the new tower,

and took the stairs to his apartments three at a time.

Shrewdly, he anticipated a confrontation with his mother, and

relished it. He dispatched the bowing servants for hot water,

deciding to rid himself of travel stains before seeking

audience with the queen. Edward poured himself a cup of ale

to quench his thirst and wash the road dust from his throat. He

drained it, and as he poured another he noticed that the door

leading to the adjoining room stood ajar. A rustle of garments

drew him to the doorway.

Edward stopped dead on the threshold and stared. Before

him stood a female so lovely, his heart skipped a beat at the

sight of her. Her rose pink gown showed her dusky beauty to

perfection. Her dark brown hair fel in a profusion of natural

curls that reached to her hips, while tiny tendrils framed her

oval face. Her almond-shaped eyes were liquid brown, fringed

by long, thick lashes. A soft flush touched her youthful rounded

cheek as her red lips parted in a shy smile that revealed teeth

as pretty as pearls. Her ful breasts curved deliciously above

the smal est waist he had ever seen.

Edward caught his breath at the sight of this girl on the brink of

womanhood who was so lovely, he couldn't believe his great

good fortune. Was this dazzling vision his wife? Al his senses

were so involved, he knew he could not be dreaming.

"Eleanora?"

Though her look was shy, her eyes shone with joy as she

looked at him with adoration. "Eduward, I must use the

English version of my name ... Eleanor."

He laughed with delight at the way she pronounced his name.

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"Nay, Eleanora is beautiful, or Nora is sweet and pretty too,

like its owner." He wrinkled his nose. "Eleanor is my mother's name."

She laughed shyly, and it was like music to his ears. He

closed the distance between them, drawn to her like steel to a

lodestone. His gaze drank in her sweetness, and as he raised

his hand toward her, Eleanora did the same, and their

fingertips touched. A current like lightning sparked between

them, and he watched her breasts rise and fal with the

excitement their touch begot. He took possession of her

fingers and lifted them to his lips. "Eleanora, my sweet."

"Eduward," she said breathlessly, "I have waited six long years to come to you."

His lips brushed her wrist, and her rapid pulse told him how he

affected her. "The waiting is over," he promised warmly.

"Not by a long chalk!" the queen interjected as she sailed into the chamber like a ship in ful sail. "Eleanor, you wil go

upstairs immediately. What I have to say to my perfidious son

is not for delicate ears."

Edward's fingers tightened their hold on the beautiful prize. "I

am delighted to see you too, Mother," he said caustical y, "but at the moment I wish to be alone with my wife."

"When the marriage has been consummated, she wil be your

wife, and not before. Until then, Eleanor is under my wardship,

my authority."

Edward saw his bride's eyes flood with unshed tears. Touched

with compassion for her plight, he loosed his grip and

watched her flee. "Is this how you exercise your wardship?

Bul ying the maiden because she is sweet and gentle?"

Suddenly he realized his mother's true motives. "You used her

as bait, making sure I would find her here unattended, then

snatching her away to bring me to heel."

"You need bringing to heel! Plotting with that traitor de Montfort wil have dire consequences for you. Your father's brother has

come to Westminster to deal with you."

"The last I heard, Richard of Cornwal was not the King of

England, nor are you, madam. If the king wishes to protest my

political views, let him come and do so. I refuse to be ruled by

a woman, be she mother or queen!"

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Fourteen

Rosamond directed Griffin where to set the last of her trunks.

"How long wil my husband be about his official duties?"

"At least four hours, my lady; you must sup without him."

"Nay," Rosamond demurred, as a plan began to form in her

head, "I shal wait and dine here with Sir Rodger, if you wil be good enough to bring us a late supper, Griffin."

Rosamond decided to take Chirk for a run in the wal ed

garden before dusk descended. There would be ample time

to bathe later. Wrapped in her fur-lined cloak and carrying her

Welsh terrier, she made her way down the stairs of the

splendid new tower and wound her way along a path until she

came to the garden. Inside the high wal s, beneath the trees,

there was hardly any light at al in the shadowed recesses.