The Troubadour's Romance (21 page)

Felise did not see what was lacking. She saw what was there. Segeland was large. Strong. The earth on which it stood was fertile. Stuffed in the corners of empty rooms and closets there were broken chairs, benches, and cookware. The draperies were of a good imported cloth, thick and well sewn. She moved faster and chattered more with every new discovery.
“
These dishes will do, but I fear our lack of mugs ... a good spring breeze will take
the smell out of these quilts .
.. there is ale and wine enough for the longest winter ... the supply of meal is more than adequate until Coventry
’
s stores can be investigated ... a good hand on this trestle table will give it another score of years ... oil on these stools will soften
the wood and give it a shine ..
.
”

Vespera followed quietly, nodding with every exclama
tion. Maelwine followed but grumbled, perhaps more be
cause he wanted to judge the place, not renovate it to her satisfaction. On the second level she was stopped short for a moment. Her breath caught in her throat at what she saw. Twin chambers stood at the top of the high and dangerous staircase. One, the door creaking open loudly, as if in pain, was a lord
’
s chamber, judging by the design of the high bed and chests and table desk. The other, barred heavily from
the outside, must have been the lady
’
s chamber. There, Felise suspected, Royce
’
s mother had been held captive.

There was a third door inside, joining the chambers. Here too there were bars and bolts on the lord
’
s side. From within she could see that the rooms were large and equal, but for the doors that gave the lord of the manor the advantage of keeping a prisoner. The window from the lady
’
s chamber was closed with stone and there were brackets on t
he wall, attached to the stone,
that may once have held chains.

Felise walked toward the place where the window was walled up, wondering if this measure had been meant to prevent escape or keep the pitiful woman from jumping to her death. She faced the stone and stared at it as if she would look through it.

“
If the bricks are knocked out and a garden fashioned in the inner bailey, it could be viewed from here,
”
she said, a note of sadness in her voice.

“
By God, Felise, don
’
t you see what this place is?
”
Maelwine asked with impatience.

She turned to him.
“
I see,
”
she said.

“
This place, this room and all
of the hall, are not worthy of the beasts, much less you.
”

“
Maelwine, it must be made worthy. None of us, not even Royce, had a hand in this travesty.
”

“
I would have you stay in the stable under my guard before I would leave you in this prison.
”

“
Maelwine,
”
she sighed, shaking her head.
“
This was a bitter place, as Royce explained. It need not remain so.
”

“
How will our father accept the news that you reside in a hall haunted by the evil of generations of Leightons? Good God, the townspeople are so afraid they cannot be induced to work here, and the lord of the manor walks through the rooms as if asleep, indeed in the midst of a nightmare.
‘
Tis clear his protection is not equal to your status.
”

Status,
she thought wearily. She found herself wishing again for her mother. All the men in her life, from her father and brothers to the king to her husband and the suitors at court, made these dreary assumptions about her status. She was too good to sleep in this dilapidated mansion, but not too good to be ordered wed to a stranger
--
one that she had even feared. She didn
’
t understand where her true value lay.

She wished Maelwine had stayed away and Edrea had been allowed to accompany her. At least her mother
’
s simple wisdom in these matters would be more useful to her now than her brother
’
s criticism.

Through Maelwine
’
s discontented lecture,
Felise
simply looked at him, not reacting in any way. When he was done she spoke very calmly.
“
We
’
ll decide upon the sleeping rooms when my lord
’
s preference is known,
”
she said simply, walking past her brother and out of the room.

There was no question but that it would be weeks or months before Segeland and its town would appear equal to a noble demesne. By the time the sun was setting, there were a few rabbits on spits over a fire in the main room, and enough bowls and platters had been scoured to serve the food upon. The grain was stale and provided only flat bread, some eggs were stewing and the drippings from the meat would provide a thick, seasoned gravy. No candles could be found, but torches aplenty lit the large room. Spirits were not low but quiet, since the day had been full for everyone.

Felise
didn
’
t know how many of those dining there saw great promise in the hall. Everyone gathered, whether sitting at the long trestle table or on the floor, would be thenceforth in residence, with the exception of the Scelfton men. Twenty or so men-at-arms, plus fourteen pages subject to the knights, two s
erving women
--
Daria and Vespera
--
and the lord and lady would call this home. It was frankly a modest group for a keep of this size, but in her mind she envisioned their growing numbers.

Royce dined beside her, his mood only slightly better. He had spoken little, mainly answering her questions and making no further comment. She had barely seen him about the hall, as his occupation had been to see that the stables were fit for the destriers that would bear his knights. But at least he did not seem beset by some strange confusion. It wa
s not unreasonable, in her mind
that he would be of saddened spirit in this environment.

Still, she continually thought of their days at the Chaney house. She almost laughed as she remembered wondering if she would ever consider that a tender memory. He had been mostly gentle and kind to her before the Scelfton knights
appeared. His mood
had been even and he was good-
tempered. The nights had been filled with passion, and while it had been new to her, she had reveled in it. What she hoped for Segeland was tha
t it would become a decent home
made rich by the robust nature of its tenants and nights like those at the Chaney house. It did not seem impossible.
Possible,
she thought,
if Royce could resign himself to life with her here.

She allowed Daria her freedom in the hall, but bade Vespera to stay near and dine at their table. Thus the woman sat beside
Felise
and regularly interrupted her meal to make a suggestion or ask a question. They were nearly finished eating when Master Colbert came to the hall with a small group of villagers in tow. He stood just inside the door, twisting his hat in his hands, his companions standing without and in wait.

Felise
followed Royce as he rose to see to the bailiff.
“
I have found two men who will work and whose wives will help in the hall, and four young men ... the young do not remember
Lord Leighton well enough to .
.. that is ...
”

“
I understand,
”
Royce grumbled.
“
Bring them in.
”

Felise
strained to look around her large husband and judge these people who would work with her. They kept their eyes mostly downcast as they entered, staying just inside the door and reluctant to come further. Master Colbert recited their names but she could not attach them to individuals. Townsend, Braserus, Mackery, Jeremy, Richter, and Thomas. She nodded with each name, trying to give a comforting smile, but the people were obviously jittery. Royce likewise nodded, but he was a long time silent.

“
It will be good to have you in service,
”
he finally said, not much enthusiasm in his voice.

Felise
was troubled not only by the people here, but by her husband who seemed to be endorsing this gloom. She took a deep breath and bolstered herself.

“
You have lodgings with your families?
”
she asked.

Nearly all eyes rose to meet hers as the people nodded.

“
And you are willing to work in this hall?
”
Again they nodded.
“
Then you shall be bidden here during the light hours and you may return to your families for sleep. When
such a time comes that you do not think ill of this hall, there will be a place for you through the day and night. And you will be paid for your work. Does this agreement suit you?
”

There were nods all around and two smiles from the youngest of the meager group.

“
Thank you, Master Colbert. I shall see you again at cockcrow,
”
she said.

When they returned to their dinner, hardly cooled during the brief introductions, Royce turned to her to compliment her.
“
It would appear you have more experience in this than I would have allowed. I believe you gave them peace of mind.
”

“
My lord, I have no experience whatever in the problems of this hall. I swear by the Virgin, I have never encountered such fear and worry.
”

“
You have not known the place for as long as I
... nor so long as they.
”

“
You were here as a child?
”
she asked. He nodded quite gravely.
“
But not in residence for a very long time?
”
she asked.

Royce unhurriedly chewed on a mouthful of food, then took a deep breath.
“
It was in fact my mother
’
s father who saw to my rearing and training. He was allowed a brief visit here to judge his daughter
’
s health. He liked none of what he saw, but the thing that plagued him most was my treatment. He was a fine old gentleman who knew that the worst had already been done and could see no usefulness in any further waste of life. It was apparent I was born of my father and his captive wife ... but my grandfather thought that to leave me here might be dangerous. He took me away.
”

“
Your father mistreated you?
”
she asked, trying to keep her questions gentle.

“
Nay, but he favored my older brother, Aylworth, and my mother could not look on me. Every year I spent here, I was hiding from one of them, lest some angry hand smite me just for the color of my eyes or set of my jaw.
”
He looked pointedly into her eyes.
“
This ugly scar, lady, comes from the back of my mother
’
s hand. My father would have gowned my mother richly, and he did give her jewels and furs and many valuable gifts, but none of this soothed her injury. He had taken her from another man; a man who
never tried to rescue her. Her hatred burned deep and, in the end, burned me.
‘
Twas a rich ring my father purchased that caused the mark you look on now.
”

Felise wished to keep pity from her eyes, but the image of a small boy being struck by his mother caused her agony. She let her hand touch his, and he flinched slightly.

“
Riches mean little when love is lacking,
”
she said softly.
“
When did your mother die?
”
she asked.

“
Not long after my grandfather took me away from here.
”

“
She valued life little,
”
Fe
lise said solemnly.

“
She could not tolerate the fact that a man she did not want could take her so easily. Forsooth, he took her, wed her outside the church laws, and got her with child. She had nothing to say of it.
”

“
Did she not try to tolerate him, Royce? Was he so cruel
--
”

“
Felise, I
do not know. How would I?
”

“
I
’
m sorry. I would not cause you pain with bad memo
ries; it
’
s just that it is difficult to understand people who would not try to rise above their misfortune. When I face difficulties
--
”