The Troubadour's Romance (32 page)

“
I can
’
t say why they give me so much, when I have given them so little. I am not even born of them, but a poor wretch
they took in out of charity ..
. and yet their charity never ceases.
”
Tears coursed down her cheeks.
“
I will never find the means to repay all of this.
”

Vespera patted her affectionately.
“
That you choose to show charity to those in need is payment, lady. If you can heal the sorrow in this burg alone, there is great purpose in your life. Perhaps this is why you were born.
”

“
Yea, perhaps,
”
she said, sniffing back her tears. Setting the town to rights and improving the hall were things she could do. The pity she couldn
’
t call for some healing balm from Twyford that would entice her husband to love her. But that would come, she promised herself. She would not rest until it did.
“
I shall try. God willing, we shall see all the sorrows healed.
”

Fourteen

It happened that not all that the Scelftons sent to Segeland was appropriate to their needs.
Felise
deemed it wise to trade some goods for others, rather than bear any insult to her parents with respect to their gifts by returning them. So, when many more bags of seed than they could use arrived,
Felise
set Hewe to the task of taking a wagonload to Coventry to trade for animal stock. And when bolts of cloth would be better traded for twice as many spindles of thread and yarn and more looms for the village women, she excused Vespera to accompany a small group of travelers to arrange that trade.

So many trips to Coventry had been made that it had been arranged that a local house would receive those from Segeland each time. It was usual that, the journey being short, they stayed only one night. Arriving in the afternoon and settling in the merchant
’
s house, Vespera and Hewe set about their trading, ate a hearty dinner, slept a short night, and rose early, quite pleased with the goods and ready to journey back to Segeland.

Vespera approached her young escort before he had finished his morning meal.
“
Sir Hewe, I know the urgency
that we be upon the road, but would you allow time for one last item?
”

“
What?
”
he questioned, his mouth full of bread.

She seated herself across from him and urged him to continue to eat while she explained.
“
When I was in search of yarns and threads for my lady, I did come across a bolt of fine cloth that I would like to purchase for her.
‘
Tis a frivolous item, but I can
’
t resist. And with a bit of lace, it will make a fine morning gown for her.
”
Vespera shrugged somewhat shyly.
“
I have saved a small sum for the purchase, if you would escort me to the merchant.
”

Hewe put down his knife and frowned as he contem
plated this.
“
I would take you, but there are two conditions. First, the price must already be to your liking, for we have no time to argue with the merchant. And second, you must let me share in the purchase of the gift.
”

“
It is not necessary, sir knight, as I can assure you I have the sum. It does not beggar me.
”

“
You misunderstand me, madam. I do not pity your poor state. It is only that I, too, have seen baubles and laces that would do my lady honor.
”

Vespera broke into a rare, wide smile. She could not express her personal pride that
Felise
’
s behavior elicited love and respect from all who came to know her. She had been aware of Hewe
’
s initial avoidance of
Felise
, and likewise aware that as he spent time with her, he had begun to hold her in ardent respect.

“
As I have said, I found a bolt of rich cloth for a morning gown, and if you will allow, I will purchase that. Then, if it pleases you, I will help you select a perfect lace for the trim, that your gift to her may be as rich.
”

“
We are agreed,
”
he said happily.
“
I
’
ll have the horses and wagons readied while we make our purchases, and then we
’
ll get quickly back to Segeland.
”

Vespera waited at the small table in the merchant
’
s dining hall while Hewe alerted those few who had traveled with them to make ready. They quickly sought out the cloth merchant and found that he was also well stocked with beautiful laces and trims and threads. Pleased with the prices the man demanded and the nature of their gifts to
Felise
, they walked briskly and happily back toward their party of travelers.

Vespera slowed her pace for a moment and then grasped Hewe
’
s arm to stop him in mid-stride. He looked at her quizzically but found that her eyes were locked on two men who stood talking outside the massive Coventry church. He looked at them for a moment, breathing one name.
“
Boltof?
”

She pulled him out of sight of the street, within the doorframe of a baker, and her mouth was set in an angry line.
“
Do not let them see us, Sir Hewe. It is Boltof and Sir Wharton.
”

“
Wharton? I was told they had buried their differences.
”
He shrugged.

“
Aye,
”
she said angrily.
“
Buried their differences and yet the two of them linger for so long ... so close to Segeland. It was a long while ago that Sir Maelwine found the two together here, and both, he said, were bound for other places. Something is wrong.
”

Hewe stiffened at the mere possibility that these two would tarry here to cause some threat to his lord and lady. He unconsciously flexed the muscles in his arms and set his jaw in a grim line, ready for confrontation.
“
Then I will learn their intention at once.
”

“
Nay,
”
she said in an urgent whisper.
“
That is useless, for if they
’
re bent on trouble, they will not tell you. Better that we know they meet in Coventry and keep our eyes and ears sharp. If they know we have seen them, they may hatch some plan to misguide our step. If they think themselves safe, they may act with foolish confidence. Let us hie from this place before they know they
’
ve been seen.
”

“
Would it not be better to let them know that we see this new friendship blooming so close to Segeland
’
s gate?
”
he asked.

“
Hear me, Hewe. There stand two men who not only wanted Lady
Felise
and her lands, but petitioned King Henry for her hand. And what do they share? Only their disappointment at having been overturned in favor of Royce. They are up to no good.
”

Hewe looked around the frame of the baker
’
s door.
“
‘
Tis
not my custom to lurk in passageways, spying, when I am set to demand a proper answer for such actions.
”

Vespera touched his arm.
“
I know it is not your way, but I am small and weak and have learned much from quiet passages and open ears. And if, in the end, we protect what Royce holds, the method matters least of all.

“
They do not know me. I will pass them while they
’
re in conversatio
n if you
will quietly go through the baker
’
s shop and leave by a rear door.
‘
Tis your face they will know.
”

Hewe thought for a moment but quickly decided she was the wiser, and since they were bent on a single purpose, it was better to see what knowledge leaked out than to risk a confrontation that would only yield a lie.

He nodded to her and she wasted no time in lowering her head, tucking her hands into her mantle, and setting out in the direction of Wharton and Boltof. She did not betray herself by turning to see if Hewe had entered the shop, but rather paused beside the two men and pretended to examine some leather purses displayed on a merchant
’
s cart beside them. With her back turned to the men, she lingered a moment.

“
When do you go?
”
Wharton asked.

“
In a few days. When Celeste arrives to meet me.
”

“
You are certain you can gain friendly admittance?
”

“
Aye. Royce is a highly responsible man. He will wish to make good his roguish behavior. And of course, on the grounds of friendship, he will admit us. I know the man. And we have cleared the way with Felise through Mael
wine.
”

“
You will send me word?
”

“
Aye, stay in Coventry with a few men. I will send a message to you through the priest, Trothmore, when I am admitted to the keep. Or failing that, later, when it is time for some action from you.
”

There was a long pause before Wharton spoke again.
“
You are certain that Celeste will help us?
”

“
She has always done exactly as I
’
ve bidden her.
‘
Twas me who brought Royce to her in the first place. She relies on my help. I tell her what to do and when to do it.
”

“
I hope you are right,
”
Wharton said. Vespera thought
she heard a note of distrust or apprehension in Wharton
’
s voice.

“
How may I help your selection, madam?
”
the leather craftsman asked.
“
A purse for yourself or your husband? A well-crafted sheath for a knife? I have bridles and saddles, but they are too large for the cart, yet I can tell you the way to my shop and my son will help you select what you need.
”

“
Nay, there is nothing. I simply admire your fine talent,
”
she said softly, smiling at the man.

“
Sure
ly this pouch caught your eye
..,
”
he attempted.

“
It is lovely, but I will make no purchase today,
”
she answered.

He gave a grunt and mo
ved away to a more likely customer. Vespera caressed the leather pouch, straining her ears for more of the conversation behind her, but she heard nothing. She cautiously turned and spotted Boltof
’
s bulky frame as he walked alone down the street. She silently cursed the merchant for causing her to miss their last exchange and words of parting, and turned in the opposite direction to see Wharton traveling away.

When she reached Hewe at the wagons, all was ready for their journey. He approached her eagerly.

“
They are plotting,
”
she said, a note of agitation in her voice,
“
but I have no idea what they hope to gain. I know only this: Boltof and Celeste will venture to Segeland and gain entrance under the guise of friendship, and Wharton waits here for some instruction. Perhaps they plan an attack on the keep, I cannot say.
”

“
Then Boltof will be surprised when he is not allowed within.
”

Vespera thought for a moment, quietly chewing her lip.
“
If their plan is set awry this time, they will only devise another. The next time we will not have foreknowledge. Nay, Hewe, I think it best to let Boltof within and watch him as a hungry rat watches the scraps from the table. When he moves to threaten, he will be caught.
”

“
Lady
Felise
must be warned,
”
Hewe said resolutely.

“
Warn Royce, when he is returned. And my lady will be cautioned not to trust them, but we will take care not to worry her. Let us guard her even better than we have, and let Royce be the one to tell her the reason.
”

“
I don
’
t know if it is wise to tamper with them if they mean to do her harm,
”
Hewe argued.

“
It would be worse if we stopped them now, and months or a year from now were faced with some surprise devil
ment. Let us take a lesson from the knaves: we will work in secret as they do and we will be ready for them. If they mean to usurp Royce or harm the lady, they have but one chance. Once caught, they will not live to try again.
”

***

“
It is like a thousand Christmas holidays,
”
Felise
ex
claimed.
“
First, all that has been sent from Twyford; now, this. You are so good to me.
”
She embraced Vespera in grateful thanks for the lovely gift and the woman accepted the gesture, returning the affection with a tight squeeze of her own.

But Sir Hewe chafed and turned bright pink up to his brow when
Felise
encircled him with her arms. He stam
mered uncomfortably, keeping his arms fixed straight at his side as he suffered through her torturous clinging.