The Troubadour's Romance (4 page)

“
The queen requests your presence at court for a few days,
”
he said, anger still rumbling in his voice.

Fe
lise
’
s eyes widened and her mouth gaped. She could not fathom the reason for all their anger and agitation over something that sounded like a gift of great merriment.
“
She would have me at court?
”
she asked quietly.

Edrea took her daughter
’
s hand and scowled at her husband.
“
Lord Scelfton only uses his words generously when he is angered. In making simple explanations he is like a strangled bird. Now, listen to me carefully that you might understand this simple request, for it is meant to be entirely in your best interests.
”

Harlan growled something low and uncomplimentary and returned to his tankard to fill it Edrea responded to his action by briefly narrowing her
eyes and setting her mouth in a
disapproving l
ine. Then she turned back to Fel
ise.

“
Your natural mother was a woman of some importance to the queen, although I can
’
t say the reason or what has become of her. As the matter rests, the queen generously allowed for your upbringing in Poitou, close enough for her to see that you were cared for. When she was imprisoned, there was naught she could do to ensure your safety, and you were sent to England. When we heard of your plight and took you in, the priest who brought you explained your circumstances. Truly, had Eleanor not revolted and at
tempted so much against Henry, you would likely have been
raised in the palace with many eager to attend you, for it is greatly possible that was the queen
’
s plan.

“
The m
i
ssive your father speaks of was mine, written by my own hand. I sent word to the queen in her prison in Winchester that you were in our safe custody, in case she ever thought of your welfare. I do not pardon her action against her husband, but I had pity for her despair. I never gained reply, but then, could she have been denied corre
spondence?

“
But at this time the royal family is gathering, a rare thing in their troubled midst. And Eleanor has been granted some few luxuries. It appears she is without means but has given thought to you these many years and would see that you are well cared for. She kindly grants your mother
’
s dower lands, said to be mo
dest, to be added to Lord Scelft
on
’
s dower gifts. This small parcel is in Duke Richard
’
s Aquitaine. Certainly her years of solitude have lent her a softer nature.
”
Edrea
looked at her grumbling husband.
“
I sup
pose she has many regrets and sorrows.
”

“
Many,
”
Harlan said without gentleness.

Felise
looked at her mother in some confusion.
“
Why is my lord angry?
”
she asked quietly.

“
He despises interference in his household and is worried that the queen will use you against our will.
”

“
Would she?
”
Felise
asked.
“
Surely she could not.
”

“
I think not,
”
Edrea said with a smile.
“
I suppose she will influence your hand in marriage, since you are of that age and it is our chief occupation. That could only better the prospect. She is without the means to abduct you against your will.
”

“
The tale is that
Felise
’
s mother was a prisoner of Eleanor and
--
”
Harlan began, showing still greater agitation.

“
The tale, kind sir, does not include imprisonment. It is said that the lady-in-waiting who bore our
Felise
was nobly bred and lived a chaste life beside the queen until she was despoiled by some errant knight and killed herself in shame.
”

Felise
quickly grasped her mother
’
s wrist.
“
There are tales about my mother?
”

Edrea smiled with some tolerance.
“
Your beginning was
prior to the time of Eleanor
’
s court in Poitou, where troubadours sang of pure and devoted love; indeed, there was some romantic conjecture about your birth.
”
She shrugged.
“
As there has been verse of Rosamond and others. I promise you it has not followed your upbringing with us. For all the world cares, you are
Felise
Scelfton. Romantic speculation was the great pursuit of the time ... before our queen was locked away.
”

Felise
swallowed hard, contemplating this.
“
Yet I go to Windsor. And what tales will I find there? Will they call me bastard and shun me?
”

Edrea
’
s eyes grew serious.
“
Nay, darling. They have need of rich beauty such as yours. And your father is a jealous man who holds his own tight within his fist. He babbles when a firm mind would gain him more.
”

“
How long must I stay there?
”
she asked.

“
But a few days, and then we will return to Twyford.
”

“
But I
’
ve never been away from you,
”
Felise
argued.

“
Nor shall you be,
”
Edrea smiled.
“
We will keep this residence, but the king has kindly included us in the dinners that you will attend. So you see, there is no worry, but a grand time to be long remembered.
”

Felise
looked toward Harlan in wait of some encourage
ment from him. He was a tall man whose tawny hair held more gray than gold, and his thick jowls were tensed. But finally he seemed to relax his features, whether involuntari
ly or by effort was uncertain.
“
Aye, a time to be remem
bered,
”
he grunted.
“
She is right,
”
he relented.
“
I am a jealous father and would not have you flaunted about the court.
”

“
I suppose it gives no comfort that you despise the queen,
”
Felise
attempted somewhat lamely.

He looked away from her again, his jaw twitching slightly.
“
Aye. Though it
’
s more distrust than hate. But you will go. This one time only.
”
He forced a smile that was far from sincere.
“
You may begin to gather your gowns now, for on the morrow we will take you there.
”

Felise
looked to her mother and Edrea gave a smile and a nod. She tried to rise slowly and even give a measure of reluctance to her step, but it was impossible. She nearly
skipped. Although this tale of her mother had made her slightly anxious, she couldn
’
t deny a surge of excitement at spending a few days at court.

When she was out of the room and gaining the stairs, Harlan turned to Edrea with a look of worried disapproval.
“
You have allayed all her fears when she should be put on her guard.
”

“
I cannot agree,
”
the lady returned.
“
There is nothing she can do to guard herself now.
”

“
She is being used as a pawn to divide a kingdom to Henry
’
s advantage,
”
he blustered, his voice held carefully low.

“
The pawn may achieve the treasure if you are right. Let us see, Harlan.
”

He shook his head.
“
Listen to me, for you have refused to understand the folly of this. The queen
’
s motives be damned. Whether she is moved by compassion or selfish
ness means nothing to me. Henry would not gift her this without his own ends. Eleanor is here for one purpose only: Henry uses her to aid him in his alliance with his sons. He acknowledges some old dowry of lands in Aquitaine for Felise and asks that we include her dower lands in England. With a purse so rich, some English lord of Henry
’
s can acquire much and make his oath to the king first and hold property under Richard. It is as common a ploy as sending a spy into Richard
’
s camp. And our daughter, madam, pro
vides the means. If it did not suit Henry, he would deny the original dowry and leave our daughter alone.
”

“
And why do you fear?
”
she asked him.
“
The land in France is not such a prize. I hear
‘
tis a small demesne that
’
s been managed these many years by a seneschal. The king would not even disclose the location or family name. I say you smell trouble where there is none. Who pleads for the hand of a maid with an unknown dowry?
”

“
If the importance to the king becomes known, many will, my lady. And their characters may not be good. Indeed, some may be commissioned by Richard. Or John. I want my daughter neatly settled, not abducted for her wealth and made a prisoner of some oafish knight.
”

Lady Edrea rose slowly, brushing down her heavy velvet
gown and raising her chin proudly.
“
Then make your presence felt, my lord, so that her protection is a known fact. And let us get this matter done to our satisfaction. Your king is no fool, or you would not have battled for him these many years. And while you lay indignities to Eleanor by the score, she is wise in the plights of women and land and will see some purpose served by our daughter
’
s marriage.
”

“
I cannot abide these manipulations,
”
he growled.

“
Nay, Harlan. You cannot abide your lack of control where it has never before been questioned.
”
She ap
proached him gently, running a hand along his arm. He looked down at her and she smiled tenderly. His grouchy features smoothed, for he could never deny her sweetness. This woman had held ever strong through the years of labor she endured for love of him. When faced with her firm strength, he could feel as vulnerable as a lad. Her show of meek femininity could make him feel powerful and stal
wart.

He turned her in his arms and put his hands to her still-slim waist.
“
You turn my most anguished thoughts to sweeter things, my lady. Even now.
”
He gently kissed her lips, and there, after knowing her so well for over thirty years, he felt the same lilting in his chest from her response.
“
I would have
Felise
know a marriage like ours. What chance, when her lands add more flavor than her simple womanhood?
”

Edrea laughed at her worried spouse and planted kisses on his face.
“
Harlan, you boast such wisdom in fighting and farming and breeding of war horses, yet you know nothing of your own daughter.
”
She looped her arms around his neck.
“
What knight of ambition, his arms hewn of the hardest rock, would not crumble to sand when met with her sorceress eyes? What lord of this kingdom would turn away from her winsome smile or mark in cruelty her velvet skin? Aye, her lands become a prize, but no prize greater than her beauty and charm.
”

She kissed his lips long and lovingly, feeling the same surge of passion she knew when first they met. When they parted, she knew that his mind was almost turned to other things.
“
My lord, allay your fears.
Felise
will turn the most
brutal beast into a lad to do her bidding. Now come, we cannot change a royal command, but we can fill the night without worry.
”

He took her hand, pressing it to his lips.
“
I hope you are right, lady,
”
he said.
“
But meanwhile, madam, you may lead me from worry.
”