The Troubadour's Romance (40 page)

“
Nay, he will deny it,
”
she insisted.
“
And how will you enter the keep? Sir Trumble will admit no one after the sun has set.
”

“
I might show Trumble my lame horse and plead a spoiled sojourn. He would let me in. And I will send a message to Wharton so that he is ready with men and hor
ses should Royce attack me. You
see, Celeste. It will work.
”

“
How? How will
Felise
take you over Royce now? Even if he comes to my chambers, he won
’
t come to my bed. How do you hope to make
Felise
believe that we are again lovers?
”

“
Leave that to me, Celeste. You have little reason to doubt me. Had the king not commanded Royce in this marriage, you would be his wife now.
”

“
But it is done,
”
she had retorted.

Boltof
’
s voice had become threatening and deep.
“
I promised you a hearty groom with an inheritance, and I have not failed you yet. He had his family lands, you had him, and now Henry delays us, but we are not finished. If you can only get him into this room, I will do the rest. You will do as I say.
”

There was no sound from within the room and Vespera moved silently down the hall toward the back stairs where she could flee unnoticed. She didn
’
t know exactly what Boltof planned, but perhaps the whole of it rested in the message he would send to Wharton. She hoped that would tell more of the story, for however naive Celeste was, Vespera did not believe Boltof would use arms against Royce to get what he wanted.

She had little doubt that Boltof had killed Royce
’
s broth
er. Boltof had promised himself a rich brother-in-law and saw his chance in the q
uarrel between Wharton and Ayl
worth. He had covered his involvement well in his defense of Royce. Sir Wharton, she surmised, would be very inter
ested to know how Boltof would have sacrificed him. She moved quickly down the stairs, through the cookery, and bade to the hall. There she gathered several logs for the
hearth and ventured up the front stairs toward
Felise
’
s chamber as if delivering firewood. As she paused to knock on the chamber door, Boltof came down the gallery on his way to the stairs.

“
My lord?
”
she questioned shyly, not looking directly at him.
“
I go to Coventry two days hence to purchase wool for my lady
’
s looms. She bade me ask if there is some trinket the lady Celeste desires. Can I buy something for the lady
’
s journey?
”

Boltof thought quietly for a moment.
“
I will ask the lady,
”
he said, turning to descend the stairs.

Vespera nodded and turned back toward
Felise
’
s door.

“
You,
”
Boltof beckoned, getting her attention again.
“
You are the lady
’
s scribe?
”
he asked coyly.

“
Nay, messire,
”
she replied quietly.
“
I serve her chamber. I cannot r
ead.
”
Then she looked up at him and tried a shy smile.
“
But I can count sums and never yield the wrong coin in barter.
”

“
Ah,
”
he said.
“
If I give you coins for a lighter mantle for Lady Celeste
’
s journey, do you think you can buy it without error?
”

“
Aye, messire. I have done so many times. I often purchase clothing for my lady.
”

“
‘
Tis well. And if I allow a small sum for your trouble, could you take a letter to a priest there?
”

“
Aye, sir. I have seen the church.
”

“
I know the priest; he was a friend of my father
’
s. I will give some thought to a letter for him, since I have made no effort to visit the man. Perhaps I will send him monies for the church. Find me before you leave.
”

“
Aye, sir.
”

As she turned again to
Felise
’
s door, she hid her face that Boltof would not see her sly smile.

***

Royce lingered over large pieces of cloth on which he had inked a replica of his lands, his house and walls, and the road to Coventry. He tried to judge where Boltof wou
ld hide in
wait. In the morning Vespera would leave with three horsed escorts for Coventry, although Royce did not like the idea of her bearing a message to Trothmore meant for Wharton. He thought it too dangerous. But she had ap
proached Boltof and gained his trust before he could stop her. And it seemed that Boltof was not at all suspicious of Vespera.

Vespera leaned over his shoulder.
“
There is something of Boltof
’
s plan we do not know. He has ridden the perimeters of your land and must know a way to enter without Trumble
’
s knowledge.
”

“
The wall is well repaired,
”
Royce argued.

“
Ropes?
”
she asked.

“
He would risk being seen. That cannot be his way.
”

Vespera sighed in frustration.
“
I cannot see how he has convinced Celeste that the trap of finding you in her chambers will make you appear her lover. A sleeping herb in your wine? Does he mean to hide within her rooms and strike you down, disrobe you, and put you in her bed?
”

“
He uses Celeste in some way, but not as a seductress, I assure you. I am as confused as you,
”
Royce said.

“
Perhaps he truly plans to abduct
Felise
, and have Whar
ton
’
s help waiting outside the gate,
”
Vespera attempted.

“
Nay, though she will be well guarded just the same. There are two things we know of Boltof. He is very patient; he is content to plot and wait, using Trothmore to attack one part of my reputation while he and Wharton weaken my hold on
Felise
and her dowry. Even so serious a thing as excommunication from the church takes many months.

“
And Boltof thinks himself clever, but he knows he is limited in warring skills and muscle. The man avoids any direct battle and would not steal away my wife and live with the threat that I would find him ... and kill him.
”

He looked into Vespera
’
s worried eyes.
“
Whatever he plans
, madam, he will attempt in the dark of night when no one knows. That is why I am certain he lies to Celeste and hopes to enter Segeland unseen, leaving the same way.
”
A twinkle crept into his eyes.
“
But I, too, know darkness well. I am almost as skilled in this as you.
”

“
I cannot help you from Coventry, my lord,
”
she said, worried.

“
When you leave here to seek Wharton, you are done with Boltof. When you return, you will find him chained, dead, or gone.
”

“
Have a care, Royce,
”
she whispered.

“
If there is no opportunity to read his letter to Covent
ry before you leave Segeland ..
.
”

“
I know what to do, my lord,
”
she replied confidently.

“
And I won
’
t rest until I determine how he plans to enter the hall unseen, for I too am certain of his treachery.
”

A knock at the door interrupted them and Vespera quietly left Royce
’
s room to enter
Felise
’
s chamber. She would not allow any intruder to see her in the lord
’
s chamber.

Royce carefully folded the pieces of cloth and placed them in his coffer before allowing anyone to enter.

Sir Hewe opened the door.
“
Another visitor, Royce. It is the old lord, Orrick. He approaches the gate, alone.
”

“
Orrick? Why the devil
...
”

He could not believe that Lord Orrick would conspire with Boltof. That would come as too much of a shock. From the moment his suspicions had been raised, he had decided that Aswin knew nothing of his stepson
’
s plotting. He couldn
’
t imagine what this visit meant and took himself quickly down the road toward the gate, determined to intercept him.

Lord Orrick was easy to identify, for he rode poorly and without any assist. He held the reins with his one good hand, the other, gnarled, against his side. Both feet were in the stirrups, but Royce knew that one leg was useless. It was madness for him to ride any distance alone, without ser
vants or guards. He was helpless should the horse need a stronger command and completely vulnerable if any brig
ands attacked him. Royce met him before he was far into the town and approached him, frowning his suspicion and his displeasure.

“
Lord Orrick,
”
he said.
“
Will you dismount?
”

The old lord, usually pleasant and even jovial in spite of his handicaps, was glowering blackly.
“
They are here, are they not?
”
he growled.

“
My lord?
”

“
Celeste and her brother. They are not at home, nor in London, nor have they left word about their travels.
”
His eyes were narrowed to slits, his gray hair tousled from days of difficult riding, his clothes torn and dirty. He turned from Royce and spit into the dust.
“
Those two are bent on making trouble.
”

Royce let his features relax somewhat.
“
My lord,
”
he breathed, reaching up to his friend to help him dismount.
“
You should not have come. I have the trouble in hand and watch Boltof carefully.
”
He braced Aswin against his body and carefully lowered him to the ground.

Aswin held his weight on his good side and searched his saddle for the staff he had tucked under the leather straps. Once found, he leaned on that and cursed the horse.
“
Damned beast has not a breath of compassion for a cripple. I
’
ll turn him into soup!
”
He looked back at Royce.
“
I warned them to let the matter be, but I knew as I looked at the boy
’
s sullen mouth that he would not. And though I
’
d have had it otherwise, since her mother died, Celeste will hear only Boltof. And he seldom wishes her well.
”

“
I thought you supported Boltof.
”

“
I have tried to be a good elder for the boy, but he will take no example from me. He was against Dulcine
’
s mar
riage to me because it delayed his inheritance from his true father. And since then he has only spoken kindly to me when in the presence of others or if there is something he needs. He is in a hurry for his way.
”

Royce studied the old lord for a moment.
“
You did not encourage them to come here?
”

“
Blood of Christ, never! I was sorry for Celeste, but years ago I knew she was not the woman for you. When you made free with her affections for so long, I did the father
’
s part as I must and pushed you toward marriage. Aye, Royce, I knew you were too involved with my stepdaughter. But truth, it was more that I wished to find a son in you than a husband for Celeste.
”
He spat again, clearing the dust from his throat and the disgust from his words.
“
I never could reason your attraction to her.
Felise
is the daughter of one of my closest friends. I would not rise against Harlan for any reason. I only wish the lass well.
”