The Troubadour's Romance (5 page)

“
With pleasure, my lord,
”
she murmured, allowing him to escort her to the stairs.

Two

Although the air was cold, there was an abundance of sunshine on the day
Felise
ventured forth to Windsor. On five steeds they rode,
Felise
beside her father while behind them were her brothers, Evan, Maelwine, and Dalton. Since it was her first journey to a royal event, she did not know that her retinue was unusual nor that it was meant to impress a particular point upon the people at court.

Felise was gowned in rich gre
en velvet embroidered with gold
en threads and cloaked by an ermine-lined hooded mantle. Beside her, her father was garbed in his own rich velvet in the Twyford colors of silver and blue in his chausses, tunic, and mantle. The brothers were in full armor and carried the Scelfton blazon, boasting their family arms and, if that were not impressive enough, their grand size.

The horses were taken at the gate, and once inside, the family was escorted to the king
’
s presence chamber. They stood at their leisure for only a few moments before Henry arrived to bid them welcome. Harlan raised his daughter
’
s hand high on his own and led her toward the king. Just behind this presentation, the Scelfton men moved protec
tively near, their expressions solemn and foreboding. Henry took his seat and smiled very tolerantly at this display.

“
A handsome family, my lord,
”
he said quietly.

“
Thank you, my liege,
”
Harlan replied.

Henry looked past
Felise
to the sons.
“
You would be confident of arms with these,
”
he said. Felise thought perhaps she noted a hint of envy in the man
’
s eyes. It was a well-known fact that Henry battled with his sons, and it was ever the question as to who might win. In the Scelfton household there was no envy or competition. The wealth was firmly divided, with Evan earning his right to Twyford by being firstborn.

The door at the side of the presence chamber opened and Eleanor entered, four ladies in tow. Though
Felise
could not remember the queen
’
s features from her youth, there was no question who she was. She wore a rich gown lined about the neck and wrists with fur, and her hair was covered by an elaborate wimple. If her state was impoverished, her cloth
ing did not show it. And if she was old, it was not obvious in her face or gait. She was proudly erect, her skin still smooth and velvety, and her demeanor spoke of power, not submis
sion. Eleanor
’
s reputation was not the best, yet in this figure it was difficult to surmise cruelty, for the queen
’
s smile was gentle and her eyes alert and compassionate.

She bowed first to her husband and
Felise
wondered what passed between them. Was there yet love, after Eleanor had battled him and he had imprisoned her for so many years? Was this submission true, or did the queen bide her time and play her game before Henry while she plotted in her mind? It was romantic intrigue indeed, for Henry re
sponded with what appeared to be an amiable nod and Eleanor took her seat, leaving the guests to wonder what odd alliance these two had.

The four ladies stood about the room. There were a few fettered knights, a few servants and courtiers, but even though more than a dozen people other than the Scelftons were there, this was in all a private audience. Eleanor leaned forward in her seat.
“
Take away your cloak, child, and let me look at you,
”
she instructed softly.

Felise
self-consciously pushed her hood away and un
hooked the fastening at her throat. Harlan helped her from behind and slowly drew the cloak away from her shoulders. One of the women from Eleanor
’
s group came forward to
take the cloak from Har
lan; she seemed transfixed by Fel
ise
’
s appearance.

Felise did not pose, but simply stood erect and tried to keep her fluttering stomach calm. She had appraised her own choice of gown and coiffure before leaving the inn and decided it would do, but she had not learned vanity and so did not consider herself above the fairness of any other well-dressed woman. But the appearance she gave was exquisite to those in the room. Her lustrous hair was bound in a thick braid that had been wrapped about her head. The gown she wore gave depth to her large eyes and brought out more of their green than blue, and her cheeks and lips appeared to have been ever so lightly brushed by a peach. She was taller than many women
--
taller than Lady Edrea and, the woman who took her cloak. Her slender form and narrow waist only emphasized her full bosom and long, graceful fingers. She was quickly recognized as beautiful and lithesome.

It seemed to her that long moments had passed while she was being scrutinized by all eyes. Her father tried to ease her discomfort and draw the attention away from his daughter.
“
Your Majesty,
”
Harlan said quietly.

Eleanor
’
s attention was easily gained. She straightened and smiled at Lord Scelfton.
“
Quite right, my lord,
”
she said with a little laugh.
“
We mustn
’
t make Lady Felise fear us by our rude stares. My dear, your loveliness is uncom
mon. You
’
ll forgive us?
”

It was then that
Felise
noticed that the woman who held her cloak stared up at her with a mesmerized expression. When Felise met her eyes, the woman lowered her gaze and returned to her queen
’
s side, holding the cloak and stroking it almost reverently.

“
Your point is well taken,
”
Henry said to Harlan, a slight chuckle in his voice.
“
Having never met the maid, I could not have known why you would fear to have her out of your protection.
”
He gestured again to the men behind Felise.
“
Would you have them stay to guard her bower door, or will you trust me to protect this valuable prize?
”

“
I am at your service, my liege,
”
Harlan said with assurance.

Henry rose and stepped do
wn from his dais. He extended
a hand toward Harlan.
“
I cannot keep her from being ogled by every fuzz-faced lad that catches sight of her, but I will see her virtue untainted for her future husband. You may turn your army to other pursuits.
”

Harlan bowed.
“
Yea, my liege.
”

“
Bring your lady tomorrow and we will dine together.
”

Felise
glanced a bit uncertainly at her father, not quite ready for him to leave her, but knowing he must.
Felise
would stay at Windsor and only be visited by her family. A moment of doubt at this adventure caused her stomach to flutter anew. She had no idea what she was to do next.

Harlan turned her, kissed her cheek, and gave her a comforting pat on the arm. He looked again to his king.
“
I am at your service, Sire,
”
he said. Then turning, he led the way out of the room, his sons following.

“
Show the lady to her room,
”
Eleanor instructed the woman who held
Felise
’
s cloak.
“
See that she is comfortable and that her belongings find her.
”

The woman, startled out of her reverie, moved toward
Felise
with a gentle smile.
“
My lady?
”
she inquired. And then leading the way,
Felise
was taken upstairs and through halls and galleries to a bedchamber that was to be hers during her stay.

Although her time with the king and queen had been brief, her maid and her belongings had arrived and Daria was nervously laying things away and setting out the articles
Felise
used daily.
“
Come, lady,
”
her escort softly urged.
“
Will you have a scented bath or a small meal? I could have wine brought or even oils to soften your skin. What is your pleasure?
”

Felise
looked at the woman closely for the first time. She wore a plain wimple that covered her head and left only the oval shape of her face to view. She was petite of stature and her hands were small. Her glittering green eyes were kindly and crinkled about the corners.
Felise
thought she was approximately Lady Edrea
’
s age, a
nd uncommonly soft-
spoken
--
her voice barely rose above a whisper. It was possible this woman had resided with Eleanor in her imprisonment, for her clothes were decent but not rich.

“
You are so kind to me. What is your name?
”
she asked.

The woman
’
s eyes grew round for just an instant, then she
smiled easily as she considered the question.
“
I have lived in a convent for many years and am known among the nuns as Vespera. It is not my given name, but my preference.
”

“
You are not a nun,
”
Felise
said, frowning.

“
Nay, not now. But I think soon I shall be. I most certainly share all their vows and prayers.
”

Felise
paused for a moment and considered the woman.
“
I have need of nothing,
”
she finally said.

“
I could brush your hair,
”
the woman offered.
“
Or lay out a gown?
”

“
Will I be required to change my gown?
”
she asked.
“
I fear I do not know what I am to do save sit in this chamber.
”

“
An escort will come to take you to the hall to sup with Her Majesty and the others. Your gown is perfect for the meal; the color becomes your skin. And on the morrow when you are not occupied, you must see the chapel and the gardens. They are not as beautiful as in spring, but are immense and well tended. Do not confine yourself to these rooms, my lady, for who knows when Windsor will be gr
aced with your loveliness again.
”

“
Am I free to wander about?
”
she asked.

The woman laughed lightly.
“
I trust you are safe in Henry
’
s house, lady. If you feel uneasy at the prospect, take your woman with you.
”

“
Thank you, madam. You
’
re very kind.
”

She nodded humbly and turned to go to the door. Once there, she turned back and looked at
Felise
again.
“
You
’
ve grown into a beautiful woman,
”
she said, a wistful tone in her voice.
“
You must make your parents very proud.
”

Felise
cocked her head slightly, wondering at the woman
’
s unusually familiar behavior.
“
They have not complained overmuch,
”
she said softly,
“
though I know I am a trial.
”

Vespera smiled then
--
a gentle and beguiling smile that gave her youth and beauty of her own.
“
Nay,
”
she whis
pered.
“
They would not complain. You are a treasure.
”

And then turning again, the woman quit the room with quiet grace.

***

The great hall held the evening feast and many nobles were present. Henry was flanked by his queen and sons
Richard and John, and about them were a dozen
long tables for other guests. F
elise was seated near enough to the king and queen that they might easily watch her, but too far for conversation. However esteemed their positions, they were in fact the only people within the room she had met.