Velvet & steel (8 page)

"It is no less than a miracle, Lady."

"Sir Robert, I still cannot understand. Why did he not turn to the child to help him fill the void? Surely she loves him still?"

Robert sighed. "Because Cerise is a mirror image of her mother. When he looks at her, he sees Sybella."

"Poor Cerise. She believes he cannot, or will not, look at her because she is ugly, and a girl."

"She told you this?"

"Aye," Lynette said angrily, "but the thought came from the Lady Oriel."

"Lady Oriel," Robert said in disgust. "I have never taken to her. She is too much like the old lord's wife." Robert did not look directly at Lynette, and that brought a question to her lips.

"Does the Lady Oriel... look to him for more than the guardianship of his daughter?"

"That is more truth than that she likes to care for the child."

"And Royce, does he .. . ?"

"If he takes a vow with you, Lady Lynette, trust this. He will not break it. He will not dishonor you ... or take a mistress."

"It would be less my dishonor than his own, Sir Robert. For myself, any vows said before God will be binding."

"Aye, Lady. That I believe, and that is what he needs."

"We are, then, conspirators."

"Lady, I would conspire to bring him a peace he has not known since Sybella. If that is your wish, then we are indeed conspirators. I ask you this, Lady. Take the time to know him and to judge for yourself. Take the time to know and love the child, for she is truly innocent in this, and she needs him as much as he needs her."

"Aye, and she loves him so unconditionally that she has taken the blame on her shoulders that he does not love her."

"You bring the child to supper tonight then?"

"Without doubt, and looking her prettiest. I suspect the Lady Oriel will be present?"

"No doubt," Robert replied with venom. "She thinks the way is open now since the care of the child falls to you. She would wind her way into his bed, and through his own sense of honor force herself into his life."

"Well ... we shall see."

Robert left Lynette's chamber, drawing the door closed behind him. He had a satisfied feeling that was abruptly dispelled by a soft and venomous voice.

"So, Sir Robert. Already the lady plays her games. Have you spent a pleasant afternoon 7 Tell me. do Royce's other knights have the same... advantages?"

"Lady Oriel," Robert said quietly as he turned to face her. He wondered if she had been listening at the door. "You should not judge others by your own motives, Lady," he said coldly. "The lady is above reproach, and there is no question of
her
honor." He watched with great satisfaction as Oriel's face grew livid.

"The Saxon is no more than a slave, forced down his throat by William. I have little doubt that you had a hand in it as well. All that is important here are her lands. All know that her father has been ill. I have seen his kind of illness before. He has difficulty getting his breath and grimaces from the pain in his chest. If she does not recognize his imminent death. I do. The lands are valuable to William. Royce can hold her lands and still take a wife of his own kind instead of that woman, who will most likely slide a knife between his ribs one night. He will be bound only by his oath to William. He'll search out his comfort where it is welcome, and realize his mistake."

"Ah. Lady." Robert replied with amusement, "being bound by his oath is something you will never understand, since you have never been bound by aught but your own whims and desires. His oath, madam, is binding enough to satisfy me... for he will break his oath to no man ... or woman. Remember, she will bear his title."

"Yes. his title." She smiled. "But I wager she will bear nothing more. He will not have it. and we both know why. She will be little more than his wife in name, and the keeper of a child he cannot bear to see. He loathes the child, and if the maid becomes attached to the brat, he will loathe her as well."

"Are you frightened. Lady Oriel?" Robert asked softly. "Can you see. as I do. that the day will come when he can put away his grief? When that day does come, it is this very maid he will turn to. for she will be his wife. The day will come when he will look at Cerise with love, and bring his daughter to him. That day will also be the end of your presence here. .Are you afraid. Lady Oriel?" he repeated.

"Do not be so certain. Sir Robert." Oriel said coldly. "Another day may come before you can bring your plans to fruition. Maybe... sooner than you think."

Oriel brushed past him, and only after she was gone did the smile fade from Robert's eyes. He knew this lady too well to take any threat she made lightly. But what harm could she cause? The thought worried him.

Lynette found the prettiest clothes that Cerise possessed, and carefully braided her hair. She could tell that Cerise was very nervous. The child followed every move Lynette made as she, too, dressed in her finest. She followed her with an anxious and wary look, as if she expected Lynette to desert her and leave her to the mercy of the great group of huge, imposing men who would be seated at her father's table.

Lynette finally smiled down at her when it was time to leave their chamber. "You are very pretty, Cerise. I'm sure your papa will be proud of you. You remember everything I have told you?"

"Aye," Cerise said hesitantly. "I am to mind my manners and to speak only when I am spoken to."

Lynette had cautioned her to this for the simple reason that she wanted it to be Royce who acknowledged Cerise by addressing her first.

As they walked down the stairs, the strong voices and laughter of men rose to meet them. Cerise paused, and Lynette could feel her tremble

"Cerise," she said softly, "there will be many times in your life when you will have to face problems with nothing more than your own courage. Remember, you will be the daughter of the Lord of Creganwald. As such you are expected to have courage and faith. I believe your father will not deny your courage if you display it."

"What if he does not speak to me?"

"Then you will eat your meal, smile, and be as pleasant and sweet as you can be. There are others among his men who would be your friend. Speak to them and see the result. Remember to be proud of what and who you are. Others will know by your actions that your papa has a good and gracious daughter."

Cerise nodded and tried to gather her courage, but Lynette could see how difficult it was. She was a grown woman, and Royce could have a drastic effect on her; she could well imagine how the child felt. But she could see the forming of determination and this pleased her. Cerise was no coward.

When the two entered the room, a hush fell over it. Lynette could have laughed in exultation when she saw Cerise's chin lift and her shoulders straighten as she walked toward the table with all the pride of a princess.

The tables were formed like an open-ended box. At the center table, Royce sat, with Eldwyn next to him and Sir Giles next to her father. The two seats on his other side were empty, and Robert sat where he would be next to either Lynette or Cerise. The seat next to Robert was occupied by Oriel, whose face struggled to contain her wrath.

She had come to the hall a few minutes earlier and tried to occupy the chair next to Cerise. Robert knew her viper tongue would soon reduce the child to tears, so he had taken the chair that would put him between Cerise and her.

Lynette was wise enough not to put Cerise next to Royce. For now she would sit between them, a buffer.

But Royce paid little attention to their arrival.. . or so it seemed, as he engaged Eldwyn in conversation. But he was acutely aware of their arrival. He had watched their progress across the room, and for a long moment his eyes had dwelt upon his daughter.

A weary pain seemed to slowly fill him, and he dragged his eyes away. She was beautiful, and he had meant to tell her so, to ease her lonely child's heart and give her some assurance. But another pair of violet eyes filled his mind, and the soft, moaning cry of a woman as her life slipped away.

"Lady Lynette," he said, "does the child have a mount of her own?"

"Nay, my lord, I believe not."

"Then we will see to it tomorrow. I would have you teach her to ride, since I am well aware you ride exceedingly well."

"I shall do my best," Lynette replied, but her heart ached for the little girl who would have given her soul for one glance or word. The meal continued, and soon the murmur of conversation began to flow about them.

Robert knew Royce better than anyone else. He knew Royce was struggling to keep his gaze from wandering toward Lynette and the small creature beside her.

Unaccustomed to meals at the main table, and in such a large group, Cerise was too nervous not to make a mistake. Her goblet was larger than her small hand could manage, and though she struggled to follow Lynette's lead and put it down gently, it tipped and fell. Cerise's eyes grew wide and she clenched her hands in her lap.

"Such disgraceful manners," Oriel exclaimed. "It would be best if you are kept to your chambers until you have learned how to conduct yourself."

Cerise's eyes filled with tears. But Lynette was enraged.

"At least the child has her youth to blame for not having perfected her manners. They will be corrected with care. It is the lack of manners in one of your ... advanced years that is unforgivable. Surely you have been taught better than to insult the daughter of your lord. Or mayhap your education has been neglected. If so ... I shall be glad to inform you."

Robert wanted desperately to shout his laughter; Sir Alaine choked on his wine, while broad smiles were hidden behind hands and with bowed heads.

Oriel's face reddened, and she looked at Royce, who was regarding her with a dark frown.

"The child has not shared our table before, Lady Oriel, and mayhap she is a little nervous. Her manners are quite suitable. It is unnecessary to call any lack to her attention. It is not her fault that her training is not as it should have been. I trust Lady Lynette is doing her best to rectify the matter. She will be at table with us for all meals from now on."

"Of course," Oriel said with feigned deference. "I was but trying to counsel her, my lord."

"It is best to counsel with gentleness and in private, Lady Oriel, or the learning is only made more difficult."

"Until this moment my tutoring has been adequate," Oriel said coldly.

"Aye, but tutoring falls to a child's... mother. Since that is impossible and Lady Lynette will soon become my wife, the situation will be hers to deal with. You will be relieved of duties that have restricted you. You will have time to yourself to follow pursuits of your choosing. I am grateful for your time and devotion. You will always have my thanks."

Oriel knew that she was momentarily beaten. She could see it in Lynette's eyes, and in the nearly worshipful look with which Cerise was regarding Royce. She could do little but smile and accept what he said with good grace, but Robert did not like the look in her eyes. He began to wonder if Lynette would be the target of her vengeance. He meant to keep a close eye on both her and Cerise.

It was then that Cerise could restrain herself no longer.

"Can I truly have a mount of my own and ride with Lady Lynette, Papa?"

Robert held his breath. Lynette closed her eyes and silently prayed. Don't crush her now... please ... please. Royce turned to look at Cerise, and again the violet eyes played havoc with his mind. But he struggled to fight the vision, and the misery it brought.

"Yes... Cerise ... you shall have a mount of your own, and if the Lady Lynette is willing, she can give you instructions in riding. It ... it would please me if you will learn all that she is willing to teach."

"I shall learn, Papa. Anything you want me to learn... anything." Cerise's voice held a longing that even Royce could not miss.

A wave of fierce guilt washed over him, but it was a redeeming guilt. He had loved Sybella, and had caused her pain and suffering and ultimately her death. Now he was causing as much pain in their child... her child. The delicate and pretty creature who looked at him from Sybella's eyes saw only the father she needed. She did not condemn, but regarded him with such a look of love that he flinched before it.

"Cerise, it is enough that you learn what Lady Lynette thinks adequate for a child of your years." He turned his gaze on Lynette. "You will agree to this, demoiselle?"

"Aye, my lord. Cerise is a very intelligent young girl. It will be a pleasure to instruct her."

Royce seemed content with this and returned his attention to his food. The meal was, to Cerise, the highlight of her life, and she began to brighten when, as the table was cleared, others came to speak to Lynette and occasionally spoke to her.

When the meal was over, Lynette decided Cerise had had all she could manage for one night. She excused herself and Cerise from the small group that surrounded them and started for the stairs. But before they could go up, Lynette's name was called. They both turned to see Royce walking toward them.

"I should like you to join me in the morning. I ride out to survey the extent of the land and its condition. Since, as your father tells me, you have seen to the manor for the past two years, you are best informed to aid me."

"Aye, my lord. At what hour would you like to ride?"

"As early as possible."

Royce was caught by a mischievous smile that twitched the comers of her mouth. "I have been known to ride even before the sun rises."

"Well enough," he agreed. "I will break my fast with you at sunrise. Sleep well, Lady Lynette." Lynette paused, then took Cerise's hand and started up again. "Cerise?" His voice was gentle, and both Cerise and Lynette turned again. "Good night."

Cerise was sure her heart would burst. He had given her care to Lynette, he had promised her a mount of her own with instructions in riding, and he had come to her rescue at Oriel's attack. Now he was wishing her a pleasant good night. It was all her little heart could bear. Standing two steps above him, she came eye to eye with him. Impulsively, she bent forward and placed a shy and delicate kiss on his cheek.

"Good night, Papa." Then she was gone, and Royce stood stunned. His gaze returned to Lynette, who had just realized that Cerise had done the perfect thing at the perfect time.

"Good night, my lord."

Royce remained silent, but he watched the gentle sway of her hips as she climbed the stairs, and fought the confusion that filled him. He called her name before she reached the top, and she again turned to look down at him.

"William has sent word. The wedding is to be postponed another month. When he goes to London, he requires our presence there. He means to stand at our wedding."

"Does he fear that he will not see the deed done?"

"Nay." Royce smiled for the first time. "There is no fear of that, demoiselle. You, and Creganwald, will belong to me."

If he meant to cause her annoyance, she would do likewise. "I trust your word, Royce, and will put no barriers in the way. If you seek resistance, my lord, seek elsewhere. The sooner the wedding is accomplished, the sooner I can return home and go about my duties. I have been lady here for all my years, and take no pleasure in leaving my duties longer than necessary. Unless, of course, this duty is not to your liking either, and you would lengthen the time before it is done."

"Nay, Lady," he said grimly. "We will return as soon as the words are spoken."

Lynette paused for a moment, then walked back down the stairs to stand just above him. "I am sorry for my shrewishness. This night you have made Cerise very happy. I know it must have been difficult for you, and I thank you for your kindness to her. I do not believe, Royce, that you are as formidable as your reputation would make us believe. To speak true, perhaps you will make a good lord here. A manor must be ruled not only with justice, but with love. Until this night, I had doubted that love still existed in your heart. Mayhap ... I was wrong."

Royce stared after her with a look of surprise on his handsome face.