After dinner Ludovic set off through the forest. The two sumpters, the litter, two grooms, and the castle medik trundled at some distance behind. The path through the trees was narrow, little more than a deer track in places, and the litter therefore took the longer route around the forest’s edges, expected to arrive perhaps within the hour.
Alysson was asleep and Dulce was out collecting wood for the cooking fire. Ilara led Ludovic into the cottage, whispering and indicating the need for quiet by pointing to the ceiling as she curtsied. “My lord, again such an unwarranted honour –”
“Yes, no need for all that,” said Ludovic briskly, removing his hat. The house had been noticeably refurbished over previous months but sour milk, goose grease and chicken droppings had permeated the walls for too long, so the smell, now slightly enriched by the odour of bleach, remained. “I have a suggestion,” Ludovic continued, discovering a small stool on which to sit at some distance from the hearth and its damp ashes, “and need only your approval. I have arranged for two rooms to be prepared at the castle, the inner as Mistress Alysson’s bedchamber, and the outer being a small solar, suitable for your own sleeping quarters. I have a cushioned litter on its way here, and once it arrives I intend escorting both yourself and Mistress Alysson to the castle. My intentions with regard to her immediate future are fixed and not open for discussion, but should you decide against accompanying her, then you are free to stay here and I shall install an experienced woman from my staff to look after her instead. You and your sister can then visit the castle as you wish.”
Ilara curtsied again, sat and clasped her hands in her lap. “As you mentioned something of your intentions yesterday my lord, Dulce and I have been considering the situation all evening. We’ve decided I should certainly come to the castle to look after Alysson, should you be so kind as to allow such a thing. Dulce must stay here to care for the house and the animals. She’ll find it strange to live alone again, but perhaps I may be permitted to return and keep her company on occasion, and maybe she’ll also be able to visit us sometimes. We would both be deeply honoured, my lord. That his lordship the earl and his lady have agreed to such an arrangement -”
Ludovic interrupted. “And Mistress Alysson also agrees?”
Ilara looked at her lap. “It’s certainly by far the best thing for her, my lord, as we’ve assured her. Indeed, we’ve repeatedly explained the honour done her by your invitation. But she has certain doubts I’m afraid. I trust you’ll be able to overcome those, my lord.”
Ludovic grinned. “As it happens, I’m not used to having my intentions thwarted. But I imagine that forcibly carrying a struggling woman into my home might raise some questions. Not that it would be the first time the castle had seen such things, but we like to consider ourselves a little more civilised these days.” He stood, automatically brushing down the back of his hose. “I shall go up and inform your Mistress Alysson of her fate.”
Ilara also stood, hurriedly curtseying again. “I think she’s asleep, my lord. If you would be so kind –”
“Rarely,” smiled Ludovic, and quickly climbed the stairs.
He discovered Alysson flat on her back in bed, but her scowl was wide awake. “As if you’d care about waking me up,” she said, struggling to sit. “I suppose you’ve come to impose your commands.”
“Precisely,” he said. “How are you feeling, little one?” The upstairs chamber was as usual dreary. The tiny window’s polished horn allowed the passage of only a semblance of light, and the low beamed ceiling restricted it further. The bed’s sagging tester, copiously layered to catch dirt, straw and any scuttling and many legged creatures which happened to fall in from the roof cavity and its limp thatch, hung low so that Alysson was almost invisible within the shadows. Ludovic sat on the side of the mattress beside her and smiled with what he hoped was an encouraging and welcoming expression. If anything, he thought she looked worse. Although obscured by the gloom, the swellings and bruises appeared more virulent, and while the other wounds were well plastered with alum salve, these large white patches glowed almost leprous. The bandages around her head were a little blood stained, her right eye was completely closed and her mouth seemed more unnaturally distorted. “You look a little better,” lied Ludovic. “I hope you feel it.”
Alysson sniffed. “No I don’t, and there’s no need to be polite,” she said. “Obviously you know quite well I feel awful considering how I look, so you’re just being plain silly.”
“Your persistent doubts regarding my intelligence may well be correct,” Ludovic said. “I’ve recently considered the probability of lunacy myself. Certainly most of my family would agree with you. Indeed my brother Brice named me ludicrous Ludovic when we were younger, adopted from his juvenile Latin, and a favourite definition which he thought very witty for a number of years. You have my permission to remember it. However, as far as I’m concerned, you look charming as always, especially since I’ve no intention of quarrelling with you today. I shall save that for tomorrow. In the meantime, I must apologise ahead for the inevitable discomfort, but I’m about to gather you up and smuggle you off to my lair. Is there anything you particularly want to collect first, to bring with you?”
Alysson stared, one eyed. “You really mean it? But how can you? I’m a servant, for goodness sake. I’m – sick. I can’t work, and I can’t – do anything else either, in case that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Ludovic with the same studied smile. “But you may be pleased to know your nurse Ilara will accompany you, you will have adjoining chambers quite separate from my own, and incidentally at some distance from the Lady Jennine’s. You will, I assure you, be most comfortable and well-tended. Nor will you be molested by myself or any other member of my family or staff.” He took her hand, and was surprised to find it shaking. His smile faded. “What, frightened, little one? You’ll be safe with me, I promise.”
Two pages flung open the great hall’s double doors and Hamnet stood to one side, bowing as the horses drew up on the courtyard’s cobbles. Ludovic dismounted, strolled over to the litter as the leather flaps were flung up, and scooped up the principal occupant, gathering her into his arms. He carried Alysson through the waiting shadows and away from the afternoon’s warmth as the castle’s sudden chill closed about them.
The embrace was more distant than passionate and Ludovic was particularly careful of Alysson’s broken arm and other injuries, but her small snuggled body seemed deliciously warm, almost weightless and attractively vulnerable. He was pleasantly conscious of her pliancy as he cradled her, the suggestive pressure of her rounded hip against his ribs, and her face turned tight to his chest in embarrassment as he carried her past the many servants, over to the main staircase and quickly up to the next floor. A page scurried ahead, holding a torch. Ludovic dismissed the child when he came to the allotted rooms, and the boy pushed open the door and retreated at once.
Ludovic marched in, kicked the door shut behind him, and the damp chill of the castle corridors vanished at once. The afternoon sunshine pooled over the polished boards, dancing through the window’s leaded diamonds. The chamber glowed. In spite of the day’s warmth, a small fire had been lit and its flames leapt, creating a second prancing fantasy of light and shade across the floor. Two walls were plastered and painted with hunting scenes, forests and flowers, and these pictures were echoed in the colourful Turkey rugs on both the floor and the main unplastered wall behind the settle. There were cushioned chairs, small tables, several chests and coffers, and an open door leading to the larger bedchamber.
Ludovic carried Alysson through, and laid her carefully on the bed. Another fire had been lit. It sizzled across the hearth, flaring up into the huge chimney space, a busy crackling presence amongst the sunbeams. The mantle was white marble and supported two huge silver candle holders, the tall beeswax candles unlit. The bed was very wide and well padded, its posts carved and its plump feather mattress recently turned, soft packed within fi
ne bleached linen and heaped with goose down pillows. The many blankets were thick wool in a variety of colours, the billowing counterpane was chequered velvet with embroidered borders, and the fur coverlet was beaver; glowing more luxuriously than a hundred layers of silk.
The bed curtains were fully open, but they hung heavy behind her, great swirls of rich damask lined in rich lemon. The tester was tasselled, flounced, swagged and painted with enormous bouquets of exotic yellow flowers, and to either side were curled iron sconces holding more fat candles. It was a world of whispered promises and basking sunshine, and Alysson stared around, barely breathing, her hands smoothing the huge fur bedcover beneath her as she gazed in wonder.
Ludovic sat on the edge of the bed, watching her delight. In the sudden daylit brilliance, he saw her injuries and bruises quite clearly for the first time. He was disturbed, carefully rearranging his smile to disguise it. “Pleased?” he asked softly.
“Of course I am. Can this really be all for me?” Alysson sat astonished, swollen mouth a little open, one eye unblinking. “It – it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It’s far more gorgeous than Jenny’s. Naturally she has more rooms and they’re larger, but they’re not nearly so – utterly – fabulous.”
Ludovic laughed. “You’re enchanting, my dear, and deserve a place of far greater enchantment than this. As for your Lady Jennine’s quarters, I had occasion to visit them just yesterday. My mother had them newly decorated before the bride arrived, and my mother’s taste is usually extravagant. But I found the chambers lacking in style and strangely gaudy. Neat and spacious of course, but quite missing the usual Sumerford luxury. Perhaps my mother was less enthusiastic about Humphrey’s marriage than she claimed. However, these rooms, little one, are now yours. Left long unused, they have not been redecorated for many years and the arras and furniture are sadly old, while the wall murals are ancient. The bed, on the other hand, is made up freshly, exactly as I stipulated. You deserve a little extra comfort, I believe, and I saw no reason for thrift.”
“Thrift?” echoed Alysson. “This is – positively majestic. Of course, I’ve seen your apartments too, although it was dark and I was frightened so I barely remember, and they’re another matter altogether. Your rooms seemed more sumptuous but they’re rich and much too – masculine. Besides, you’re a Sumerford.”
“Indeed,” Ludovic chuckled, “and use my own coin for my own indulgence. But I believe you’ll be well looked after here, child. In fact, I shall make sure of it. The doctor insists you be confined to bed for an age, so you’ve no need to face any of the rest of the family, unless Jennine chooses to visit you here. She knows you’re coming. However, I’ve no intention of letting her see too much of you.”
“I don’t understand,” said Alysson. “I work for her.”
“Not anymore.” Ludovic shook his head, still smiling. “But we’ll discuss that another time. For now, your meals will be brought to you here, a page will be stationed permanently outside in the corridor so you may call for anything else you need: ale, wine, the fire lit, shutters put up and so forth. There’s a truckle bed set up in your solar for Ilara, but no doubt she’ll insist on sleeping in here to keep an eye on you for the first few days in case you expire of shock while she’s not looking. And I, of course, will visit regularly.”
Alysson had sunk back thankfully against the bolster, her shoulders and neck too long strained. But now she sat forwards again with a start. “The servants will serve me?” she frowned. “But I know lots of them. They won’t like it. They all gossip like mad, you know, and squabble endlessly, and will be horribly jealous. After all, they know I’m just a servant too.”
Ludovic’s smile narrowed a little. “Kindly relieve yourself from any weight of unnecessary thought while here, my dear. I intend thinking for you,” he said. “And the considerations of servants have never troubled me in my life, and certainly never will. They shall, as always, do precisely as ordered, and will serve and obey you as a guest of my family, which is exactly what you are.”
She sighed, leaning back again. “I can’t be rude to you now,” she objected. “Not after all – this.” She waved an appreciative hand. “But it’s no good telling me not to think for myself because you know quite well I shall anyway. I really can’t let you think for me or order me around, however nice you are about it.” She gazed up at him, half frowning, as if too puzzled for clear expression. “And I really can’t understand why you’re being so – incredibly – astonishingly kind. It’s like the stories of chivalry and Lancelot and Gawain.” Then something else occurred to her and the frown materialised. “And just how far away,” she said, “are these rooms from your chambers?”
“Not very far,” Ludovic admitted, “but separated by a staircase, a large storage room and two very thick stone walls. So I promise not to climb in your windows at night, since it’s an exceedingly long drop to the moat.” He grinned. “Actually, not even the moat. The buried cess pit, which would be a sadly ignominious end. Speaking of which, that’s the door leading to your garderobe, thoroughly cleaned and perfumed, which negates the need for stumbling around outside at night searching for a privy.”
“Perhaps that’s the greatest gift of all.” Alyson rediscovered her smile. “Jenny sometimes used to make me sleep in her garderobe when she got cross with me, and of course poor Ilara never had one at all.”
Ludovic laughed. “The castle’s fairly antiquated,” he said. “But we have most of the necessities. Now, are you ready for me to send Ilara in to help you undress and get you into bed? I’ll arrange for your other clothes to be brought down from Jennine’s chambers later on, and you can get rid of that damned livery broadcloth. In the meantime, I imagine all you need is a chemise. Once you’re settled, I shall bring in the doctor.”
“Bring him in?” wondered Alysson, blushing suddenly and lowering her eyes. “I know it’s your place and your doctor and your decisions, but you’re not going to be – here – I mean, with examinations and things – are you?” She hesitated, watching his developing grin. “It’s bad enough having the doctor. I’m not used to being – poked – and looked at.”
“Absurd child,” said Ludovic fondly. “I promise you, I intend behaving with circumspection and suitable propriety at all times. Well, for the present, anyway. After all, in spite of my lack of interest in what others think of me, I do, I suppose, have some sort of position to maintain.” He leaned forwards, abruptly taking her hand in his and lightly kissing her fingertips. He remained watching her with faint amusement, still clasping her hand. “However, if you don’t want to antagonise me into undressing you and tucking you into bed myself,” he continued, “I suggest you decide to trust me a little. I believe I’ve proved myself averagely trustworthy.” He released her fingers and stood, looking down on her. “Now, lie back like a good girl and I shall collect your nurse for you. I’ll see you myself a little later.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Pulling a chair up to the bedside, the Lady Jennine, shoulders stiff, sat and looked around her. In spite of the comfortable grandeur of the furnishings, she appeared strangely displeased, her anger rigidly controlled. “Well, my dear,” she said, mouth pursed, “very nicely you’ve done for yourself after all. Very grand indeed. And has he declared himself?”
Newly bandaged and fur cover pulled up tight, Alysson took a deep breath. “Well, he has mentioned future – possibilities. And he’s been exceptionally kind.”
“He surely has,” said Jennine, tight lipped. “Remarkable.”
Alysson recognised her erstwhile mistress’s unmistakable expression. “I know it’s an unusually nice room,” she said apologetically, “but of course it’s just because I was so badly hurt. Well – look at me. Anyway, he’s not thinking about – things – at the moment. He couldn’t be. Could he?”
“Men rarely think of anything else, whatever the circumstances,” said Jennine. “Certainly these injuries make you horribly unattractive at the
moment, but the man has enough sense to realise they’ll heal. He knows what you looked like before! So if he’s planning for the future, then so must we. We must certainly take full advantage of the situation.”
“Oh dear,” sighed Alysson. “I don’t have the energy to think about that now. I get very giddy when I try to stand up and my head hurts all the time. The doctor says this arm won’t heal for weeks and weeks, and I don’t even see very well. Can’t these horrid plans and plots wait until later?”
“All this exceptional generosity and comfort - the man clearly feels sorry for you,” Jennine decided. “At least we know he didn’t attack you himself this time, but there’s nothing seductive about pity. We have to start changing your image from pathetic victim to alluring temptress.” She reached over, tilting Alysson’s chin up with her finger. “Yes, your neck’s badly marked but luckily your breasts aren’t. Since you have to stay in bed in your shift anyway, that’s a definite advantage. We should pull at the neckline a little like this, even rip it perhaps, so next time he comes to see you, move casually to the side and let the covers slip back as if you’ve not the slightest idea how revealing it is. The man obviously likes his women to appear innocent, so it must all be done as if -”
Alysson interrupted. “He’d guess. He’s not such a fool as you seem to think him.”
“All men are fools. And this one was frightened to come to me when I first encouraged him, so he’s more of a fool than most.”
The Lady Jennine was still in attendance when Ludovic strolled in. He acknowledged her presence, more of a nod than a bow, and turned at once to Alysson. “Well, little Cyclops, do you feel any better this morning?”
“Yes, a little.” Alysson quickly readjusted the dipping chemise, and then the bedcover up around her shoulders. “Your doctor’s medicine made me dozy last night, so I slept very well indeed. And he used a new splint and rebandaged my arm quite tightly, which feels a great deal better. And the ointments have helped too. But he says I shall be in bed for a long, long time, and that’s very disappointing.”
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