When Gawain’s blond head bent over Lady Rowena’s hand, Elise’s heart felt as though it would break. Glancing over his shoulder, he inclined his head at her.
‘Madame, if you will excuse us, I have matters to discuss with Lady Rowena. May I suggest that you rest awhile longer before going to find André?’
Throat tight, Elise nodded.
The latch lifted, the door sighed and she was alone.
Elise sank back on to the bed. She felt as insignificant as an ant. She’d read too much into his words—it had been wishful thinking on her part. Why would Gawain want to marry her? She had nothing to offer a man like Gawain except her body. Well, he’d given her a manor. That, at least, she could be thankful for. She and Pearl would never starve.
She fingered the enamel daisy, twisting it round on the cord, and sighed. Lady Rowena’s cool reaction to walking in on them was puzzling. If Elise had been in her shoes she would have flung the ale in Gawain’s face. What was wrong with the woman? Was she blind? Or did she simply not care? Did she have no pride?
Elise’s head was really throbbing. Wincing, she explored the lump on her skull and wondered how long her headache would last. She had no right to be upset about Lady Rowena. She set her teeth and scowled at the door. I should know better. Next time, she would. There would be no more kisses. Not one.
* * *
At the foot of the spiral stairs, Gawain offered Lady Rowena his arm. He fully expected her to reject it, but after the briefest of hesitations, long white fingers were laid on his arm.
‘My lady, I should like to talk privately with you. May I suggest the chapel?’
She nodded and her veil shifted. ‘Of course, my lord.’
They passed along a stone passageway with Gawain bracing himself for a difficult conversation. Save for the rustle of Lady Rowena’s skirts and the pad of their feet, there was little sound in this part of the castle. In the distance he could hear the chatter of servants; the laughter of the men-at-arms; the banging of a hammer.
The chapel must have been designed purely for the use of Count Henry and his immediate family. It was small and built to the old Roman design with chunky pillars and stone seats set into the walls. The sanctuary light flickered behind the altar, a prie-dieu stood before it.
Lady Rowena genuflected before the altar and crossed herself. Gawain escorted her to a cushioned seat.
‘My lady, I am sorry that you should have witnessed that. It was not well done of me.’
Lady Rowena gave him a candid look. ‘You hoped to keep your liaison a secret?’
He grimaced. ‘It is not a liaison.’
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘It certainly looked that way.’
‘Elise and I have...history. It was never my intention to shame you in such a way and I can only apologise.’
Her sigh was loud in the quiet. ‘You love her?’
Gawain felt himself go still. ‘That is between Elise and myself.’ Yes, I love her.
Lady Rowena gave him a quiet smile. ‘In Troyes I couldn’t help but notice that Blanchefleur le Fay has many admirers.’
‘That is true.’
‘But you hold a special place in her heart?’
‘I thought so, once.’
‘How long have you known her?’
‘My lady, you should know that when your father and I opened negotiations for our betrothal, I thought Elise had gone from my life. It stunned me to see her in Troyes again.’ The image of Pearl leaped into his mind, but Gawain held his tongue. He wasn’t going to discuss Pearl with Lady Rowena. It simply wasn’t fitting.
Lady Rowena folded her hands neatly in her lap. ‘Lord Gawain, I am not naïve. Marriages among the nobility are made for dynastic reasons—to strengthen ties such as the one that exists between my family and yours.’ A hint of a smile lifted the edges of her mouth. ‘I understand that noblemen—and sometimes noblewomen—take lovers. I make no judgements. I think you should know that I can accept anything as long as I know exactly where I stand.’ Her eyes met his directly. ‘I want the truth. I should like to know whether you plan to continue with this liaison.’
Gawain stood up abruptly and found himself staring at the cross on the altar. ‘That would be wrong. It would be a sin.’
‘Knowing it was a sin would not stop many men.’
‘It would be wrong,’ he repeated, turning back to face her. ‘My lady, I am not sure I understand you correctly.’ He smiled, watching for her reaction. ‘I too like to be sure of my ground. Tell me, are you saying that if we were married you would condone my having a liaison with Elise Chantier?’
Her head dipped. ‘It is not ideal, Lord Gawain.’ She shrugged. ‘I am a realist. If you are prepared to deal kindly with me, I am prepared to turn a blind eye on your liaison with Elise Chantier.’
Gawain felt a frown form. ‘I need heirs. Legitimate heirs.’ Again Pearl leaped into his mind and his gut clenched. Lord, he really was in the briars. Cutting himself free wasn’t going to be easy.
‘I shall give you heirs, my lord. As long as you treat me with every courtesy, I see no reason why we should not have a happy marriage.’
‘Happy?’ Gawain stared at his betrothed and shook his head.
Briefly, her cool blue gaze was uncertain. ‘Why not? I like you, Lord Gawain, and I have to tell you that is beyond my expectations.’
Her attention fastened on the sanctuary light, and in a flash of insight Gawain knew that Lady Rowena’s calmness was assumed. There was more that she was not saying.
She drew in a breath. ‘You don’t love me and I think we both know I don’t love you. Love, or the lack of it, need not signify. Liking should be sufficient. We have both been brought up to do our duty. I can assure you I shall never take a lover. You will never have to worry about me trying to foist a cuckoo child on you.’
Puzzled, Gawain came back to the wall seat and sat next to her. ‘You are an extraordinary woman. How can you know that you’ll never want a lover? You might fall in love.’
Slowly, she shook her head, and her gaze went past him and fixed on the cross on the altar. ‘That will not happen.’
‘How can you know?’
Her veil shifted. ‘I know.’
Gawain looked narrowly at her. ‘I was told you are seventeen years of age, yet today you strike me as having lived a deal longer than that. There is...’ He struggled to give voice to the awareness that was forming in his mind. ‘There is an authority about you that is remarkable in one so young.’
She let out a shaky laugh. ‘Thank you. I think.’
‘And now to the meat of the matter. Lady Rowena, I have a suggestion to put to you.’ He rubbed his brow. After hearing Lady Rowena’s views on marriage, Gawain was convinced he was doing the right thing. Having found Elise again he wasn’t about to lose her a second time. A passionless duty marriage wasn’t for him. ‘When I entered this chapel I feared that you might not like my suggestion. I am no longer sure what you will think, although I am beginning to suspect that it might bring you happiness.’
Lady Rowena arched an eyebrow at him. ‘You intrigue me, my lord. Pray continue.’
‘I agreed to our betrothal in the best interests of Meaux and Sainte-Colombe. My lady, I have to tell you that I have changed my mind.’
‘You wish to be break with our betrothal?’
‘Yes, I do.’ Gawain found himself clenching his fist while he waited for her response. ‘Well? What do you say?’
* * *
After André returned to consciousness, he recovered quickly. By suppertime, Elise was relieved to find that he was well enough to accompany her to the great hall.
Count Henry’s servants and retainers had taken the lower tables. The boards were spread with cream cloths and someone had thought to place jugs of flowers at intervals along th
em. Roses and lilies. It was an unexpectedly homely touch in a castle this size. Candle flames fluttered in stands and on wall sconces. There were flowers on the top table too. There weren’t as many people jammed on to the benches up there, just a handful of noblemen: Count Henry’s steward; his senior knights and their ladies. An array of arms hung on the walls—shields, lances, swords. Knights’ banners were displayed in stands at either end of the hall.
Elise picked one of the quieter tables and went to sit at the end of a bench. For herself, she didn’t expect any fanfare. Tonight she wasn’t Blanchefleur le Fay, she was simply Elise Chantier, a guest of Count Henry. She looked André over. He looked remarkably well considering his recent ordeal. ‘How long did they keep you in the cellar?’
André shrugged and leaned forward to skewer a chicken leg. ‘Lord, I have no idea. Two days? Three? It might have been longer. I lost all sense of time.’ He dropped the chicken on to their trencher and as he did so, his sleeve fell back. There were rope burns on his wrist.
Elise smothered a gasp and lightly touched his wrist. ‘Did they beat you? They didn’t touch your hands, did they?’
His mouth turned down. ‘They didn’t touch my hands, but they took great pleasure in smashing my lute.’
‘Oh, André, the devils.’
He shot her a rueful look. ‘Elise, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have had dealings with them in the first place.’
‘Well said, lad.’ The voice came from behind them. Gawain.
Elise turned and frowned at him. ‘Gawain, his lute! How is he to play without one?’
There was a small space left next to Elise. It was surely only large enough for a child. None the less, Gawain gestured at it. ‘May I?’
Elise scooted along the bench to make room and then Gawain’s thigh was warm against hers. Remembering what they had been doing in the bedchamber, she felt her cheeks flush. ‘Should you be here, next to me?’ she asked quietly. What would Lady Rowena think? To her horror, Gawain’s hand ran down her thigh in a surreptitious caress and a bolt of longing shot through her. She shook her head at him, wondering how it was that she could like the man, for like him she undoubtedly did. ‘I shouldn’t like you. You are a complete brute.’ The words she could never say shrieked through her mind. I love you, Gawain. Why it is I couldn’t say, but I love you.
Gawain’s eyes danced and for a horrible moment she thought he could actually read her mind. Another illicit caress stroked fire down her leg. ‘I can’t stay long,’ he said. ‘I’m returning to Sainte-Colombe with Lady Rowena this evening and I wanted to speak to you before I left. Do you have everything you need for tonight? André?’
‘Yes, thank you, my lord.’
Gawain looked her way. ‘Elise?’
‘I have more than I need, Lord Gawain.’ Except you. Tears burned at the back of her eyes. He was a brute. She loved him.
‘Good. I’ve arranged to escort you both back to Troyes when I have finished my business with Count Faramus. I hope we shall be able to leave some time tomorrow.’
Elise blinked. ‘You are to be our escort, my lord?’
He gave her an odd look. ‘Who else? Unfortunately, I shall have to leave again almost immediately and the house in La Rue du Cloître won’t be available for much longer. I think it best if you remove to the manor as soon as possible.’ A dark eyebrow lifted. ‘Are you in agreement?’
Elise made an exasperated sound. She simply didn’t understand him. ‘As you wish, my lord.’ Elise wasn’t sure she would stay long at the manor—life there would be very different to life on the road—but whilst the babies were young she couldn’t deny it would be useful.
Gawain turned back to André. ‘Since I can’t stay long in Troyes, I hope I may rely on you to see that Elise and Pearl settle in at the manor.’
Elise had already told André about her manor, so he took this request in his stride. ‘Yes, mon seigneur.’
‘My thanks,’ Gawain spoke softly. ‘I don’t like to think of Elise being without her friends. It would relieve my mind if you and your lady took up residence with her.’
‘Thank you, Lord Gawain, you are more than generous.’
Gawain shook his head at André, eyes serious. ‘I am not so generous that I do not expect something in return.’
André looked warily at him. ‘My lord?’
‘I overheard you talking just now. Do I take it you have seen the error of your ways?’
André frowned at the platter of chicken in the centre of the table and cleared his throat. ‘You’re going to report me to Sir Raphael.’
Gawain made a dismissive gesture. ‘Not necessarily. Are you ready to make amends?’
‘Mon seigneur?’
‘I want you to go to Sir Raphael yourself. Make a clean breast of things. Tell him all you know about the counterfeiters.’
‘My lord!’ Elise gripped Gawain’s sleeve before she remembered herself and quickly loosed it again. ‘You can’t ask him to do that—the Guardians will arrest him. He’ll be locked away. He might be hanged!’
Dark eyes met hers. ‘Elise, Count Henry and Captain Raphael are reasonable men. They will take André’s youth into account. If he gives them a full explanation, they will soon see he got in over his head. All he has to do is be open with them. I’m certain he’ll be granted a pardon.’
André reached for his wine and gulped it down. ‘My lord, I...I am not sure where to begin.’
‘You might begin by telling the captain what the sword was doing in your possession in the first place,’ Gawain said, in a low voice.
‘I was keeping it for Jerome.’
Elise touched André’s arm. ‘What about the players? You mentioned a troupe of players.’
‘The players,’ André muttered, avoiding her gaze. ‘The sword was made in Toulouse, the players brought it from the south and I was to hand it to Jerome when he came to Troyes. He was booked to bring a consignment of wine to Count Henry’s court.’
‘The players and Jerome are part of a network?’ Gawain asked.
‘Aye.’ André’s face was full of anguish. ‘My lord, I was only meant to be passing the sword on to Jerome. I couldn’t see much wrong in that.’
Gawain gave a swift head shake. ‘You were to be paid for this service?’
‘Yes, my lord.’
‘They were using you as a middleman. You must have known it was wrong.’
‘I am truly sorry. Mon siegneur, I had no idea how...how ruthless they are. Jerome in particular.’
‘He’s the gang leader?’
‘I believe so. When I came to Provins and told him I’d lost the sword, he was like a madman. Said I’d destroyed years of work and he would have his revenge.’ André drew a shaky breath and he glanced at Elise. ‘It doesn’t surprise me that he struck Elise when she came in search of me. That man will do anything to protect his interests.’
Gawain glanced briefly at Elise. ‘Never fear, I protect my interests too. You have my word you will both be quite safe. André, I will speak for you. Most men have done things in their youth that they regret. I am sure you will find yourself forgiven. Make a clean breast of it and you can live your life with your head held high. If not, you’ll be jumping at shadows for the rest of your life. I imagine that might make life as a troubadour something of a challenge. You may be interested to learn that after we brought you out, the Provins Guard scoured the cellars for evidence. They’ve found nothing. Any evidence has been removed.’ He looked meaningfully at André. ‘The Guardians need your testimony.’
Gawain eased himself off the bench and squeezed André’s shoulder. ‘Think about it. Think about that woman of yours. That son. I am sure you will come to the right decision.’ Dark, glittering eyes smiled briefly at Elise. He bowed his head and golden firelight gleamed in his hair. ‘Madame, I bid you au revo
ir. Until tomorrow.’
* * *
Shortly after breakfast, Elise and André took up a position by the mounting block near the stables to wait for Gawain. They weren’t there long, for Gawain proved as good as his word and the bailey was soon ringing with the sound of trotting hoofs as his troop poured into the yard. One of his men had a couple of spare horses on leading reins.
Gawain dismounted and gestured for the trooper to bring the two horses across. One was a pretty grey mare, the other a larger-boned chestnut gelding.
Gawain saw Elise looking them over and checked. ‘Lord, Elise, I never thought to ask—can you ride?’
Elise smiled sadly. Gawain’s hesitancy was a humbling reminder of the difference in their status. Gawain wouldn’t dream of asking Lady Rowena if she could ride. A lady would have been in the saddle practically from birth. Whereas she, the illegitimate daughter of a troubadour and his belle-amie...
‘I am no great horsewoman, but, yes, I can ride. Actually it will be a relief to have my own mount. I practically roasted on the way here.’
‘Oh?’
‘I sat behind Baderon.’
‘I assumed you would have hired a horse.’
Elise simply smiled and shook her head.
‘You have the money now,’ Gawain muttered. ‘You will have the revenues from the manor.’
‘I...I hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Elise, you can stop worrying about money.’ His mouth relaxed into a smile. ‘It will take some getting used to, I imagine.’
He turned to André. ‘I take it you can ride?’
‘Yes, mon seigneur.’
Elise and André had little in the way of baggage. Gawain made a point of checking their girths and saddles personally and they were soon riding through the gates of Provins. Rather to her surprise, Elise found herself at the head of their party, alongside Gawain.
‘My lord, should I be riding at your side?’
A muscle pulsed in his jaw. ‘It is my wish that you ride with me.’
Elise drew her brows together. She wasn’t sure about the wisdom of riding next to him so openly. Was it seemly? Was it right? A number of other questions rolled about at the back of her mind. Had Gawain concluded his negotiations with Lord Faramus? She pushed that one to the side—she might long to know how matters stood with Lady Rowena after that disastrous episode yesterday, but Gawain’s relationship with his betrothed was not her business. Still, if he wanted it she would ride at his side today. This might be one of her last chances of talking to him and she must make the most of it.
Lord Gawain's Forbidden Mistress Page 19