Chapter Ten #4
Dustin grinned bashfully and Marcus answered. “Nay, you were not. ’Tis indeed Lady de Lohr,” he said formally. “Show her to her rooms for she is weary from her ride.”
The man bowed again, motioning to a few men behind him. They began rushing forward to assist in carrying Lady de Lohr’s belongings.
“Where is Baron de Lohr?” Marcus asked.
“He is over on the tournament field, my lord,” the steward replied. “Our illustrious Prince John has scheduled a tourney the day after tomorrow, and he and his knights have been practicing. He asks you and your knights to join him immediately after seeing to his wife’s comfort and safety.”
“Very well,” Marcus nodded curtly, motioning to Edward and Dud.
After a brief conference to divide up the duties, Marcus went with Dustin and the herd of servants while Edward and Dud went to see to the men. Marcus and Edward would join up later, on the practice field, leaving Dud to guard Dustin.
Windsor had more than just a massive cylindrical keep and a few outbuildings.
It also had a block of apartments that stretched all along the west side of the castle.
Inside the cavernous block, Marcus took Dustin’s cloak personally as she followed the stewards and porters with her baggage.
She could not take her eyes off the women and their beautiful dresses, having never cared about her appearance before, but now she felt extremely self-conscious.
Her gold surcoat was simple and tasteful, but these women had surcoats with studded jewels and gold leaf embroidery. She did not mean to stare, but she was.
She fell back in step beside Marcus, clutching his elbow. “Marcus, have you ever seen so many richly dressed women?”
He had and was not in the least impressed. “Rich surcoats are all they have in their favor, my lady. I would wager to say that their intelligence equals a stalk of celery.”
She giggled, noticing the women were starting to stare back at her. One woman’s gaze was particularly hostile and Dustin stiffened.
“Why is she looking at me like that?” she demanded. “I am going to teach her some manners.”
She meant what she said, but Marcus clamped a huge hand over her arm and stayed her.
“Now is not the place, my lady,” he said evenly.
“She is simply envious of your beauty, surely you cannot fault her that. In fact, I’d say that rumors of your loveliness are even now spreading through court like wildfire.
If I were you, I would learn to accept the openly hateful looks from jealous women or you are going to be fighting a great many of them. ”
She turned to look at him, seeing that he was sincere. “Do you know that you are only the second person to tell me that I am beautiful? Chris was the first, but I though he said it because….because he wanted something.”
Marcus had a good idea what she meant. “He said it because it is God’s truth, and I say it for the same reason. You had better become accustom to hearing it.”
They followed the steward into a cathedral-like foyer and ascended a massive staircase to a second floor.
There were great open-beamed ceilings and plaster walls.
After that, Dustin was completely lost. She knew they traveled down a corridor until they came to a large oak door, one of several in the length of the hall.
The head steward threw the big iron lock and opened the door.
Dustin was speechless. The huge antechamber she had entered into was resplendent with silk curtains and big hides covering the floor.
Finely carved furniture decorated the room and there were two doors, opposite each other on parallel walls.
A fire burned softly in the huge carved hearth.
The chamber smelled like freshly cut wood and she could see fresh rushes skirting the perimeter of the room.
While she was gaping at the room, the army of servants that had been following her slipped into the room and disappeared through the door on the far right.
They worked efficiently, like ants, and shortly had her trunks and other small effects brought in.
Her maids were ushered in, as well, and they too disappeared through the door to unpack for their mistress.
Dustin had yet to notice the activity; she was still appraising the room.
Marcus lay her cloak on a chair, grinning at her reaction to the room. “A far cry from Lioncross?”
She nodded faintly. “Have you ever seen such luxury, Marcus? We are staying in rooms meant for royalty.”
“Nay, my lady, you are staying in rooms meant for the Defender of the King’s Realm,” he said. “Christopher is worthy of such attentions.”
She shook her head again, moving to the windows and delighted to notice a garden-like courtyard below. Her awe was turning into giddy happiness, and she spun away from the window in delight, relishing the newfound luxury and space of her chambers.
“This is wonderful,” she exclaimed. “Are you going to see Chris now? Can I come?”
“Aye, I am going to see him now, but you cannot come,” he replied. “He wants you here, but I am sure as soon as he sees you have arrived, he will join you. You will not be alone for long.”
She dutifully nodded, not particularly disappointed because now she could explore her new home.
Marcus left her with a formal bow, telling her to bolt the door behind him and open it to no one save someone she knew.
When he was gone, she did as she was told and immediately began to investigate every corner of the pretty antechamber.