Chapter Eighteen #3
His chamber was right above his solar, on the same level as his mother’s chamber but his could only be reached by a small stairwell.
He made it into his chamber, tossing aside the clutter to find his saddlebags and the missive contained therein.
He already had on his mail and then a tunic over that, but he found his heavy fur-lined robe and tossed that on over the top to protect against the icy morning.
Grabbing his helm, he headed back down the stairs and rushed over to a larger stairwell that gave him access to most of the keep above, including his mother’s chamber and Vesper’s chamber. Tevin had been put on the very top floor so he pounded up the stairs to collect Tevin’s saddlebags.
Val was fairly certain that Tevin was putting rocks in his saddlebags with all of the weight in them.
He slung them over his broad shoulder while collecting the man’s weaponry, which was against the wall.
With all of these things in his arms, Val headed back down to the level below Tevin’s, the level with the women’s chambers.
He was just coming off the stairs when one of the panels opened and Vesper was suddenly standing in the doorway.
Wrapped in a heavy woolen robe against the cold temperature, her long hair was splayed over her shoulders, giving her a rather ethereal and angelic appearance. Before Val could say a word, she spoke.
“What has happened?” she asked. “Why are you running up the stairs like a madman? Why are the men shouting outside?”
She seemed worried and he sought to ease her. “Good morn to you, my lady,” he said softly, avoiding her questions. “Did you sleep well?”
He was smiling at her so sweetly that the worry faded from Vesper’s face and she smiled, her cheeks flushing. “Very well, thank you. And you?”
“Hardly at all for dreams of you.”
The pink in her cheeks deepened. “I suppose I should be sorry to hear that but I am not,” she said. “I am glad you were dreaming of me.”
Val just stared at her, grinning like a fool.
Simply looking at her made all of his troubles fade, for she had that effect on him.
His heart seemed more at ease. But more shouting caught his attention; he could hear it coming in from her windows, which faced the bailey.
It reminded him that time was of the essence. His expression sobered.
“I am afraid that I must go to Winchester sooner than we had planned,” he said quietly, not wanting to frighten her.
“Henry’s army has been sighted approaching Selborne and I can only surmise that they are coming for me, so I must go with them to Winchester to explain to Henry what happened in Canterbury.
Your father has already left Selborne and I would have you remain here with my mother while I am gone. I will send word to you when I can.”
“Why is the army coming for you, Valor?”
The question didn’t come from Vesper. It came from Margaretha as she emerged from her chamber down at the end of the short corridor.
She, too, had just arisen and her hair, usually so tightly wimpled, was in a thick, gray braid that trailed down her back.
She was wrapped heavily in a shawl, her gaze upon her son most piercing.
Val looked at the woman; she looked terrible.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, something he’d never before seen on her, and his heart sank.
He could see that she’d been crying. No matter that his relationship with his mother could be contentious at times and no matter that there were times he wanted to gag her, she was still his mother and he loved her.
He was so very sorry to see how upset she was.
“As I was just telling Lady Vesper, I believe Henry is demanding my appearance and he does not want to take a chance that I will not come to Winchester sooner rather than later, so he is sending his army to escort me,” he said steadily.
“Please do not worry, Mother. Lord du Reims is positive that once evidence is presented in my defense that I shall be absolved of any crimes against Thomas Becket.”
Margaretha came towards him, seemingly pensive, but her gaze moved to Vesper as she drew near. Now Vesper had her focus.
“I did not realize you were here, my lady,” she said. “I retired early last evening. When did you arrive?”
Vesper, too, could see how overwrought Margaretha appeared.
This was not the stern, firm woman she’d first met when she had come to Selborne.
“At the evening meal, my lady,” she said politely.
“My father escorted me from Eynsford Castle. We had heard of the archbishop’s assassination and…
and I had to come. I had to tell Val that he had my support in this matter. I felt that it was important.”
Margaretha’s gaze moved over the young woman’s features as she took a second look at her.
Vesper was certainly lovely and well-spoken enough.
She’d seen that from the beginning. Margaretha also remembered her level-headed decision making in the wake of her brother’s execution, something Margaretha had admired.
In spite of everything, she had some respect for the young woman who seemed to be caught up in a terrible circumstance with her father and brother.
But for the fact that the woman had come to support Val…
that action couldn’t help but touch Margaretha’s heart.
“I am sure Valor appreciates your devotion,” she said. “I am sorry I did not know you were here until now. I would have made more of an effort to show you the hospitality of Selborne.”
Vesper forced a smile. “My appearance was rather sudden,” she said, looking at Val. “Your son was kind enough to be quite hospitable.”
There was some expression that passed between the two that Margaretha caught, something warm and liquid.
She couldn’t help but think how much like his father Val looked at that moment as his pale eyes glittered at Vesper.
She’d seen that expression on Gavin de Nerra’s face, many times, and the meaning was very special to her.
To see it in Val’s features touched her more than she realized.
Mayhap he truly is in love with this young woman….
But thoughts of warmth and love were going to have to wait. There was an army approaching for her beloved boy and she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding she felt. It was becoming more weighty by the moment.
“Then I am glad he showed you such hospitality, for you are always welcome at Selborne,” she said.
Then, she turned her attention to her son.
“As for Henry, I fear that he wants more from you if he is sending his army to escort you. Had he simply demanded your appearance, he would have sent a missive. Nay, this is more than that.”
“What more?” Vesper asked, worried again as her gaze moving between Val and his mother. “What do they want?”
“To arrest him,” Margaretha answered for her son. “That would be the only purpose of sending an army here. If Val refuses to surrender himself, then they will lay siege. Val thinks that I do not know this, but I do. They want my son and they want him badly.”
Vesper looked at Val with increasing horror. “Is that true?” she asked. “Are they here to arrest you?”
Val cast his mother a long look, exasperated that she should be so blunt about the situation.
“I am not certain,” he stressed to them both.
“But I must go to them. Mother, will you please entertain Lady Vesper until I return? She will be your daughter soon so I would like for you to get to know her.”
Margaretha looked at Vesper again, who was looking up at Val with an expression that suggested she was verging on tears.
Perhaps Margaretha wasn’t thrilled with the swiftness of the marriage but, ultimately, she had to trust her son.
If he thought the lady was worth his affections, then Margaretha would give him that benefit.
Already, she liked the woman. Moreover, if she was to lose her son, then Vesper would be her last connection to him.
God, please do not let this be the last time I see my son….
“She will be my guest,” Margaretha finally said. “I look forward to her company.”
Val knew it was hard for his mother to say that. She wasn’t happy with any part of the situation so he appreciated the fact that she didn’t try to argue with him about it. When the situation was serious, as it was now, Margaretha knew how to behave. She didn’t push. She simply accepted.
“Thank you,” he said to his mother. “Now, I must go down to the bailey. Lord du Reims is waiting for me so we may ride out to meet the incoming army. Know that I will send word when I can, but I imagine I will be at Henry’s mercy for the foreseeable future. You must not worry about that.”
It was a futile statement considering both women were already worried. “You are Henry’s cousin,” Margaretha reminded him. “Do not let him forget that. He must treat you more fairly than most.”
“I will not let him forget, Mother.”
Margaretha had nothing more to say to him. Everything was in the hands of Fate now and there was nothing left to do but for Val to face what was coming. Lifting her hand, she put her warm palm on his cheek.
“Then God be with you, Valor,” she said. “I shall pray for you.”
Val smiled at his mother, bending down to kiss her cheek.
He looked at Vesper and hesitated a moment before bending down to kiss her cheek, too.
Perhaps, he shouldn’t have done it in front of his mother, but that couldn’t be helped.
He wanted to make this a parting well-made, and that included a proper farewell to the woman he was in love with.
He made his way to the stairs, leaving the stricken women behind him. He took the first step and then paused.
“Mother,” he said, not looking at her. “I love Vesper. You will treat her as you would treat me. That would make me happy.”