Chapter 7 #2
“He makes me uneasy,” said Merewyn casting a glance back at Ranulf as they entered the hall. The large space was filled with people engaged in conversation. Already, many seats were taken at the long trestle tables. “Who is he?”
“The king’s chaplain, advisor and keeper of the treasury. And a scoundrel. Do not concern yourself with him. I will make sure the men of Talisand guard you well.”
Before they took their seats, Alex left Merewyn with Rory and Guy and drew Sir Geoffroi aside. “Did you hear the king? It appears you were correct in your assumption. William wants me to meet some woman from Normandy.”
“Aye and not just any woman. The daughter of Earl Herbert of Vermandois is rumored to be beautiful, but also treacherous. She has been thought to use poison, though I suppose ’tis normal for the women of Normandy.
” At Alex’s raised brow, Guy’s father explained, “ ’Tis how they rid themselves of unwanted husbands. ”
“You have my thanks for the warning, but I hope never to put myself in such a position.”
Alex returned to collect Merewyn. It was not enough he had to fend off the men who would be after the woman he vowed to protect. Now he must deal with a young noblewoman from Normandy known for her treachery.
Was his father aware of the king’s plans?
Even if he were, Talisand was a long way from Wessex and per chance the king might be persuaded to accept another in his place.
The Earl of Chester had many sons, but at least two were sons of his wife.
After what happened at Avranches, Earl Hugh owed the king a debt for his mercy in taking the earl back into the fold.
One of those sons might be proposed as a candidate for the hand of Lady Adèle. Alex could only hope.
Soon they were seated between Sir Geoffroi and Rory, Guy on Rory’s other side. Alex looked up to see his parents sitting with the king on the dais. The invitation to dine with the king was a high honor; one Alex was certain his mother would have declined were she able.
He took off his sword belt and laid it under his bench, then leaned in to Rory. “Do not leave Merewyn alone should I be drawn away. You and Guy must claim her dances if I cannot.”
“With pleasure,” Rory replied with a grin.
“Your eagerness is wholly unnecessary,” Alex commented dryly. He would not be pleased should his fellow knight take a fancy to Merewyn.
* * *
Overwhelmed by the dazzling opulence around her, Merewyn stared at the beautiful tapestries gracing the walls.
Most featured battles. She imagined the sounds that might have accompanied them.
The bodies of slain warriors lay on the ground before the victorious.
They were the kind of tapestries a bachelor king would display in his hall.
In one corner, minstrels played flutes and a lyre, sending beautiful sounds into the air and providing a soothing background for the boisterous conversations at the tables.
All were speaking in Norman French, the language of the court.
She understood what they said, having been taught French in her youth.
Even though she had not spoken the language much at Talisand or in Wales, she had not forgotten it.
The large chamber was alight with hundreds of candles set into iron rings that hung from the wooden rafters high above.
Torches blazed from sconces set into the walls adding to the bright flames of the central hearth fire making the room almost too warm.
On the tables, the candlelight was reflected in the silver and golden goblets set before them.
Wonderful smells wafted from trays piled high with meats of all kinds, including roast pig, venison and peafowl. Dishes of vegetables cooked in sauces were set before them, along with bread still warm from the oven. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she had not eaten since breaking her fast.
Silks and velvet gowns and tunics in bright sapphire, ruby, emerald and yellow were all around her.
On the dais, she glimpsed the king in his bejeweled scarlet tunic laughing as he ate with his brother, Robert, and the one called Ranulf.
On either side of them sat Earl Hugh and Alex’s parents.
At the tables, the barons, earls and their ladies adorned in fine raiment and many jewels ate with relish.
She was glad for the gown Lady Serena had given her. At least she was dressed like a lady.
The smells of herbs and spices made her mouth water and she speared a slice of venison from the trencher she shared with Alex. “Do you think we dine on my deer?” she asked him before taking a bite.
“The other hunters took deer also, but ’tis likely one of these is your kill.” He bit into a piece of the succulent meat, wiping the juices from his chin with his napkin. “Very good it is, too. I like the wine sauce with cinnamon.”
Reaching for her goblet, she sipped her wine and let her gaze wander about the hall, coming to rest on an unusual group. “Alex, who are those three sitting at the other table on the end closest to the dais?”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “I suppose I can no longer delay telling you. Those are the king’s courtiers, Gervais, Jocelin and Piers. Guy calls them ‘the three graces’.”
“The ones in the Roman stories who served Venus?”
“Aye, tis a jest.”
“But are they women or men?” Merewyn could not honestly decide. They had the shoulders of young men, but their hair was longer than even the king and his young knights. Their cheeks were rouged and they appeared to be gowned like women.
“Men, the king’s own. Were you close enough, you could smell their perfume. ’Tis a heady scent.”
“The king is a… a sodomite?” she whispered, disbelieving.
“Aye. ’Tis why he has not wed and will never sire a child. By the treaty he signed with his brother, Robert is now his heir.”
“I begin to see. ’Twas why you did not want the king to see me dressed as a page.
” Garbed as an archer with her womanly features, the king could well have thought her one of his courtiers as Alex called them.
Her estimation of Alex rose with the realization he had been looking out for her welfare. “You were protecting me.”
“I was and I still am.”
The intensity of his gaze made her lower her eyes. “I am grateful.”
When she raised her eyes it was to watch the king’s courtiers.
Their feminine appearance, their laughter and their extravagant gestures were more like women than men.
Even their earrings spoke of a woman’s attire, not a man’s.
“Why would the king want a man pretending to be a woman when he could have any woman he wants?”
Alex leaned in and lowered his voice. “I cannot say for certain, but young squires are, for the most part, sequestered at a time when their bodies are changing from that of boys to men. When the urge strikes, some find their pleasure in each other. A few of those never grow out of the practice.”
“And you?” She could not imagine Alex doing such a thing.
He laughed. “Never think it. I would steal over the wall to a neighboring village, my companions clambering after me. ’Twas worth whatever wrath we incurred from the knights.”
At her frown, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You need not worry, Merewyn. Those days are behind me. And were we not in a crowded hall, I would be only too glad to show you why.”
Heat suffused her cheeks remembering the afternoon he had wandered into her bedchamber.
Did he mean because he could have any woman he wanted he did not have to seek them out or did he mean he wanted only her?
Would that it were possible for them to be together, but dwelling on the foolish thought would only bring her sadness.
When the meal was finished, the tables were moved to the walls and the large hall cleared for dancing.
A group of minstrels, garbed in bright colors of blue, green and crimson, entered the large chamber and took their place on one side, readying their instruments.
Soon they filled the hall with lively music from their lyre, lute, pipes and tabor.
Alex belted on his sword and took her hand, sweeping her into a group of dancers.
As before, they danced well together. She was so happy to be with him she paid little attention to the man whose dark countenance stared at her across the circle of dancers.
But she had not forgotten the brief introduction to the man named Ranulf.
When the dance ended, Ranulf took his partner’s hand and crossed the wooden floor to stand before them.
“Merewyn,” he said, bowing. “You might recall we met at the beginning of the evening.”
Merewyn nodded. “Of course.” She glanced at Alex, who was scowling beneath his black brows.
Ranulf turned to the woman at his side. “Lady Adèle, allow me to present Sir Alexander of Talisand and his father’s ward, Merewyn.”
Alex bowed over the young woman’s hand. “My lady.”
Merewyn offered Lady Adèle a smile. “I am honored to meet you, my lady.”
The woman gave her a dismissive nod, quickly returning her attention to Alex.
Ranulf continued, “Lady Adèle is the daughter of the comte de Vermandois. She has come to London with her father at the invitation of the king.”
Alex stiffened at Merewyn’s side. So this is the woman the king desired him to meet and wants him to wed, most likely.
Merewyn had always known this day would come but she had not imagined she would be there to witness it.
Alex was handsome and his father a powerful earl who had been a favorite knight of the Conqueror.
Now his son was taking his place. Was that what stirred this woman’s interest?
If Merewyn were any judge, it seemed to her Lady Adèle was pleased with the match the king intended.