Chapter 9 #2
Alex offered his arm to Adèle and suggested their visitors join them for some refreshment after their journey.
It felt odd having a woman on his arm who was not Merewyn but he supposed he could play the gracious host for his king.
Still, he could not help but wonder, had Adèle’s father wanted to travel so far north?
Or had the comte chafed at William’s command?
Some few years ago, the nobleman’s allegiance would have been to Duke Robert, but with the signing of the Caen treaty, his lands were now controlled by England’s king.
Some Norman nobles welcomed the change, for Robert was never a strong leader, but some did not.
Once in the hall, Maggie had servants bring their guests wine, bread and cheese and then sent for Alex’s mother.
When she arrived, the Lady of Talisand welcomed their guests and spoke of their lodging.
“The castle is quite spacious,” she said to the comte, “but if you prefer to avoid the steps, we can provide chambers in the manor, that is if Adèle is willing to share with our ward, Merewyn. Lady Adèle’s maidservant can room with mine.
Nelda is very accommodating. Alex’s younger brother can move into his chamber, which would free a chamber for you and your manservant.
Your men are welcome to lodge in the castle’s great hall or with our men-at-arms.”
“We wish no inconvenience,” said the comte. “The manor will be fine and my men can lodge with yours.” Alex did not miss Adèle’s tight-lipped smile at her father’s words. Did she resent having to share a chamber with his father’s ward, a commoner?
Alex cared not if Tibby joined him in his chamber, but he was none too sure ’twas a good idea for Merewyn to share a chamber with Adèle, particularly since Merewyn was not of the Norman woman’s class.
* * *
Merewyn had just finished her bath and was dressing for the evening meal when Nelda hurried into her chamber, her expression anxious.
“Mistress,” she said, breathless, “visitors have arrived from London.”
Taken aback, Merewyn sputtered, “Who?”
“ ’Tis the comte de Vermandois and his daughter. Lady Serena has made arrangements for the daughter to share your chamber.”
“Oh,” Merewyn said, turning to show her laces to the maidservant. “Can you help me with these?”
Nelda pulled the laces tight as Merewyn pondered this latest news. “Why are they here? Do you know?” Merewyn remembered the dark beauty from London, the woman the king intended for Alex. Was there to be a betrothal?
“I only caught a bit of their conversation. ’Twas the king who sent them.”
The king. Merewyn’s heart sunk. So it was to be a betrothal after all. Her laces now tied, Nelda came around to stand in front of her. “Oh, mistress, the woman is here for Sir Alex, I am sure.”
Nelda must have observed her affection for Talisand’s heir, but Merewyn did not ask what more she knew.
Most of the young women had a tendre for Alex and mayhap Nelda was among them and disliked another woman coming to visit him, especially one who was noble born.
“Well,” said Merewyn, speaking the truth, “there is little we can do about that.”
“But mistress—” Nelda began as if in protest.
Merewyn held up a hand, stiffening her resolve and ignoring the pain that suddenly gripped her heart. “We must make Lady Adèle feel welcome.” Looking around her chamber, Merewyn said, “She can have the large bed and I will take the small one.”
“But that is your bed, mistress.”
“Surely it will be for only a short while,” Merewyn assured the concerned maidservant.
“I do not mind.” Truth be told, Merewyn did mind, not that she had to share the chamber, but that the woman who would claim Alex had come to Talisand, invading the one place Merewyn believed was hers alone to share with him.
Mayhap they would have less time together than she had thought.
* * *
Alex had never felt so uncomfortable sitting on the dais with his parents and their guests.
The meal that evening was bound to be awkward.
Lady Adèle sat on his left next to her father.
On his right were his parents and then Maugris, Sir Geoffroi and Lady Emma.
As soon as he sat down, his gaze reached out to the trestle tables where Merewyn ate next to Lora and Jamie.
Across from her sat Rory and Guy. Their faces, when lifted to Alex, were marked by curious stares.
He had not had time to tell them of William’s sly move in sending the comte and his daughter north to Talisand.
His father stood to introduce their guests. Goblets were raised in welcome. Alex drank heartily, but seeing Rory attempting to charm Merewyn, his mood darkened.
“The salmon is very good,” remarked Adèle, running her tongue over her bottom lip, a gesture he was certain was meant for him.
She was younger than Merewyn but seemed older, wiser in the ways of the world.
Her teasing, sensual gestures were familiar to Alex, having known other women at William’s court much like her.
“Do you hunt, my lady?” he asked her.
“With the men?” she asked, aghast. When he nodded, she shook her head. “Never. A lady would not do so.” Alex refrained from telling her his lady mother had once hunted game for Talisand’s kitchens.
“Might you play chess?”
“A bit,” she said, “but I am not proficient like my father. Do you play?”
“Aye, I do. ’Tis a game knights learn in the evening when a candle’s light is available.”
She took a drink of her wine, licked the last drops from her bottom lip and smiled. “We could play… together this eve. There are many candles in your father’s hall.”
He supposed it was expected of him to entertain her, but he much preferred to play chess with Merewyn. Still, he would do what was required of him. Thus, at the end of the meal, when there was music and games of chess organized, he led Adèle to the trestle table where the games would be played.
His father sat opposite the comte, just setting up their board. Next to them, Sir Geoffroi smiled across a board at his wife, Lady Emma, known to be an intelligent chess player.
Unable to resist, Alex’s eyes often drifted to Merewyn, who sat talking with his friends a short distance away.
“That woman,” said Adèle, “the fair-haired one I met in London, she is your father’s ward, non?”
“Aye. Ranulf introduced you to Merewyn at William’s court. You will be sharing her chamber.”
“Oh, yes,” she said with a decided lack of enthusiasm. “She was not there when I went to the room. Is it true what they say, that she hunts with the men?”
“Aye, she does,” he said, resisting the smile forming on his lips.
Her hazel eyes widened. “I had heard she went to the king’s hunt disguised as your page, but I could not believe it. ’Tis hardly the action of a lady.”
Alex laughed. “Some of the women of Talisand tend to be unusual in that way.” He did not mention his mother was one of them.
“Does she also play chess?”
“Yea and well.” Where was the woman going with this? “Many women play chess.”
She gave Merewyn a perusing look, her eyes narrowing slightly.
He set up the board and they began to play.
In between moves, he stole glances to where Rory was now playing against Merewyn.
The knight was enjoying himself, a bit too much to Alex’s mind.
His red-haired companion was fair good at chess and the two were having a rousing game.
Not so with he and Lady Adèle, whose awkward moves were ensuring their game would be over soon.
Adèle’s gaze followed his to where the other two were now playing a second game, Merewyn having won the first. Alex chuckled to hear Rory sighing deeply.
Alex’s game with Adèle continued. Mercifully, he finished it, uttering the word “Checkmate.” The comte’s daughter did not seem at all disappointed. “Come,” he said offering his hand, “I will introduce you to my friends.”
They moved down the table and joined Rory and Merewyn. Guy, sitting nearby, expressed his desire to play against Merewyn since her game with Rory was just ending.
“See if you can do better,” Rory said to Guy. “She has twice checked my king. ’Tis enough victory for her at my expense.”
Merewyn smiled encouragingly. “You put up a valiant fight, Sir Rory.”
“Valiance alone is not enough to win a fight against an opponent with foresight and strategy,” he answered.
“I thank you for the compliment,” said Merewyn, winking at the redhead. “You lose with good grace.”
A servant refilled their goblets as Guy set up the board for his game with Merewyn.
“Want to play, Alex?” asked Rory.
“Do you mind?” Alex asked Adèle.
“Non. I will watch.”
Alex took a seat next to Guy across the table from Rory. Lady Adèle sat next to Merewyn, which seemed odd to Alex. What was the young Norman woman thinking? Did she sense the admiration in his voice when he spoke of Merewyn hunting with the men?
While Rory contemplated his next move, Alex’s gaze drifted to the game next to him. Intent upon the board before her, Merewyn reached for her goblet.
Maugris, who was just passing the table, leaned in to speak to her, accidentally knocking the wine from her hand. The liquid splashed onto the board. Merewyn brushed the few drops from her gown that had reached that far. Guy dabbed the wine from the board.
“Please forgive me,” said the seer, lifting the goblet, now empty.
“No matter,” said Merewyn. “There is more wine and you did no harm.”
“Allow me to pour you another,” offered Maugris. He lifted the nearby pitcher and filled Merewyn’s goblet.
“ ’Tis kind of you, Maugris, but I think I have had enough for tonight.”
The speaking glance the wise one gave Alex suggested his knocking the goblet from Merewyn’s hand had been no accident. Why would he intentionally spill the wine and want Alex to know he had done so?
He would not… unless the wine was… poisoned.
With Alex’s mind on Maugris’ “accident”, he managed to lose his game to Rory.