Chapter 12
The last thing Elisande had expected was a royal wedding breakfast, but it was exactly what she received. Life, it seemed, was full of surprises.
Sir Geoffrey stood by her chair while the king took Henry aside to speak to him privately.
“What were you going to do? Have the king skewer you in front of Sir Henry?”
“I didn’t really think about it,” Elisande replied.
“Just like you didn’t think about leaping from a horse and throwing yourself between us and that cart?”
She looked up at the knight. “Do you have a point?”
Sir Geoffrey laughed as he shook his head at her. “You are a unique woman in my experience, Lady Elisande. I suppose, since Sir Henry—Lord de Vere—is one of the bravest men I have ever met, it comes as no surprise that his lady would be equal in character.”
His compliment surprised her.
“And here I thought, you were rebuking me.”
“Never, my lady. But my lord would no doubt appreciate you taking more care with your person. He can handle himself. Having fought by his side for over a decade, I can promise you that.”
“I’m certain you are correct, Sir Geoffrey. I will do my best,” Elisande said, taking a bite of cheese.
The royal spread in front of her more than made up for the long days of travel.
Henry returned to her side and took his seat. She glanced at him, holding back her questions.
“All is well, my lady. The king’s entourage will accompany us back to the manor and will make a comfortable place for Lady Hilda to travel with us as well.”
Elisande sucked in a quick breath. “Truly?”
“Yes, my lady. The king now understands your devotion to your niece.”
“He is not what they said at all, is he?”
“He can be many things, my lady. Never underestimate what the king is capable of. But in His Majesty’s case, women and children receive excellent care.”
“He has my gratitude.”
“And you will have an opportunity to express it. He will stay with us for a few days to survey the area and decide what he wants done with the lands neighboring Rosewyn.”
“Baron Goddard’s lands? Alger’s father.”
“Is that who he is? The son of a baron?”
“The youngest son, my lord.”
Henry smiled at her. “I must say, this new title sounds best upon your lips, my lady. I much prefer it to hearing his name.”
“My lord,” Elisande said again, dipping her gaze, “any jealousy would be misplaced. While he might have had designs regarding me, I never shared his inclination or feelings beyond friendship, as you have already surmised.” She lifted her gaze to her husband’s.
An expression that seemed like satisfaction settled over his countenance. “That is good, my lady. Because you are out of his reach forever. Even if something were to happen to me, you would be under King William’s protection.”
“Please don’t talk about that.”
“You don’t want to be a widow?”
“I just became a wife. I would like to try that for a while, my lord.”
His blue eyes lit with his smile. “Indeed, you shall. As I said before, I am rather difficult to kill.”
“Please stay that way, my lord.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
“You’re leaving with them?”
Alger’s whisper came from beside Elisande’s horse, and she glanced down to find him cloaked in the early morning darkness. She looked around for Henry, knowing he would not be pleased.
“Of course. You must go back to the priory. Stay there until it’s safe.”
“You still care about my safety, my lady?”
“I care about everyone’s safety. Now go, before someone sees you.”
“I only wish that you could be mine, Eli.”
“Go!”
Henry rode toward her. “Did you say something?”
“I’m ready,” she said.
“Are you sure that was all?” The darkness of the predawn hour shadowed his grim expression, and she decided a subject change was in order.
“We ride?”
“Behind the king,” he said with a measured tone. “Keep no secrets from me, Elisande.”
She swallowed and nudged her horse toward his destrier. “It was Alger. He didn’t want me to leave.”
As she feared, Henry spun on horseback, ready to deal with him.
“Please, I sent him away.”
He led his warhorse alongside hers. “Never again will he have the opportunity to speak to you alone. You are my wife.”
“I didn’t invite him to.”
“Don’t protect him, Elisande.”
She paused, realizing the only thing she could tell him was the truth. “I can be married to you, pledged to you until death, and still want nothing bad to happen to him. I cannot make that stop, my lord. It is at the core who I am—to protect all who I can.”
He frowned at her. “He will never get that close to you again, if I have anything to say about it.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
“Good. I’m glad we have an understanding.”
A shout went up, and the king’s entourage began to move.
“Let’s go. The sooner you’re back behind the walls of the manor, the better.”