Chapter 7 #2
The baron’s awkwardness didn’t lend itself to friendly chit-chat. Not that Draven was adept at friendly chit-chat or even unfriendly chit-chat for that matter.
Basically, Draven wasn’t a chatty person in any shape, form or fashion.
“Nice weather, you’re having,” Simon said at last. “Perfect for the fair.”
“Aye.” Orrick nodded. “Very pleasant. Mild, not too hot or cold.”
And they sat some more in silence, nursing their ales.
“The fair is wonderful this year,” Christina’s voice covered their silence. “There is this one goldsmith you must visit. He is truly talented. Remind me to show you the ear bobs he made.”
“Oh, I envy you that. My father would never allow us to pierce our ears. He was too afraid we’d develop an infection from the piercing and perish.”
“Good for him. My cousin, Cordelia, died that way. We had ours done together by her maid.”
“Truly?”
“Aye, but you know, your father needs learn not to be so frightened of your welfare. Why, I’ll never forget that time he locked you and your sisters in your chambers to keep you from venturing out in the rain.
Or the time he whipped you for merely going out the postern gate with me to pick berries in the meadow behind the castle. ”
Draven frowned at their words. He had known Hugh was over- protective, but that went beyond the pale of acceptability. Not to even let his daughter pick berries? What else had Emily been deprived of?
And the thought of her father beating her....
‘Twas a good thing Hugh was far from his reach.
“Aye, I remember it well,” Emily said. “You can imagine how excited I was coming here. We actually got to sleep outside in the forest!”
“Weren’t you afraid?”
“With Lord Draven to protect me? Nay, I think he could well slay a bear with his bare hands.”
In spite of himself, he felt a pang of pride at her words and admiration.
“In fact,” Emily continued. “You should see him train. It takes my breath the way he moves. Never have I seen a man more handsome or strong. No wonder Queen Eleanor calls him the Rose of Chivalry. And did you know he reads for pleasure?”
Simon choked on his ale as he struggled not to laugh.
Glaring at his brother, Draven felt heat descend upon his face.
Blushing? he thought with a start. The maid had him blushing?
He’d never done such in his life.
“Do you think Lord Draven is....”
Draven struggled to hear the rest of Emily’s sentence, but for once they dropped their voices to a level that prevented it.
What the devil could they be saying now?
“I heard the king banned tournaments,” Orrick said suddenly.
Draven had to bite his tongue to keep from shushing the baron as he strained to hear the women.
“Aye,” Simon answered, and by the glint in his brother’s eye, Draven knew he did it purposefully to mask whatever words the women uttered.
“Lost too many good men and soldiers to accidents. Henry says if we must partake of such foolishness then let us go to the continent for it. Not to mention all the property that can be damaged. The peasants who get crushed when knights overrun the boundaries. You know all the things—”
“He knows, Simon,” Draven snapped.
“Well,” Emily said, “would you look at them.”
Draven glanced over his shoulder to see Emily and Christina standing side by side behind his chair. By St. Peter’s hairy toes, what had they said about him?
Not knowing was near enough to drive him mad.
Christina shook her head. “Have you ever seen a more soured group?”
Emily laughed. “Not in a while.”
The men instantly came to their feet and offered the ladies a chair. Emily took a seat in Draven’s vacated chair and primly adjusted the skirt of her gown around her.
What had she said?
What do you care?
I care! For all he knew, ‘twas something even more embarrassing and he had a right to know her thoughts.
“Congratulations, Lord Orrick.” Emily interrupted his mental tirade.
“Congratulations?” Draven asked.
“Christina is expecting a babe.”
Christina blushed. “I’m so excited, but scared as well. I have no idea what really to expect.”
“‘Tis your first?” Simon asked.
“Aye.”
Orrick grinned in pride. “I keep telling her not to fear. My first wife had six without any problems at all.”
“But Emily’s mother died in her birthing bed,” Christina contradicted.
Draven looked at Emily and saw the sadness in her eyes. He felt a strange urge to comfort her. To reach out and take her hand in his.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Emily,” Christina said quickly, placing her hand on the arm of Emily’s chair. “I didn’t mean to—”
“‘Tis fine.” Emily graciously placed a hand over Christina’s. “I know you meant no harm. Just as I know God will take care of you. You shall be fine. You’ll see.”
Christina smiled, then turned to her husband. “Orrick, have you heard Emily’s sister, the lady Joanne, is to marry Lord Niles of Montclef next month.”
“Niles?” Orrick asked, his face shocked.
Draven searched his memory for what would cause the baron’s reaction. He knew little about Niles or his family other than the name.
“You know Niles?” Emily asked.
“Aye.” There was a note of reservation in his voice. “And I must say I’m surprised your father would approve the match.”
“Joanne won’t be swayed. She loves him.”
Christina shook her head. “I’m still amazed your father would agree. I remember well how he swore he’d never see any of his girls wed.”
Those words confused Draven. “And why is that? ‘Tis a man’s duty to see his daughters to husbands.”
“He’s afraid of losing them.” Christina patted Emily’s hand. “Especially Emily since—”
“Will you please excuse me,” Emily said, interrupting Christina. “I’m suddenly very tired.”
“Oh, forgive me for my discourtesy!” Christina rose instantly to her feet. “Come, let me fetch a maid to prepare your room and you can rest in my solar until it’s ready.”
Emily stood and followed after Christina.
They waited until the women had left the hall before retaking their seats.
“What was it your wife was saying about Emily, Orrick?” Draven wanted an answer.
Orrick took a deep drought of ale. “Only that Hugh refuses to see his daughters perish in childbirth. He says Emily looks so much like her mother that it terrifies him to think of her dying in such a fashion. Christina told me that Emily’s mother suffered for days to bring the babe into the world, but since the child was backwards.
... There was nothing that could be done, and in the end, Hugh lost them both. ”
Draven felt a sympathetic pain in his chest for her father. All too well he knew the grief of being helpless while someone he loved suffered and died while he lay helpless to stop it. He could well understand Hugh’s motivation for protecting his children and in truth he respected the man for it.
“He must have loved her,” Simon said.
“He did.” Orrick sighed. “I’ve never seen a man so taken with his wife and when she died... well, Hugh has never gotten over it.”
“Is that why he never remarried?” Draven asked.
“‘Tis why he will never remarry.”
Draven wondered what Emily felt about her father’s fears of losing her. Of Hugh’s decree that she remain unmarried.
Had she ever wanted to marry for that matter?
Why do you care?
I don’t care. I am merely curious.
Shaking off the thought, Draven looked back at Orrick. “Well, since we know this isn’t a social call, shall you have your steward fetch your accounts?”
“Now?”
“Now is as good a time as any.”
Orrick swallowed as he fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve. “Aye, then. I’ll show you to my council room.”
Orrick rose from his chair and looked about nervously. He set his tankard of ale on the mantle and patted at his purse before he removed a key and led them from the room.
“He’s guilty,” Simon whispered as they followed Orrick across the hall.
“I know.” Draven was sickened by the thought. All in all, he had no quarrel with the baron who had always appeared a decent enough fellow.
But if he had in fact swindled Henry out of his due, there was nothing he could do to save him.