Fire Song (Medieval Song 2)

Marie was silent for a moment, then leaned close to Kassia. “I trust, my dear, that you are not displeased with your father’s marriage.”

Kassia blinked in surprise, and said honestly, “I am happy that my father has found someone to care for. My mother died so long ago, and I fear he has been particularly lonely after I left for England. And the children bring new life to Belleterre.”

“I would not have you or your husband concerned that Belleterre will pass from you to my children,” Marie continued quietly. “Indeed, both my boys will have lands of their own, bequeathed to them by my late husband. As for Jeanne, she will have sufficient dowry.”

“My husband will be pleased that he will not lose Belleterre,” Kassia said evenly.

“Maurice has told me much of Lord Graelam, particularly about your lord saving his life in Aquitaine. He holds him in great esteem.”

“As do I,” Kassia said, her eyes on her trencher. She waited tensely for Marie to ask her the obvious question, but her new stepmother said nothing further, merely spoke of the servants and their efficiency and kindness to her, their new mistress.

It was very late when the great hall quieted. Kassia saw Marie nod to her husband; then she approached Kassia and hugged her gently. “I will bid you good night, Kassia. If you are not too tired, I think your father would like some private words with you.” With those calmly spoken yet ominous words, she left, shooing her very tired children in front of her.

“You are to be congratulated, Father,” Kassia said with a tired smile. “Marie is enchanting, as are the children. You are most lucky.”

“Aye, I know it well. I am pleased, and relieved, that you approve, poppin.” Maurice slicked his hand through his gray hair in seeming agitation, then turned a gentle eye to his daughter. “Kassia, do you wish to tell me why you have come to Belleterre alone?”

“I did not come alone, Father,” she said. “A dear friend brought me. My safety was never in question.”

“My men told me about this ‘dear friend’ of yours, poppin. Why did he not come to greet me?”

“He is not my husband. He feared you would not be overly pleased to see him.”

“Aye, likely,” Maurice said. “Come and sit down, Kassia. My old bones are weary, and you are looking none too spry yourself.”

Kassia did as he bid her, and eased into the chair opposite her father’s “Does Marie play chess?” she asked.

“A bit. She has not your quickness with the pieces or your strategy of the game.”

Maurice studied her for a long moment, noting the dark shadows beneath her expressive eyes and the tenseness of her hands, now clutched together in her lap. “You have left your husband” he said.

Kassia could only nod. Were she to speak, she knew she would burst into tears and shame herself.

Maurice sighed deeply, and turned his gaze to the dying embers in the fireplace. “I hope you will forgive me, poppin. ’Tis all my fault, wedding you to a man I knew scarce a week. But I truly believed him honorable, my love.”

“Papa, you believed I was dying,” Kassia said sharply, hating his spate of guilt. “And Lord Graelam is honorable. It is just that . . .”

“That what, poppin?” Maurice pressed gently.

“He does not love me,” she said quietly.

Maurice had always believed his daughter one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. He tried now to see her objectively, to see her as a stranger might. Her glorious hair was in loose curls to her shoulders, thick and lustrous. She had filled out again, but she was still very slender, almost fragile in appearance. But the impish, whimsical quality about her was lost. “Then I must believe,” Maurice said slowly, “that Graelam is something of a fool.”

“Nay, Papa,” she said quickly, wondering at herself for defending her husband, “he simply has no place in his heart for a female. And I miscarried our babe.”

Maurice sucked in his breath. “Are you well?” he asked harshly.

“I am well. Indeed, I did not even know I was with child.” She rose clumsily to her feet. “Please, Papa, I do not wish to speak more about it now. He will not come after me. He is likely well-pleased that I left him.”

He heard the harsh pain in her voice, and felt utterly helpless.

“May I stay here, Papa? I swear to you that I will not interfere with anything Marie does.”

“Of course. This is your home, Kassia.”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“You are weary, my love. We will speak more about this when you are rested.” He drew her to him and gently hugged her. He felt her womanly curves, her woman’s softness. It amazed him that he had not noticed earlier that his little girl had matured. Had Graelam abused her? he wondered, his body tensing. He pictured the huge man naked with his daughter, taking her as a man took a woman, and gritted his teeth. He leaned his head down and gently kissed her cheek. It was wet with her tears.