"Is that, then, what a single kiss betwixt a man and a woman signifies? A moment of male foolishness?" Angry now-after all, Clem had kissed her one time, and the man was dense besides!-Tricky slammed her hands onto her soft hips. "I vow that makes you the veriest of fools, Clem de Ardethan!" She whirled, stalking off down the corridor, away from the man who-she hoped-stood gaping after her.
Tricky fumed as she rushed back to Madelyne's chamber. Men were so foolish-so thick-headed!
When she arrived there and found her mistress seated next to the fire, Tricky did not hesitate to share her frustration with Madelyne.
"Clem is the veriest of fools! I can see it in his eye that he desires to kiss me. . . yet he makes the greatest of excuses to walk away!"
Madelyne set her embroidery down and looked at her with unblinking gray eyes. "Tricky are you so sure this is true-or do you only speak of wishes?"
"Oh, nay, Maddie. . . 'tis in his eyes and was in his kiss. It's just that men seem to fight it when true love smacks them in the backside. Lord Gavin-'tis happening to him too, you know. He doesn't know what to do with his feelings for you. "
"What nonsense you speak. " Madelyne's attention was fixed closely on Tricky. "Lord Gavin does not care for me-he is about to give me in marriage to Lord Reginald. "
"Oh, nay, Maddie. . . 'tis not so. Mark my words. . . you will not be wedding with Lord Reginald. "
"We have had the betrothal contract prepared," Henry told Gavin as he drummed his fingers on the table next to him. The ever-present goblet of wine rested near his elbow, and a plate of dried apples and a hunk of bread next to it. "All that remains is to tell young D'Orrais and seal the betrothal. The wedding can take place immediately after-mayhap this Sunday. " Henry chuckled. "He'll owe my coffers twenty gold pieces and two years service of fifty men for the privilege of wedding with the nun. "
Gavin drank from his own goblet, draining it, then moved to refill it. A strange gnawing scraped his inner belly, and neither food nor drink seemed to alleviate it.
Henry rose and paced over to where his scribe sat, scratching busily upon a parchment. The man could not speak, although he could write and hear well, so Henry preferred his attendance over all other scribes at court. "A missive to Fantin de Belgrume, informing him of his daughter's impending marriage, and the assessment of a fine for our services in arranging the betrothal, would be in order as well, do you not agree, my lady? One hundred gold coins should suffice. " He chuckled complacently.
"Aye," Eleanor purred from her seat in the formal court chamber where Madelyne had met with the king only a se'ennight earlier. "All the court-the ladies most especially-gladly await the announcement of a wedding celebration. Indeed, the sooner she is wed and bedded, the easier I'll be. I like the girl-she's no Therese, the foolish slut," she cast a shrewd glance at Gavin, who quickly took another drink of wine, "thank the saints, but she's caused enough havoc among my ladies that I am ready to have her out of my sight. " She smoothed her gown, then looked up. "Gavin, my darling, would you please pour me some of that wine you have been hoarding?"
"Of course, your majesty. " He found his voice and moved to do her bidding.
"Gavin, have you summoned D'Orrais? 'Tis nigh time we had this arranged. " Without waiting for a response, Henry stood and stalked to the door leading from the court room to the main alcove. He flung it open, bellowing for a page to attend him at once.
Eleanor watched in amusement, then returned her attention to Gavin. "Well, my lord, 'tis the moment you have long sought. You shall thus be relieved of your duty to Lady Madelyne, and free to return to your lands-or to your warring, whichever it is that you interrupted to bring her to our presence. " A sly light colored her eyes as she curved her lovely mouth into a smile. "You have served us well, Lord Gavin, now, and these years past. I am quite sure that my husband would agree, would you not, my lord?"
Henry, who had sent a page scuttling off to fetch Reginald D'Orrais, returned to his wife's side and, resting a hand upon her shoulder, nodded. "Of course. Mal Verne knows that I value his service. " He paced over to the table and picked up a piece of apple, shoved it into his mouth, and chewed like a cow.
Eleanor glanced at Gavin, who stood lamely to one side. The queen spoke true. . . his desire to be free of the responsibility of Madelyne's well-being was upon him. Yet. . . . He looked at Eleanor, and she caught his eye, tipping her head slightly.
Suddenly, it burst from him. "I would wed Madelyne de Belgrume. " The words were out before Gavin could bite them back, and he stood, silent, as shocked by the statement as Henry appeared to be.
"What?" the king roared, slamming his hand onto the table and the edge of the plate. The platter flipped onto the floor, scattering food beneath the moving feet of the king. "Gavin, what in the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"D'Orrais cannot hope to compete with Fantin's wiles," Gavin explained, the words rushing from his suddenly loose tongue, the facts and arguments all lining up as if he'd long thought them. "Nor does he have the experience or knowledge to manage a fief such
as Tricourten at the level of rents you expect, sire. As well, you have bid me find a manner in which to contain de Belgrume, and I believe that wedding with his daughter would give me ample opportunity to do so. " He paused, then added, "And, most practically, 'tis time I married again. I must have heirs, and a wife who can minister to me when I am hurt or ill would be an asset as well. "
Henry smiled slyly. "You would indeed have a time of it begetting an heir on that nun. She is-" He abruptly stopped when he saw the black expression on Eleanor's face. "Aye, well, then, Gavin, forgive me if I appear to be more than a bit. . . stunned. . . by your pronouncement, as you have bewailed the burden of seeing to that young woman for weeks now. And now, when you have the chance to unload yourself, you request to be shackled to her?" He shook his head, but a grin tickled behind his beard. "Do you fancy yourself in love with the maid?"
"Of course not," Gavin replied, gripping his goblet more tightly. "As I explained, it is the most fitting of solutions. As you charged me with the task of finding her a husband, I hereforth make my recommendation. "
Henry looked at him, exchanged glances with his wife, and nodded. At that moment, the throne room door opened, and a page announced Reginald D'Orrais, who entered just in time to hear Henry's words. "Aye, then, Gavin, you may have Madelyne de Belgrume to wife. And a very generous fine to your liege as for the privilege. "
Chapter Twenty-Two
When Gavin departed the throne room, leaving a flabbergasted and glowering Reginald D'Orrais behind, he knew his first action must be to speak with Madelyne.
As much as he had been shocked by his own actions, and needed the opportunity to assimilate this new event himself, he must talk with her before D'Orrais-or some other wagging tongue of the court-did.
At the least he knew he wouldn't find her with D'Orrais this time. Gavin's mouth flattened into a humorless smile. If the man stepped foot near her again, Gavin would put him out of his misery.
This thought checked his rapid footsteps-only for a moment, but enough for Gavin to reflect on how strongly and quickly the possessive urge had come over him. He rather found he liked it.
As he neared Eleanor's solar-where he was sure he would find Madelyne, as 'twas midday-Gavin's footsteps slowed. What would she say? What could she say, he reminded himself. The king had made his decision and they would wed.