“No, Judith, you do not. I have told you she is gone from my life.”
She sneered at him. “Next you will be telling me your love is now mine.”
“And if I did?” Gavin whispered with such an intensity she was almost frightened.
Her heart fluttered. “I don’t know if I would believe you,” she said quietly. Or was she afraid that if he said he loved her that she would return the words? Would he laugh at her? Would he and his Alice lay in each other’s arms and make light of what to Judith was life and death?
“Come inside, then. It grows late.”
What was there in his voice that made her want to comfort him?
“You leave tomorrow?” Gavin asked as he wiped sweat from his brow. He had been training since sunup on the king’s long sand-covered field. There were many knights and squires present from all over England.
“Yes,” Stephen said with an air of gloom. “I feel as though I’m going to my death.”
Gavin laughed. “It won’t be so bad. Look at my marriage. It has turned out quite well.”
“Yes, but there is only one Judith.”
Gavin smiled and scratched at the heavy armor he wore. “Yes, and she is mine.”
Stephen returned his smile. “All is well between you then?”
“It’s coming along. She is jealous of Alice and forever accuses me of all manner of happenings with her, but Judith will come round.”
“And what of your Alice?”
“I’m no longer interested. I told her so yesterday.”
Stephen gave a low whistle. “You told Alice, whom you once loved, that you now prefer another? I would fear for my life if I were you.”
“Perhaps from Judith, but not from one as sweet as Alice.”
“Alice Chatworth? Sweet? You are truly blind, my brother.”
As always, Gavin was angered when someone spoke ill of Alice. “You don’t know her as I do. She was very hurt when I told her, but she accepted it regally, as I knew she would. If Judith hadn’t captured me so completely, I would still think of Alice as a choice for my wife.”
Stephen thought it was better not to comment further. “Tonight I plan a splendid drunk. I will drink the castle dry. Then, when I see this bride of mine, I’ll be better able to stomach her. Would you care to join me? We shall celebrate my last moments of freedom.”
Gavin smiled in anticipation. “Yes, we haven’t celebrated our escape from Demari’s. Stephen, I didn’t tell you my thanks.”
Stephen hit his brother on the back. “You must return the favor when I need you.”
Gavin frowned. “Maybe you can find me a man to replace John Bassett.”
“Ask Judith,” Stephen said, his eyes twinkling. “Perhaps she can run your men also.”
“Don’t even hint such an idea to her. She complains now that she has too little to do here.”
“That’s your fault, brother. Don’t you keep her busy?”
“Have a care! I may begin to hope that your Scottish heiress is as ugly as you think she is.”
Judith sat in the great hall amid a group of women. All of them, including the queen, sat behind beautiful rosewood and brass embroidery frames. Their hands flew deftly and swiftly over the fabric, beautiful colors of silk streaming from their needles. Judith sat quietly in a chair, a piece of embroidery before her, too; but she merely stared at it, feeling awkward, not knowing what else to do with herself. At least Gavin could do his work even when he was away from home. But he had threatened her against cleaning the king’s fishpond…or his pantry or anything else, for that matter.
“I think that sewing is the most feminine of arts. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?” Alice said quietly.
Queen Elizabeth didn’t even look up. “I believe it would depend upon the woman. I have seen some women use a crossbow, yet retain their femininity, while another who looked sweet an