The Troubadour's Romance by Robyn Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

”
     
    ***
     
    Royce brooded over the last bit of ale before him while Sir Boltof spoke. “ Is it clear by her company that the pleas have begun? ”
    “ You are certain she is the one? ” Royce asked.
    “ Aye, Royce, the word has traveled quickly from bower to camp. She is endowed by the queen and the Scelfton house. The extent of the lands is not fully known, but the talk is that her purse will bring a fine wedding gift to the chosen groom. You are close to the king ’ s ear, Royce. What say you? ”
    Royce continued to stare into his cup, grumbling some thing inaudible. He began to feel uneasy about the wench, and he wasn ’ t sure if it was because of her saucy behavior at her window a few days before or the fact that she seemed to be enjoying herself with Sir Wharton.
    “ Do you wait for an offer from me? ” Boltof asked. Royce looked at him in surprise. “ I am a reasonable man and we are to be brothers in due time. I would manage a settlement from the maid ’ s dower purse if you would urge the king on my behalf. ”
    “ I want none of her purse. What of the maid, Boltof? ” Royce asked, his manner coltish and impatient. “ Do you think to make her acquaintance and assure yourself she is not a shrew before you wed her here and now? ”
    “ Of beauty there is none lacking, and the money would better than cure some old debts. I have little need to judge her character when her assets are so appealing. I ’ ll play my court upon your word and even split the sum with you. ”
    Royce drank the remainder of the ale from his cup and looked at Boltof. They had been friends for a long time, bu t he sometimes questioned Boltof ’ s common sense. “ I ’ ve seen the wench before, Boltof. She is the one I told you of, seeking the favors of an entire troop of men from her bedroom window. It could be her fairness and hefty purse are worth only a lifetime of misery. ”
    Boltof smiled first and then laughed loudly. He slammed his own mug on the table and pressed his face near to speak confidentially to Royce. “ All the better. I ’ ll see her flayed as an adulteress, and no one will question my authority over her lands. ”
    Royce frowned at the idea while from his other side Celeste rubbed her arm against his as she drew near. “ What is this conference with my brother, Royce? ” she asked. “ Do you make battle plans when the eve is meant for merri ment? ”
    Royce turned to the woman and tried to smile. “ He leads me on a chase after more riches, as is always Boltof ’ s wont, madam. I beg him cease for a brief time of leisure, but he builds more plans in his mind. ”
    Boltof leaned toward them and now the three heads were close together. “ Henry would hear Royce ’ s plea on my behalf for the heiress seated beside Wharton. Her purse is heavy, but I waited to see her to be assured she was not a cow dressed in velvet and gold. And that one, ” he said, indicating Wharton with his mug, “ has already begun paying court to her. Before dawn the line of men will be long and deep. Our family could make good use of the dowry, eh, Celeste? ”
    This talk caused Royce to sulk for reasons he couldn ’ t name. His manner became all the more surly. “ Then seek out the maid, Boltof, and see what manner of woman she is. ”
    “ Why won ’ t you help him? ” Celeste asked solicitously. “ It is not as though Boltof denies you in any way. ”
    “ The matter of seeking out Henry for a man well able to speak for himself does not sit well with me. You are sworn to him, ” he said to Boltof. “ Make your plea to the king on your own behalf. ”
    Boltof ’ s eyes darkened and he frowned. “ You stand in better stead with the king, ” he complained. “ ‘ Tis a common fact. I would not have asked for assist, had I known how niggardly you hold your influence. ”
    “ My influence is bigger in your mind, ” Royce returned. “ And if I do have the power to persuade the king, ‘ tis only because I have