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

never tried. ”
    Celeste let her lips come close enough to Royce ’ s ear so that he felt her breath on his cheek. “ Have this matter done for Boltof, ” she pleaded sweetly. “ He plagues you and makes you forget that we have plans that need attention. ”
    He turned to her then with the patient smile that had become a habit for him. He judged her soft, pale features yet again, reassuring himself that she was lovely enough. Celeste was older than a maid just venturing toward mar riage, and Royce had finally conceded that they should be wed. She had, after all, yielded him more than was decent for him to take. In addition, she sought out no more eager groom, but was patient with his brooding reluctance and had held herself for him for five years.
    He had first met Boltof a decade and a half before, when they were lads completing their training for knighthood. Through Boltof he had made the acquaintance of his sister, Celeste, and their stepfather, Lord Orrick, and from that time on, the young woman had had her sights on him for her husband. Royce had not felt any immediate stirring, but as time passed he became fond of Celeste and valued Boltof s friendship. He added to that a deep respect for Lord Orrick. The old lord was in fact the member of their family with whom Royce felt the most kinship.
    For a very long time he had felt a strange nagging about Boltof and Celeste, who were plagued by his resistance to joining with them by marriage. He could often shrug off the feelings as usual for a man without family ties, whose love of adventure outpaced his need for a wife. Sometimes a deeper foreboding threatened; Royce had often considered that it would be for the good of all if he left no heirs. In any case, finding a proper dame to wed concerned him least of all, and he had to be hurried to the decision for Celeste by her stepfather and brother. Lord Orrick had just a few months past announced himself. “ The marriage of my daughter is of imminent necessity if I am to see her thrive rather than shrivel. You may speak for her, sir knight, or have done with her affections. ”
    Royce begged time to put his house in order before any betrothal contract was drawn, and the Lord, ever gallant in his dealings, allowed for the new year to be reached and the betrothal and wedding done swiftly after.
    Still, his decision troubled him. He had no reason to distrust these people who had loyally held his friendship dear. Indeed, he owed them much. Yet comfort with the commitment had never come.
    “ Say me nay, if you will, ” Boltof demanded.
    Royce tried to calm the restive feelings he had about the entire situation. He didn ’ t like going to Henry on anyone ’ s behalf, and had the request come from anyone but Boltof, he would have swiftly refused. And the wench, although fair of face and endowed handsomely, caused him some suspi cious feelings. He sought a middle ground where Boltof might feel the weight of his loyalty and yet give him enough time to evaluate the situation better. “ I would not refuse you this, Boltof, ” he finally said. “ I owe much to your family, and if you must believe I have some power with Henry, then we will see the truth to it. But I would have more time to design my words. And you must seek a closer view of the damsel whose hand you would bid for and be sure that this is the course you should take. ”
    Boltof smiled at Royce and nodded his head firmly. He took the reply not as avoidance, but as a firm resolution from Royce ’ s own lips.
    “ When all these weddings have been done, ” Boltof said with a smile, “ we shall begin seeding an army on our mutual lands, and the whole of our family will know wealth and power. Twas a good day that our paths crossed, Royce. I will long be grateful. ”
    Royce looked at Celeste, who smiled prettily and locked her arm within his. The two of them seemed certain that all their plans for betrothals, weddings, and future sons would be settled to their