|
|
|
|
|
|
"That we have!" Sir Andre exclaimed in heartfelt accents. "Not two weeks after the Earl was dead, I had to close the keep against the first aspirant to the Lady Alinor's hand and estates. That was nothing. A younger son with a few rag-tag men-at-arms in his tail. But twice we have had more ado with men of substance." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"This last time they came out from Lewes," Sir John commented sourly, "and I had need to bring men post haste from Mersea to lift the siege. I was given to understand that the castellan of Lewes Keep feared the change of overlordships from King Henry to Lord Richard. Believing he would lose his keep, he put aside his wife and brought the whole force of the shire upon us in an attempt to take my lady." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I do not wonder that you were glad to see the Queen's writ," Simon said, smiling. "To take her now is profitless, since the King's word must be had before her marriage is good." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sir Andre shrugged, his shield strap creaking as his shoulders moved. "It will helpif the realm lies quiet. But I for one will continue to have a care for her. If she be taken and hidden away, wedded and well bedded, perhaps even got with child, the King might find it easier to take a fine and give his consent than to undo the knot." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sir Simon raised a gauntleted hand and rubbed his nose under the nosepiece. "You have the right. If she does not marry at once, I do not envy whoever is made her warden." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To his surprise, both men shouted with laughter. "I do not envy him his task, well aside from the little matter of those who wish to wed her without the King's consent," Sir Andre crowed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A vagrant breeze brought both the scent of roses and the words of the two last speakers to the Queen. She looked about her suddenly with attention and was surprised to see the untilled land near the road carpeted with tangles of wild roses. They were not as beautiful as the flowers cultivated in gardens, but their scent was |
|
|
|
|
|