by Alexa Aston
Then Avelyn recognized a figure from the royal court in London. Lord Sewell Talbot was a dozen years older than she, with a wife and two children at home in the country. He’d flirted with her outrageously and even tried to steal a kiss upon one occasion after drawing her into a darkened alcove. When Avelyn let it be known that she didn’t welcome his advances, he laughed it off—and they’d become quite friendly after that. He shared with her tidbits about various courtiers and had explained some of the politics of the day.
Merryn lifted Edward from the pouch he rode in and handed him to Alys before she made her way directly to Michael. One look from her and he handed David over without a word.
She cooed to the babe and pressed a kiss upon his brow before she looked at Elysande. “He’s the most marvelous babe in the world,” she proclaimed. “Next to my four darlings, of course.”
Elysande laughed. “David is life itself.”
As Geoffrey strolled up, Michael added, “He already has everyone at Sandbourne wound about his smallest finger.” The two noblemen greeted each other with slaps on the back.
Geoffrey said, “We’re happy for your new addition.” He then greeted his sister with a kiss and spoke to Lady Orella.
Suddenly, Hal appeared underfoot, dancing about. “Michael, Michael!”
The earl swept him up. “And how are you, my good friend Hal?”
Hal gave Michael a sloppy kiss and then squirmed, ready to be set down.
“Talbot, come over here,” Geoffrey ordered.
Avelyn watched the new visitor amble toward them. When he caught sight of her, he made straight to her.
“My lady.” He bowed and reached for her hand, placing a brief kiss upon it. “I had no idea you would be here.”
“Lady Elysande is my sister, my lord.” She turned and held out her hand. “The Earl and Countess of Sandbourne. My mother, Lady Mary, and the earl’s mother, Lady Orella. This is Lord Sewell Talbot.”
The handsome nobleman greeted them all. “I met Lady Avelyn at court. She broke hearts left and right—including mine,” he explained.
“I doubt that, Talbot,” Merryn chimed in. “I’m not sure if you even have a heart.”
Talbot gave Merryn an anguished look and pretended to stab himself in the heart. “Oh, but you wound me, my lady.”
Merryn’s brows shot up. “I know you to be an incorrigible flirt. You flit from one woman to another. You have no time for your heart to break.”
He flashed a smile. “I’ll admit that I tried to win Lady Avelyn’s favor but, instead, I won her friendship, a far more valuable gift.”
“So you’re a part of the royal court?” Elysande asked.
Talbot shrugged. “From time to time. I chose not go on summer progress with them. I’m looking to expand my stables and asked help from my friend, Geoffrey, who has the best knowledge of them.” He eyed Elysande with appreciation. “He believes you, my lady, know more about horses than most men and that your husband’s stables have some of the finest horseflesh in all of southern England.”
Michael placed an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “The countess is more than knowledgeable. And one of my knights, Sir Kenric Fairfax, is another you need to speak with about my horses. But come, let’s go inside. The noon meal is about to take place.” He glanced over to Merryn. “And you’d better return my son to me, my lady. He’s not yours for the taking, no matter how much you enjoy babes.”
They all laughed and made their way up the staircase, Hal leading the way. Lord Sewell fell into step beside Avelyn, placing her hand upon his arm in order to escort her inside.
“I see the resemblance between you and your sister,” he remarked. “It’s a pleasant surprise finding you here—especially without your shadow.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You know I mean Lady Sela Runford. It was hard to hold a conversation with you without her hovering nearby.”
“Actually, she accompanied me to Sandbourne for the summer, my lord.”
Sewell frowned. “I see.”
“But we have grown apart during our time here,” Avelyn added.
“Good.”
They reached the entrance and filed in. She wondered why Lord Sewell thought her estrangement with Sela a good thing. Determined to find out, she leaned over and asked, “Is there something I should know?”
He gave her a cool smile. “Many things, my lady.” He glanced over and scowled. “But we’ll speak of them another time.”
Avelyn turned and saw Sela hovering at the doors leading into the great hall. She stiffened slightly as Sela came forward.
“What a surprise to see you at Sandbourne, Lord Sewell.”
“I felt the same when I heard you were present, Lady Sela.”
“You must catch me up on all that’s happened at court since we left in May. You must know some gossip which you can share with me.” Sela gently wrenched the blond nobleman away from Avelyn and led him into the great hall.
“I see she hasn’t changed.”
Avelyn turned and saw Alys de Montfort standing behind her, her small brother still in her arms, fast asleep.
“You’ve never liked Lady Sela, Alys.”
Her cousin shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. You do.”
“Actually, I don’t. Not anymore.”
Alys’ eyes went round, then a smile crossed her face. “It’s good to see you, Cousin.”
Avelyn held out her hands. “May I?”
Alys handed Edward over.
“My, he’s grown heavy since I stopped at Kinwick.” She touched the babe’s nose. “You are a most precious child, Edward, and you’re close in age to your cousin, David,” she told him. “The two of you, along with Hal, will have so much fun together.”
“Hello, Avelyn.”
She turned and saw Ancel. “Oh, my!” she exclaimed, seeing the boy standing next to her. “Ancel, you’ve grown so tall since I saw you last summer. How do you fare at Winterbourne?”
“The earl is hard to please, but I’m learning much under his tutelage. He allowed me to come home to Kinwick a week early so I could accompany Mother and Father to Sandbourne. He knew I was eager to see Lord Michael and my cousins.”
“Well, I’m glad Lord Hardwin was so generous. It’s good to see you. Come, both of you, let’s go in to dine. Elysande has made all of your favorites.”
*
After the noon meal, Elysande and Merryn wanted the young children to be put down for a nap. Avelyn assisted in getting David, Edward, and a very fussy, protesting Hal to bed. The two grandmothers decided to stay with the children while the rest decided to walk down to the stables to show Lord Sewell the Sandbourne horses.
Michael had requested that Kenric, Ralf, and Martin accompany them. Avelyn knew all three knights to be expert horsemen and supposed that Michael might have them ride a few of the horses to show off their lines. Sela placed herself between Ralf and Martin on the walk through the bailey, chattering away with an arm linked through both men’s arms. Kenric separated himself from the trio, but she saw Geoffrey engage him in conversation.
Avelyn found Lord Sewell at her elbow again and was ready to have her questions answered by him.
“I see Lady Sela never changes,” he said. “She always has to be around wherever men gather and become the center of attention.”
“I’ve come to know her better since we’ve been away from court and have found we aren’t suitable companions,” Avelyn told him. “Would you now tell me of what you hinted at earlier?”
He steered them away from the large group and slowed his pace till everyone had passed before he fell back in line behind them and continued toward the stables.
“Lady Sela is not your friend,” Lord Sewell said bluntly. “I tried to find you and warn you, but you’d already left court when the rumors swirled enough for me to be concerned regarding your reputation.”
“My reputation?” Avelyn’s stomach lurched.
“Did you ever wonder when you first
arrived why she latched on to you? And that she possessed no other friends?”
“I thought her only being friendly. We seemed to have more in common than I did with others.”
“I believe that she deliberately isolated you from other women. On purpose.”
Her heart began beating faster. “Go on.”
“Sela Runford has said many harmful and unfair things about you, my lady. At first, I took no notice of it, for she’s an insignificant person at court.” He shook his head. “She has been a false friend—smiling to your face and treacherous behind your back.”
She gripped his arm tightly as understanding dawned. “I used to feel others stare at me as I passed. They would grow silent when I went by them. I always had an odd feeling that they spoke ill of me, but I thought it was my own insecurities about being new at court that caused me to imagine this.”
“Nay, it wasn’t your imagination. The rumors grew worse before your departure. Do you know anything about missing items in the queen’s chambers?”
Avelyn stopped. “Aye,” she said softly. “The queen misplaced a comb. A shawl. A pair of hose. Just before we left, Lady Agnes told us she couldn’t find a silk handkerchief that the king had gifted to the queen.” A sick feeling washed over Avelyn as she remembered finding one identical to the queen’s in Sela’s trunk.
“Lady Sela has given the impression that you are the one who has taken these items—and more that have gone missing among the other ladies-in-waiting.”
Her jaw dropped. “But I would never—”
“I know that, my lady, and I believe most courtiers do, too. But you are fairly new to the palace. You’ve kept yourself separate from the other women who live there and you’re most popular with the men. That causes some women’s jealousies to rise.”
Avelyn swallowed hard as she blinked away tears. “Have . . . have these rumors . . . have they reached the queen?”
Lord Sewell shook his head. “I think not. For if they had, she would have spoken to you immediately. Queen Philippa is not one to tolerate dishonesty—much less thievery.” He gave her a sad smile. “I’m sorry I had to bring this to your attention, my lady, but you deserved to know.”
Determination filled her. “I’m glad you did, my lord. I plan to confront Sela. Now.”
Avelyn broke away from him. The group had reached the stables and started to file in. She hurried to the front where Sela stood and said, “I must speak to you at once.”
Sela cocked her head. “Your tone is sharp, Avelyn. Is something wrong?” she asked sweetly.
“Something is very wrong and you’re at the root of it.”
Conversation ceased around them. Avelyn saw the puzzled looks as everyone stared at her. She shut out everything around her and focused on the treacherous woman before her.
“I’m going to ask you a direct question, Sela. Actually, more than one. I expect an immediate—and honest—answer.”
A red flush sprang up on the noblewoman’s pale neck and crawled up her cheeks as her eyes cut over to Lord Sewell and back. Sela brought fisted hands to her waist. “Go ahead. I’m just sorry that your petty jealousy over my relationship with Sir Kenric has caused you to challenge me in such a public way.” Sela’s voice softened. “Should we not go and speak in private? As friends should?”
“Nay,” Avelyn told her. “I want witnesses to hear how deeply you’ve wronged me.” She drew a calming breath and then tossed out her accusation. “Have you spread false rumors about me at the royal court?”
Sela tittered, her eyes darting about. “Why would I speak ill of my closest and dearest friend?”
She narrowed her eyes. “That’s exactly what I wish to know. Will I be accused of thievery when I return to court? By the queen herself?”
Avelyn heard the gasps around them but continued. “Have you stolen from the other ladies-in-waiting—and the queen—and blamed me for your actions?”
Sela began to sway. Both Ralf and Martin reached out for her, but she slapped their hands away. “Leave me be!” she commanded.
“I asked you a question. I want your answer. Now.”
Sela looked about helplessly, her mouth falling open, tears gathering in her eyes. Avelyn saw the moment she gave up, knowing she couldn’t weasel her way out with pretty words and flirtatious actions. Sela took a step closer to Avelyn and lashed out in fury.
“I’ve lived at court my entire life. My father is a favored man who advises the king. I had the attention of any man I chose until you arrived. You, with your fresh face and country clothes, interested in everything from history to poetry to music. You were not at court a day until you had the attention of everyone.
“And I hated you for it.”
Sela’s face had grown redder and her body began to shake. “So I befriended you, the lost and wide-eyed Avelyn Le Cler. You clung to me all while you curried favor with the queen and every eligible man at court. It should have been me they focused on. Me! Not you.”
She kicked the dirt at her feet. “So I told a few little lies about you. I didn’t think anyone would believe them, but a few of the women did—and passed them on. And then I took a hand mirror from that tyrant, Agnes, who always orders everyone about as if she were the queen and not Philippa. You know what? I enjoyed the feeling it gave me every time I pulled out that mirror and saw myself in it.”
“But you took more than a simple mirror,” Avelyn accused. “And you blamed me for it.”
Sela’s eyes blazed in anger. “So what if I did? Each time I felt powerful when I did so. I took a prayer book. A pair of stockings. A few ribbons. Then some letters. When I slipped something into my pockets and no one discovered it, it was exhilarating. Then I saw an opportunity and seized a comb of the queen’s.”
“And her silk handkerchief,” Avelyn said. “The one I found in your trunk not long ago. The one you told me your father gave to you.”
Sela laughed. “You mean the one I blamed you for taking?” Then tears welled in her eyes. She shuddered and crossed her arms protectively in front of her. “But . . . I went too far. I . . . I stole a necklace from the queen. The very day you were leaving for Sandbourne. I was so afraid someone would find it in my trunk. So I hurried to your chamber and begged to go to Sandbourne with you.”
“Where is the queen’s necklace now?” Avelyn demanded.
Sela smirked. “I left it in your room. While you and Alys hurried after the page that was leading you to your escort party in the courtyard, I slipped it inside your mattress. I couldn’t dare be caught with it.”
“So if someone finds it, I will be blamed?”
“Aye!” Sela hissed. “You came to court with nothing, but you have everything. I hated you for it.” She paused. “I still hate you.”
A calm descended upon Avelyn. “I pity you, Sela. You’ve been given every opportunity and have squandered it. I gave you my friendship freely and loved you as a sister, but you’ve betrayed me in the worst way.”
Avelyn turned to Michael. His face grim, he nodded. Michael glared at Sela and said, “Return to your chamber in the keep, my lady, and remain inside it. A guard will be posted at your door until you leave Sandbourne tomorrow, never to return.”
Lord Sewell spoke up. “If it pleases you, Lady Avelyn, I can see this woman to where the royal court now resides and place her into her father’s hands, apprising him of the situation. Lord Runford is an ambitious yet decent man. He will see that the queen’s necklace is returned and no blame placed upon your shoulders.”
The nobleman looked at Sela with a withering glance. She cringed, dropping her head in shame.
“Knowing her father as I do,” Sewell continued, “his punishment will be to banish her to his country estate far in the north. Or, mayhap, marry her to a man old enough to be her grandfather since it’s obvious she requires a strong hand and constant supervision. Lady Sela will no longer grace the court with her presence. You will never have to see her there again.”
“Thank you, my lord.
” Avelyn trembled, the anger having rushed from her in a swoop, leaving her physically weak.
Lord Sewell said, “I would only ask that I first conduct my business with Lord Michael, which may take a day or two. But I’m sure Lady Sela can remain out of sight until I prepare to leave with my men.”
“We would be most grateful to you for your help in this atrocious matter, Lord Sewell,” Michael interjected. He motioned to the two knights nearest Sela. “Take this woman back to the keep. Remain at her chamber door until I send men to relieve you.”
“Yes, my lord,” Ralf said. He reached for Sela, but she glared at him. Without a backward glance, she marched from the stable, Ralf and Martin on her heels.
Elysande and Merryn rushed to comfort Avelyn. Each hugged her tightly, asking if she was all right. She assured them that she was.
Her eyes met her uncle’s as he came to stand next to her. Geoffrey said, “You may not have ridden into battle with your enemy carrying a sword in hand, but you bested that enemy all the same, with courage and dignity. I’m so very proud of you, Avelyn.”
She went into Geoffrey’s arms. He locked her in a powerful hug, bringing her comfort.
Avelyn looked out at those gathered around, seeing their concern for her. Only Kenric Fairfax stood apart, a grim look upon his face.
He looked as if he could kill at that moment.
Chapter 23
Kenric stood guard in front of Lady Sela Runford’s bedchamber, anger still boiling within him at what he’d learned yesterday. The noblewoman was pure evil, worse than any enemy met in battle. She’d befriended an inexperienced Avelyn Le Cler and betrayed her by weaving vicious lies about her. He wished he could mete out the justice due and strangle the Runford girl with his bare hands—and no one would ever find the body.
He shook off the violent thought. It was unlike him to become emotional. Among the men he knew, he remained cool and rational at all times. But everything about Avelyn stirred his blood. He hurt—because she did.
