Ludovic came to his father and knelt, taking the earl’s hand and bringing it to his lips. “We’ve both been crushed by what’s happened, sir. Your pain must be greater than my own. Whatever I decide to do, I shall tell you first, and ask for your blessing.”
The earl nodded. “I believe I shall be proud of my new heir, my boy. Although I regretted his disadvantages and would have wished him other than my firstborn, poor Humphrey was very dear to me. The weak and vulnerable, you know, can touch us more deeply than the strong. But I was blind. I never knew his secrets and never understood his needs. Your mother kept a great deal from me and I was content to let her smother and cosset the boy whom I knew to be her favourite. I was aware he could be brutal while hunting, but so can many of us. What I have seen on the battlefield would horrify those same men if the identical deeds were practised during peacetime. I thought Humphrey excitable and easily unbalanced. Perhaps I chose not to see the truth. And that is a great weakness in a man assuming leadership and power. You will be stronger, my boy, and bring the Sumerfords back into greatness under the Tudors.”
“You know I loathe the Tudors, Father.”
“Your personal opinion of any crowned king is utterly irrelevant, my boy,” the earl said. “You have a duty to accept whosoever is anointed in the good Lord’s name, and you have an equal duty to your family. You will have sons by this girl of yours. Will they inherit pride, or only dust and nightmares from the past?”
“If Alysson will have me,” nodded Ludovic, “I shall try and deserve her. But I cannot ask her yet.” He stood again and crossed to the wide casement window. It was late afternoon and the sun was sinking low, streaming warmth directly into the chamber. All storms had passed and the flooded land was beaming fresh. Ludovic gazed out over the rolling pastures, his back to his father.
“Have I just reflected that your sanity is not in question? Perhaps I was mistaken.” The earl smiled, stretched his legs and reached for his wine cup. He found it empty. “Get me some wine, my boy. This business of parental advice to the young and foolish I find quite exhausting.” He took the cup Ludovic filled, and drained it. “You and this female have something unexpected in common,” he continued. “You have both been locked away from your fellows for some months. This weakens all resolve and undermines all confidence. Under considerable threat and the possibility of facing a violent death, a man – and no doubt a woman – knows himself helpless. He is forced to relinquish control. On release, he remains weak and confused, habituated to self-doubt. Taking up control once again demands a great effort of will and determination, but it must be done. If you are to sire your own heirs, my boy, you must become the lord of your destiny once more. Take this girl and take your life back into your own hands.”
Ludovic poured himself wine and drank it quickly. “I’ll force no one I love to act against her own best interests.”
“I am not suggesting rape, my boy,” the earl said with a sigh. “There has been sufficient threat of that already I believe. But your strength has been shattered, first in the Tower, and then by each of your brothers in turn and for different reasons. I am simply suggesting you remember the pride of the Sumerfords and foster your own confidence anew. Since you threw off your swaddlings as an infant, you have always been my favourite son, Ludovic. It is time you proved the accuracy of my opinions.”
Ludovic looked at his father in surprise. “I beg your pardon, sir?”
“So you should, my boy,” said the earl. “So you should. Now go away and propose to your alderman’s daughter.”
Already cut and partially stitched for the Lady Jennine, the sarsenet bedrobe was threaded in turquoise over a lining of white velvet. Ludovic requisitioned the half-finished garment from the castle seamstress and ordered it completed within the day. He then presented it to Alysson and promised more gifts to come. She had not yet dared to leave her seclusion. “You can hardly stay here permanently,” Ludovic laughed, striding into her open solar, the bedrobe over his arm. “Take this for now – it’s a respectable enough cover for use in your own chambers. I’ll have gowns made for you over the next few days. Then you must join me at dinner. I want you there.”
She shook her head. “The scullions and serving boys would hate to wait on me, you know they would. They still think of me as a servant. And at the moment my blue gown is quite ruined, which only leaves the pink, and that’s made of woollen jersey which is stifling in this sultry weather. Besides,” she blushed and looked away, “I’d be dreadfully uncomfortable facing her ladyship. Your mother dislikes me so much. And honestly Ludovic, after everything she planned for me, I can’t forgive her. I can’t imagine how I ever will.”
“My wretched mother’s in hiding,” Ludovic said. “I’ve not seen her myself since it all happened, and frankly I doubt I can forgive her either. In fact, I’ve come to doubt her sanity.” He sat down beside Alysson, pressing the swathes of soft material into her arms. “Which doesn’t say a lot for me, my love. Can you forgive me for being a part of this family?”
He came again the next day and found her wearing the bedrobe. He brought Clovis and Ellis with him, shepherded by the eager Kenelm. The captain was preparing his next voyage and hoping for a necessary replenishment to the coffers, but first relished any excuse to meet up again with the nurse Ilara, now in constant attendance on Alysson. Kenelm also intended taking both cabin boys into shipboard service and hoped to knock out their jealous rivalry which Ludovic found so amusing.
“Hussey’s already at sea,” Ludovic said, “and making a fair profit in the Middle Sea. Business is building with Spain. Spanish settlements in the New Indies are making her exceedingly rich, so she’s ready and open for profitable barter.”
“I know it. I’ll be catching tomorrow’s tide myself, my lord, and beating Hussey’s carvel to the portolan. Given a month or two, I’ll bring home a right good living for you and for me, and train them boys while I’m at it.”
“I’ve a soft spot for your boys,” Ludovic nodded. “And I owe them both a good deal. I’ll take them on myself if they’ve a mind to it instead of going back to sea.”
“There’s no one in their right mind as would want work on the land ‘stead of the waves, my lord,” Kenelm said, aghast. “But I’ll tell them little buggers afore I leaves, and give them the choice of it.”
Alone with Alysson, Ludovic, elbow to the mantel, smiled down at her. “You call Clovis a hero, my love, but you’ve a better claim to heroism yourself. My father knows it too.”
She shook her head. “That’s silly. Some things, the terrible business of Pagan of course, are too dreadful to think of. But I was never touched you know and I escaped almost all the things I was threatened with. I can hardly claim heroism and I’m quite sure your father wouldn’t think of me that way, if he even thinks of me at all.”
Ludovic smiled. “On the contrary. He accepts and is no longer disapproving of your presence here. Won’t you consent to meet him one day?”
Alysson stared back. “Everyone in the castle is terrified of your father, Ludovic, and long before this recent trouble. I couldn’t possibly face him. And why should I? What good would it do? And what in the world would I say?”
“He’s a difficult man, but he’s lonely.” Ludovic came quickly and sat beside her on the long settle. Her bare toes beneath the bedrobe were tucked inches from his leg. He resisted the urge to caress them. “I’ve a notion he’s hoping to befriend you. And in case I’ve not already made it obvious, I’m hoping to befriend you too. Since I’m the only remaining heir, my father will have to be at least distantly involved.”
Alysson continued staring. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. We were friends before, and your father had nothing to do with me then. Why should he? He didn’t approve, I know that. None of your family ever liked me except Jenny, and that certainly turned out to be a hideous mistake.”
“The idea of friendship with anyone in my family must seem an even more hideous mistake now,” Ludovic said
softly. “What was done to you and what was planned, was lunacy and wickedness. I’ve no excuses to offer for any of us. I can only try and put things right.”
Alysson sat very straight, holding her breath. “How?” she said.
Ludovic was staring at her toes. They suddenly seemed immensely kissable. He looked away. “Ilara and Dulce. If you prefer to live with them again, I’ll procure you a house, a beautiful house, somewhere you’d be unknown and the scandals wouldn’t follow. You’d never be called a servant again. You’d be the lady you deserve to be, and I’d make sure you had land and property and funds. I make a reasonable living from investments in trade, and will come into all my father’s properties and title one day. I can give you whatever you want.”
Alysson’s toes twitched. “You haven’t asked me what I want.”
Ludovic took a deep breath, as if about to enter deep water. He already felt himself drowning. He said, “No. Perhaps I’ve been fearful of what I expect you to say. So, say it now. What is it, my love, that you want?”
“You ought to know,” Alysson said in a rush, her voice growing louder with frustrated. “I’ve been through utter misery for months, not just because of all the vile things that were happening with Jenny and your mother and Humphrey and Vymer, but because they told me you were dead. That was the meanest of all, because it took away every little bit of hope I had, which is why they said it of course. And now you’re alive and the miracle I prayed for came true and it’s a wonderful dream instead of a nightmare. Hell went away and heaven came back. So since then I’ve been sitting here day after day stuck in these rooms – and they’re lovely rooms but that’s not the point – it’s just another prison really because I can’t leave. And I’ve just been waiting and waiting for you to say what I thought you would. Because all the time you were away I regretted so dreadfully having told you no. And now I want to say yes. It’s infuriating because it really ought to be you saying it, but you won’t ask.” Alysson quivered, her fingers entwining in her lap, and her eyes now moist. “So what do I want? Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?” she scowled. “I want to be your mistress.”
Ludovic gazed at her one moment, then leaned forwards and took her tight into his embrace. His fingers crawled up her neck to her loose curls, his other hand wrapping her against him. Her cheek was wet with tears. He kissed her mouth, no longer trembling but strong and open to his. He felt her response and pressed deeper.
When he pulled back she gasped for breath. Mesmerised, he looked down past the spangles in her eyes to the bruised gleam of her lips where he had kissed her, to the quickened rise and fall of her breasts beneath the bright sarsenet and miniver. He smiled, lingering. “But, my precious beloved,” he sighed, “I no longer intend asking you to be my mistress.”
Alysson sat up in shock. Her eyes glazed, she straightened her back and she wound her fingers very tightly into the lacings of Ludovic’s doublet. “You have to,” she glared. “It wouldn’t be fair to go off me now. What’s wrong with me all of a sudden? I’m not old yet. I’ll seduce you. I know how to. Jenny taught me. I might make a fool of myself, but you can just sit there and don’t dare laugh at me while I try.”
Ludovic caught her wandering fingers and brought both her hands to his lips. “Silly puss,” he smiled. “I adore you. How could I laugh? Instead it’s likely I’d suffer from a condition I’ve not known since emerging from puberty.” She began to struggle but he restrained her, capturing her again within his arms. “It’s no longer a mistress I’m dreaming of, my love,” he whispered to her ear, “I want you as my wife. Could you bear that? After everything that’s happened I expected you to refuse me. But it seems there’s hope. Perhaps you’ll consider me worth taking after all.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
“I imagine,” said the Earl of Sumerford, “that my blessing will serve neither to encourage nor impede your union, my children. But since it is a rare occurrence that I bestow blessings rather than objections, my approval may bring some small and insignificant benefit. I therefore offer approbation, make whatever you will of it, and I shall be pleased to arrange and attend your nuptials.”
But without the presence of priest nor marriage ring, nor holy oil nor witnesses, Ludovic and Alysson were united that same night, a full week before the ceremony which the earl attended.
Ludovic had taken her to the north tower and officially presented her to his father as his intended wife. Dressed in a new gown, Alysson had curtsied and kept her eyes lowered. She found the earl gracious but intimidating and was glad to escape. She did not meet the countess. Ludovic made no attempt to speak to his mother on the subject, though later that day he sent a written message. He received no answer. He was quite sure the countess would be horrified, and was both mildly sorry, and mildly pleased.
He then escorted Alysson back to her own rooms where Ilara, Dulce and Clovis waited, all three having taken up residence in her new quarters. The abruptly announced news of her imminent marriage was met with considerable twittering and screeching. Clovis put his hands over his ears. “Seagulls,” he objected. “Women wailing ‘n squeaking like them bloody birds. Anyone ‘d fink it were a surprise.”
Ilara hauled Clovis tight to her generosity of bosom. “Dear boy. You must surely be as excited as we are.”
Clovis’s reply was muffled. “I were better off at sea after all,” he complained. “And don’t you dare kiss me again, missus.”
“The marriage will be solemnised by the village priest next Wednesday,” Ludovic told them. “The following day I intend taking Alysson away from here. The memories cling too close. I’m taking her to my property in Bedfordshire. Naturally, you’ll all accompany us.” He turned to Ilara with a slight bow. “And I believe Kenelm has been remarkably solicitous in your direction lately madam. But he can visit you in Bedfordshire just as well, and you can both make your future plans as you wish. In the meantime, Alysson will certainly hope for your company.”
“Dear Clarence. And my dearest Alysson,” murmured Ilara, blushing pink. The twittering increased.
“Well,” smiled Alysson, “I couldn’t think of leaving any of you behind, could I? You’re family.”
Ludovic did not relinquish Alysson to her avid entourage. He first took her to the battlements where they had sometimes walked together before. Her hand warm tucked in his, he leaned down and kissed her. The wind was in his hair and over his shoulder the great plains of Somerset and its wild coastline stretched and sparkled beneath the sunshine. When he allowed her breath again, Alysson squinted up at him. “We shouldn’t go to Bedfordshire,” she said.
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve another place in mind, my love?”
“The Bedfordshire property belongs to your mother,” she said simply. “And now you’re the heir of Sumerford.”
He grinned. “You dread the thought of becoming a countess? Or aspire to it?”
“Neither. Because it doesn’t seem real, and anyway a countess is just the same person dressed up in ermine instead of rabbit. You told me that once, in different words. But I don’t think you’ve ever run away from anything, Ludovic, and I don’t want to be the reason for you doing it now. Besides,” her voice shrank to a whisper, “I don’t want to be beholden to her.”
“You won’t be. It doesn’t work like that, my love,” Ludovic said. “And of course we’ll have to come back here one day. My father will need me as he gets older. But by then perhaps your own memories will have faded and you’ll be able to face Sumerford again.”
She shook her head. “I’m not a coward. What happened won’t ever go away. But I’ve always been good at facing the truth. I’ve had to. With you beside me, it’ll all be so much easier anyway. So different.”
“It’ll certainly be different. I’ll make sure of that.” He laughed and pulled her into his arms. “But my mother’s dower lands belong to me now. She signed them over and it’ll be legal in a few days. My father arranged it. He probably bribed and threatened, but I don’t care about
that. She never lived there, it was a minor part of her father’s properties, and I need a place to take you. Her family are the Clintons and the place is known as Clinton House, but in time I’ll change that too. We’ll stay a few years I expect. It’s a beautiful property. You’ll like it.”
She sniffed, cuddling in tight to his side. “You wanted to take me there before. I wish I’d agreed. When I was held in the – east tower – for all that time, I kept thinking how I should have said yes to you. Then none of all that horror would have happened.” The breezes were threatening Alysson’s headdress and she held it on, the flat of her hand on top of her head. “So in a way, it was my fault,” she continued in a rush. “Modesty’s fault, and timidity’s fault. And I’d probably have loved being your mistress, Ludovic. It was only those things Jenny kept saying that frightened me off. Silly really, when she was actually trying to push me into your bed all the time.” She gulped. “Because she thought you’d educate me – in the skills of – and ruin me for respectability before getting tired of me – well, you know why.”
Ludovic sighed. “You’ll like being my wife better, I promise. As for being your fault, the idea’s absurd.” He pulled her tighter. “You’ll be mistress of Clinton House and the Bedfordshire lands, and the education I’ll offer will be a sweet one, I swear. It’s a grand place for I’ve been there several times over past years, and refurbished it to my own taste. No one there will know you were ever called servant, nor have heard the latest scandals. They’ll know you only as the lady of the house, and as my wife and future countess.”
“Gossip spreads. They’ll know one day, but I don’t care.” Alysson peeped up at Ludovic, her fingers curled around his. “And I don’t care about being a countess because that’s years away. It’s being your wife that’s exciting, Ludovic. That seems really, really exciting. I may not make a very good lady at first, or a very good wife either since I haven’t any idea what I’m supposed to do about it. But I’ll learn, really I will. I’m a quick learner.”
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