by Alexa Aston
They joined Sarah and Harry on the dais in the great hall. Margery had invited the couple to sit with her as the guests of honor. Ancel congratulated them on their marriage and wished them well. Conversation flowed freely, as did wine. Margery had insisted that Clifton go to Billericay in order to purchase several casks for today’s festivities. After many courses of delicious food, the dancing began. Margery found herself swept up in it but no matter where she was, her eyes always returned to find Ancel.
Hours later, the happy couple left to celebrate their marriage in private. Slowly, things ground to a halt inside the great hall as everyone pitched in to right everything.
Ancel pulled her aside. “I’m going to meet now with those I left in charge. I’m curious as to what’s been happening at Highfield. But after that?” His eyes twinkled in mischief. “I will visit you in the solar.” He lifted her hand and grazed warm lips against her knuckles.
Margery hurried upstairs. With every step, her heart cried out, “Ancel is home.”
Chapter 17
Ancel and Margery rode out with five other knights, bound for London. He had sent Will Artus ahead of them in a cart with Margery’s trunk. They would meet the squire outside the palace.
For now, Ancel enjoyed having the woman he loved in his arms as they made their way to the city. He hadn’t had time to teach her to ride before he left to join the king’s army but since his return she had sat upon a horse and walked it around a pen twice in the past week. She seemed to enjoy the experience and Ancel knew he would make a rider of her. Whitefoot had sat patiently outside the fence each time, eager to regain her attention. She had asked if they could take the dog along with them to London but he didn’t think it a wise idea. Sarah had offered to look after Whitefoot, so the dog went to stay with her and Harry.
As they neared London’s gates, Margery gasped.
“I cannot believe how large it is.”
“Wait till we are inside. You will experience sights and sounds like nothing before,” he guaranteed.
Their party rode through the gates. Ancel enjoyed Margery’s delight at everything they saw. She couldn’t believe how many vendors there were or the number of people who swelled in the streets.
He motioned for the other riders to stop and dismounted. Handing Margery down, he said, “We need to let you taste a London pie. There’s nothing quite like the mix of sweet and savory in them.”
Ancel brought her to a stall and looked over the selection, choosing two pies. “We’ll share so you can sample some of each.”
She took a bite of the first one he’d purchased and sighed. “What’s in this? ‘Tis heavenly.”
He sampled it. “Ground pork, flavored with honey and black pepper.”
“I could eat this every day,” she declared. Then she traded with him and bit into the second pie. “Oh, I like this even better than the first one. Here, try some of it, Ancel.”
He let her feed him. “Mmm. That is good. This one is fish pie with cinnamon, sugar, and ginger.”
“I taste more than those spices.” Margery took another bite. “Definitely cloves. And pepper, but not quite like regular pepper.”
Ancel ate more, rolling it around his mouth. “Oh, ‘tis white pepper.”
Her eyes lit up. “We must buy spices while we are in London and bring them back to Maud. In fact, we should take her both of these pies and see if she can come close to copying the dish.”
He laughed. “Eat up, for now. I don’t know when we’ll return. When we do, remind me to stop and we’ll bring pies for Maud.”
They finished and returned to Storm. Half an hour later, they’d wound through the busy streets and reached the royal palace. Will awaited them in the cart.
“Stay here, Will. I will send for you and let you know where to take Lady Margery’s trunk.” He thanked the other soldiers for their escort and dismissed them, instructing them to return to Highfield.
Ancel led Margery inside the palace, through countless hallways teeming with courtiers. She said very little as they passed through corridors and rooms.
At one point, she halted their progress.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No,” she said breathlessly. “I simply want to take in all the grandeur.”
He supposed, at one time, the trappings of the palace had impressed him. After so many years residing here, he simply looked at it as a very large place where hundreds of people lived. Ancel let her study everything around her before leading her forward.
They arrived in a large hall where dozens of men awaited an appointment with the king. He found Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford, standing in a group. The man was a few years older than Richard and fast becoming one of the king’s trusted confidants. Oxford saw him and came to greet him.
“Sir Ancel, how are you?” He glanced appreciatively at Margery, wearing a cotehardie of green silk. “And my lady, I would enjoy making your acquaintance.”
“This is the Earl of Oxford,” he told her. “May I present Lady Margery Ormond?”
The nobleman took her hand and kissed her fingers. “The pleasure is all mine, my lady. I don’t believe I have seen you at court.”
“Nay, my lord. I have never been to London.”
Oxford looked back at Ancel. “You are escorting Lady Margery, Sir Ancel?”
“I am. The king wishes to see us.”
“He is quite busy today.” Oxford shrugged. “It’s all about the upcoming royal marriage.”
“Has a bride been chosen?” Ancel asked.
Oxford nodded. “Not only chosen but she arrived late last night.”
“Is it Anne of Bohemia?”
The nobleman assessed Ancel for a moment. “I see you are quite well informed, even having been away from court,” he said coolly. “My lady.” He bowed curtly and walked away.
Margery sniffed. “I thought he was nice at first but that was certainly rude to walk away so abruptly,” she pointed out.
“Oxford is close to the king. He doesn’t like it when others appear to be, as well. It seems the king will be tied up for now with his bride arriving. Come. We will get you settled and then I will seek out someone who will let the king know we have arrived in London and are eager to gain an audience with him.”
*
It proved another three days before they met with the king. Normally, Ancel would have let his impatience rule the day and forced his way past the royal guardsmen but each delay only gave him more time with Margery. He used that to his advantage. They were always surrounded by people at Highfield. Of course, London’s streets burst with crowds—but none of them cared about the two of them.
They walked leisurely along the Thames, getting to know one another. He took her to St. Paul’s Cathedral and delighted in how she reacted to the magnificent church. They visited merchants and bought a few odds and ends, including spices for Maud to use in cooking. But most importantly, they cherished their time together. Ancel’s decision to make Margery his wife was reinforced in a hundred ways. He enjoyed her honesty and sense of humor and admired her intelligence and curiosity.
Finally, the summons came to visit the king in his private rooms. Ancel explained that this was a rare treat because most audiences with the king occurred in other halls within the palace. They arrived and were granted admittance, where a guardsman led them to an inner room.
As they entered, three men were on their way out and stopped to greet them.
“Ah, Sir Ancel. You have returned from the long march,” Michael de la Pole said. “And where did you find this lovely creature?”
Margery blushed. “I am Lady Margery Ormond from Highfield, my lord.”
De la Pole nodded. “I have heard of the estate, my lady.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss upon it. “Michael de la Pole. Adviser to King Richard. And this is Sir Christopher Heron and Lord Myles Peveril, Earl of Mauntell. Both men have been of great assistance in finding a new queen for England.”
Heron and Peveril bowe
d to Margery and also kissed her hand.
“’Tis nice to meet each one of you,” she said politely.
“We must be off,” de la Pole said. In a quiet voice he added, “You will find the king in a very good mood, de Montfort. Good day.”
The three men left and Ancel walked Margery toward the king. Her fingers tightened on his arm.
“Greetings, sire,” he said and bowed as Margery curtseyed to the monarch.
“Sir Ancel. And Lady Margery. It took you long enough to get here,” he said in exasperation.
“But, we were not granted an audience before today, sire. We have waited three days to see you,” Margery said innocently.
The king’s brows shot up. “Is that so?”
“No need to get into that now, your highness,” Ancel said smoothly. He didn’t want to talk politics and how various courtiers jostled for time with the king—and prevented others from doing the same.
“Nevertheless, you are here. Come, have a seat. Would you care for anything to drink, my lady?”
“Nay, sire.” She loosened the strings of her cloak and pushed it from her shoulders.
The king turned to Ancel. “Tell me of Highfield first.”
Ancel elaborated on the state of the property and the extent to which the soldiers stationed there guarded not only the castle and its lands but the road to London. Richard nodded several times, looking pleased at the information. Then he shared with Ancel news of the army’s return to London. They spoke for nearly an hour about the campaign that had lasted through the summer and well into autumn.
At last, the king ended that part of the conversation and included Margery once again.
“My lady, I must ask if your brother has returned to Highfield while Sir Ancel has been off fighting with my army.”
“’Tis my stepbrother, your majesty, and nay, Sir Thurstan Vivers has never returned. His body was not discovered among those slaughtered by the peasants who attacked Highfield, though we did find my stepfather, Lord Umfrey, and his younger son, Gervase.”
The king nodded, satisfaction evident upon his face. He turned to Ancel. “Then I will have the papers drawn up that will award Highfield, all its lands, and Lord Umfrey’s title to you.” He paused, his eyes lighting up. “And you may wed Lady Margery as part of the agreement, though that will have to wait for a few weeks. Tomorrow is Saint Andrew’s Day, so we will be in the season of Advent. No marriages—not even my own—may occur during that time.”
“We heard that you will soon wed Anne of Bohemia, sire. May I offer you congratulations?”
“Thank you, Ancel. The lady and I will wed soon after the new year.”
Ancel hadn’t realized that he and Margery would not be allowed to wed during Advent. It disappointed him but he had an idea on how they could pass the time.
A knock at the door sounded and a servant stepped inside.
“Lady Anne is here as you requested, your majesty.”
“Have her come in,” ordered Richard.
Moments later, a young noblewoman entered and crossed to where they sat. She dipped into a low curtsey and then rose gracefully. Ancel thought her to be close in age to the king. She was plain but had kind eyes and a sweet smile as she greeted them.
“My lord. My lady.”
He returned her smile. “I am Sir Ancel de Montfort and this is Lady Margery Ormond. Welcome to England, Lady Anne. I hope you will enjoy your new home and country.”
“The king has been most generous to me. I have a wonderful set of rooms and look forward to our marriage.”
“Lady Margery will also wed Sir Ancel,” the king informed his betrothed. “I am awarding Sir Ancel the title of baron and a new estate for his faithful service to me.” He looked back to Ancel. “You may remain at Highfield until spring. That will have given you enough time to see the estate settled and running. Hire the soldiers you need to keep it well protected but I want you back at court, Ancel. No later than the beginning of May.
“You know I treasure your advice. And whether you serve in my royal guard or as one of my advisers, I need you in London. I have sent away many members of the royal council and other advisers after the uprising, hoping to appease the people. I am looking for new men to stand by me and make England great.”
“I will be honored to serve in any way you ask, your majesty. But what of Lady Margery? May I bring her to court when I return?”
“If you wish.” The king studied her a moment. “Mayhap you would like to serve my queen as one of her ladies-in-waiting, my lady.”
Margery said, “If Lady Anne wishes it, then I will be happy to come to court.”
Ancel saw Lady Anne give Margery a shy smile as she said, “I would enjoy having you with me, Lady Margery. I am eager to make friends in my new country. Mayhap you could also help me practice my English.”
“Then it’s settled,” proclaimed the king. “The next time we all see one another, we shall be old, married people.”
Everyone laughed at the king’s joke and Ancel saw that their meeting had come to an end. He slipped Margery’s cloak around her shoulders and they left the royal chambers.
“I was so nervous in his presence,” she confided.
“No one would have guessed that, my love.” Ancel drew her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed her fingers.
“Is it time to return to Highfield?” she asked.
“Aye. Pack your things and I’ll have Will return home with your trunk.”
Ancel escorted her to the room she had been staying in and left to find the squire.
“’Tis time we returned to Highfield, young Will. Bring the cart around and I’ll help you carry Lady Margery’s trunk to it.”
Will did as asked and left for Highfield. Ancel led Margery to the stables and readied Storm for their return trip.
As he lifted her into the saddle, he said, “We have one more stop to make.”
Ancel directed Storm to a busy street in the heart of London and led Margery inside a small shop.
A gray-haired man of two score greeted them. “How may I help you today, my lord?”
“We are in need of a wedding ring,” Ancel said.
The jeweler’s eyes lit up. “Come with me.”
He led them to a counter and pulled out a tray of rings. “See if any of these appeal to you.”
Ancel glanced at the selection and then at Margery. “Is there one you like in particular?”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I hadn’t thought about a ring.” She gazed from one piece to the next. “They’re all so lovely.”
The jeweler spoke up. “Why don’t you try a few on, my lady? Sometimes they look different when resting upon your hand.”
He lifted one from those displayed and slipped it onto her finger. She thought a moment. “Let’s try another.”
The craftsman gave her several before she asked to try one on a second time. It was a slender silver band.
“This is the one,” she said. Turning to Ancel, she asked, “Do you like it?”
“I do. This ring looks as if it belongs on your finger.” Ancel glanced to the jeweler. “Wrap it up, please.”
The merchant did so and Ancel paid him. Then a thought occurred to him.
“Would you mind looking at a pendant? We are trying to find out its origin.”
“Certainly, my lord.”
Ancel removed the necklace from Margery and handed it over. The man studied it carefully, turning it over.
“It has a mark here,” he indicated, showing them something small etched on the back. “This would be the man who crafted it. If you could find him, you might learn more about when the piece was created and even who bought or commissioned it.”
He returned it to Ancel, who replaced it around Margery’s neck.
“It’s a fine piece of craftsmanship,” the jeweler said. “A very unusual design. Good luck to you in discovering where it came from.”
Ancel secured Margery’s wedding ring in his pouch and they left the sho
p.
As they mounted Storm, he asked, “Where did your mother come from?”
“All I know is that she lived west of York. Her father was the Earl of Waudum.”
“Before we return to court in the spring, I think we should take a trip to that part of England. Mayhap we can track down the jeweler who created the pendant for your mother and discover your true father’s identity.”
“Could we?” Margery asked, hope filling her eyes.
“I think it would be just the trip for the new Baron and Baroness of Highfield to take.”
Chapter 18
Margery pricked her finger again and put aside her sewing. She sucked on her finger, trying to draw the blood out. Today was the day Ancel’s parents would arrive at Highfield and she couldn’t seem to concentrate on any task.
On their way back from London, Ancel had shared with her his idea to invite his parents to visit Highfield. Margery knew he took pride in the castle and the estate and the improvements that had been made throughout. Now that the land and title would soon be his, he was eager to show it to his family, as well as have them meet the woman who would become his wife and Kinwick’s future countess. He’d written to his parents the day they returned from London and asked for the de Montforts to come for a visit. The plan was for Lord Geoffrey and Lady Merryn to remain a week and then Ancel and Margery would return to Kinwick with the couple. They would spend the Christmas season at the de Montfort estate and then wed after Advent ended.
She looked forward to meeting Ancel’s parents. He spoke so fondly of them. Margery only wished that her mother was still alive to see her only child wed.
A knock sounded on the solar door and Agatha popped her head inside.
“My lady, Sir Ancel says that his parents have been sighted. He requests that you join him downstairs in order to greet them.”
Margery stood. “Thank you, Agatha. Please bring refreshments to the solar at once. They will be parched after their journey.”
“Aye, my lady.”
The servant left and Margery smoothed her skirts. She took her sewing and placed it inside a chest in the bedchamber. Glancing around, the room looked tidy and ready for their guests. Ancel’s parents would be staying in the solar. She thought it only right for them to have a place of honor during their visit to Highfield.
