The Promise of Peace

by Carol Umberger

“I don’t know if he’ll have me. He swore when we were young that he never wanted to marry. But I thought, maybe, just maybe, if we had some time together now that we are grown, he might change his mind.”

  Isobel straightened, another gown in hand. “I suspect he is halfway there, Nola.”

  Nola couldn’t help but grin. She’d thought as much after what he had said, after their kiss, but was glad to hear it confirmed by the older woman. “You really think so?”

  “Aye. Now, let’s hang up your dresses and you can tell me all about your adventures with handsome young Keifer.”

  Never one to disappoint, Nola told Lady Randolph all about the mishap in the creek when she had tried to save a lamb that didn’t need saving. Lady Randolph seemed not to tire of hearing about Nola’s childhood, so Nola regaled her with other stories. At long last, Nola returned to her task of removing her other dress from the small bag and hanging it on a peg. She would be glad to change out of the dress she’d worn for traveling and lamented that she had no other clothes to wear.

  Lady Randolph said, “Is that all you brought with you?”

  “Aye. I wasn’t planning on such a trip when I left home, and there wasn’t time to shop in Edinburgh. I’m going to be woefully underdressed to stay in a royal palace.”

  Lady Randolph gazed at the three trunks of clothing she had brought with her. “Yes, you are. We will have to find material to make new gowns for you once we reach Paris.”

  “Da gave me money—will you help me choose something flattering?”

  “I will be delighted to help you find the perfect gown to capture your knight’s heart. I will even help you sew.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t ask. I offered.”

  They smiled at each other and Nola sensed a mutual admiration forming. “I can hardly wait to see Paris. I hope you are a quick seamstress!”

  THE BOAT DOCKED IN CALAIS late in the afternoon. Nola heard Sir Thomas say he was anxious to cover the 130 or so miles to Paris as quickly as possible. Owyn went with the earl to rent a coach and horses, and Keifer was given the duty of escorting the women.

  After more than a week of the ship’s rocking motion, Nola felt unsteady when she tried to walk across the dock. She glanced back at Keifer, who gallantly escorted the older woman.

  Nola walked to shore unassisted and just a little peeved at Keifer.

  He had barely spoken to her for most of the voyage. It was as if every time he looked at her, he couldn’t decide whether to kiss her or throttle her, so instead he turned away. Yet Nola found it difficult to be angry. She was in France! And she was tired of worrying over Keifer.

  While their belongings were unloaded from the boat, Keifer escorted Lady Randolph and Nola to an inn. As she ate her meal, Nola talked excitedly with Lady Randolph, glad to have someone to share this adventure. Someone other than Keifer, who stood nearby, scowling. Keifer couldn’t seem to make up his mind whether to be glad or not that Nola was with them. Nola would give him time—she could hardly believe she was here herself.

  “Keifer,” Lady Randolph said. “Why don’t you join us?”

  “I have eaten, my lady.”

  She indicated the open seat next to Nola. “Then sit with us, won’t you?”

  “Nay. I have orders.” He smiled.

  Nola thought he was being stubborn and tried to have him change his mind. “But surely—”

  “I am not here to entertain but to protect you, Nola.”

  Nola was about to retort when Lady Randolph said, “My husband says we have reason to be vigilant, Nola, so don’t take Keifer to task for doing his duty.”

  Chagrined, Nola whispered, “He isn’t going to be much fun, is he?”

  “No doubt there will be moments when he can let down his guard. You must be patient.” The lady’s air of importance let Nola understand that Keifer’s role was serious. They might be in some danger in this foreign land. Perhaps that helped explain Keifer’s odd manner toward her—she was adding to his responsibilities, the first official responsibilities of his career.

  When the meal was finished, they went into the tavern’s courtyard and the ladies climbed aboard the carriage that would take them to Paris. Although Sir Thomas joined them in the carriage, Keifer, Owyn, and the others rode on horseback. They were armed for protection from bandits.

  Nola said to Sir Thomas, “You would make better time without us, wouldn’t you?”

  “Aye. I would have ridden through the night. But in deference to your company, we will stop each evening.” He smiled indulgently at his wife. “But ’tis well worth the inconvenience to have the company of such lovely ladies.”

  Lady Randolph smiled at her husband, and Nola wondered what it would be like to be married. She would certainly find out when she returned home. She half expected her father to be waiting at the dock with a priest. The thought made her smile. But then she realized that Will would be standing next to the priest. She drew a deep breath. She’d made a bargain and she would honor it. She would indeed marry upon her return to Scotland. She just hoped the groom would be Keifer.

  They stopped a few hours later for the evening meal and to take rooms for the night at an inn. Sir Thomas exited the coach first, and Nola heard him greet someone. He turned to hand down Lady Randolph and Nola. As Nola and the lady found their footing, they were joined by Keifer and Owyn, who had dismounted. Nola saw that their hands rested on the hilts of their swords.

  Lady Randolph said, “Richard! How delightful! We hoped to see you at court—what brings you so far from your king?”

  Nola stared at the tall courtier as he bent over Lady Randolph’s hand. His close-cropped, dark hair and swarthy skin contrasted with the finely drawn features of his face. Even in the gathering dusk she thought him quite handsome.

  He straightened, and though he answered the lady’s question, he addressed Sir Thomas. “King Charles sent me with a contingent of men to safeguard you and your party.”

  Sir Thomas raised an eyebrow. “I brought sufficient guards with me. Are we in need of the king’s protection as well?”

  “A few more men to protect such lovely ladies would not be remiss, n’estce pas?” The man named Richard bent closer. “We believe Edward of England has spies in France. He doesn’t want to see the treaty succeed.”

  The man cocked his head to one side in a charming gesture that had Nola smiling.

  He turned and asked Sir Thomas, “And who, pray tell, is this lovely lady?”

  Lord Randolph said, “Lady Nola Mackintosh, may I present Richard de Fleury.”

  Nola felt herself blush as the man took her hand and kissed her fingers.

  “It will be my pleasure to escort you and Lady Randolph.” The man grinned at her and she saw the glow of male interest in his dark, sparkling eyes. “Delighted, mademoiselle.”

  She lowered her eyelids, not wanting to appear too forward. But already her journey showed promise of the excitement she’d hoped for.

  She looked to see where Keifer stood, his expression impassive until their gazes met. For a brief moment Keifer allowed his feelings to show, and Nola’s heart beat with joy. Another woman might have used Richard to make Keifer jealous. But that was a hurtful emotion, the weapon of a child.

  Nola had put her childhood aside when she made the bargain with her father. She was a woman in love with a man who still thought of her as a child, a man unconvinced he should marry. She only had a few weeks to make him see her differently—she would not waste the time on a useless emotion such as jealousy.

  THE CLOSER THEY CAME TO PARIS, the more people and carts filled the road. The countryside stirred with the promise of spring, and the early wildflowers were in bloom. They stopped each midday for a meal and to change the horses. Late on the third day they entered the city.

  The heart of Paris and the seat of the French government lay on the Ile de la Cité, a large island in the middle of the Seine River. As they crossed a stone bridge, Nola stared out o
f the carriage window at the majestic towers of Notre Dame Cathedral. She could hardly wait to worship there on Sunday morning.

  When the carriage came to a halt in the cobbled courtyard, Nola and her companions were surrounded by squires and stable boys who took charge of the horses and handed the ladies from the coach. Nola accepted the small satchel that contained the few belongings she had brought with her.

  Richard escorted them to the guest quarters. Nola was delighted to have a room of her own. She put away her clothes and dismissed the maid who had been assigned to her. Nola went to the window and opened the shutter. Her room overlooked the Sainte-Chapelle with its soaring pinnacles and gilded roof.

  Nola’s mother had told her of the chapel built as a reliquary for the precious Crown of Thorns, which the French king had bought from the Emperor of Byzantium for 130,000 livres. An incredible extravagance, as the chapel itself had only cost 40,000 livres to build!

  Anxious to see the holy relic as well as the inside of the chapel, she crossed the room and opened the door. As her foot passed over the threshold, a hand grabbed her arm and she shrieked.

  “Calm down, Nola. ’Tis only me,” Keifer commanded as he let go of her arm.

  “What are you doing, standing outside my door?”

  “You must not go about unescorted.” His smile softened the sternness of his voice.

  She had been about to do just that. “Well then, come, you can escort me to the Sainte-Chapelle. It’s just—”

  “I know where it is, but I’ve been instructed to take you to Sir Thomas before you begin exploring. So come with me.”

  They walked down the ornately decorated hallway. The walls were marble inlaid with Irish oak. The wood, highly desired in royal palaces, repelled spiders and thus prevented spider webs from forming in the high, dark recesses.

  Keifer knocked at a sturdy wooden door, and they were admitted to the Randolphs’ chamber. Sir Thomas and his wife sat at a small table in a chamber twice the size of Nola’s. This room was a sitting room with comfortable couches and chairs. An escritoire sat against one wall next to a door that must lead to the sleeping chamber.

  Sir Thomas indicated that Nola and Keifer should sit down.

  When they were settled, he said, “Nola, although my wife will no doubt wish to see the city, she and I have official duties and obligations that will limit her availability. You are free to come and go so long as you promise me one thing.”

  “Aye, my laird?”

  “You will not leave the palace grounds without Keifer or Richard to accompany you.”

  She looked at Keifer and nodded her acceptance.

  “I will have your word, Nola.”

  “I promise, my laird.”

  “Good. I don’t wish to alarm you, but there are those who would harm our cause.”

  “This treaty is important, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Aye, it is. I’m glad you understand.”

  Lady Randolph said, “As we discussed, I have arranged for a seamstress to fit you for new gowns, Nola. I will expect you here in our room first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “As you wish.”

  Nola and Keifer left the chamber and started back to Nola’s room.

  She looked down at the dress she’d worn since leaving Edinburgh and knew that much as she wanted to explore Paris, she didn’t want to do so in soiled and wrinkled clothes.

  She stopped at her door.

  Keifer looked surprised. “I thought you were anxious to see the chapel.”

  “I will wait until I have some proper clothes,” she said.

  “I think that is wise, Nola. That dress looks, well, it doesn’t do justice to the daughter of a Scottish earl.” He grinned and she felt better.

  She was in Paris. With Keifer. All was well with her world.

  FOURTEEN

  NOLA SPENT THE NEXT TWO DAYS being fitted for gowns and helping to sew them. She saw little of Keifer or Richard and spent much of her time with Lady Randolph. They were sitting alone in the lady’s sitting room, as Sir Thomas had left for his business with the king.

  Nola pricked her finger with the needle and quickly stuck the offended digit in her mouth to keep from bleeding on the material. She looked up to find Lady Randolph watching her. “I’m trying to sew too fast,” Nola said with a grin.

  “That you are, but I can understand your desire to see the city. And to spend time with Keifer.”

  Nola was more anxious for that than she wanted to let on. She changed the subject. “When will you meet with the queen?” Nola asked.

  “The queen is not ready to receive many visitors so soon after giving birth, so I will meet her in a week or so. You may be invited as well.”

  Nola nodded. “I will look forward to it. My mother will be quite excited to know I met with the queen, as she is a cousin of Jeanne of Evreux.”

  “Your mother is cousin to the queen of France? Then I shall insist that you come with me when the time comes. Are you nearly done with that dress?”

  “Aye. Just a bit more on the hem.”

  “Good. As soon as you are finished, go and change and we will get out of these rooms this afternoon.”

  Nola smiled. The rooms were lovely, but so was the weather, and she hated staying indoors. With a sigh of relief she tied off her thread and stood up, holding the gown in front of her.

  “That color will look splendid on you, child. Now hurry and get dressed. I’ll send for our escorts.”

  In her room Nola changed into the new dress with the help of her lady’s maid, a luxury she wasn’t used to. At Moy, Nola often left her hair undressed or covered it with a simple scarf. But here at court she would have to wear a more elaborate head covering.

  As the maid pinned the wimple fast, Nola tried not to dislike the lack of freedom imposed by the material that now closely framed her face. A quick stab of homesickness reminded her of her family, and she hoped they were well. By now Will must know the truth, and she hoped he understood why she had to go. If she and Keifer should come to an agreement, Nola felt obligated to tell Will the news in person.

  Shrugging off the homesickness and reminder of Will, Nola admired the green linen dress. Draped across the bodice in flattened folds, the material was belted just under her breasts. From there it fell in soft folds straight to the floor. A removable cape of heavier material in a contrasting green was fastened at her shoulders.

  Though the material lacked the variegated colors of her usual woolen plaid, this linen was well suited to the French fashion.

  Keifer and Richard were to meet her at Lady Randolph’s room, so with a final adjustment of her wimple—and a wish that she could leave it behind—Nola left her chamber and walked down the hall. A light draft caused her to be glad for the cape, and she pulled it close.

  When she entered the chamber, Keifer and Richard were in conversation with Sir Thomas.

  Lady Randolph greeted her. “As soon as our escorts are ready we can leave.”

  Nola hoped they would hurry. Since she didn’t need an escort for the palace grounds, Nola had decided to forgo the Sainte-Chapelle in favor of sights outside the castle walls. She planned to visit the chapel sometime when the men were not available to escort her.

  Keifer and Richard joined them. Nola was glad when Keifer strode to her side and offered her his arm “Where is Owyn today?” she asked as they walked out of the castle and into a beautiful spring day.

  “Sir Thomas has need of him. He may join us another time.”

  “I hope he will. I enjoy his company.”

  “I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”

  Soon they were walking down a paved street wide enough to accommodate two carts or carriages. In the distance rose the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral. Though construction of the great church had begun one hundred and fifty years prior, porches and chapels were still being added.

  They spent an hour browsing through nearly two dozen booksellers in their stalls near Notre Dame, then walked along the narrower
secondary streets where the various tradesmen had their shops. Stopping at the stall of a soap maker, Nola purchased lavender-fragranced soap for her mother. Lady Randolph made similar purchases for her family.

  Richard walked them to the west side of the Island and pointed to a smaller island where the springtime green of hayfields mixed with budding fruit trees. “That is the Ile de Juifs, where Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master of the Templar Knights, was burned at the stake some years back.”

  Nola shuddered. “How could something so awful happen on such a pastoral spot?”

  Keifer laid his hand over hers where it lay on his arm. He stared at the island as if deep in thought. “ ’Tis said that he lifted his eyes to the steeples of Notre Dame and professed his faith even as the flames consumed him.”

  Nola turned to him. “Did you learn of that from Ceallach?”

  He nodded.

  “Who is this Ceallach?” Richard inquired.

  Keifer carefully said, “An acquaintance that was here at the time.”

  Nola raised her eyebrows and Keifer shook his head. She said nothing, realizing that Keifer sought to protect the former Templar from those who might seek him out to claim the ransom on his head. They strolled on, stopping at an overlook where Nola gazed out at the city with its sharply indented skyline, created by roofs of differing heights. Elegant dormers of white stone with blue roofs were topped with gilded weathervanes on every peak.

  “What a charming and lovely place,” she said. “My mother was here as a child and tried to describe it, but I’m afraid she failed.” Nola smiled at Richard. “Is Paris your home?”

  “I was born here, oui, but home is now wherever my king sends me.”

  WHILE NOLA AND LADY RANDOLPH perused the various shops, Keifer kept watch, as did Richard. The older man was attentive to their charges but remained alert to their surroundings.

  At first Keifer hadn’t been sure there truly was a threat. He thought Richard made it up as a means of ensuring time with Nola. But the man’s actions spoke of his attention to duty above pleasure, and Keifer was glad for his assistance.