Was his hair soft or rough to the touch? It looked soft as a baby’s, but his body proclaimed him a man. She shook herself and said another Ave Maria quickly. She wondered if it was wrong to stare at a monk’s body that way.
Such broad shoulders! Did his mother have to make his shirts extrawide, so that the sleeves would not rip out when he practiced with his sword? Surely he must have used a sword at some time in his life—before he became a man of God. His accent and his noble bearing suggested that he came from a good family, and it was no sin to know how to use arms. Saint Michael was a warrior, as well as an angel. What would Brother Guy look like in a suit of armor such as the one worn by the hero of her dreams, the Knight of the Loyal Heart? Celeste could easily imagine Brother Guy wearing the winged heart on his helm.
Thinking of her favorite book reminded Celeste of the troubadour songs. It seemed like a month of Sundays since she had last heard those sweet tunes. She caught herself saying the next prayer while humming “The True Heart’s Lament.” How well the Latin words fit with the simple melody! She hummed another Ave, slightly louder.
Over his shoulder, Brother Guy scowled at her.
Zut alors! Didn’t that man ever smile? Such a pity! He had such a handsome face. Perhaps he was out of practice. Maybe smiling was forbidden in the monastery. No matter. They would be together on the road for many days to come. Celeste knew she could get him to smile at her eventually. People always did. She cocked her head and grinned at him as she continued to hum.
The monk put a long finger to his lips.
Celeste resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. What a sobersides!
“I am saying my penance,” she told him in an innocent tone of voice.
Frowning, Brother Guy shook his head. He put his finger to his lips again.
“Bah! You did not say anything about the method of my prayers, Brother Guy.” She deliberately blew the difficult th sound out of her mouth. “Do you not chant your own prayers—that is, when you are permitted to speak?”
Guy’s finely arched eyebrows rose slowly up his wide forehead.
“Just so,” Celeste continued, sensing she had made a point. “You chant and I hum. Now, I have not heard the quality of your voice, so I do not know if your chanting offends the ear of the Divine or not, but—”
He scowled again. Celeste wondered if that was a good or bad sign. She plunged on with her logic.
“But I have been told on excellent authority that I possess a sweet singing voice. I would not say this of myself, you understand, but only because others—”
The monk waved his hand at her, signaling the end of his attention. Gathering that she had been granted permission to continue her unusual mode of prayer, Celeste cleared her throat.
“Ave Maria, gratia plena,” she sang, to the tune of “Lancelot and Guinevere.” As Guy turned away, Celeste thought she spied the hint of a grin hover around his lips and a softer look steal into his blue eyes.
“Sancta Maria. ” She let her voice lift to the heavens, her spirit in tune with the sweet melody.
I shall capture your elusive smile yet, Brother Guy! Just watch me!
Chapter Six
The slanting rays of the setting sun softened the red sandstone walls of the massive castle above the town of Ludlow as Guy led the weary bridal party across the Ludford Bridge. Halfway up the steep slope of Broad Street, he turned Daisy into the yard of one of the town’s more reputable inns, the Feathers. The fresh-painted sign proudly displayed a trio of white plumes, the badge of the Prince of Wales, in honor of the last Plantagenet heir to the throne, the ill-fated King Edward V, who had lived in Ludlow before returning to London, where he had met his mysterious end in the Tower.
Now the Tudors ruled England, after a century of civil unrest. Guy wondered if the news of King Henry’s obsessive infatuation with Anne Boleyn had reached the ears of this hamlet, so far from the intrigues of Westminster. How would this landlord react if he knew that Henry’s lawful queen, Catherine, was ignored and virtually banished from the court? Being a prudent man with an obviously thriving hostelry, the innkeeper would probably only shrug.
After stepping off Daisy’s back, Guy turned toward Celeste to help her down from her saddle, but slowed his steps before he reached her. That service was Gaston’s by right. He watched Gaston place both hands around Celeste’s slim waist and lift her easily from her palfrey. Sweet Saint Anne! The girl must weigh less than thistledown. A green worm of envy wriggled through Guy. He pushed away the insidious emotion, reminding himself that she was merely his charge. He had already dedicated his heart to a higher calling.
“Thank the guardian angels the monk knew of a good rest house,” muttered Gaston, handing Celeste her saddlebag. His gaze swept around the washed-down cobbled yard. “This is the best lodging I’ve seen in a fortnight.”
Celeste studied the wide half-timbered facade, with its many gabled windows jutting out from under the slate roof “Oui.” She chewed her lower lip. “But who will speak to the innkeeper, now that Aunt Marguerite is no longer with us?”
She broke into a smile when she spotted Guy, standing by Starlight’s head. “Ah, Brother Guy! Will you use your slate and tell the innkeeper what we require for the night?” She looked relieved at the idea.
In answer, Guy took out his slate and quickly wrote upon it. He passed his message to Celeste,
Probably can’t read, spelled the blurry chalk letters.
Her eyes darkened into twin purple storm clouds. “But if the innkeeper is unlettered, who will speak to him?”
She looked adorable, standing in the middle of the bustling yard, clutching her worn leather bag with such a perplexed look on her upturned face. Guy almost smiled at her, but caught himself in time. Hardening his features, he gravely pointed to her.
“Moi?” she squeaked, her eyes widening at the prospect. “But my English is so... so barbaric.”
Guy wiped the slate with his sleeve, then wrote Good practice for you.
“Fah!” she snorted. Guy remained unmoved. “well, if it is to be, then let us confront this English lion in his den. At least, it looks to be a clean den.” Turning on her heel, she marched smartly to the door of the taproom, with Guy and Gaston following close behind.
“Such fire, that little one!” Gaston chuckled. “Let us hope her new husband is not a milksop, or she will reduce him to pudding.”
Guy gnashed his teeth at the thought. Walter Ormond was no whey-faced boy. Nor would he be ruled by anyone—certainly not a sweet maid with a poor command of the English language. Guy reminded himself once again that her future married life was none of his concern. Why not? that annoying little voice asked him as he pushed his way through the door of the boisterous Feathers.
Unerringly, Celeste singled out the master of the establishment. “Pardon, monsieur.” Taking a deep breath before continuing, she ran her tongue over her lips, which immediately gained her the innkeeper’s appreciative attention.
“We want room for the night, yes?” Celeste smiled coquettishly at the ruddy-faced man and fluttered her lashes.
Hooding his eyes, Guy observed her. The little vixen might be young, but she knew enough tricks to befuddle a man’s wits.
The innkeeper appraised her with a shrewd glance. “Frenchies, by the look of ye.”
Celeste drew herself up to her full height, which put her at chin level with the man. “Oui, but we pay in the English silver.” She flashed him a brilliant smile, then nodded toward Guy. “And the goood brother ’ere is English and understands all you say.”
Stepping forward at this introduction, Guy loomed over the host. Taking in the monk’s height and shoulder width, the innkeeper stepped back a pace.
“Begging yer pardon, Friar, but we had a wee bit o’ trouble with the frogs afore, and a man can’t be too trust in’ with any o’ that lot.”
Before Guy could react, Celeste erupted with a sputter of French, followed by an equal torrent of English. “Frog? Mon Dieu!
’E says I am the frog?” A delightful blush of pink crept into her cheeks. “Bah! Imbécile! Am I green? Do I ’ave the face of the frog? Look you!”
Lifting the hem of her gown, she displayed a slim ankle and the lower portion of a shapely calf, encased in a bright yellow silk stocking. “Is this the leg of a frog?”
The landlord whistled through his gapped teeth at the unexpected sight, while the nearby patrons of the taproom craned their necks for a better view. Glowering, Gaston tugged at her hand.
“Lady Celeste! Drop your skirt!,” he muttered in rapid French. “What do you want these pigs to think you area woman of no reputation? Marguerite de la Columbiaire would have my brains served for a dog’s breakfast if she knew what you were doing.”
“My aunt will never know, Gaston,” Celeste whispered back to him, though she immediately let go of the velvet burgundy skirts.
Guy stepped closer to her and sent a scorching look at the jostling assembly. Jesu!, This was only the first night! He would be lucky to get her to Snape Castle in one piece, at this rate. And why did she have to possess such a fine leg? He promised himself he would sleep without bedding tonight in penance for the pleasure he took in the revelation of that dainty part of her.
Celeste smoothed her skirts, then cocked her head at the innkeeper. “Now, monsieur, do I ’ave the room?” Smiling, she fluttered her lashes again. “The best in the ’ouse, oui?”
“My pleasure, m’lady,” he all but slobbered.
“I also ’ave men, ’orses, and the wagon?” Her smile became broader.
“The stable lad will see to them. ’Tis a shilling a horse.”
Celeste looked to Guy for approval.
Glaring at the landlord, the monk shook his head. The man was nothing less than a highway brigand. Guy held up four fingers, then all ten.
“Ah, the good Brother Guy say three shillings for all our ’orses, and my men-at-arms—weeth supper, oui? ’E is a man of God, monsieur, and is très ’onest.”
Repressing a smile at her bargaining skills, Guy nodded in agreement. The landlord glanced at the giant monk, then to the grim-faced sergeant, and finally to the dimpled lady. He threw up his hands in resignation.
“I’ll be a-standing in line at the dole hatch yet, and no mistake, but seein’ that ye’ve men-at-arms, I trust ye to be a lady of—” He flushed and glanced at the hem of her gown, which now primly concealed the yellow silken leg. “Of quality. ’Tis me best room, at your service. Second floor, at the end of the hall.”
Celeste produced a groat from her reticule, which hung from her waist. Taking the landlord’s beefy hand in both of hers, she pressed the coin into his palm. “Merci, monsieur. And there will be ’ot water and a fire and supper, all in an instant, oui?”
“Oui,” the man gasped, not even noticing the size of the tip he grasped. Several of the onlookers thumped their wooden cups on the oaken table with noisy good humor.
“Lady Celeste, a wise soldier knows when it is time to withdraw. That time is now.” Gaston looked to Guy, who nodded his agreement.
Good for you, Gaston! Get her out of sight before she stirs up too much unwelcome interest. Slipping his hand under Celeste’s elbow, Guy guided her firmly toward the stairs. As they ascended, her smothered giggles surprised him.
“I did well, non?”
Guy looked straight ahead, though he curled his fingers tighter around her arm. He strove to ignore what his practiced touch told him lay inside the velvet sleeve. She felt warm and soft, yet a current of wildfire coursed through her being—a promise of passion that would set a man’s soul blazing. Jesu! He must kneel half the night in solemn prayer for harboring such tempting sweet thoughts.
The room proved to be surprisingly well appointed. Firewood lay stacked on the hearthstone, waiting to be laid. A tinderbox promised relief from the chill night air. A stout table and two plain chairs sat before the fireplace. Celeste gave a small chirp of pleasure when she spied the large canopied bed in one corner.
“C’est bon!” she pronounced as she prodded the coverlet. “Clean linen, and the mattress feels as if it has been newly stuffed.” Leaning over, she investigated the underside. “New roping, and the chamber pot is clean. This landlord keeps a good inn.”
Without further ado, she began to push the saddlebag under a corner of the mattress. Guy glanced at Gaston, his brows raised in surprised query.
“Lady Celeste’s dowry, good Brother.” Gaston knelt at the fireplace and began to lay several of the split logs on the iron dogs.
A thick piece of ice felt lodged in the back of Guy’s throat. By all the devils in hell, was the silly creature carrying a large bag of gold as if it were a change of stockings? What could her father have been thinking, to send her off with only a few men and such a fortune? And why wasn’t Gaston more concerned? Guy shot a fierce look at the sergeant’s back.
Celeste’s honeyed laughter rippled over him. “Oh, la, la, Gaston! If you could see what a fearful face our good Brother Guy just made!”
His glare at her only provoked more laughter.
“Hey-ho, mon frère! Now what have I done to so displease you? In truth, I have said all my penance, and I do not laugh at your... that is, at you again.”
Guy pointed at the saddlebag, which poked out from under the covering. Celeste arched one sable brow.
“My dowry? But surely you expected that I would have it with me.” Her lips pursed together into a delectable pout, though her eyes twinkled.
Such kissable lips! Guy caught himself wondering if any young nobleman of France had savored the sweetness of those lips. Frowning more to himself than to Celeste, he snapped his fingers, then pointed to the bag.
“You wish to see my dowry?” Celeste cocked her head. Gaston regarded Guy with a thoughtful expression.
“Let him see what you carry, my lady,” the old soldier suggested softly. “Since we have been given into his charge, he should know all. As you said, he is a man of God, and honest.” Gaston unsheathed his dagger, studying its keen edge as if he had never seen it before.
Celeste shrugged, then pulled the bag out from under the mattress. “D’accord. I agree.” She plopped it on the table, then slid it toward Guy. “I fear it is not the treasure of the Eastern kings.” While Guy fumbled with the buckle, she strolled to the window.
After opening the flap, Guy withdrew a blue leather box; neither its flatness nor its light weight denoted a chest of coins. Lifting the lid, he frowned at the contents with some confusion.
“Oui, good Brother,” Gaston remarked, in the same soft tone, though Guy detected a note of danger beneath it. “You see before you the worth my master has placed upon his youngest daughter.” The sergeant spat into the fire, causing it to hiss as if a small serpent lurked within the flames.
Though her back was to him, Guy saw Celeste stiffen.
Nestled on a bed of ivory satin were twelve silver apostle spoons, the tiny figures of the saints on the handles shining with a thin gilt wash. Picking up one, Guy recognized Saint James the Greater by the minute pilgrim’s staff clutched in his right hand. A pilgrim’s hat hung down his back, and a tiny dove, no bigger than a pin’s head, sat on the saint’s halo. From the nicks and scratches in the bowl of the spoon, Guy deduced that the set was not only old, but well-used. Though the silver appeared of good quality, he knew the collection was not an appropriate dowry for a French noblewoman. Holding out the spoon to Gaston, he questioned the old soldier with a lift of his brows.
“A christening present, I heard.” Gaston’s lip curled down. “And an old one, at that.”
Guy shoved his hand deeper into the saddlebag. Surely there must be something else besides this. A deed to a French estate, perhaps? Gaston chuckled without mirth.
“By the beard of Beelzebub, that’s the whole of it.” He spat again into the fire.
With her back still to him, Celeste spoke from her position by the window. “I have four older sisters, Brother Guy. They...” Her voice wavered for a
split second. She cleared her throat, then continued in a stronger tone. “They made brilliant matches with some of the finest families in all of France. Their marriage contracts cost my father much more than anticipated. Then, when it seemed almost too late, my little brother, Philippe, was born. After that...” She turned around, her deep purple eyes piercing the distance between them.
“My father wished to protect the rest of the estate for his only heir. It is understandable. But I was still unspoken for. Then your King Henry came to Calais to meet with our King François at the Field of Cloth of Gold.”
Guy heard the note of awe in her voice. He, too, remembered that fortnight—or, at least, some of it. He had been a reckless twenty-year-old then, and eager to win his spurs in the tournaments. His angelic good looks, as well as his prowess with lance, sword and bow, had won him many prizes and far too much acclaim. The adulation had gone to his head as quickly as the good burgundy wines that flowed from the many fountains set up amid the colorful silken tents.
The ladies of both camps had made much of the tall young courtier from England. He had passed every night in the giggling company of the fair sex, who offered their own prizes in a much more intimate sport. Maids and matrons alike—not one of them had resisted when he wooed. Not one of them had pleaded honor, virtue or fidelity as he untied the laces of their shifts. Guy blinked to erase his lusty youth from his memory. That was behind him now—worth less than the trampled grass of that French meadow where kings had once played and strutted like peacocks.
Celeste stared into the fire, and its glow sparkled in the depths of her eyes. “Such a sight it was, Brother Guy! The world has never seen the like of that fairy-tale city of tents. By the time we returned home, I was betrothed to Walter Ormond, the son of an English lord.”
“English!” Gaston spat out the word like a curse.
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