Page 37 of King’s Knight

Arriving in front of the king, William smiled at Alex and his father. “Ah, my wolves grace my hall! And with lovely ladies.” He first greeted Alex’s parents and then turned to Alex. “But where is the young page whose arrow felled the hart?”

Alex cleared his throat. “My Lord, may I introduce to you Merewyn of York, my father’s ward. I believe you know her as ‘Merry’.”

The king’s unusual eyes captured the light as they narrowed upon Merewyn, his expression one of disbelief. “By the face of Lucca, what have we here?”

Still holding on to Alex’s arm, Merewyn made a brief curtsey before the king. “My Lord.”

“Do my eyes deceive me?” asked William. “This jewel is the page you called Merry?”

“By the marvels of God,” exclaimed Duke Robert, “ ’tis the page skilled with a bow turned into a beautiful young woman… Ravissante, tout à fait ravissante!”

The short dark-haired duke, barely taller than Merewyn, grinned broadly at her, grimly reminding Alex that whereas the king might prefer to take his pleasure with young men, Robert loved women. That he found her enchanting was hardly surprising.

Alex was about to move past the king when William Rufus held up his hand. “Sir Alex, there is someone I would have you meet.”

Alex turned.

“ ’Tis the young Adèle, here with her father, Herbert, comte de Vermandois. Her father’s lands in Normandy are among those I now control.”

Alex shot a glance at Sir Geoffroi who had turned back at the king’s words. The knight’s earlier speculation echoed in Alex’s mind. Now that he has gained new lands in Normandy from his brother, Robert, I expect William will want to bind his young nobles to those lands. The last thing Alex needed was an arranged marriage but he would not openly defy his sovereign. He inclined his head. “Of course, My Lord.”

They passed the king and his brother, arriving in front of Ranulf Flambard. The king’s advisor took Merewyn’s free hand and placed a kiss upon her slender fingers, his dark eyes searing into hers. “I shall look forward to a dance with you this night, my lady. I would see more of your beautiful face.”

Alex scowled and tightened his grip on Merewyn. “The lady’s dances have all been claimed, I am afraid.”

Ranulf laughed. “We shall see, sir knight. We shall see.”

“He makes me uneasy,” said Merewyn casting a glance back at Ranulf as they entered the hall. The large space was filled with people engaged in conversation. Already, many seats were taken at the long trestle tables. “Who is he?”

“The king’s chaplain, advisor and keeper of the treasury. And a scoundrel. Do not concern yourself with him. I will make sure the men of Talisand guard you well.”

Before they took their seats, Alex left Merewyn with Rory and Guy and drew Sir Geoffroi aside. “Did you hear the king? It appears you were correct in your assumption. William wants me to meet some woman from Normandy.”

“Aye and not just any woman. The daughter of Earl Herbert of Vermandois is rumored to be beautiful, but also treacherous. She has been thought to use poison, though I suppose ’tis normal for the women of Normandy.” At Alex’s raised brow, Guy’s father explained, “ ’Tis how they rid themselves of unwanted husbands.”

“You have my thanks for the warning, but I hope never to put myself in such a position.”

Alex returned to collect Merewyn. It was not enough he had to fend off the men who would be after the woman he vowed to protect. Now he must deal with a young noblewoman from Normandy known for her treachery.

Was his father aware of the king’s plans? Even if he were, Talisand was a long way from Wessex and per chance the king might be persuaded to accept another in his place. The Earl of Chester had many sons, but at least two were sons of his wife. After what happened at Avranches, Earl Hugh owed the king a debt for his mercy in taking the earl back into the fold. One of those sons might be proposed as a candidate for the hand of Lady Adèle. Alex could only hope.

Soon they were seated between Sir Geoffroi and Rory, Guy on Rory’s other side. Alex looked up to see his parents sitting with the king on the dais. The invitation to dine with the king was a high honor; one Alex was certain his mother would have declined were she able.

He took off his sword belt and laid it under his bench, then leaned in to Rory. “Do not leave Merewyn alone should I be drawn away. You and Guy must claim her dances if I cannot.”

“With pleasure,” Rory replied with a grin.

“Your eagerness is wholly unnecessary,” Alex commented dryly. He would not be pleased should his fellow knight take a fancy to Merewyn.

* * *

Overwhelmed by the dazzling opulence around her, Merewyn stared at the beautiful tapestries gracing the walls. Most featured battles. She imagined the sounds that might have accompanied them. The bodies of slain warriors lay on the ground before the victorious. They were the kind of tapestries a bachelor king would display in his hall.

In one corner, minstrels played flutes and a lyre, sending beautiful sounds into the air and providing a soothing background for the boisterous conversations at the tables. All were speaking in Norman French, the language of the court. She understood what they said, having been taught French in her youth. Even though she had not spoken the language much at Talisand or in Wales, she had not forgotten it.

The large chamber was alight with hundreds of candles set into iron rings that hung from the wooden rafters high above. Torches blazed from sconces set into the walls adding to the bright flames of the central hearth fire making the room almost too warm. On the tables, the candlelight was reflected in the silver and golden goblets set before them.

Wonderful smells wafted from trays piled high with meats of all kinds, including roast pig, venison and peafowl. Dishes of vegetables cooked in sauces were set before them, along with bread still warm from the oven. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she had not eaten since breaking her fast.