Page 44 of King’s Knight

Having claimed Merewyn’s virtue for his own, Alex was pierced by a stab of guilt. But it was not because he had succumbed to temptation. His intentions toward her were honorable. The timing had been hers. He did not believe the church’s blessing was necessary, but his mother would have preferred it. He would see Father Bernard when they returned to Talisand to be sure.

The king, who would dictate a different match, knew nothing of his joining with Merewyn. She was not even of noble blood. While it mattered not to Alex, he faced a difficult challenge to make his sovereign accept his choice.

“Where in Normandy was this Eude from?” asked the king, dropping the title “Sir”. Mayhap William agreed with Sir Geoffroi that the man did not deserve to be a knight.

“He was Eude de Fourneaux.”

The king narrowed his eyes, appearing to ponder this new information. “Ah yes, near Falaise.”

“Aye,” said Sir Geoffroi.

“Well, no matter.” William flicked his hand away from his chin dismissively and looked to Alex’s father. “Do you plan to return to the north soon?”

“I do, Sire. My lady is not often away from our youngest son and is anxious to return.” Smiling, he added, “The wild child bears watching.” Alex’s parents were not the only ones eager to return to Talisand. He wanted to leave so he could share the days he had before Scotland with Merewyn.

“By the face of Lucca,” remarked the king, “you raise yet another wolf cub for my army.”

A grin spread over the face of Talisand’s lord. “I just might, Sire.”

* * *

Shouts of merchants calling attention to their wares filled the air as Merewyn and Lady Serena strolled down Cheapside Street, meandering from one stall to another, delighted with all they found.

The merchants’ cries competed with the conversations of the hundreds of people thronging the narrow streets of London. The shops had been opened since the town bell rang at Prime and were now doing a brisk business.

“ ’Tis so different than the village at Talisand or the wares to be had in Powys. Even what I saw of Chester tells me this market exceeds what that city offers.”

“Aye, London’s market is large,” replied Lady Serena. “You can find everything here: fine cloth, the craft of the goldsmiths, sword smiths, pottery, spices and all manner of food. Even casks of Normandy’s wine are plentiful here. Yet I do not think their wool can match Talisand’s. Nor is their salmon so fresh as ours. But there are many things we cannot make that we can buy here. ’Tis why I wanted you to see it.”

Merewyn could smell the exotic spices overflowing large, roughly woven sacks stacked in front of the next merchant’s stall. “I smell cumin, ginger, cloves and pepper.”

They walked to the stall and Lady Serena told the merchant, “We will have some of that saffron you keep on the shelf.” She pointed to a carved box behind the merchant.

Merewyn watched as the merchant carefully lifted the box from the shelf and spooned some of the saffron into a small bag. “I have heard it is rare and highly valued for food as well as dye.”

“Aye and costly. The red threads of the spice come from a rare purple flower that grows in far-off Persia. A thread of saffron will lend an exotic perfume and savory flavor to a whole kettle of pottage and will dye the dish bright yellow.”

Merewyn was amazed at all Lady Serena knew. To be a countess required knowledge in many things. No wonder the king wanted Alex to marry a highborn woman. The reality of how little Merewyn had seen had come to her with their trip to the palace, now even more as the world of the merchants was opened to her.

“The first time I came to London, my eyes were as large as yours,” the Lady of Talisand said with a smile as she pointed to other spices she would have. She patted Merewyn’s hand, nearly bringing tears to her eyes for the kindness the simple touch represented. “You will learn, as I did.” When Lady Serena had made her purchases, the merchant handed her small bags of the spices she had selected.

Rory and Guy walked behind them, their hands on their sword hilts. Behind them strolled two men-at-arms. She was glad for their presence, for the streets were noisy and crowded with men whose rough appearance and leers made her uncomfortable.

Merewyn glanced back to see the two knights gazing longingly at the tavern on the other side of the street. She would have suggested they all stop for some ale, but she was certain a lady did not enter such a place and Rory and Guy would not leave them under penalty of Alex’s wrath.

They walked on until they reached the silk merchant. Lady Serena stopped to admire the silk, velvet and wool being sold. “We must have some of this,” she said, holding up a length of shimmering blue silk for Merewyn to see. “ ’Tis the color of your eyes and would make a fine gown. We could embroider it with golden thread. Oh, look,” she said, her attention drawn to the shelf behind the merchant, “he has the thread as well.”

The merchant picked up the thread and presented it to Lady Serena for her inspection. “ ’Tis fine golden thread, my lady. The nuns use it for altar cloths in the abbey.”

Merewyn was humbled by the generosity of Talisand’s Lady. After all, Merewyn was not kin to any at Talisand. “You do too much for me.”

Lady Serena paid the merchant for the cloth and thread she wanted, then placed her hand on Merewyn’s shoulder. “I would do more than this. Emma and I want to see you happy. We loved Inga as we love you.”

An hour later, the church bells of St. Peter’s sounded Sext as they made their way to Fish Street where the smell of fresh fish was strong. She glanced over to where mackerel, herring, lampreys, eels and cod were neatly stacked in wet, hay-filled crates next to one merchant’s stall. On the other side of the stall stood several barrels. “What is in the barrels?”

“Probably crabs and lobsters,” said Lady Serena. “Crab would be good for supper. I will ask one of the men to buy some. ’Twill be wonderful cooked with butter, cinnamon, honey and a little vinegar. The cook at the London house has a wonderful way with crab.” She handed Rory some silver pennies and gave him instructions on how much to buy.

Listening to Lady Serena’s description of the way she would have the cook prepare the shellfish they would have later, Merewyn could almost taste it.