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The two women were still engrossed in the rainbow of materials spread across the bed when Alice of Rennoc peeped into the chamber, a little flushed from encountering Jervois in the other room. She was welcomed with open arms, and Alice knew of two households from which it would be possible to borrow sewing women for Lily’s new wardrobe.
Una, with a regretful sigh, left them to go about her tasks.
“’Tis the color of ripe berries in autumn,” Alice breathed, when shown the red velvet. Afterward, however, Lily caught her friend giving her questioning glances. “I have heard the news about Lady Anna Kenton,” Alice admitted.
“And no doubt heard that Radulf was responsible.” Lily was angry. “Well, I was there and she was alive when we left her. And you saw Radulf when we brought him home. He was too sore to do injury to anyone. This talk is nothing but lies, concocted by men jealous of his wealth and power, to harm his friendship with the king.”
Alice gazed at her in wonder. “You are very passionate, Lily! I was only going to say that I don’t believe the things they are saying.”
“Oh.” Chastened, Lily grew quieter. “I am a little ragged, Alice. Forgive me.”
Alice looked at her curiously. “You love him, don’t you?”
Startled, Lily’s eyes gazed at hers. If Alice could guess the truth so easily—
But again Alice put her mind at rest. “You disguise it well, Lily. Perhaps it is just that I have known you since we were children.”
What was the point in denying it? She did love him, unwisely, irrationally, and with all her heart.
“Why don’t you want him to know?”
Lily met Alice’s curious gaze. “If I give up all my secrets to him, I will have nothing left to shield me. Even in marriage…especially in marriage, one needs a shield. I learned that with Vorgen.”
“Radulf is certainly a formidable man.” Alice was thoughtful. “But he seems honorable. He would not use your feelings against you, surely? You are his wife now.”
There was no need for Alice to know of Radulf’s past, his distrust of women.
“There is a difference between duty and love,” Lily replied with finality. “If I do not speak of it to him, then the hurt will be less if he turns his back on me.”
Alice fiddled with a length of water-green silk. “You know him better than I, and you must do as you think best. At least you have a husband, and one who is young enough to be lusty. I fear it is Sir Othric for me.”
Lily shuddered. “Sir Othric, your father’s friend? Oh no, Alice, he would not!”
“He has warned me that if I do not find someone in York, then Sir Othric it will be.”
“But I thought…Jervois…” Lily glanced away. “I’m sorry. I saw you and him, and I just—”
“My father will see him as nothing more than a mercenary, and that is what he is. I want him as my husband and I think…I know, he wants me.” She hesitated, seeking words. “Lily, if Radulf would speak for Jervois, and assure my father he looked favorably upon the marriage…”
Lily blinked. “Oh! I never thought…of course I can ask him! I forget sometimes he is not like Vorgen, who would refuse me something just for the pleasure of it. And I owe you far more than so small a favor, Alice. But why doesn’t Jervois ask Radulf himself?”
Alice glowered, a difficult thing for her to manage. “He is a man, and he has his pride.”
Lily winced with full understanding. She squeezed Alice’s hand. “I will ask. You cannot marry Sir Othric. The man is so repulsive that the king should make a law that he remain unwed until his dying day.”
Alice grinned. “Aye, and after that as well!”
Her hope restored, Alice shrugged off the somber mood they had fallen in to. “Come! Let us cut out one garment, at least! It will give us something to do, and take our minds off what is happening at the castle.”
“What about this?” Alice lifted a fold of midnight blue wool. “And this for an undershift?” The linen was so fine that when she held it to the candlelight the cloth became almost invisible.
Lily smiled. “Perfect!”
She threw herself into the diversion. Anything to put Radulf from her mind, for a little time at least. Perhaps, when she allowed herself to remember, he would already be striding through the doorway.
Safe.
“What does Lord Radulf say to that?”
