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“My bedchamber? I’m to share my bedchamber with her?”
“Aye, it will be nice for both of you,” agreed Toby.
“I don’t share my bedchamber with anyone.”
“Really.” It was only one word, but as soon as Conrad said it, he wished he could take it back. Willow’s eyes lit up with fire.
“Sir Lochwood, I advise you to keep your comments to yourself while at Rothbury,” Willow warned him. “And I also advise you to stay out of my way, or you will be sorry.”
She turned away in a huff and stormed from the stable.
“She doesn’t seem to like me,” said Hazel, lowering her eyes and looking at the ground. Conrad felt angry at Willow for the way she had acted. His sister needed a boost in confidence, not someone to make her feel worse.
“I don’t believe that’s the case at all,” said Conrad, watching Willow sweep across the courtyard, stopping to chat with several lords and knights along the way. She smiled and giggled and seemed like an entirely different person now. There was no sign of the angry girl who had left his side just moments ago. Willow could turn her emotions on and off at the drop of a gauntlet. Very interesting, indeed.
“My lord, she did seem cold to Hazel,” Toby pointed out.
“It’s me that she doesn’t like,” Conrad explained, holding on to the stable gate, still staring out the door. Willow flitted from one man to the next like a butterfly testing the nectar of each flower. To him, she was cold and cruel, but to these total strangers, she held all the warmth of the sun. “She doesn’t like me,” he repeated. “But I intend on changing all that very soon.”
* * *
“Earl Alnwick,is it true you are transporting a ruby the size of your palm to King Richard’s court?” Willow had managed to avoid Conrad during the meal, as well as his sister, Hazel. She wore her crown, one of her best gowns, and Imanie’s jewelry. Having stayed at her guardian’s side all evening, the earl, Lord Walter Beaufort, introduced her to all the nobles at the celebration. One by one, Willow had the chance to meet the earls, barons, knights, and lords. There were no other women besides the earl’s wife included, so she got all the attention. Willow always loved being the center of attention, and especially when handsome men were involved.
“My dear, that isn’t a proper thing to ask the earl,” Walter’s wife, Ernestine, scolded Willow.
True, Willow had pushed her luck asking such a question, but she had to know for sure. She had never seen a gemstone that large and wanted not only to see it, but also to hold it in her hand.
“Why, yes, it’s true,” said Earl Alnwick, his facial expression telling her that he was surprised she knew. “I am transporting a ruby, but I’m afraid to say it is more the size of my thumbnail than my palm,” chuckled Alnwick.
“Earl Alnwick, perhaps it isn’t a good idea to speak of the stone with so many ears listening,” warned Beaufort.
“I suppose you’re right,” answered Alnwick.
Willow didn’t want the conversation to end this way and had to do something fast to change Earl Alnwick’s mind, or she would never have a chance to lay her eyes on the gemstone.
“Oh, I’m certain Earl Alnwick has already considered this and has the gemstone well-guarded. Don’t you, Earl Alnwick?” Willow purposely used the man’s name twice and would use it a few more times before her conversation was finished. By complimenting the man and having him hear his name springing from the lips of a young, attractive girl, she was sure she could convince him to show it to her after all. “You are known to have the best guards in all of England and the most expensive and ornate secure chests in which you keep your jewels. Earl Alnwick, I am amazed that my cousin, King Richard, hasn’t asked you to join his court as one of his advisors by now. I am sure there is a lot you could teach him.”
Lord Beaufort let out a sigh and shook his head. “Lady Willow, I’m sure the earl doesn’t have time for small talk and would like to be seen to his chamber since he has been traveling today.” He raised his hand and snapped his fingers, calling over one of his pages. “Please escort the earl to his solar in the east wing.”
“Aye, my lord,” answered the boy.
“I had hoped to see the ruby and learn more about it,” Willow continued in one last attempt. “After all – Earl Alnwick – I only wanted to compliment my cousin, the king, on the expensive present you are bringing him. I will tell him myself that you would fit in nicely not just at court but also close to his side.”
“Really?” The earl perked up at hearing that, and his spine straightened. He stood a little taller.
“Lady Willow, that’s enough,” warned Beaufort, having learned of her power to persuade. After being in his care for nearly ten years, he grew wise to her ways. But even knowing what she was capable of doing, he still fell prey to her persuasion as well. It was because of her that she and her cousins were able to keep leaving the castle unescorted to meet in the queen’s secret garden.
“What’s this about a ruby?” Two men walked up to join them, having overheard the conversation. One was tall and very thin and the other short and stocky. Willow realized many people probably heard them. The room was so crowded with everyone coming for the festival that they were all bumping elbows.
“Lady Willow, have you met the Barons George of Canterbury and Chester of Ashington?” asked Beaufort.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you,” said Willow extending her arm. First, the stockier man, Chester, kissed her hand and then the tall one, George. They were both handsome and were sure to have land and money since they were barons.
“And I’m Sir Bedivere of Gaunt, my lady.”
Willow turned to find the dark-haired knight staring into her eyes. His gaze was mesmerizing. For a moment, she almost lost herself in his dark orbs. He had a mustache and partial beard that was neatly trimmed. He looked to be only a few years older than her. He bowed and took hold of her hand and kissed it – letting the kiss linger. Her heart fluttered. So many handsome men who were all nobles. She enjoyed every minute of it but needed to know if they were married.
“I’m pleased to meet all of you.” Willow nodded. “I would love to be introduced to your wives as well. Or didn’t you bring them along?” Willow scanned the room quickly and waited for their answers.
