Medieval Ever After (138 page)

“And he tried naught inappropriate with ye?”  Gerwald narrowed his stare.  “He sampled not thy wares?”

“Thou dost Sir Demetrius and I a grave disservice with thy offensive speculations, brother.”  Nay, she fretted not in her husband-to-be’s company, as he gave her no reason to fear him.  As for her relation, he presented an altogether different quandary.  “Wherefore hast thou done this to me?  Wherefore hast thou sold me in bondage to another man?  What hath I done to ye, that thou dost treat me thus?”

“But I am blameless in regard to thy misfortune of fate.”  He swaggered to her trunk and foraged through her personal belongings.  With a scowl, he stood upright, strolled to the entry, opened the door, peered into the hall, and snapped his fingers.  “Thou were born a woman, and that is no fault of mine.  As thou hast correctly asserted, thy possibilities are limited to wife, mother, peasant, artisan, maid, nun, or whore, and the final determination of which must perforce yield to my inclinations.”  A servant, carrying a burgundy velvet gown, scurried into the room.  To the domestic, Gerwald said, “Dress Mistress De Moutiers for dinner with His Majesty, and plait her hair, as her current style is too severe to garner favorable notice.”

“Aye, sir.”  The maid curtseyed.

“I am to sup with the King?”  Athelyna came alert.  “I am to make my debut at court?”

“Indeed, thy presence is requested at a feast in thy groom’s honor.”  He snickered.  “And do not be too angry, Lily.  I selected Sir Demetrius because his reputation, as well as that of his allies, is impeccable, as I would not surrender ye to just anyone.”

“If thou art concerned for my well being, then wherefore dost ye forfeit me?”  Was it possible her brother regretted what he did?  Could she persuade him to void the arrangement?  “It is not too late, if thou dost lament thy actions.  The sisters would take me back, mayhap with a reduction in my dowry, if thou dost need the money, and I should be forever obliged.”

“Nay.”  And so her optimism dwindled to naught.  “Thou wilt bathe and garb thyself as befits thy station, and thou wilt charm and entice Sir Demetrius, so I will take my leave.”

Ear-splitting silence fell on the luxuriously appointed accommodation, with its counterpane, draperies, and pillow coverings of matching rich blue damask.  The hand-tooled mahogany furnishings bespoke wealth and power, in stark contrast with her modest room at the convent.

A small army of attendants conveyed an ancere and warm water to the washing area.  Against her reticence, she complied.  And as she shed her humble attire, so she abandoned her dreams.  Naked, stripped of her dignity and her ambitions, she mourned as the maid polished and primped Athelyna for her date with destiny.

Anon, she gazed at her reflection in the long mirror, and the woman staring back looked naught like the aspiring nun.  Bedecked in the new garment, which featured a scooped neckline that bared far more than she ever would have dared, a bodice laced so tight she could scarcely draw breath, long sleeves, billowy lappets, and a skirt that dragged the floor, she almost did not recognize herself.

Nervous, she wrung her fingers and paced, until the King’s guards came for her, and their fierce demeanor set her heart pounding.  In the narrow stone passage aglow in the soft light from cresset lamps, she summoned courage and marched in rhythm with her attendants.

The corridor opened to a vast expanse, which led to a minstrels’ gallery and a huge landing.  As she descended the grand staircase, she admired the pointed arches and columns featuring simple scalloped designs.  But when the escort ushered her into the great hall, and a low murmur swept over the cavernous assembly room, Athelyna swallowed her panic, strode before the large dais, and curtseyed.

“Mistress Des Moutiers, we are pleased thee could join us.”  The King caressed the stem of his goblet, as he studied her with unveiled interest.  “Turn around, and let us have a look at ye.”

With all eyes on her, Athelyna shivered but obeyed and rotated.  As she again faced His Majesty, she stumbled, but an enormous stranger offered support.  “Thank ye.”

“Ah, Sir Arucard, our chivalrous knight.”  The monarch smiled, and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.  “Mayhap thou would introduce Mistress Des Moutiers to her new relations.”

“By thy command, Sire.”  Sir Arucard bowed and led her to a large table near the side wall.  “Mistress Des Moutiers, allow me to present my wife, Lady Isolde.”

“So pleased to meet ye.”  An elegantly garbed woman, not much older than Athelyna, dipped her chin.  “Art thou hungry?  I can have Arucard fetch ye a plate.”

“Better yet, perchance her intended should do the deed.”  Sir Arucard chuckled.  “Mistress Des Moutiers, permit me to make the formal introductions, as I understand ye unofficially met thy future husband, on the road to Chichester.”

“Arucard, do not tease her, poor thing.”  Isolde took Athelyna by the arm.  “Sit hither, by me, and ignore the men, as they might appear fearsome, but they have much in common with unruly children.”

“I am grateful for thy kindness.”  In that instant, she locked gazes with her one-time supporter, and the contempt in his stare left her dizzy.  “But I suspect Sir Demetrius is vexed, though I know not wherefore he is distressed.”

“If he is anything like my husband, I gather he is nervous about thy impending nuptials, but he will make ye a good and faithful spouse.”  Isolde snapped her fingers.  “Sir Demetrius, didst thou depart Chichester without thy manners?  Thy lady requires food.”  Anticipating vociferous rebellion and a sure beating, Athelyna stilled and uttered a silent prayer for redemption.  Then the engaging noblewoman peered at Arucard.  “My lord, wilt thou bring me a portion of the apple muse, as I am quite fond of it, and I shall express my appreciation in thy most favored coin, anon.”

“I am thy idle scullion, lying in heightened suspense to fulfill thy every wish, my lady wife.”  The giant winked, and Athelyna breathed a sigh of relief.  “Come, Demetrius.  Thou wilt discover for thyself, soon enough, as a mate thee art but a hapless servant in wait, and thy singular responsibility is to perform thy woman’s bidding.”

“I understand, brother.”  To her surprise, Demetrius glared at her.  “Unless thy bride doth have no use for ye.”

DEMETRIUS

CHAPTER TWO

At the sideboard
, Demetrius collected two trenchers and piled one high with a selection of seafood, various meats, vegetables, and fruits.  Then he heaped a portion from all eleven desserts atop the other platter.  As he turned and glanced at Lily—no, Athelyna, he contemplated her deceit, anger ignited in his chest, and he clenched his teeth.

“Thou dost look as though ye art displeased with thy bride.”  With a broad grin, Arucard snickered.  “Yet I find it curious that when ye recounted the tale of thy first meeting, thou didst neglect to mention her incomparable beauty.”

“What care I for her appearance, when it matters not in the grand scheme, as I have no wish to wed her or anyone else.”  As Arucard cast a familiar expression of skepticism, Demetrius groaned.  “Do not act surprised, as I made my feelings known, in Chichester.  And the woman lied to me, which diminishes her appeal.  Indeed, I do not find her the least bit attractive, as she doth not suit my taste.”

“I think ye dost protest too much, brother.  And as thou hast little experience with the female sex, I submit ye know not what doth and doth not suit thy taste.”  Arucard guffawed.  “Given the King commands ye wed the lady, thou must reconcile thyself to thy fate, and I assert ye could do worse.”  Then he gave Demetrius a nudge.  “Talk with her, as I wager she is just as apprehensive about the morrow’s ceremony as ye, and thou should smooth the waters.  Had I such an opportunity prior to my marriage, I would have done the same with Isolde, as we were complete strangers when we met before the archbishop.”

“Mayhap it would have been better for Athelyna and I, had we enjoyed a similar circumstance.”  Just a glance at her inspired additional ire mixed with reluctance, and he frowned.  “But I suppose thither is no avoiding the inevitable, so I will take thy advice.”

Yet naught required Demetrius do so with haste.

So he made the rounds of the cavernous great hall, nodding acknowledgements and shaking hands with notable members of court, delaying the woeful assembly, until Athelyna removed to one end of the long table.  That was his moment to strike, as he would have an explanation for her falsehood, and it was with that question he would initiate a discussion.

In silence, he placed the trenchers before his curious bride-to-be and sat across from her.  “Hither, I have brought ye some food, and I would have words with ye.”

“Sir Demetrius, wherefore didst ye not apprise me of thy estimable station, last night?”  With her brow a mass of furrows, Athelyna leaned forward.  “Thou didst seem so nice when ye introduced thyself, thus I find it difficult to reconcile thy omission with thy noble nature.”

He opened his mouth and then closed it, and for a few seconds, he pondered her query and rued the fact she had somehow deployed his defense.  “Wherefore didst ye conceal thy name?”

“But I did no such thing, as my friends call me Lily.”  Her crown of saffron locks shimmered as a halo, as she bowed her head and pinned him with her green eyes.  “I had hoped to count ye as such, until thou didst deliver me unto my enemies.”

“I did no such thing, as I told ye I was a Nautionnier Knight.”  Offended by her accusation, he signaled a servant.  “Bring me a flagon of ale.”

“Aye, sir.”  The maid curtseyed.

“I thought ye referenced a traveling theatrical group, as never have I heard of such an order.”  With high dudgeon, she thrust her chin in the air, and he thought it wise she refused to take a husband, as the not-so-lucky man would require an ocean of patience and understanding to indulge and tame her.  “And I apprised ye I ran from an arranged marriage, so I comprehend not how ye can claim I hid anything from ye.”

“If that is true, then how did ye find me?”  He pounded a fist to a palm.  “Am I to believe ye just happened upon me, in the middle of a snowstorm?”

“Given I journeyed south, from London, and ye traveled north, to the city, on the lone serviceable road, I submit it was no coincidence but a certainty our paths, however unfortunate, would cross.”  When the servant delivered the ale, Athelyna compressed her lips and met and held his stare.  “Did ye expect me to aimlessly wander the countryside?”

“I anticipated naught whither thee art concerned.”  Again, her fiery spirit surfaced, as evidenced by the lines of stress about the corners of her eyes and her white knuckles, and he relished her fit of temper, despite the fact she directed it at him.  “And it is naught personal, but I do not wish to wed ye.”

“Then we are a pair, Sir Demetrius, as I have no wish to wed ye, either, and I declared as much during our chance encounter.”  Then she scanned the area and sighed, as the musicians commenced playing.  “I made no secret my life’s purpose is to serve the Lord, in a nunnery, but my brother terminated payment of my dowry, thus I have nowhere to go.  Prithee, good sirrah, whither does that leave us, as I am not thy enemy, and I know ye art not mine?”

“Thou dost ask for my assistance in the matter?”  Stunned by the developments, which did not unfold as he foresaw, given her arguments offered him no escape, he eased back in his chair and pondered their predicament.  Slow and steady, an idea formed, which might spare them an ill-fated union.  “Dost thou know the old abbey just beyond the environs, on the same route ye navigated last eventide?”

“Aye.”  Lily nodded.  “I know it well.”