we’d ride into the village so you could introduce me to the villagers.”
He had, at least, said “hoped” and “thought,” instead of issuing orders. Sometimes his tone reminded her of her father’s, cold and distant. Yet a few minutes ago and last night, he’d sounded as if she were the most important person he knew. And she’d liked that.
How much time did he expect to spend with her? Getting to know him, sharing things, becoming friends could endanger her plan. But being ill-mannered or churlish wouldn’t get him to agree to it, either.
“’Tis a fine day for a tour.” True. “I’m sure the villagers would love to meet you, their new lord.” Also true.
“I look forward to both events, and to spending the day with you,” he replied.
Because he wanted to or because he had to? The answer shouldn’t matter.
What did she want? Eleanor busied her mouth with a large bite of cheese. She didn’t have to bare her soul or convey every thought in her head, or feign emotions she didn’t feel.
“I haven’t spent much time in Northumberland. Is the North Sea coastline as beautiful as they say?” he asked.
“It is. I have happy memories of walking along the beaches with my mother.” Her heart swelled. If she were still alive, what would she advise?
“We shall have to go, then.”
“No. Yes,” she blurted. “Yes, we shall.” Would doing more things as a couple reinforce her wish to be free, or tie her to him all the more? If only she had more time to be sure.
Near the end of the meal, when naught remained but scraps too small for the almoner, a messenger wove his way through the crowded hall. Richard opened the sealed parchment and scanned the contents.
“I’m needed at court,” he announced. “King Edward wishes me to join him at Windsor Castle.”
Eleanor felt torn in two. She’d get to meet the king. And court would be the perfect place for her bride contest. Where else would so many eligible women gather? Perhaps Arthur would be there, too, trying to gain favor with the new king. Seeking information about how to pursue her annulment would also be easier.
But if she left, she couldn’t interfere with her father’s alchemy experiments. With its goals of transmuting base metal into gold, unlocking the secrets of Nature and immortality, she didn’t understand how the king could support the sacrilegious “science.”
First resolve my marriage, then deal with Father.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the messenger handed her father a similar parchment. He’d be going to court, too.
“The timing is unfortunate. I’d hoped we’d have time to get to know each other.” Richard took her hand. His warm palm was unexpectedly satisfying. “I’ll endeavor to conclude my business quickly. If you prefer, you may remain here with your sister instead of waiting for me at Glasmere Manor.”
Would any man simply ask what a woman preferred? Wasn’t she capable of knowing whether she wanted to travel with him or not? At least he’d offered her a choice again.
She didn’t want to wait at his home, alone except for servants she didn’t know. Nor did she want to stay here, for this no longer felt like home. A lump formed in her throat. Where did she belong?
“You intend to leave me behind,” she said. “But I intend to go with you.”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed. He didn’t trust her.
“Why wouldn’t I want to go to court? I haven’t been in years. And didn’t you tell our wedding guests, ‘Let it not be said I would neglect or abandon my new wife. I will have you by my side?’”
“Your memory serves you well,” he said with a nod. “But you said you’d remain at home. ’Tis best I go alone.”
What could she say to make him agree to take her? The right words formed a lie. Thus far, she’d been painfully honest, whether he believed her or not. In the deep recesses of her mind, she heard her mother cautioning, “A single lie never fails to beget more.”
The
He had, at least, said “hoped” and “thought,” instead of issuing orders. Sometimes his tone reminded her of her father’s, cold and distant. Yet a few minutes ago and last night, he’d sounded as if she were the most important person he knew. And she’d liked that.
How much time did he expect to spend with her? Getting to know him, sharing things, becoming friends could endanger her plan. But being ill-mannered or churlish wouldn’t get him to agree to it, either.
“’Tis a fine day for a tour.” True. “I’m sure the villagers would love to meet you, their new lord.” Also true.
“I look forward to both events, and to spending the day with you,” he replied.
Because he wanted to or because he had to? The answer shouldn’t matter.
What did she want? Eleanor busied her mouth with a large bite of cheese. She didn’t have to bare her soul or convey every thought in her head, or feign emotions she didn’t feel.
“I haven’t spent much time in Northumberland. Is the North Sea coastline as beautiful as they say?” he asked.
“It is. I have happy memories of walking along the beaches with my mother.” Her heart swelled. If she were still alive, what would she advise?
“We shall have to go, then.”
“No. Yes,” she blurted. “Yes, we shall.” Would doing more things as a couple reinforce her wish to be free, or tie her to him all the more? If only she had more time to be sure.
Near the end of the meal, when naught remained but scraps too small for the almoner, a messenger wove his way through the crowded hall. Richard opened the sealed parchment and scanned the contents.
“I’m needed at court,” he announced. “King Edward wishes me to join him at Windsor Castle.”
Eleanor felt torn in two. She’d get to meet the king. And court would be the perfect place for her bride contest. Where else would so many eligible women gather? Perhaps Arthur would be there, too, trying to gain favor with the new king. Seeking information about how to pursue her annulment would also be easier.
But if she left, she couldn’t interfere with her father’s alchemy experiments. With its goals of transmuting base metal into gold, unlocking the secrets of Nature and immortality, she didn’t understand how the king could support the sacrilegious “science.”
First resolve my marriage, then deal with Father.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the messenger handed her father a similar parchment. He’d be going to court, too.
“The timing is unfortunate. I’d hoped we’d have time to get to know each other.” Richard took her hand. His warm palm was unexpectedly satisfying. “I’ll endeavor to conclude my business quickly. If you prefer, you may remain here with your sister instead of waiting for me at Glasmere Manor.”
Would any man simply ask what a woman preferred? Wasn’t she capable of knowing whether she wanted to travel with him or not? At least he’d offered her a choice again.
She didn’t want to wait at his home, alone except for servants she didn’t know. Nor did she want to stay here, for this no longer felt like home. A lump formed in her throat. Where did she belong?
“You intend to leave me behind,” she said. “But I intend to go with you.”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed. He didn’t trust her.
“Why wouldn’t I want to go to court? I haven’t been in years. And didn’t you tell our wedding guests, ‘Let it not be said I would neglect or abandon my new wife. I will have you by my side?’”
“Your memory serves you well,” he said with a nod. “But you said you’d remain at home. ’Tis best I go alone.”
What could she say to make him agree to take her? The right words formed a lie. Thus far, she’d been painfully honest, whether he believed her or not. In the deep recesses of her mind, she heard her mother cautioning, “A single lie never fails to beget more.”
The
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