jesting with him, but nevertheless he observed the young women closely every chance he got.
William’s daughters had trained the servants so well that the household ran smoothly as they went about their appointed tasks unobtrusively. Though Falcon de Burgh sought to find some flaw in either Ela or Isobel, he could not fault them in anything. They were efficient, industrious, courteous, full-figured, and each seemed willing, nay eager, to favor his suit.
As his squire inspected and cleaned every piece of armor in de Burgh’s war chest, the two of them exchanged their thoughts.
“Since no news is good news, I suppose we can assume all is well with King Richard,” said Gervase.
De Burgh frowned. “The uncertainty could spawn anarchy, especially with the northern barons. If England isleft long without authority, a wave of lawlessness will sweep the nation.” He flashed his grin. “It is good you are keeping my armor at the ready. I don’t like the men to remain idle, so I’ve told William we’ll hunt down his wolves tomorrow.”
“They are passing the time wagering which of William’s daughters will become Lady de Burgh,” Gervase said with a familiarity de Burgh allowed no other man.
Falcon’s eyebrows shot up. “And who’s the odds-on favorite?”
“I believe the betting runs in Lady Ela’s favor, milord.”
“They’ve undoubtedly discussed her fine points,” Falcon said vulgarly. Gervase flushed slightly and laughed.
“I don’t know,” said de Burgh, “there’s a lot to be said for Isobel’s humor.”
“So you have made your choice?”
“Not really.” De Burgh shrugged. “I don’t suppose it matters which. There is nothing to choose between them,” he said almost indifferently.
Gervase cleared his throat as he always did when he was about to make a suggestion to de Burgh. “If it were me, milord, I would find out which lands and castles each lady will inherit and then make my selection.”
“Splendor of God, and I thought I was a cynical bastard! Perhaps you’ve been my squire too long. I’ve tainted you, Gervase.”
Chapter 5
Dame Estelle Winwood decided that she owed it to William Longsword to warn him of coming events. The bad news would travel quickly enough, but if she could prepare him for the shocks that lay ahead she would not only feel a great deal of gratification but would entrench herself as infallible in seeing the future when messages confirming her mystic predictions arrived at Salisbury.
Estelle and Jasmine set out early on their relatively short journey. The sun shone brilliantly, warming the air delightfully even if a little unseasonably. Jasmine wore her prettiest gown for the visit to her father, a shell-pink velvet with a finely spun head veil fastened with silver hair ornaments. She rode a white palfrey and chose a fanciful, ornamented harness for her. Her grandmother prided herself on Jasmine’s appearance whenever they rode out. She saw to it that the girl looked exactly like a princess from a fairy tale and smiled when mouths literally fell open as the virginal, ethereal vision of loveliness passed by.
They took no maids or attendants with them as Salisbury Castle overflowed with servants, but they did take two extra packhorses to carry their clothes and a goodly supply of herbs and electuaries Estelle had concocted especially for William’s people.
After they had passed through Old Sarum, about two miles from the castle, Dame Winwood looked at her grandaughter indulgently and said, “Go ahead, child, I know you are longing for a gallop. If you contain yourself much longer spring fever will steal your senses. Just remember, not a word to your father. I want to find outwhat he knows before I share my knowledge. Power shared is power halved!”
Jasmine whispered softly to her palfrey and took a handful of its long white mane to anchor herself for the swift gallop. The wind soon took her filmy veil, and Jasmine tossed back her silvery-gold hair so
William’s daughters had trained the servants so well that the household ran smoothly as they went about their appointed tasks unobtrusively. Though Falcon de Burgh sought to find some flaw in either Ela or Isobel, he could not fault them in anything. They were efficient, industrious, courteous, full-figured, and each seemed willing, nay eager, to favor his suit.
As his squire inspected and cleaned every piece of armor in de Burgh’s war chest, the two of them exchanged their thoughts.
“Since no news is good news, I suppose we can assume all is well with King Richard,” said Gervase.
De Burgh frowned. “The uncertainty could spawn anarchy, especially with the northern barons. If England isleft long without authority, a wave of lawlessness will sweep the nation.” He flashed his grin. “It is good you are keeping my armor at the ready. I don’t like the men to remain idle, so I’ve told William we’ll hunt down his wolves tomorrow.”
“They are passing the time wagering which of William’s daughters will become Lady de Burgh,” Gervase said with a familiarity de Burgh allowed no other man.
Falcon’s eyebrows shot up. “And who’s the odds-on favorite?”
“I believe the betting runs in Lady Ela’s favor, milord.”
“They’ve undoubtedly discussed her fine points,” Falcon said vulgarly. Gervase flushed slightly and laughed.
“I don’t know,” said de Burgh, “there’s a lot to be said for Isobel’s humor.”
“So you have made your choice?”
“Not really.” De Burgh shrugged. “I don’t suppose it matters which. There is nothing to choose between them,” he said almost indifferently.
Gervase cleared his throat as he always did when he was about to make a suggestion to de Burgh. “If it were me, milord, I would find out which lands and castles each lady will inherit and then make my selection.”
“Splendor of God, and I thought I was a cynical bastard! Perhaps you’ve been my squire too long. I’ve tainted you, Gervase.”
Chapter 5
Dame Estelle Winwood decided that she owed it to William Longsword to warn him of coming events. The bad news would travel quickly enough, but if she could prepare him for the shocks that lay ahead she would not only feel a great deal of gratification but would entrench herself as infallible in seeing the future when messages confirming her mystic predictions arrived at Salisbury.
Estelle and Jasmine set out early on their relatively short journey. The sun shone brilliantly, warming the air delightfully even if a little unseasonably. Jasmine wore her prettiest gown for the visit to her father, a shell-pink velvet with a finely spun head veil fastened with silver hair ornaments. She rode a white palfrey and chose a fanciful, ornamented harness for her. Her grandmother prided herself on Jasmine’s appearance whenever they rode out. She saw to it that the girl looked exactly like a princess from a fairy tale and smiled when mouths literally fell open as the virginal, ethereal vision of loveliness passed by.
They took no maids or attendants with them as Salisbury Castle overflowed with servants, but they did take two extra packhorses to carry their clothes and a goodly supply of herbs and electuaries Estelle had concocted especially for William’s people.
After they had passed through Old Sarum, about two miles from the castle, Dame Winwood looked at her grandaughter indulgently and said, “Go ahead, child, I know you are longing for a gallop. If you contain yourself much longer spring fever will steal your senses. Just remember, not a word to your father. I want to find outwhat he knows before I share my knowledge. Power shared is power halved!”
Jasmine whispered softly to her palfrey and took a handful of its long white mane to anchor herself for the swift gallop. The wind soon took her filmy veil, and Jasmine tossed back her silvery-gold hair so
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