satisfaction. Royce earnestly wished he could feel as sure.
Three
The bells to early-morning mass could be heard in the courtyard of the castle, and from the window of her chamber Felise could see Eleanor venture there, with her ladies following at a fair distance. Beyond, subtly but nevertheless apparent, were guards and knights that roamed freely and with watchful eyes. Their purpose was unques tionable. Eleanor was not trusted by her husband for a moment.
Richard, duke of Aquitaine, had long been known for his religious zeal and was likewise enroute to mass, accompanied by clergy wearing ornate and rich robes. From her high perch Felise marveled at his majesty. He was a tall and handsome m an, his clothing rich and impec cable. One could see him at the head of a grand army, for he carried himself as if he would be at ease com manding.
Felise turned from the window to make her own way to chapel, her head covered and her beads and crucifix in her hand. By the time she reached the courtyard, most of those attending mass had already gone inside, and she was relieved that she would be kneeling at the rear of the chapel with the backs of these high-powered nobles to her and not their eyes. It had taken no time at all to notice that people stared at her.
It was the beginning of only her second day at Windsor; this eve she would be joined by her parents. The place did not hold the magic and intrigue she thought to find, and, in truth, her thoughts roved in confusion in her mind. With all those friends of her brothers and sons of her father ’ s acquaintances, she had never been properly courted or asked for her hand. If a case had been brought to Lord Scelfton, he hadn ’ t mentioned it. She found herself ill prepared for her mother ’ s oath that marriage for her was urgent.
She judged the backs of the ladies, lords, and knights. Some older gentlemen were thin or slumped; some knights were broad-shouldered, some paunchy and thick. She knew naught of their holdings, possessions, skills, or habits. In truth, she could be given to some Welsh lord or a knight from the northern clans if her father judged his lot to be worthy and the king and queen found it favorable. And how could that be determined? Surely not by the same standards by which Felise would choose. Harlan would not consider the handsomeness of the man or the gentleness of his nature. Eleanor might be moved by his artful verse and not his honorable nature. Would Henry care more for a man strong of arms than for a man youthful enough to be a good father to sons?
My lady mother is more wise than I allowed, she thought forlornly. The droning Latin of the bishop faded from her ears. She recited the mass out of habit, not thinking about her prayers but occupied with other thoughts: I have watched my friends marry and given no thought to my own wedding. They have delivered their children while I have dallied with my stitchery or my mare, and in all this time, I have never considered the men who might ask for me. I play maiden ’ s games with knights as if I were kept safe in some tower, far from being touched, yet before this week is out, some man will own me. Why have I slept through these years in which I might have at least looked and offered my parents some hint of my preference?
It was no fault of her family, for they had often men tioned her dowry, her prospects, and made some introduc tions. For herself, although she had taken pains with pleas ing her mother as she was taught the management of a household, she had played at womanhood and measured herself by the rod that a child uses. She had ignored the fact that she would one day marry and bear a child, and now that day was upon her.
The hour passed slowly, Felise rising and falling to her knees, praying over her beads and keeping her head bowed. It was easier, somehow, to steal this time from mass for brooding than to find solace in her rooms, where Daria would question her. When the bishop
Three
The bells to early-morning mass could be heard in the courtyard of the castle, and from the window of her chamber Felise could see Eleanor venture there, with her ladies following at a fair distance. Beyond, subtly but nevertheless apparent, were guards and knights that roamed freely and with watchful eyes. Their purpose was unques tionable. Eleanor was not trusted by her husband for a moment.
Richard, duke of Aquitaine, had long been known for his religious zeal and was likewise enroute to mass, accompanied by clergy wearing ornate and rich robes. From her high perch Felise marveled at his majesty. He was a tall and handsome m an, his clothing rich and impec cable. One could see him at the head of a grand army, for he carried himself as if he would be at ease com manding.
Felise turned from the window to make her own way to chapel, her head covered and her beads and crucifix in her hand. By the time she reached the courtyard, most of those attending mass had already gone inside, and she was relieved that she would be kneeling at the rear of the chapel with the backs of these high-powered nobles to her and not their eyes. It had taken no time at all to notice that people stared at her.
It was the beginning of only her second day at Windsor; this eve she would be joined by her parents. The place did not hold the magic and intrigue she thought to find, and, in truth, her thoughts roved in confusion in her mind. With all those friends of her brothers and sons of her father ’ s acquaintances, she had never been properly courted or asked for her hand. If a case had been brought to Lord Scelfton, he hadn ’ t mentioned it. She found herself ill prepared for her mother ’ s oath that marriage for her was urgent.
She judged the backs of the ladies, lords, and knights. Some older gentlemen were thin or slumped; some knights were broad-shouldered, some paunchy and thick. She knew naught of their holdings, possessions, skills, or habits. In truth, she could be given to some Welsh lord or a knight from the northern clans if her father judged his lot to be worthy and the king and queen found it favorable. And how could that be determined? Surely not by the same standards by which Felise would choose. Harlan would not consider the handsomeness of the man or the gentleness of his nature. Eleanor might be moved by his artful verse and not his honorable nature. Would Henry care more for a man strong of arms than for a man youthful enough to be a good father to sons?
My lady mother is more wise than I allowed, she thought forlornly. The droning Latin of the bishop faded from her ears. She recited the mass out of habit, not thinking about her prayers but occupied with other thoughts: I have watched my friends marry and given no thought to my own wedding. They have delivered their children while I have dallied with my stitchery or my mare, and in all this time, I have never considered the men who might ask for me. I play maiden ’ s games with knights as if I were kept safe in some tower, far from being touched, yet before this week is out, some man will own me. Why have I slept through these years in which I might have at least looked and offered my parents some hint of my preference?
It was no fault of her family, for they had often men tioned her dowry, her prospects, and made some introduc tions. For herself, although she had taken pains with pleas ing her mother as she was taught the management of a household, she had played at womanhood and measured herself by the rod that a child uses. She had ignored the fact that she would one day marry and bear a child, and now that day was upon her.
The hour passed slowly, Felise rising and falling to her knees, praying over her beads and keeping her head bowed. It was easier, somehow, to steal this time from mass for brooding than to find solace in her rooms, where Daria would question her. When the bishop
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