The Troubadour's Romance by Robyn Carr Page B

in its arch. She wondered at his strange appeal, for his face suggested something rugged and dangerous. He seemed more barba rous than the average English knight, resembling her idea of a Viking or German warrior. His build was generous, the strength in his shoulders and upper arms frightening, and in his smile there was a hint of devilish glee, and her knees began to weaken.
    “ Wharton knows nothing of my treatment of women, ” he said softly. “ I treat very few. ”
    Felise ’ s eyes widened at the crude remark, yet in her only experience with the man, this was typical. He played no courtly games, did not give her compliments where they might find a willing target, and his only verbal expressions were tinged with vulgarity. Her mouth moved well ahead of her mind. “ You are not chivalrous, but roguish when you speak. ”
    “ And you would have charm, my lady? ” he asked, his eyes swiftly sweeping her well-covered form, amusement marking his features. “ Wharton does cosset the maids well. I admit, I am not skilled in this, yet I know my mind. I know what I want. And I know how to give back full score what I am given. ”
    “ Charm would yield more than rude remarks, ” she returned easily. “ Why are you curious of me? Do you feel anger, still, from my foolery with your knights? ”
    “ Nay. ” He shrugged. “ The men enjoy the harlot ’ s game from time to time. ”
    “ Jesu, you spare no dignity with your insults, sir, I but entered the chase from safe distance. ”
    “ ‘ Tis your great inheritance and the bait you set for suitors that draw my interest, Lady Felise . How many have spoken without benefit of an introduction? ”
    “ I know nothing of what -- ”
    “ The trap of your land in France, your dower purse in England ... the price of your great wealth has spread amongst the circles of men with debts to pay. How will you choose? More important, who will approve your choice? Is it the king? ”
    “ Sir Royce, I fear you are mistaken, ” she attempted, shaken by his remarks.
    “ How can I be? This I have heard from many sources, that you are here by royal command and your purpose is to achieve a marriage to make the king a good political alliance. ”
    “ Nay, ” she said, shaking her head. “ Lest you fall victim to wagging tongues, ‘ tis a simple misunderstanding. My mother, close to the queen before Eleanor ’ s removal to Old Sarum Castle, leaves a modest dowry of lands that have been managed by a castellan in France. The dowry my father provides is likewise modest. It comes to not more than is adequate, neither plot being large enough to make much matter or yield much revenue. I am here only for a brace of days to enjoy the court because of this old friend ship. ” Felise knew that he would not discern the difference between the natural mother she could not remember and Lady Edrea. They could be one and the same, from her telling.
    “ This is a hoax? ” he asked, frowning.
    “ I think that the story, while truthful enough, ha s grown lar ge in the minds of ambitious men. As to choice, I trust my father will judge my betrothed, not the king. ”
    She turned sharply then, intending to flee from his presence, but he snatched her arm and drew her back to him.
    “ Don ’ t fly, cher ie, “ he said, holding her much too closely. She looked up into his eyes, first frightened by his strength and nearness and also confused by his strange pursuit. He seemed to scorn her, as if she were the last woman on earth he would be bothered with, yet he had followed her and now held her so that she could not move.
    “ You hurt me, ” she attempted softly, but in his eyes she could see he did not hear. He looked at her in a strange, besotted way, perhaps not seeing her at all. She was frozen by the hypnotic stare, her legs growing weak and her heart beginning to beat frantically. Above their heads a torch flickered in a draft common to the dark passageways, but neither noticed. Nor did any