Love Everlasting, page 10
“To make certain all is safe for them, you mean,” Julianna corrected. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I much prefer to travel with you. I expect the Daisy, whatever her size, will be less crowded and far more comfortable than any of the royal ships.”
“True enough.” His eyes held a lingering warmth and his quick caress of her bare shoulder hinted that he’d like to spend another hour or two in bed with her. Wrapping a hand around the back of her neck, he pulled her down for a kiss that suddenly caught fire and went on a bit too long, until a series of thumping noises from the next room ended the interlude. With a muttered oath Royce let her go.
“That will be Michael, overseeing the packing of my documents and books,” he said. “Dare I hope that Marie will have your wardrobe packed by noon?”
“We will be ready,” Julianna promised, “even if I have to pack everything myself. Royce, you said last night that you would sleep on my suggestion about how to deal with Kenric. What have you decided?”
“That with you in my bed, I’m likely to be short of sleep for the next few years,” he responded with a grin.
“I’m serious,” she insisted. “If you agree with my plan, then I ought to speak to Kenric before we leave Caen. Before he has a chance to make the public accusations he has threatened.”
“I do not like your plan.” As if to declare the subject closed, Royce rose from his bed in naked masculine splendor.
“Please, agree to it,” Julianna urged him. “We must come to a decision before Marie arrives and interrupts us.”
“I have decided,” he said. “My answer is no.”
“Then, I will do it without your permission.”
All the warmth and humor drained out of him. His glare was cold as ice. Julianna shivered in fear of him, but she refused to give in to his decision without making a protest. She stood up, as naked as he in the shadowed candlelight of a midwinter dawn, and faced him from the far side of his bed.
“Please understand,” she begged. “I must do this.”
“Why?” The single word slashed across the space dividing them - across the tumbled bed where, for long, sweet hours, they had taken such delight in each other.
Julianna had only one final and not entirely honest excuse left and she used it without compunction. She’d have time enough later to perform penance for all the lies she had told during the last two days and nights. The thought of Royce despising her and of never again sharing a bed with him was more frightening than her constant fear of a traitor’s hideous death. She wasn’t sure why that should be so; she only knew she did not want to be separated from Royce, and she did not want him to hate her.
“It’s because of Deane and what he did,” she said. “When he began to spy for King Louis, Deane betrayed his liege lord and, therefore, he forfeited his honor. His actions tainted my honor, too. I need to do something to make amends.”
“You’d risk your life for your honor?”
“Men do it every day,” she said, lifting her chin in defiance of the common wisdom that women owned no sense of honor.
“So they do. Forgive me for those words, Julianna. I spoke without thinking.”
While Royce subjected her to a long, penetrating look Julianna reminded herself that a clever spy never spoke without thinking, and Royce was most definitely clever. An unmentioned purpose lay behind his quiet remark about her honor.
“You must realize that my agents are sworn to obey my orders,” Royce said. “Their chief purpose is to accomplish whatever mission I have set for them. They may use their own judgement on minor details; however, they may not deviate from the goal of a particular mission.”
“I can do all of that,” she said.
“Can you? I wonder.”
Julianna was sure he was about to say something more. Whatever it was, he closed his mouth when Marie opened the corridor door and walked into the room. The maid halted, staring from Royce to Julianna, both of whom were still completely unclothed.
“Marie,” Royce said, “you will never again enter a room where I am without knocking first and waiting for my permission to open the door.”
“Yes, my lord.” Marie had the grace to appear chastened, though Julianna didn’t think she really was, especially when she heard the insinuation in the maid’s next words. “Shall I leave now, my lord, and return later, perhaps in an hour or so?”
“No.” Royce snatched his badly wrinkled tunic from the floor. “Help your mistress to dress and then pack all of her belongings. Her trunks and baskets are to be delivered to the ship Daisy.”
“Not to one of the royal vessels?” Marie asked. “But, why not?”
“Do as you are told, Marie,” Julianna ordered sternly. Looking at her husband she said, “Royce, I am awaiting your answer.”
“Are you?” His cold glance ranged over her body. Julianna did not flinch. He pulled on his tunic, then took a quick but searching look at Marie that was every bit as penetrating as the gaze he’d fastened on Julianna a few moments earlier. Finally, he turned back to his wife. “Very well. You have my permission.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Julianna’s lips trembled with the relief that swept over her. “In that case, will speak to - er - to Lady Janet as soon as I am dressed.”
“I’m sure you will.” Despite his acquiescence Royce did not look pleased. “I must ask you to excuse me, my lady. I have a feeling that my secretary requires my assistance.” Barefoot and barelegged, with his hose and his sword belt dangling from his fingers, he lifted the tapestry and passed through the open door into his office.
“Kenric wants to see you at once,” Marie told Julianna before the tapestry had dropped into place again. “He is waiting in the great hall. I’d hurry, if I were you. He’s short-tempered where you are concerned.”
“In that case, help me to dress,” Julianna ordered.
“What has Lord Royce given you permission to do?”
“That is a private matter between husband and wife.”
“If it involves Lady Janet, it cannot be a private matter at all. Perhaps it’s something Kenric ought to know about.”
“Be quiet, Marie.” Julianna nodded toward the doorway to Royce’s office, hoping the maid would take the hint that anyone in the next room could overhear what they were saying.
“Very well, my lady.” Marie sounded annoyed at not receiving an answer. She rumaged through Julianna’s clothing chest and drew forth a clean shift and stockings. These she threw onto the bed. When she spoke again it was in a querilous tone. “Why aren’t we traveling with the king? The royal party is where the most useful information can be uncovered. Kenric will be displeased with the change of plans.”
“A husband makes decisions,” Julianna said. “A wife obeys them. Now, stop asking questions and find my green wool gown and my heavy cloak. I expect it will be cold on the Narrow Sea.”
Marie showed her irritation in her usual way, by pulling Julianna’s hair as she combed it, then jabbing the pins into her mistress’s head when she pinned it extra tight.
“So it won’t come undone in the sea wind,” she said when Julianna complained.
Before Julianna could speak further, a knock at the door heralded the arrival of several of Royce’s servants, who were to disassemble his bed and take it to the ship. While the quilts and pillows were being packed into large baskets and the mattress was being rolled and tied, one of Royce’s squires appeared and began folding his master’s clothing into a pair of handsome wooden chests.
At this point Royce, now fully dressed, stuck his head back into the room. He immediately sneezed several times.
“Better leave this to us, my lord,” his squire advised. “You will only be made uncomfortable if you remain.”
“Thank you, Timothy.” Royce sneezed again. When he recovered he offered an explanation to Julianna. “It’s the dust. It always makes me cough and sneeze, which is one reason why I insist on neatness and cleanliness in my rooms.”
“I suspect you also find orderly rooms conducive to clear thinking,” Julianna said, amused to find so commonplace a defect in a man who gave the impression of being without flaw. “You have discovered another of my secrets.” Royce flashed a smile at her, then took the heavy cloak that Timothy offered. “I must speak with the king before we leave.” With another quick smile in Julianna’s direction he was gone.
After a last order to Marie to make sure that all of the belongings left in the room Julianna had occupied before her wedding, as well as all of her furniture, linens, and wedding gifts were loaded onto the Daisy,, Julianna fled from Royce’s chambers.
She didn’t have far to go. Kenric, apparently grown impatient, had left the great hall in search of her. He came marching along the corridor toward her, looking as if he was heading into battle.
“Where have you been?” he snarled, seizing Julianna’s elbow in a rough gesture and giving her a hard shake. “I have been waiting almost an hour. If you imagine you can toy with me, you are greatly mistaken.”
“Good day to you, Sir Kenric,” Julianna said in a loud voice, mindful of the man-at-arms who stood outside Royce’s door. She wrenched her arm out of Kenric’s crushing grasp, then slid her hand into the crook of his arm. “How thoughtful of you to offer to escort me to Lady Janet’s room. I’m sure she’ll be glad of our help this morning. Her two little children are traveling with her, you know.
“Do be more careful, Kenric,” she admonished, glancing backward to be certain the first bend in the corridor wall would hide them from the guard. “Royce’s men-at-arms are selected for their intelligence and loyalty, and they all report directly to him.”
“What do I care what Royce’s guards say to their master?” Kenric blustered.
“Deane often complained about your tendency to become angry with little provocation,” Julianna remarked with an appearance of thoughtful calm that was at odds with her true feelings. “Deane believed that if only you could learn to conquer your temper and remain cool and composed, you would be a much better spy.”
“Don’t change the subject, and do not attempt to delay me.” Kenric halted and Julianna took her hand from his arm. They faced each other like opponents in a grim and never-ending tournament. “I am on my way to tell Royce all about you, Aunt Julianna. Tonight you will sleep in the royal dungeon.”
She was used to Kenric’s threats and she didn’t believe he’d carry out this one, not if he believed her continued freedom would benefit him in some way. So she offered a reason for him to keep silent that she hoped would carry weight with him for some time beyond their present quarrel. Her entire plan was aimed at preventing Kenric from telling Royce about her spying. At the moment, she wasn’t sure which man was more dangerous to her. Knowing a mistake would be fatal, she kept her voice even.
“Kenric, hasn’t it occurred to you that the information you intend to provide to Royce will only prove that I have been your accomplice? Tell Royce what you know about me, and you implicate yourself.”
“You are a fool, Aunt Julianna,” Kenric said with a sneer.
“I am beginning to think so.” Deliberately, she sighed and tried to look wistful.
“What does that mean?” He regarded her with a little less hostility and a bit more interest.
“Royce offended me deeply last night.” The statement was her opening gambit in a game with rules that she was devising as she went along. Her first objective was to convince Kenric that she disliked her new husband as much as she had disliked Deane. She folded her hands at her waist, bowed her head, and waited for the question she was certain he would ask. Kenric possessed a foul mind.
“Royce has offended you? Really? What did he do? Is he rough in bed? Or is he just inadequate, like Deane?” When Julianna looked up, Kenric’s eager expression hinted at a wealth of marital transgressions.
“No,” she said, and sighed again. “The truth is, Royce still loves his first wife, and he always will.”
“Did he tell you so?”
“Please, Kenric, I don’t want to discuss it.”
“Suffering from hurt pride, are we?” Kenric’s patronizing smile changed to something sly, and then descended to a leer that was positively demonic. “I was right; you are a fool if you imagined that Royce desired anything more from you than your lands. Poor Aunt Julianna, wed to a third husband who doesn’t want you. No wonder you can’t bear to talk about it.”
“Perhaps it is injured pride,” she said with false meekness. “Whatever name you want to put to my reasoning, I have reconsidered your demand that I continue gathering information and passing it on to you.”
“Have you, by God? Now, there’s a sudden change.” Kenric looked at her with open suspicion.
“I don’t imagine it will be easy,” Julianna said, trying to infuse her voice with the hurt and bitterness that she wanted Kenric to take for her reaction to marital rejection. “Royce is a very careful and reserved man. He gives nothing of himself away. I suppose his extreme reticence is one of many reasons why he is so successful as King Henry’s spymaster.”
“Whatever Royce’s opinion of you as a bedmate, you are now chatelaine of his household,” Kenric said thoughtfully. “You will hold the keys to Wortham Castle, so you can easily gain access to his private rooms. As for any keys he doesn’t give you, you haven’t forgotten how to listen at doors, have you?” he asked with heavy sarcasm.
“No, I haven’t forgotten,” she answered quietly. “And I still know how to search through documents and return them to the exact same place where I found them. I also recall Deane’s lessons in how to coax other women into gossiping about subjects they ought to leave unspoken, and how to display a kindly interest until they reveal the secrets their husbands or lovers have whispered in bed.
“I will do my best for you, Kenric, but you must be patient and not press me to move too quickly. Royce thinks I am an unimportant creature, not worthy of his notice, and that is a great advantage for me. I want to remain unimportant to him; I’d like to become almost invisible to him, if I can. That way, he won’t notice what I am doing. But always remember, if you push me so that I grow careless through the need for haste and I’m caught, you will lose an important source of information.”
“Don’t think you can trick me,” Kenric warned.
“I know exactly the weight of the sword you hold above my head.”
“And don’t bother to dream that Royce will ever grow to care for you. I confess, I hadn’t thought of it before, but what you’ve discovered in your marriage bed is quite true. Royce loved Lady Avisa so dearly that there can never be room in his heart for a second love. He will no doubt bed you when he feels the urge for a woman; you are convenient, after all. But never think it’s anything more than lust.”
“I won’t.” She looked Kenric straight in the eye in the same way she used to look at Deane, keeping her face blank and her gaze as open as she could without revealing how much she hated him or how deeply she resented being embroiled in masculine plots that were not her doing.
“I will begin by providing the information that Royce and I are traveling to Norwich in advance of the royal party,” she said, certain that Kenric already knew it. If they were to sail at noon, then Royce must have informed his servants on the previous night, so they could prepare to leave. Such preparations would not have passed unnoticed. “He only told me of his plans an hour ago. Which, I suppose, is an example of just how unimportant I am to him. You are right about that, Kenric.”
“Indeed,” Kenric said with an infuriatingly superior smirk. “Very well, then. During your journey I want you to learn whatever you can that may be of use to me, and especially anything about Dunstan de Granville. Meanwhile, since I travel with the royal party, I will be gathering information from the king and his barons.”
“I should go now. I told Royce I would stop in Lady Janet’s room to ask if I can help with her children,” Julianna said. “She and Lord Cadwallon are sailing with us aboard the Daisy.”
“That old fishing scow?” Kenric uttered a disparaging laugh. “You’ll all be seasick from the stench. Take care that you don’t fall overboard while you’re heaving out your stomach. Royce wouldn’t miss you, but it’s possible that you may prove to be of some minor help to me.
“Never forget that, if you cross me, I can always tell Royce about you later.” Having uttered his final threat of the morning, Kenric turned on his heel and stalked away down the corridor.
“I wouldn’t call the Daisy a scow,” Julianna murmured an hour later, looking around at the scrubbed deck and the clean, though well-worn clothing of the sailors. Only the faintest smell of fish lingered on the cold air.
“Who did?” Janet asked.
“Kenric.”
“Well, he’d think so, wouldn’t he?” Janet said, absently patting the back of two-year-old Sybilla. The child, named for the queen of the Scots, dozed on her mother’s shoulder. “Kenric loves luxury. He will enjoy traveling aboard the royal ship, surrounded by silks and furs, with wines and fancy foods to tempt him. As for myself, I prefer the clean sea air.”
Julianna was just about to respond that she felt the same way when Royce and Cadwallon approached, bringing with them a middle-aged man with brown hair and eyes and a tanned, weather-beaten face. Though the Daisy was still tied up at the dock, the man walked with the rolling gait peculiar to sailors.
“My ladies,” Royce said, “allow me to present Captain Piers, an old and valued friend.”
“Not so old, me lad,” Captain Piers said. The trace of an accent became more pronounced as he continued. “I’m still as lively as ever, whether here aboard me foine ship, or ashore. ‘Tis a great honor to meet ye, ladies. I trust ye’ll enjoy the voyage.”
“I am sure we will.” Julianna returned the captain’s smile. “Is there any area you’d rather we didn’t invade? We are a rather large party.”
