Part 16 (1/2)
Queen Eleanor retired to the relative quiet of the solar, taking Lady Joice and the ladies of the court with her.
Forced to dance attendance to the royal lady, suppressing tears of frustration, Katherine sat down on a bench beside Anne in utter misery. Soon, she must needs return to Haughmond. With war looming, Rhys would ride with the king. He would ride out of her life as easily as he had ridden into it, and her existence would never be the same. As the afternoon hours lengthened, she had only her tormented thoughts to occupy herself. 'Twas natural she should dwell on Sir Dafydd. How she despised him. Being a loyal knight of the realm, he deserved reward for his years of devoted service. But- Blessed Mary, why must it be Haughmond? Why herself? Taking a stuttering breath, she clamped her trembling lips betwixt her teeth and refused to listen to the chatter of the queen and her ladies.
At long last, the trumpeter announced the evening repast. Raucous noise greeted them in the hall. Arduous planning required hearty sustenance and the king and his knights were primed for the evening banquet.
Servants came bearing ewers, basins, and towels for hand was.h.i.+ng to those worthy of the splendor of the high table. The rest of the a.s.semblage made use of the basins by the door. n.o.bles and knights and royal officials of the s.h.i.+re sat down above the salt, their loud voices filling the room as they jostled for seats at the tables.
Starting toward a table, Katherine halted. Several fully armed knights loitered by the doorway. One was Sir Dafydd. Her jaw hardened as, belatedly, she realized his gaze was settled on her. He nodded in acknowledgement.
Her lips thinned into an angry line but she refused to be the first to look away, refused to be daunted. The knight's reaction was impossible to determine. His long moustache hid his mouth and from so great a distance, she could barely detect his eyes beneath his s.h.a.ggy brows.
He turned and bowed to Edward, then strode from the hall with the other two knights trailing in his wake.
Katherine released her breath, not realizing she held it. How she detested the man!
Some moments later Rhys entered the hall and took a seat well below the salt.
She hurried over to him. ”What do you here?” she demanded in confusion.
He stood and bowed stiffly. ”I am the defeated combatant. 'Tis meet I should endure this insult.”
”Nay,” she protested. ”You were injured and unable to defend yourself. You are yet a n.o.ble and honorable knight. Do not shame yourself by sitting in the back of the hall.”
Rhys frowned. ”My lady, I am unable to remain standing for a lengthy discussion. Thereto, I have no wish to debate the matter. Go and enjoy your repast. Pray, leave me to my solitude.”
”I shall do not such thing!” Katherine scowled her defiance. Stepping around the bench, she sat down. ”We shall not desert you in your time of need.”
With an unhappy frown, Anne sat down beside her.
Scrubbing at the spa.r.s.e hairs of his blond beard with the back of his hand, Rhys heaved a sigh that sounded more like a groan before settling himself on Katherine's other side.
She had no time to wonder at his reluctance, for the castle priest intoned the grace and the pages paraded out their platters.
Pheasants with tail feathers and peac.o.c.ks served in their plumage were presented to the king and queen at the high table. From his silver trencher, Edward plunged into his meal and continued to discuss the Welsh problem, talking around his food.
Joy at being in Rhys's company replaced the melancholy and frustration that had been Katherine's companions throughout the day. Starved for his company, she feasted her eyes on the knight and bestowed him with her undivided attention.
Her laughter came easy. Sharing tasty tidbits from her trencher with Rhys, she heeded not the speculative glances of those seated nearby. These moments with Rhys were too precious.
Great quant.i.ties of wine and ale came from the cold storerooms to wash down the hearty fare, while yet another procession of pages and squires entered the great hall, bearing the next course.
New platters were presented to the king. Edward waved aside a sweet pie of eggs and prunes and chose a subtlety of pastry and marzipan. He sliced off a generous morsel to share with the queen, then turned with a tidbit for the goshawk perched behind him on a wooden frame.
'Twas during this course that word, leaping like wildfire, reached Katherine's table. The king and his knights were quitting Bereford Castle. All able-bodied fighting men were to ride out on the morrow's first light.
The weight the size of an anvil sprang free from Katherine's breast. Praise Saint Winifred, her prayers were answered! There would be no wedding ceremony in the coming week. She was free of Sir Dafydd! Happy laughter spilled from her.
”Lady Katherine!”
The king's formidable and thundering tone brought an immediate hush to the a.s.semblage.
Her happy smile fled. Dismayed, she turned to face the high table. Edward had abandoned his subtlety and sat scowling at her. It did not bode well that a deep, rosy flush suffused his complexion and that his mouth was etched in a grim line.
Fear gripped her. What had she done to draw the king's wrath? She sought Rhys's rea.s.surance, but was further shattered by the alarm on his face.
Making haste to get her feet beneath her, Katherine rose with a grace she was far from feeling. With her knees trapped betwixt the trestle table and her bench, she bowed as best she could.
”Alas, Sir Dafydd has deserted us for a greater cause.” Edward's hearty p.r.o.nouncement rushed across the chamber. ”He will not be available for the marriage ceremony.”
Katherine sighed in relief. The king was but displeased with the tide of events. She bestowed on him her brightest smile.
”Be not dismayed, lady!” Edward called, his sarcasm not quite hidden beneath the severity of his voice. ”Haughmond's future is secure. You have my leave to return to your holding and fortify the castle against the Welsh.”
Katherine opened her mouth to reply.
Edward cut her off, his voice rising to a command. ”Lady Katherine, do you a.s.sist me in this matter? Does my writ yet run north of the Wye?”
”Yea, sire, Haughmond is ever at your command.” Her clear answer came amid a ripple of laughter at the king's humor. It was a well-known fact that the Marcher lords did not always respond readily to royal demands.
Edward called out again, ”Sir Rhys!”
Katherine threw a guarded look at the knight. Her breath deserted her at the panic on his face. As he came slowly to his feet, his features grew wary. Her mouth went dry. Most sure, some perilous event was unfolding. Some royal intrigue?
Politics! How had they stumbled into this baleful knot? 'Twould not be surprising if Sir Geoffrey were responsible for it. With a wilting heart, she stood tall and unmoving, knowing she must endure whatever the king saw fit to mete out.
Side by side, they faced the king's unconcealed ire. Squires and pages paused in their labors. Every knight, lady and men-at-arms eyed them with undeniable interest.
”Yea, my liege?”
Mercy, was that a quiver in Rhys's voice? She clasped her hands tightly together.
”When you are fit, will you join me against Wales?”
”Willingly, sire.” Rhys's reply rang clear.
”'Tis good.” Edward's lips twitched as the reddish hue darkened his lean cheeks. He pushed his chair back and stood. Resting his fists on the linen covered table, he leaned forward. ”But first, sir knight, I require a task of you.”
”Yea, my liege.” Rhys's voice was barely audible.
Katherine glanced at him, saw dread etched in his face. The palms of her hands grew clammy. Her gaze flew back to the dais.
Beneath his dark scowl, a hard glitter shone in the king's eyes. His voice rumbled across the stillness of the chamber. ”Lady Katherine is not to be in want of a husband. Hence, Rhys of St. Quintin, on the morrow you will stand as proxy for Sir Dafydd.”
Chapter Fifteen.
The vanquished would proxy the winner? The castle inhabitants and the royal retainers digested this startling tidbit in an excited buzz. No troubadour's tale could ever be so delectable.