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Authors: Robyn Carr
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beads ... ”
***
A squire delivered Felise again to the dining hall, but this time she was greeted affectionately by Lady Edrea. Lord Scelfton likewise kissed his daughter ’ s cheeks, but his mood was no lighter than it had been the evening before she left his care.
“ I ’ m so very glad you ’ re with me, ” she told her mother more than once, clinging possessively to Lady Edrea ’ s hand. She was still aware of the looks that were cast her way, but during her meal she conversed only with her parents and those who shared their table. The others were thankfully either women well beyond her in years or already married. No potential suitors shared their table.
Lord Scelfton greeted one dinner companion with special fondness. An aging baron, a man of perhaps sixty years and deformed from some old warring injury, approached them and bowed, giving his name as Aswin, Lord Orrick. Harlan came forward of his wife and daughter and took his hand in friendship, startling the man with recognition. They then embraced each other in reunion.
Aswin dragged one leg when he walked, and when seated it remained straight and stiff. In addition, one of his arms was held tightly at his side, the fingers bent and gnarled and appearing useless. It seemed his entire left side was crip pled.
Edrea made his acquaintance warmly, for she was never a woman to be put off by an affliction. Felise was somewhat withdrawn at first, but as the evening progressed and she listened to her father and Aswin laughingly exchange tales of old knights long since retired from battle, she found Aswin amusing, warm, and delightful company.
“ Aye, Harlan, so long ago we rode upon the Welsh. I fail to remember it as clearly as you do. In my memory, we were sadly overtaken by barbarous lords and fled spears and arrows lest we have our faces shaved without our request. ” Aswin laughed good-naturedly. “ In your recollection, ‘ twas quite the other way -- we were heroes of the day. Forsooth, I drink to your memory. ”
Through the laughter, Harlan exclaimed, “ ‘ Twas your head that took a rock hurled by one of those bastards, and you could not count your fingers for a fortnight. ”
They drank and toasted each remembered tale, laughing at both victory and folly. It was a long time before their attentions included the ladies. “ Edrea, ” Aswin confided, “ I would have you know he spoke of you when we were on the campaign together, for long before your wedding he labored poorly when you were apart . I wearied with this besotted groom ’ s musings, but now that we ’ ve finally met, I see the reason for his trials. ”
“ He said you had a smooth tongue, my lord, ” Edrea laughed lightly. “ And it is a practiced verse you sing. ”
“ Ah, you do me wrong. I have long since given up singing of love and the verse is gone from my heart. I am widowed, ” he said, slamming his fist on the table. “ Would Harlan approve me as a husband for your young goddess? ”
Felise knew they spoke in jest, and she found herself laughing, enjoying her father ’ s outrageous behavior. It was not often that Harlan acted in so frivolous and jolly a manner.
“ You old bull, ” Harlan scoffed at Aswin. “ I know your surly ways and wouldn ’ t let you near any woman of my household. ”
“ Let us hear from the lady, ” Aswin demanded.
Felise inclined her head. “ You make me swoon with your quicksilver voice, my lord, but I am a poor lass without my father ’ s blessing. ”
Aswin leaned his face closer to Felise . “ Then let us flee him, damsel, and take ourselves away from his brutish wit . ”
He made a play as if he would rise, but the leg was stiff and uncooperative and he dropped himself back to his bench, much to the amusement of his dinner companions. “ ‘ Tis useless, maid. I am too late to chase the wenches and must ever endure my loneliness with the company of my horses. ” He clicked his tongue, raised one eyebrow, and,
***
A squire delivered Felise again to the dining hall, but this time she was greeted affectionately by Lady Edrea. Lord Scelfton likewise kissed his daughter ’ s cheeks, but his mood was no lighter than it had been the evening before she left his care.
“ I ’ m so very glad you ’ re with me, ” she told her mother more than once, clinging possessively to Lady Edrea ’ s hand. She was still aware of the looks that were cast her way, but during her meal she conversed only with her parents and those who shared their table. The others were thankfully either women well beyond her in years or already married. No potential suitors shared their table.
Lord Scelfton greeted one dinner companion with special fondness. An aging baron, a man of perhaps sixty years and deformed from some old warring injury, approached them and bowed, giving his name as Aswin, Lord Orrick. Harlan came forward of his wife and daughter and took his hand in friendship, startling the man with recognition. They then embraced each other in reunion.
Aswin dragged one leg when he walked, and when seated it remained straight and stiff. In addition, one of his arms was held tightly at his side, the fingers bent and gnarled and appearing useless. It seemed his entire left side was crip pled.
Edrea made his acquaintance warmly, for she was never a woman to be put off by an affliction. Felise was somewhat withdrawn at first, but as the evening progressed and she listened to her father and Aswin laughingly exchange tales of old knights long since retired from battle, she found Aswin amusing, warm, and delightful company.
“ Aye, Harlan, so long ago we rode upon the Welsh. I fail to remember it as clearly as you do. In my memory, we were sadly overtaken by barbarous lords and fled spears and arrows lest we have our faces shaved without our request. ” Aswin laughed good-naturedly. “ In your recollection, ‘ twas quite the other way -- we were heroes of the day. Forsooth, I drink to your memory. ”
Through the laughter, Harlan exclaimed, “ ‘ Twas your head that took a rock hurled by one of those bastards, and you could not count your fingers for a fortnight. ”
They drank and toasted each remembered tale, laughing at both victory and folly. It was a long time before their attentions included the ladies. “ Edrea, ” Aswin confided, “ I would have you know he spoke of you when we were on the campaign together, for long before your wedding he labored poorly when you were apart . I wearied with this besotted groom ’ s musings, but now that we ’ ve finally met, I see the reason for his trials. ”
“ He said you had a smooth tongue, my lord, ” Edrea laughed lightly. “ And it is a practiced verse you sing. ”
“ Ah, you do me wrong. I have long since given up singing of love and the verse is gone from my heart. I am widowed, ” he said, slamming his fist on the table. “ Would Harlan approve me as a husband for your young goddess? ”
Felise knew they spoke in jest, and she found herself laughing, enjoying her father ’ s outrageous behavior. It was not often that Harlan acted in so frivolous and jolly a manner.
“ You old bull, ” Harlan scoffed at Aswin. “ I know your surly ways and wouldn ’ t let you near any woman of my household. ”
“ Let us hear from the lady, ” Aswin demanded.
Felise inclined her head. “ You make me swoon with your quicksilver voice, my lord, but I am a poor lass without my father ’ s blessing. ”
Aswin leaned his face closer to Felise . “ Then let us flee him, damsel, and take ourselves away from his brutish wit . ”
He made a play as if he would rise, but the leg was stiff and uncooperative and he dropped himself back to his bench, much to the amusement of his dinner companions. “ ‘ Tis useless, maid. I am too late to chase the wenches and must ever endure my loneliness with the company of my horses. ” He clicked his tongue, raised one eyebrow, and,
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