Read Online The Troubadour's Romance by Robyn Carr - Free Book Online Page B

smiling, lowered his voice as if he were imparting a secret. “ I have taught them to come when I whistle. ”
    “ Oh-ho, ” Harlan shouted. “ Twould take you a year of new moons to have this maid answer your whistle. She is disinclined to answer any command. ”
    “ How did you gain your injury, my lord? ” E drea politely inquired. “ I think I did not hear my lord mention the circumstances. ”
    “ ‘ Twas for the most part a foolish accident, lady, a result of foolery amongst the men I rode with years ago. We were bored on our campaign in the south and, on the excuse of practicing arms, began a jesting tournament. There was much of jesting, ” he said as he shrugged. “ For myself, I was commonly the one responsible for pranks and tricks, but this once the trick was on me. Someone loosed the saddle straps and I might have only fallen and bruised my pride, but my horse was frightened and ran out of control, dump ing me on sharp rocks. The clumsy mule took his rest atop me. My hip, knee, shoulder, and head were smashed. ”
    “ I ’ m so grieved to hear it, my lord. And there is no improvement? ”
    “ Nay, but that my disposition is improved. Lady Dulcine was responsible for that. My fellows left me on her stoop, and she a recent widow. They returned to the king, while the good woman nursed me for over a year. When I finally gained enough health to r ide -- and it took months to relearn that once well-honed skill -- I returned to King Henry, only to find that my troop had not imparted my injury, but spun a tale of my courtship of the widow. ” He laughed lightly. “ There seemed naught to do but return and in truth court Dulcine. She proved a tolerable woman ... and there was naught to keep me from her. ”
    Edrea smiled at the romantic tale. “ Then I would say you gained from your woes ... in good measure. ”
    The baron ’ s eyes grew somewhat wistful and he seemed focused for a moment on Felise, contemplating her rare beauty. “ I gained in some measure, ” he murmured. “ But I lost treasures untold. ” He shook himself and forced a lighter mood. “ I will not make my injury greater in my mind. Yea, I have gained through my trials. When I hear some ungrateful young whelp moan at his light purse or rugged campaign, I set his attitude right with a simple story to show him his good fortune. I find I have more joy in my life even with my lameness than many a cocky young swain finds in perfect health. ”
    “ I know nothing of your lameness, ” Harlan professed. “ It happens your wit was not bruised. You lay me low even now with your tongue. ”
    “ I but remind you of true events, ” Aswin argued happily. “ Someone must, when you are wont to spin tales of glory. ” He nodded once. “ Tell me of this young woman ’ s plight. Why is she yet unmarried? ”
    “ That will be taken care of with haste, ” Harlan informed him. “ An old family demesne in Aquitaine dangles before the eyes of these roving studs, and I have gifted her dower lands in England. Henry presses for her company at court to appease some whim of Eleanor ’ s, and already the young men pant at my doorstep begging an introduction. ” He shrugged. “ ‘ Tis just a matter of days before we settle on a husband for her. ”
    Aswin whistled low. “ So it is she, ” he said knowingly. “ You are right, Harlan, the word is well out. Even my son speaks of her. ”
    “ Your son? ” Harlan asked, suddenly interested. Even Felise ’ s ears perked up, for she genuinely liked this gentle man. “ I wasn ’ t aware -- ”
    “ My stepson, if you please. Dulcine gave over to my care her two children, Boltof, a knight of Henry, and Celeste. You might do well to consider Boltof, my lord. He is strong and able. ”
    “ And I will, ” Harlan said, happier about his daughter ’ s situation than he had been since it all began. ‘ “ Twould balm my hurts to have a man who is closer to the family than those strangers seeking