Page 32 of Knight of Havoc
“’Tis your neck you risk, but I warn you to watch your back. Morcant almost did you in. I would hate to have you lose your life over a woman. Wymar would have my own neck if any harm came to his youngest brother whilst under my watch,” Richard retorted with cocky grin. “Not that you cannot take care of yourself.”
“I shall deal with Morcant. I owe him,” Reynard sneered. “Besides, no one told you to watch over me like I am some child. I would think you would find it of more import to keep your sister Beatrix out of trouble.”
A sound of frustration left Richard’s lips. “I swear she will be the death of me. She is flirting her way through the empress’s court as if she, too, has no care for her reputation.”
“She did warn you that she would do so when we left her here when we traveled to Bristol. Did you expect her to not follow through with her threat?” Reynard said with a laugh whilst he took a brief look at Richard’s sister and Oswin talking together.
“Nay. She has never backed down to me in our past. ’Tis not in her nature to do so,” Richard declared whilst he too watched his sister. “What do you think of what is going on with Oswin and Beatrix? Do you think he is in love with her?”
’Twas Reynard’s turn to shrug. “Who is to say? Although if he was, would you object to the match? You already know the man and he is an honorable knight and more than worthy of her.”
Richard ran his hand through his hair. “I never know what to think when the matter concerns Beatrix. However, I may need to interrupt their little interlude. Beatrix is taunting me by placing her hands on Oswin, and I would hate for our friendship to be ruined because my little sister is trying to make some point.”
Richard excused himself and Reynard watched him cross the room. He leaned down to whisper in Beatrix’s ear and quickly removed her from the hall. ’Twas clear Richard was about to reprimand his sister, though Reynard had the sense that rather than amending her behavior, she would only retaliate even more. He felt sorry for Richard knowing Beatrix would do all in her path to get her way… Reynard could only ponder if that included an alliance with Oswin Woodwarde.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Elysande watched asBeatrix was whisked away from the room by her brother. She could only image what that conversation might be about since Richard had not appeared pleased. Beatrix, however, was not the only person who was being talked about since she could not miss her name being whispered among those she passed on her way to break her fast.
She had been so happy when she espied Reynard and would have joined him but when he shook his head to deter her, she could only wonder why he did not wish for her to eat with him. Then she became privy to the gossip that floated in the air. ’Twas about her! Someone had seen her leave Reynard’s bedchamber last eve, but who?
Her attempts to eat the offerings before her were for naught since she all but choked on the food that passed her lips. She at last gave up and began looking around the room to determine who might have been the one to begin spreading the gossip among these shallow-minded people who only wished to gain the empress’s favor. From the snide looks that were tossed her way, it could have been any number of men or women. Her eyes slid to Lord Constantine who raised his goblet toward her in a silent toast. He could be the culprit, but she had her doubts. Others gave her a wink as though they believed that now that she was ruined beyond repair, she would willingly welcome them into her bed. The cads!
Since she had no idea who to confront on spreading gossip, she decided to make a hasty exit and return to her room. Better to hide away in the safety of her bedchamber than continue to be the topic of conversation that did not favor her.
She had barely closed the door, or so it seemed, before there was a knock. Thinking mayhap Reynard had decided to follow her, she opened the portal with a smile that quickly shrank from her face. She had not been expecting the entourage that stood in the passageway.
Surprise must have been reflected on her features as she saw the empress’s attendants. Beatrix was also present and with a toss of her head entered first. The other three women followed behind her. Lady Eden Howlande, Lady Rovena Eatone, and Lady Petula Wintere were the empress’s most trusted confidents. This could not bode well for Elysande.
“Ladies…” Elysande began as the women filled her chamber, finding various places to sit. “Is something amiss?” They all answered at the same time causing her eyes to widen.
“Everything is amiss,” Petula started.
“Aye, unfortunately,” Beatrix said smartly.
“’Tis of grave import,” Eden replied, patting her hair into place, not that a single strand was out of place.
“Most definitely,” exclaimed Rovena.
Since the available chairs were taken, Elysande was forced to stand as three of the four women inspected her as if looking for some flaw. “How may I be of service?” she finally asked.
Before any of them could answer, another knock sounded upon the door. ’Twas louder than when these women bid entrance, giving Elysande the notion that the person on the other side was impatient.
Elysande went to the door again and her mouth hung open before she quickly dropped down into a curtsey. She allowedthe empress to enter, and Eden stood and vacated her seat. The empress began to drum her fingers on the arms of her chair.
“I am in a quandary where you are concerned, Lady Elysande,” the empress stated.
Elysande came to kneel before her empress. “What can I do to please you, my Empress?” she quietly asked.
“What can you do topleaseme?” she repeated in a snarl of contempt. “You could have kept yourself from Norwood’s chambers, to start with. What were you thinking? And to be caught by Gerold Morcant of all people. That man wasted no time spreading the word throughout my court to anyone who was willing to listen. I am surprised anyone is left who would continue to fight in my games to win your hand.”
“Nothing happened,” Elysande began to explain whilst a sound of disbelief left the empress’s mouth.
“Nothing happened only because I was informed by Grancourt that Norwood was incapacitated with fever! Clearly you have had too much idle time on your hands since this infernal rain began,” she snapped. She held out her hand until Petula went to Elysande’s table to pour the empress a chalice of wine. Once she took a sip, she handed the cup back to her attendant.
“He slept the whole time,” Elysande continued in her defense.
“And you were the only one who tended him which does not look good for you since clearly you are an unmarried young woman.” The empress heaved a heavy sigh before she waved her hand for Elysande to at last rise to her feet. “I have come to the decision that you shall join my ladies in waiting and attend me as they do. That should keep you out of trouble long enough for the games to be completed.”
