Claire Delacroix (27 page)

“I swear it.”

“Then, know that I fear I erred.” Esmeraude held up a hand when Jacqueline opened her mouth to comment. “Not in being rid of my maidenhead, for I still think that to have been the wisest course.” She sighed. “Each time we love is better than the last. I could not regret a moment of such experience.”

“Esmeraude! You mated with him more than once? You still do?” Jacqueline’s eyes widened and she leaned so far forward on the stool that Esmeraude feared she might topple off.

“Aye!” Esmeraude nodded, unrepentant, then shook a finger at her sister. “But I fear that I erred in choosing the man to do the deed. Though he was a stranger to me, he knew my name. Indeed, he was seeking me.”

“He came for
Maman
’s Bride Quest,” Jacqueline breathed.

“Aye, he would wed me, but he believes love a weakness of fools and peasants.”

“Oh.” Jacqueline sat back, less deterred by this than Esmeraude. “But Angus insisted as much as well, and he was proven wrong.”

“He also seeks an obedient wife.”

Jacqueline grimaced. “Perhaps you are poorly suited. Do you think he will pursue you here?”

Esmeraude felt herself blush. “He is here.”

“Which one?” Jacqueline’s eyes brightened.

“I should not tell you.”

“Then I will guess. The dark-haired one whose gaze fixes upon you.”

“How could you know?”

Jacqueline laughed. “How could I not know? He watches you as avidly as a hawk watches its next meal. I think he is not so indifferent as he might have you believe.” She clasped her hands together. “Do you mean to make a conquest of his heart?”

“I hope so, but I know not how to begin. You must help me, Jacqueline!”

“You love him.”

Esmeraude sighed and closed her eyes. “I have never seen the like of him. He is tall and broad of shoulder, he is handsome, and his eyes are the clearest and deepest blue. He is chivalrous and elegant and says the most marvelous things.”

“And is talented abed.”

Esmeraude knew she turned crimson, for she belatedly guessed that her sister was teasing her. “A man with such confidence and charm would suit me very well. You must understand, Jacqueline, that I have never met his ilk.
Maman
spoke aright when she said that a knight had a certain allure.”

“Aye, she did.” The sisters shared a smile. “And I, too, was susceptible to that allure.”

“Do you think I might succeed?”

“’Tis not unlikely. Look how Angus and I found each other, against all odds,” Jacqueline said cheerfully. “Love appears when one least expects its presence. Though it must be sought diligently. Such a man will pretend to feel naught long after he knows ’tis not so.”

“I am certain that all will be resolved, with your aid,” Esmeraude said with a smile, not in the least bit certain of it. “What is most important is that your child arrives healthy and that you are well afterward.”

“This babe cannot come soon enough for my taste,” Jacqueline muttered. She pushed to her feet. “I shall call a maid to fetch you one of my chemises and a kirtle. That way, yours can be washed for ’tis filthy indeed.”

“I thank you.”

Jacqueline picked up the chemise and wrinkled her nose, then held out the length of one sleeve questioningly. ’Twas clearly not Esmeraude’s own and Jacqueline’s eyes widened as she realized whose chemise she must hold. Their gazes met and Esmeraude’s cheeks pinkened again.

“His?” Jacqueline hissed.

Esmeraude nodded guiltily, then they giggled like young girls.

“
Maman
would be shocked!”

“Aye!” And they laughed again at the prospect.

When their laughter faded, Jacqueline nodded crisply, once again resembling their mother. “Then ’tis clear you must win this knight and I shall aid you. I shall say this chemise belongs to Angus, so that there will be no chatter in the hall. You shall have one of mine in its stead.”

“I thank you.” Esmeraude nodded and her sister made to depart. Though all seemed to be resolved, there was yet one question that plagued Esmeraude. She restlessly pleated the linen wrapped about herself between her fingers. Just as her sister made to cross the threshold, she dared to ask for the answer she feared most.

“Jacqueline, do you think me like my papa?” Esmeraude’s voice was softer than was typical of her, but Jacqueline heard her all the same.

Her sister glanced back, her expression concerned. “Why?” Then she frowned. “Who has suggested such a thing to you?”

“Célie. She said I was a selfish, impetuous fool, like my papa, and that I would bring injury to those around me, even though I meant no harm.” Esmeraude could not hold her sister’s gaze. “You must recall him better than I do. Am I like Theobald? What was he like?”

Jacqueline leaned in the doorway and shook her head. “Oh, Theobald. He had a glib tongue and was quick with a fine word, that is what I recall of him. And that he was seldom at Arnelaine after he and
Maman
were wed. She ensured that he was invested with that manor, you know, for he had not a
denier
to his name. ’Twas Uncle Guillaume who granted it to him, and I suppose ’twas the expectation that we should make a modest home there.”

“You make it sound as if we did not.”

“Theobald much preferred the lively company to be found at court to the quiet pleasures of a rural holding.”

“
Maman
must have missed him.”

Jacqueline smiled sadly. “
Maman
might have killed him, had he not died of a fever. She was sorely vexed with him, and disappointed that he showed no inclination to tend what he had been granted by her family at her behest.”

Esmeraude looked up in surprise. “No one told me of this!”

“You adored him. He was your blood sire, but he is dead.” Jacqueline shrugged. “What purpose would be served by tainting your fine memories? ’Twas to you that Theobald showed the best in his character, after all.”

“And the worst?”

Jacqueline frowned.

Esmeraude was ready to hear the truth. “Jacqueline, why did we come to Ceinn-beithe?”

“It matters little now.”

“It matters a great deal to me. I thought we came because you did not care for your betrothed.”

Jacqueline lifted her gaze to meet Esmeraude’s across the room. “Aye, ’twas part of it. The greater part, though, was that Theobald gambled all we had and then some. He even lost the seal of Arnelaine, which was not his to lose. And when
Maman
would have bought out my betrothal contract, there was not a coin to be used for any purpose.”

Jacqueline sighed. “I think she was embarrassed to face her own brother with what her husband had done in return for Guillaume’s kindness. I doubt she knew how distant Ceinn-beithe truly was. Its title was the only thing Theobald did not gamble away and he himself admitted he had not done so because ’twas held to have no value.”

Esmeraude looked down at her busy fingers. This was a side of her father that she had not known. ’Twas indeed unattractive that he could tend to his own pleasure at gambling, without a care to the obligations of his family.

“Am I like him?” she asked huskily.

Jacqueline crossed the room with quick steps and gripped her sister’s shoulder. “You have his charm and share his delight in the world and its pleasures. You share his impulsive nature, ’tis true.” Esmeraude looked up and her sister smiled. “But I cannot believe that you would continue along any course once you knew it injured someone you knew.”

“Though I might unwittingly embark upon it.” Esmeraude frowned and propped her chin on her hand. “’Tis scarcely a reassuring comment.”

Jacqueline gave her shoulder a squeeze. “If overcoming a weakness can be achieved by any, Esmeraude, it can be done by you. You are fortunate to have our mother’s determination, which is more than sufficient strength to temper any weakness of Theobald’s.” She winked when Esmeraude glanced up at her hopefully. “You will see.”

“Why did
Maman
wed such a man?”

Jacqueline smiled sadly. “Because she loved him, of course.”

“But if she loved him, how could matters end so badly?” Esmeraude cried in dismay. “I thought love made all come aright?”

“Only if ’tis returned. I suspect that Theobald loved none but himself. You are right to ensure that your love is reciprocated before you wed, for as you see with
Maman
and Duncan, and also with Angus and me, those are the matches blessed with untold happiness.” Jacqueline smiled. “Trust me, Esmeraude, you are best to deny this knight until you know the truth of his heart. And even if you love him, if he cannot love you, then you are best without him and his charms.”

Esmeraude gripped her sister’s hand. “I thank you, for the truth, for your confidence, and for your aid and hospitality.”

“You are my sister. What else would I do?” They shared a warm smile, then Jacqueline made her way to the door. She paused on the threshold, her hand pressed into the small of her back, suddenly looking very tired. “Would you do me one service in return?”

“Anything!”

“Speak to these suitors, for they have shown diligence in pursuing you.” Jacqueline held up a hand when Esmeraude began to protest. “I thought little good of my Angus when first we met, but time proved my response to be wrong. You cannot tell which man will hold your heart with so little as a glance, regardless of what the old tales say. If I had spurned Angus so quickly as that, I would not know the joy I do now. Esmeraude, please consider the men who have come this far. In the event that your heart leads you astray, you may find love where you least expected it.”

“If you suggest as much.”

“I do.” Jacqueline winked, her happiness easing the signs of her exhaustion. “You might be surprised by what you discover.”

Esmeraude inclined her head, doubtful but willing to try. “I will speak to each of them before making a choice. Would it be possible to send word to
Maman
, so that she does not worry that some foul fate has befallen me?”

“Of course.” Jacqueline smiled. “You see? Theobald never sent word to any to ease their fears. He cared only for his own concerns. You are not wrought of the same selfishness as he, Esmeraude.”

Esmeraude felt reassured by her sister’s comment, but keeping this pledge was not all she would do. She thought about Jacqueline’s state and decided that she would stay and lend her aid in her sister’s household. Esmeraude might have unwittingly invited guests to Airdfinnan’s door, but she would do what she could to see that Jacqueline rested so close to her time.

She did not doubt that Angus would be amenable to that plan.

* * *

Bayard quickly noted the details of Airdfinnan’s hall. ’Twas devoid of windows and hung with rich tapestries. Wall sconces, candles, and braziers filled the large chamber with both welcome heat and a golden glow. A number of trestle tables had been set up and numerous men quaffed ale as they traded tales. Silver chalices gleamed and pottery mugs clinked, while the smell of roasting meat wafted from the kitchens beyond.

There was no sign of the women as yet, though there was a portal on the far wall. That wall looked to be wrought of different stone than the hall’s walls and was perhaps of later construction. Bayard assumed that this lord had wrought a separate solar for slumber as so many did in these days.

“Airdfinnan is heavily manned,” Bayard commented as he counted the considerable number of men at the board. He added those that accompanied them and those who still walked the walls and was impressed.

The lord slanted him a glance. “A man must defend his treasures if he means to keep them.”

’Twas a philosophy that met with much favor from Bayard, though he had no opportunity to comment further. His cousins and brother now returned from the bailey, rubbing their hands together. They sat at the table at the other end of the chamber, and clearly enjoyed themselves greatly. The lord excused himself to make them welcome and no doubt to confirm that the gate was secured.

Bayard enjoyed the ale and the warmth of the hall after the chill ride they had endured. He wondered whether Esmeraude intended to reveal her identity on this night to his brother and cousins and found himself smiling in anticipation of their surprise.

Then someone cleared his throat tentatively from behind him. “Sir?”

Bayard turned to see Michael, Andrew fast behind him. “Aye?”

“If I might be so bold as to make a comment, it seems to me that this lady is perhaps not well suited to you, sir.”

Bayard watched the boy carefully. “Indeed?”

“Indeed.” Michael nodded. “If she wishes so much to evade your hand, there might be a reason for it, which only she knows.”

“Or it might be that she plays a game, one intended to find the suitor with the most resolute will.”

Michael frowned. “’Tis true, sir, though I wonder whether a woman who so defies your will would make a fitting bride in the end. Perhaps we should abandon this chase and ride to meet the king instead. This may not prove a victory that can be won, or it may be one with too heavy a price upon it.”