Velvet Touch

Stephen told himself he must stop thinking of her. His foolishness had already delayed his arrival at Malvern by no small length of time. After leaving her, the knight had been forced to backtrack and come by the main road in the end anyway.

But the instant tightening of his body as that silvery image flooded his mind for the thousandth time since leaving her told Stephen he was only fooling himself. With a silent growl of self-disgust he forced himself to attend to what was happening as he followed the guard across the rush-strewn floor of the hall.

The trestle tables had been set up for the meal as he had hoped, but by this late hour the serving women were even now removing trays which had earlier been loaded with yesterday’s bread, cold roast meat and cheese. There was only a smattering of crumbs and bones to greet his hunger. He forced back a grimace of disappointment.

The few remaming occupants of the room looked up as he came forward to the high table where a well-favored man of some forty years sat. As Stephen moved closer, he saw the man’s tanned face was marked by few lines though his hair was an all-over shade of iron. Far from adding age to the features, the gray hair only served to highlight two deep blue eyes that lit up as the knight approached.

Lord Richard Grayson welcomed Stephen to the morning meal with an open smile. “Ah, Sir Stephen,” he greeted, “the guard tells me you are just come from the king’s court. I feel fortune to have lingered in breaking my fast else I might have missed you. You are most welcome to our hall. News from court is always received with gladness.” He went on with a frown, “We get few visitors so close to the Welsh border.”

Seeing the other man’s adverse reaction to even mentioning his enemies, Stephen wondered how the king’s solution to his problems would be met.

Richard Grayson’s features cleared. “Please take a seat and join us. Surely you have not broken your own fast.”

Stephen nodded with a smile. “Nay, my Lord Grayson, I have not and I thank you for your hospitality.” He was pleased that he would not have need to discuss the most delicate matter of a marriage between this man’s daughter and his enemy without sustenance.

He took the place indicated to him at the high table to Lord Grayson’s left, as the older man raised his hand and called for more food to be brought. The other seats at the table were vacant and Stephen could only assume that the other members of the baron’s family had taken their meal and gone.

When the golden-haired and curvaceous serving woman arrived bearing a laden tray, her eyes held a flirtatious smile as she set it before him. Taking only cursory notice of her, Stephen took liberal helpings of meat, cheese and bread. He was too occupied with behaving casually with the other man’s close attention on him. He was careful to keep a relaxed demeanor, for he knew not how Lord Grayson would take the news of his daughter’s proposed marriage. From what he had been told by the king, Lord Grayson had been feuding with his closest neighbors, the Welsh, since he had taken over the running of the castle.

Judging from the tone of Lord Grayson’s voice when mentioning the Welsh, it seemed he was no nearer to developing a tolerance for them. This did not bode well for Stephen’s mission and he knew he must tread carefully here. Mayhap it would take more time and care to see the matter done than he had envisioned, but he was determined to accomplish what he had been asked to do.

With obviously waning patience, Lord Grayson watched Stephen as he began to eat.

Realizing that he had best get the initial disclosure out of the way without further ado, Stephen took a long drink of the watered wine that had been set before him. He smiled then and sat back in his seat. “I must thank you, Lord Grayson, for greeting me with such warmth.”

Lord Grayson nodded pleasantly enough. “As I said, we are always pleased to greet a messenger from court. I am most eager to hear the news.” As if he could not withhold the query any longer, he asked, “Has King Edward decided what will be done about our feud with the Welsh? I have waited long for his reply.”

Stephen returned the nod, pleased that Lord Grayson had introduced the subject on his own. Obviously the problem was an important one in his eyes. Mayhap he would be eager to see any solution to the situation and would welcome King Edward’s decision, though from what Stephen had observed thus far, this would come as a surprise to him.

“I have come with news,” Stephen replied. “The king is indeed ready to see your troubles settled.”

Lord Grayson smiled, looking pleased as he folded his hands together and leaned closer. “I am most eager to learn of his plans. Will he be sending troops to add to our garrison here? Or mayhap he intends to attack and put down our enemies without preamble.”

The bent of Lord Grayson’s thinking further confirmed that his mind and the king’s were not following similar paths. Stephen answered with careful deliberation. “Nay, neither of those things will occur.”

Lord Grayson frowned then and leaned back. “What then? Pray tell me. How will he make this aright?”

Stephen laid his hands flat on the tabletop and met Lord Grayson’s troubled gaze without wavering. “His Highness has proposed a union between your house and that of Wynn ap Dafydd.”

“A union?” Lord Grayson’s expression could only be described as baffled.

Stephen went on evenly. “Aye, a marriage between your daughter and Wynn himself.” Reaching into his sleeve, Stephen removed a roll of parchment.

When he saw the royal seal that held the document closed, Lord Grayson’s mouth opened but no sound emerged for a moment.

The serving woman, who had, at that very moment, been pouring more wine into his cup, let out a gasp of shock.

It was as if the sound of her gasping helped Richard Grayson find his tongue, for he cried, “Nay.” He rose, pushing back his chair and nearly knocking the luckily quick footed serving woman out of his way. “I will not have it. Not my Fellis. Not while there is breath in my body.” He hit his chest with an outraged fist.

The reaction was even worse than Stephen had feared, and seeing it, he was convinced that he was not going to have an easy time of it. But he also knew that no matter how Lord Grayson reacted at the moment, he had to come to see that he had little or no choice in this. King Edward would brook no defiance to his decree.

What Stephen had to do now was handle the situation with as much delicacy as possible. He could understand that Lord Grayson might be disturbed at this news and had no small amount of sympathy for him. Carefully he returned the king’s order to his sleeve. Lord Grayson clearly was in no state to read it. The knight knew that what he said now could make the difference between an ultimately peaceful outcome and a disastrous one. He chose his words carefully. “I can see, my lord, that this news has come as an unhappy surprise to you. I must tell you though that I cannot allow you to defy King Edward’s instructions. As his messenger it is my duty to see his orders carried through. I can only hope that you will have some understanding of where my duty and loyalty must he and not force me into a position that would be impossible for me by defying the king.”

Lord Grayson looked at Stephen with rising anger. “You inform me that I am to marry my only daughter to that barbarian, and then you have the temerity to tell me not to put you in an impossible position.”

With deliberate concentration Stephen forced himself to remain seated as Lord Grayson went on.

“How dare you come here and ask this of me! How dare the king send you! He has no understanding of the problems we have faced trying to live here next to these people. They raid my lands, burn my crops and my buildings. ’Tis untenable.”

Calmly Stephen answered his tirade. “I can see that you feel strongly on this matter. But I can only add that there must be some way to go forward with His Majesty’s proposal. What has been going on for all these years must be brought to a halt.”

“Even if I was willing to cry pax with the Welsh—” Lord Grayson glared at him “—they would not. And offering them my daughter will not gain that peace. They resent English rule to the point of hatred. Truth to tell, they would never even agree to hear such a proposal. They are too occupied with planning raids on my land and people.”

Stephen steepled his fingers under his chin for a thoughtful moment. Perhaps what the other man said was true, but he also wondered if anyone had ever tried to speak to them about a truce. Then he looked up at Richard Grayson with arched brows. “If I were to bring about a cessation of these hostile activities, you could then feel more inclined to talk with Wynn ap Dafydd on the matter of his marriage to your daughter?”

Richard scoffed. “’Twould not happen.”

Stephen shrugged. He knew much could be accomplished if one set his mind to it, even that which seemed impossible. It was something his father had always told him, and Stephen attempted to live by that creed. “I think you may leave that to me. I must also tell you that such an agreement on the part of your enemy wouldst of necessity have to be abided by on both sides.”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“I mean, my lord, that you would also need stop any such activities as you have complained of.”

Richard Grayson had the grace to look uncomfortable for a moment, then he smiled unpleasantly, his gray brows drawn together. “I will agree to abide by such a plan. But I must tell you, sir, that you are a foolhardy knight. The Welsh will in fact kill you before you can even present such a plan. Neither Wynn nor any of his folk have any respect for English law. King Edward’s part in this plan will be as nothing to them. They understand nothing of honor and would not abide by any agreement entered into with those they consider their enemy.”

Stephen shrugged. “As I said, you must leave that to me.”

Richard looked at the younger man long and hard, then said, “Aye, I will leave it to you then. Know you that I will not assist you in this farce. If you must treat with the Welsh, it will be by your own wits. I will not help you to perpetrate this action against myself and my family.”

Stephen frowned. “As you will, my lord.” It was not what he wanted to hear, but Stephen refused to allow himself to become worried. A glimmer of a plan was forming in his mind, and he had no need of Lord Grayson’s assistance to set it in motion. Later, once the baron had become accustomed to the notion of his daughter marrying Wynn ap Dafydd he would surely relax this hardened stance.

In truth Richard Grayson had no choice. He held these lands and keep by virtue of the king. In the end he must do as ordered, or risk losing all.

But Stephen did not mind giving him some time to adjust to the truth of the situation.

Slowly Richard reseated himself, putting his face in his hands as he did so. Then he looked at Stephen with an expression that could only be interpreted as sympathetic. “You have no idea what a task you yave set for yourself, young man.”

“What mean you?” Stephen asked him, surprised at this new turn of attitude. Surely he did not think Stephen needed to be further warned in the difficulty of convincing the Welsh to comply?

“I mean, sir, that even if you were to convince Wynn to go along with this scheme, which is nigh impossible enough, then you must face another even more insurmountable obstacle.”

This time it was Stephen who frowned. “You talk in riddles, my lord.”

“I speak of my dear wife.” There was a hint of bitterness in the older man’s tone. “The Lady Mary has her own plans for Fellis’s future and she will not be easily deterred. And you will gain no ally in my daughter, either, for she has agreed to go along with her mother’s wishes.”

Stephen relaxed back in his seat. The man might be overconcerned with his wife’s wishes; Stephen was not. Not that he planned to leave this situation with enemies at his back. He simply knew there was a way to work around this new impediment. The girl’s mother must simply be brought to see the wisdom of complying with the king’s decision.

Surely they would all come to understand that King Edward has proposed a very sound solution to the problems Lord Grayson had been complaining of for years. He was clearly ready to have the feuding at an end.

If they but considered, a marriage between the two houses might not be so very disagreeable. Once a babe was born to the young couple, attitudes would be greatly changed on both sides, Welsh and English.

Thus it was with slight amusement in his tone that Stephen asked. “What then is your wife’s plan for the girl’s future?” Then suddenly a rough edge crept into his voice as an unpleasant thought occurred to him. “You have not contracted for another marriage without notifying King Edward of the fact?”

Richard raised his hand in denial. “Nay, I wouldst not.”

Again Stephen settled back. “Then, beyond your troubles with the Welsh what could possibly hinder the proposed marriage?”

The older man’s expression remained closed. “That, Sir Knight, I will allow you to see for yourself.”

Without another word, Lord Richard beckoned the serving woman to him. When she arrived, he said, “Go and ask my lady wife to attend me here in the hall. And tell her I wish for her to bring our daughter with her.” He stopped her then as she prepared to leave, his eyes stern. “And make no mention of what you heard here.”

The woman nodded briefly, then hurried off. She was making an obvious effort not to look in Stephen’s direction, but her expression was resentful.

Stephen could see that this news had come as an unpleasant surprise for those at Malvern. In time they must all come to accept it.

As she left, Stephen realized that sending for the girl was a good idea. He would have need to gauge her reaction to the king’s wishes. Mayhap the girl would not be as set against the plan as her parents. That would be of great help to his cause, for in the end she was the one who must agree to the marriage.

While they waited, Stephen did try but was unable to gain any further information from the Lord of Malvern. The baron seemed to take an almost perverse pleasure from withholding his secret knowledge concerning his wife’s intentions for the girl. The knight decided to allow the matter to rest.

He would discover the facts soon enough.

But he was determined not to let whatever it was stand in his way. He had been given many tasks to perform in his duties to the crown. He knew that though this one be clearly difficult, he was not about to admit defeat at the onset.

Stephen felt certain he could see this through.

And once it was settled, there was the matter of the woman from the wood. Though he knew it was pure foolhardiness on his part, Stephen could not dismiss the notion of trying to locate her.

His body tightened at the very idea. Be she some nobleman’s bastard, he would surely be able to come up with the coin to loosen any possible resistance.

But once more he dragged his thoughts back to the present. Not until Stephen had seen to his official duties would he be free to pursue his own interests.

With impatience, he turned to the doorway through which he expected Lord Grayson’s wife and daughter to come.

Chapter Two

Just a short time later, Stephen watched as two female figures came to the arched doorway of the hall. The light from the narrow windows was not bright on that end of the hall at this hour and, as they paused at the other end of the wide stone chamber, the two were cloaked in shadow.

The first, a slender woman of perhaps forty entered after only a moment’s hesitation. She was dressed in simple but well-made garments of dark blue samite, and her head was covered by a dark veil and wimple. A ring of keys rode the belt at her waist and she approached Richard Grayson with stiff formality. “You sent for me, my lord husband.” She nodded, her brown eyes fixed on the one she addressed without affection.

Stephen could see that she had surely once been a pretty maid. But now her expression was tightly fixed and unyielding, leaving her features pinched.

Grayson turned to Stephen, no hint of his feelings on his face. “Allow me to present my wife, the Lady Mary.”

She made no attempt at speech, simply stared at him coolly.

Her husband gestured toward Stephen. “My lady, this is Sir Stephen Clayburn, he is come here from King Edward.”

Stephen nodded and uttered a polite greeting. “Lady Grayson.” There seemed little about this woman to lend such awe in her husband, though she did appear somewhat ill-tempered.

Lady Grayson’s expression was rife with displeasure, her lips set in a firm line. Considering the fact that her husband had expressly forbidden the serving woman to tell his wife of Stephen’s purpose in being there, her attitude was surprising.

He wondered if her reaction was directed toward himself, her husband, or just a sign of a sour nature. He hoped she had not passed it on to her daughter if the latter was the case.

With curiosity, Stephen’s gaze strayed to the other female who still lingered in the shadows beside the doorway.

Stephen became aware of Lord Grayson’s attention and turned to the other man to find a smile on his handsome face. Not that there was any real humor in it. That grin bespoke more a sense of resignation and pity for Stephen.

Unsure as to the cause of either emotion, Stephen turned his attention back to the girl.

“My daughter, Fellis,” the older man confirmed. His tone became one of impatience. “Come here, girl, into the light where we can see you. You have no need to fear.”

She hesitated still, only her shoulders shifted as if with indecision.

Lady Grayson spoke and her tone was filled with suspicion. “Why are we here, Richard?” she asked. “Why have you sent for Fellis to come to the hall and meet this man.”

When Stephen looked at her, she was staring at Lord Grayson with open hostility. “I hope you have not finally given in to your selfish desire to try to wed our daughter to some hopeful suitor. He will only end in leaving here disappointed.”

Richard laughed, still without humor. “Not I, my dear. And this man is no suitor, so you may cast your righteous indignation toward him away. He has not come here to marry our precious daughter. Though you will be equally displeased when you find out why he has come.”

Stephen frowned. The relationship between husband and wife was more openly antagonistic than any he’d seen. His own parents had indeed argued in their marriage before they had succumbed to the plague, yet there had been no hint of the bitterness that clearly existed between these two.

Yet that was not his concern. Getting their daughter married was, and he wondered at the strange remarks Lady Mary had made concerning her fears that Lord Richard had brought the knight to Malvern as a suitor. The subject was clearly a heated one.

But he stopped himself there. What had gone before mattered not in the least. The future was paramount and Stephen was not going to allow them to digress into an argument about the situation before he’d even had a chance to reason with the girl.

He was certain that, given an opportunity to see what her duty was, the maid would do as she must.

Thinking to expedite the process of explaining the situation, Stephen called out softly, speaking directly to the girl. “Do not shy from me, Maid Grayson, I am not here to do you harm. As your father has told you there is nothing to fear from me.”

She stepped farther into the room and stood in the soft golden glow of one window’s light. Still she did not raise her head.

Stephen was surprised to see the young girl dressed in a gray rough-spun garment much like that of a nun. A veil and wimple of the same dull hue covered her head and obscured any glimpse of her face from his view.

He wondered at such lowly dressing for the lord’s own daughter and swung around to face her parents with a frown. Though the mother’s cote was admittedly plain, he had taken note of the fineness of the blue cloth. “What means this garb? Did I not know better I would think your daughter had taken holy orders. Or that she must live by some vow of poverty unobserved by the rest of her kin.”

Richard Grayson faced him with a frown of his own, though he made no reply. It appeared that the situation pleased him no more than it did the younger man

His wife interjected with a self-satisfied smile. “Unwittingly you have hit upon the truth. Although my daughter has not taken vows as of yet, ’tis but a matter of time until that eventuality takes place. We wait only for her father to pay her dowry and the abbey at Hardwicke will receive her into their order.”

Stephen gave a visible start at hearing this. Even though he’d said the words, he’d not thought of them as anything beyond reprimand for the girl’s poor state of dress. Then he forced his shoulders to relax. He was not going to let this woman get the better of him. “I think not, Lady Grayson. Your daughter is to be wed, most certainly, but not to our Lord and Savior.”

Mary Grayson looked to her husband as her daughter echoed her gasp of shock. “What says he, my lord husband? This is surely some jest on your part. Why you just said this man was not here to wed our Fellis.”

“He is not,” Lord Grayson intoned “He is come to arrange a marriage betwixt Fellis and Wynn ap Dafydd.”

Mary Grayson cried, “Not on my life. You will not marry my daughter to that Welsh barbarian.”

Richard Grayson flushed, casting an angry frown Stephen’s way. “Lady wife, you know my feelings concerning our enemy match your own. I have not given my permission for this event to take place. Only agreed to go forward with talks on the matter should the Welsh agree to comply with a truce. I have been left with little choice in the matter. King Edward himself has sent this man here to see to the deed.”

Stephen did not look at him but kept his gaze on the Lady Mary. “What he says is true, Lady Mary. The matter rests little in your husband’s hands, but in King Edward’s. He has declared the marriage will take place if it can be arranged and there is naught that can be done to change it.”

He reached inside his tunic to pull out the document that sealed Fellis’s fate. He passed the missive to the older woman, who took it somewhat gingerly. Slowly she opened the document to scan it, her expression showing her displeasure and horror, which grew steadily with every word she read.

Thinking to give the lady an opportunity to absorb the truth with some modicum of privacy, Stephen averted his gaze to the young girl. She had stepped back into the shadows by the door, her slender body poised as if ready for flight.

Stephen had had enough of this. She had no need to fear him. He spoke to her. “Damsel, please come forward so that we might discuss this rationally. Naught can be gained by hiding.”

He moved across the room in long, purposeful strides and held out his hand.

But she refused to put hers in it. After only one more brief moment of hesitation she finally did come into the room, stepping around him carefully, her shoulders squared as if fighting for courage.

When she moved, it was with a strange halting grace that drew Stephen to watch her with interest. Slowly she came forward, pausing as she stepped beneath the direct light of the window along the outer wall. For a moment her face was profiled in a fine, clear shaft of brightness.

It was then Stephen caught his breath.

It was her! The sprite from the forest. There was no mistaking the fragile beauty of her profile haloed in the whitegold light. Though none of that glorious silver blond hair escaped her nunlike wimple and veil, he knew there was no mistake.

Nothing could make him forget those moments in the forest glade and what he had seen. Each minute detail of her face and exquisite form was etched forever in his mind.