Gabrielle raised her eyes to meet his. “In two weeks, at the Yuletide Joust, I will be given away. A prize, like a bag of silver or a parcel of land. A trophy for the champion who wins my hand.” Unwanted tears brimmed, distorting his handsome, impassioned face. “I have precious few days of freedom left, and I want to savor every moment.”
She wiped her eyes and drained her goblet, the liquid warmth fueling her courage. “I’d like very much to go into the village, disguised as a peasant. I want to eat roast boar and drink goblets of ale. Dance to a lively fiddle and laugh with unabashed joy. Enjoy my freedom…before it is taken away.” She implored him with her eyes, glimpsing in his fiery green gaze an array of conflicting emotions.
Chivalrous honor. Unbridled passion. Duty and obligation.
“I can borrow a homespun gown that the kitchen servants wear. Hide my hair under a bonnet. No one will know it’s me.” Raising onto her knees, she clutched his hand, grasping at her last chance of liberty. “Will you please grant my wish…and take me into town? That I might taste the exquisite flavor of freedom before it is gone?”
Haunted, hungry eyes blazed into hers. Bastien raised her hand to his soft, full lips, a shiver of pleasure rippling down her arm, a warm glow igniting in her loins. “I will do anything you ask of me. Anything to please you. Of course, I will grant your wish.”
His thumb traced her fingers as he stared pensively at her hand, raising his dark green gaze which sparkled in the late morning light. “But we must ride different horses, for our own would be easily recognized.” Still holding her hand, he looked out at the lake, his brows furrowed in concentration. “Tonight, at dinner time, tell your attendants that you’re ill and wish to retire early. Leave instructions that you must not be disturbed. Dress like a chambermaid and meet me in the kitchen pantry. We’ll slip down into the buttery where the barrels of ale are stored and take the exit near the stables. I’ll have two horses saddled and waiting for us.”
She sprung to her feet, pulling him to a stand before her. With a squeal of delight, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed his stubbled cheek. “Thank you, Bastien! I cannot wait!”
In his conflicted gaze, Gabrielle glimpsed wild, exuberant joy and desperate, overwhelming guilt.
Seeming to struggle with contradictory emotions, he silently helped her repack the basket.
Reenter the secret cave.
And—as if condemned by fate—return stoically to thechâteau.
Chapter 6
A Trio of Yuletide Wishes
An early December chill nipped at Viviane’s cheeks, the dark, cloudy sky hinting at snow as she carried an armful of evergreen boughs and pine branches back toward the Crystal Castle. Ghislaine, with Gaston and Quentin playing knights nearby, gathered holly and berries, which she placed in the basket on the ground at her booted feet. Laudine, keeping a watchful eye on Quentin—the older, stronger boy—collected fragrant white hellebore blossoms near the stream at the edge of the forest.
Ghislaine’s woodcutter husband Gaspard, having chopped an ample supply of firewood, hollered to the two boys, “I’m finished. Let’s go practice with the knights.”
With a whoop of joy, Gaston dashed across the courtyard to join his father, the lanky Quentin close behind, as the male trio disappeared toward the training field behind the castle.
Her heart full of holiday cheer, Viviane smiled brightly at her two companions, the three women bringing the Yuletide decorations into the welcomingchâteau.
“This holly will make the conservatory and ballroom look especially festive,” Viviane exclaimed merrily, as she and Ghislaine wrapped the dark green garlands around the columns which flanked the two sets of windowed doors. Behind the castle, the shimmery surface ofle Lac de Dianeglistened in the gray morning light. “Beginning on the winter solstice—when our sons and their guests arrive—the musicians will play each night, continuing all through the twelve days of Christmas untilla Fête des Rois—Three Kings’ Day. We’ll have dining, drinking, and dancing…it will be a most splendid Yuletide season.”
“Sophie is such a wonder in the kitchen,” Laudine crooned as she arranged fragrant bouquets of the Christmas Rose—sweet-smelling white hellebore blossoms. “I cannot wait for theRéveillonfeast on Christmas Eve. And Gaston loves herbûche de Noël!”
Viviane laughed gaily, her heart full of joy. The servants Odille and Florette joined in the decorating, and soon the clean, green scent of pine entwined with the sweet smell of holly and the floral fragrance of hellebore blossoms throughout the festive Crystal Castle.
Seated now in Viviane’s cozy corner nook off the kitchen, the three friends shared a cup oftisaneand gazed out the window at the gleaming lake.
“Esclados will be leaving in a few days, to bring two dozen horses tole Château de Beaufort,” Laudine announced as she sipped her chamomile tea. “He’s joining Lancelotthe week before the Yuletide Joust, so they can finalize the preparations. More than a hundred visitors are expected, so they’ll be erecting pavilions and overseeing the construction of aberfroisgrandstand—for the royal audience and noble spectators.” She smiled encouragingly at Viviane. “We three women can travel together in my carriage and arrive two days before the joust. My son Gaultier has prepared guest chambers for us all—a room for Esclados and me, another for Ghislaine, Gaspard, and Gaston. And a separate, private room for you, Viviane, on the same floor as ours.” She grinned at Ghislaine, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze. “Although the men will be occupied with the horses and the contestants in the lists, we three can sit together in the grandstand and have a spectacular view of the joust.”
“That’s a lovely idea. We’ll stay for the full three days—to watch the joust, enjoy the feast, and observe the royal wedding on the sixteenth. If we leave the following day, we’ll be back here at the Crystal Castle well before the winter solstice. With plenty of time to enjoy our own Yuletide celebration.” Viviane reached for the platter of almond cakes Sophie had left on the table, offering them to her guests.
Ghislaine accepted one, moaning with pleasure as she bit into the delectable confection. “Sophie is such a talentedpâtissière.These are delicious.” Wiping the corner of her mouth—upturned into a grin—she chuckled, “It’s good that we’re having one now, for once the boys see them, they’ll be gone in an instant.” Her expression became suddenly sorrowful, and she gazed forlornly at the lake. “Gaston will be so happy when he learns that Lancelot is taking him to Camelot…” A lone tear fell down her crumpled cheek. “But it breaks my heart to see him go.”
Viviane slipped to Ghislaine’s side, cradling her in a comforting embrace. “Lancelot comes home to Bretagne every summer. He’ll bring Gaston here, to see you and Gaspard.” She rocked Ghislaine in her arms, kissing the dark curls on her friend’s head. “Just think how happy he’ll be to meet his hero…and learn that he is to become a knight. His greatest wish will come true.”
Ghislaine squeezed Viviane’s reassuring arms. “You’re right, of course.” She raised her head, a grateful smile spreading across her face as Viviane sat down at her side. “For his Yuletide gift, Gaston will receive his own wooden sword. And a shield, with the three red bands of Lancelot’s heraldry. He’ll be so proud to bear his hero’s coat of arms.” Her bottom lip quivered, her sorrowful eyes brimming with tears anew as she held Viviane’s comforting gaze. “I know you and Laudine both went through this with your own sons.” She stared unseeingly into her cup, her quavering voice barely audible. “After longing for a child for so many years, to finally have him… and now…to have to let him go…” She buried her face in her hands, lowering her head onto the table.
Laudine silently rubbed her friend’s shuddering back.
After a few moments, Ghislaine sat up, inhaled deeply, and wiped her tears away with a sad smile. “My Yuletide wish is to see him happy. That will fill my heart with unspeakable joy.”
“Like you, Ghislaine. I want my sons to be happy.” Laudine sipped her tisane as she gazed pensively at the lake. “Gaultier already is. He’ll inherit our castle…and with so many lady friends, he’ll have no trouble finding a wife when he’s ready. Cardin is betrothed to the Lady Charlotte—she’ll be coming here with him for the winter solstice, before they travel together to her family’s estate for Christmas. He is very happy as well.”
Compassion shone on Laudine’s face as she spoke softly to Viviane. “But Bastien…personal royal guard to the princess… His prestigious duty will require him to serve faithfully at her side.” Anguish blazed in her amber eyes. “While the woman he loves is married to another man. A man who will becomehis king.”
