"There! We have finished, my lord," the chieftailor exclaimed proudly, hauling himself to his feet. The other threecraftsmen were beaming, all of them clearly pleased with their meticuloushandiwork.
"It's about time," Edward declared, thensoftened his tone as he perused his appearance. "My thanks, gentlemen. Thegarments are truly splendid . . . fit for a king. But now help me out of thisfinery and fetch me something more comfortable to wear."
As the tailors rushed about and Edward changed, Guymoodily drank his wine.
He, too, had considered the possibility of treachery,but it seemed remote. The odds of that messenger running into men who would havewished, for whatever reason, to thwart his ransom were so slim . . .
Guy inclined his head at the light burst of femininelaughter drifting to them from a distant room, and his hand tightened aroundthe goblet.
God, he missed Leila!
He was amazed at how easily his mind could skip tothoughts of her, despite the fact that he was surrounded by bustling activityand in the presence of the crown prince, who had granted him an audience assoon as he heard Guy was at Westminster. It felt as if it had been weeks sincehe had last seen her, rather than a few hours. He never would have dreamed thatbeing in love could be such torture. Yet he would not trade it. Not for asultan's riches.
What was she doing right now?hewondered. Where might she be . . . strolling somewhere in the palace or perhapsresting in theGervaistent, one of many suchtemporary lodgings which had been set up on the palace grounds? Was shethinking of him? How was she faring now that she was under Roger'sguardianship?
"Come and sit with me, Guy," Edward said,shrugging into a whitesurcoatembroidered with goldtrefoils and taking one of the four carved chairs in front of the huge fireplace."I want to hear more about this intriguing Lady LeilaGervais."
Guy grinned wryly as he walked over and sat down nextto Edward. "You read my mind exactly, my lord," he admitted,stretching out his long legs to the low burning fire. "I was just thinkingabout her."
"Now that's a most serious sign." Edwardraised a dark eyebrow as he regarded Guy with a curious smile. "I don'trecall you dwelling overmuch on any one woman before, my lord deWarenne. Since you lost your first wife, you've broken manya fair maiden's heart here at court, and God knows how many peasant wencheshave lost their maidenheads back in Wales."
"You paint me as quite the rogue, my lord."
"From the sound of it, a reformed rogue. Your halfbrother Philip will be in his priestly glory to know you've a mind to settledown."
Guy swirled what little wine remained in his goblet ashe gazed thoughtfully into the fire. "That is my hope, though how long itwill take me is entirely another matter.
"Ah, yes. You would have chosenGervais'ssister. Now there's a fine trick of fate."Edward was silent for a moment, shaking his head,thenhe asked quietly, "How did it go when you handed her over to Roger?"
"As I expected. It wasn't hard to find him. He andhis men were practicing with the lance and shield inTothillFields when we rode up."
"Getting ready for the jousting, I imagine. Roger'sprowess with the lance grows stronger with each passing year. No doubt he'salready counting the horses and armor he will win when he unseats a recordnumber of knights at my tournament."
Guy grunted. "He's never beaten me.
"Nor have you beaten him. It's always come to adraw.Ranulftrained you both well. I've never seentwo opponents more equally matched." Edward shifted in his chair, wavingfor a servant to bring more wine. "Another subject altogether. Forgive me,Guy. Go on with your story."
Guy waited until their goblets were refilled, then he continued."Roger looked as if he were seeing a ghost when he spied me, but hequickly recovered, masking his emotions as ably as he always has. He scarcelyblinked when I introduced Leila to him as his sister, though he did thank mewhen all was said and done, which surprised me. I think the blackguard did itfor Leila's benefit. He became quite charming and most solicitous, suggestinghe escort her at once to his wife Maude so she might refresh herself from thejourney." Guy shrugged. "That was all. He had a palfrey brought forher, and she rode with him from the field."
Without even a backward glance, he thought to himself.That last slight had cut him deeply. She must have truly believed she wasfinally rid of him. Ah, Leila . . .
"Hmmm. If you would like, Guy, we could arrange tohave her stay here at court as one of Eleanor's ladies-in-waiting," Edwardsuggested. "At least then you would see her and know that she is safe. Idoubt you will be allowed near enough toGervais'scastle to catch even a glimpse of her."
"Thank you for your kind offer, my lord, but no.That would only prolong the situation. She must go with Roger to Wales. Fromwhat I saw this afternoon, I'll wager he'll be on his best behavior while atcourt, and if so, Leila will draw no closer to seeing him for what he reallyis—a coldhearted opportunist who has no thought for her welfare, only forlining his own pockets."
"Well, if there's any way I can assist you, let meknow. I must honor my late father's peace, but that does not mean I suffertraitors lightly. I still remember well my days of imprisonment in KenilworthCastle."
Both men grew silent, lost to dark memories until acommotion came at the door. They rose together as a beautiful woman was usheredinto the room, her patrician features lighting with a radiant smile when shesaw Guy.
"Lord deWarenne! What awonderful surprise! I just now learned you were here at Westminster, though I'mamazed it took so long for the rumor to reach me. My ladies-in-waiting are alla-twitter that the most handsome and eligible knight in England has returnedfrom the Holy Land."
"Hold on to your pretty plans, my dearest wife,"Edward said, planting a resounding kiss on her smiling lips. "I fear yourladies will be sobbing in their pillows this night. It seems our valiant knightdeWarenneis in love."
"Lady Eleanor," Guy said, bowing deeply. Hewas not in the least embarrassed by his sovereigns' open affection for eachother. It was well known throughout the realm that Edward was devoted to hiswife, their marriage an exceedingly happy one.
"What's this? In love? Oh dear, and I thought I'dhave a chance to play the matchmaker now that you are back. Who is the luckygirl?"
"Lady LeilaGervais,"Guy answered with a thin smile.
