Sebastian followed his gaze and frowned.
“My lord Sebastian,” she said with a smile. “Welcome! How fine to have both of my husband’s brothers at Montvieux again. We must ensure that your visit is a merry one. There will be pheasant on this night and we have some new wine.”
“I thank you,” Sebastian said, bowing to her.
Isabella looked between the brothers, then smiled. “The miller’s wife would have my advice on a matter,” she said, clearly fabricating a reason to leave them alone. “We shall see you in the hall this night,” she said to Sebastian, as gracious as any lady could be, then she left them alone. Amaury found his gaze following her and wished he knew what to say to his brother.
“You have only to ask him,” Roland chided and Sebastian flushed.
“How long will you stay?” Amaury asked, trying to guess his brother’s desire. “Dare we hope until the Yule?”
“Longer if I might,” Sebastian said abruptly, then scowled. “Do you have a place for a knight?” he demanded. “I would return and serve you loyally, if you would welcome me.”
“And my lady wife?”
Sebastian flushed anew. “I was mistaken about her, and unkind. I would strive to repair my error.”
“Then you will pledge to both of us this night,” Amaury said, hoping he would not be rebuffed.
Sebastian smiled. “Aye, Amaury, I would and gladly.” The brothers shook hands, then Amaury pulled Sebastian into an embrace.
“Good,” he said, thumping his brother’s back in relief. “Good.”
They parted and grinned at each other, then the leader of the masons called to Amaury. He conferred with the masons, walking the proposed site for the keep, reviewing the position of the curtain wall and gate, discussing potential sites for the stone. They spoke of the cost and the conditions, and the arrangements were made to the satisfaction of both parties.
It was a day’s labor well completed, but Amaury had not finished all he meant to accomplish. He eyed the sun and estimated that his guests would arrive soon. He left his brothers and went to the red tent, hoping to find Isabella there.
Aye, there would be one more reason to celebrate on this night.
Isabella wasglad of Sebastian’s return and his reconciliation with Amaury. Though she did not know the youngest of the brothers well at all, she knew that Amaury worried about that knight’s welfare. It was good to see the brothers in harmonyagain. She completed her errand and returned to the tent, finding herself tired as was now so often the case in the afternoon.
How long should she wait before telling Amaury their news? She did not trust it yet, fearing that she was mistaken, but Rosalie had confirmed her suspicions this very morning.
She would tell Amaury and soon.
She had scarce lit a brazier and sat down in the tent when someone’s shadow appeared at the flap. “It is Mathilde, my lady,” a woman said softly. “I come at the behest of my lord Amaury.”
Mathilde, Isabella knew, was one of the villagers come from Marnis and was clever beyond all with a needle.
Curious, she called for the woman to enter, then caught her breath in surprise. Mathilde carried an armload of blue silk, the very hue of sapphires, the cloth gleaming in the light. It could be no other garment than Isabella’s mother’s nuptial dress.
Mathilde curtseyed. “Aye, I knew you would recognize it. Such a garment! Such silk! It was an honor to repair it for you, my lady.”
“You have repaired it?”
“The blood stain could not be removed.” Mathilde spread the garment on the bed, stroking the cloth with admiration. “But the skirts were so generous that I was able to take some cloth from there.” She explained what she had done, which might have been sorcery to Isabella. The kirtle was intact and just as beautiful as ever. She could see that the silhouette would be slimmer but now there was a bit of the embroidery from the hem at the neckline, too.
“It is beautiful, Mathilde. It might always have been thus.”
The woman flushed. “I am glad you are pleased, my lady. I was fearful of changing such a garment, lest I destroy it or your memories.”
“It was my mother’s nuptial gown.”
“Aye, so his lordship confessed. He said he wished to see if it could be repaired as a surprise for you.”
“And I am surprised, to be sure.”
“Will you try it, my lady? I would be certain of the fit.”
