The chemise that matched was longer and intended to show. Ah, she found it in the trunk and lifted it with a smile. It was fine linen, pleated and embroidered, the hem again heavy with embroidery, so that it was fit for a queen. She saw the golden girdle in the trunk then, and the fine red leather slippers. There was a veil of finest gold cloth, a sheer confection that must be silk, and a thick gold circlet that must have been hidden here from her father.
He had sold all the gems he could find, so insatiable was his desire for funds. There was no doubt that the circlet was gold, not with that beautiful hue. Brass never looked so rich as this.
She jumped when another knocked at the door. This summons was crisp, three distinct raps delivered with precision. Not Faydide and certainly not Mallory, who would pound upon the door and demand admission.
“My lady Isabella?” a man asked softly. “It is Raymond de Haniers, the brother of Marguerite, and I would confer with you.”
What could he desire of her? Perhaps he and his siblings meant to leave on the morrow. Perhaps they intended to leave early and miss the funeral, thus would offer their regrets.
Isabella went to the door but did not open it. “You must know, sir, that I cannot confer with you in private. It would not be seemly.”
“I wagered as much, my lady, which is why I have asked your seneschal to join us.”
“I am here, my lady,” Simon said. “And awaiting your instruction.”
Isabella considered for a moment, then opened the portal. To her relief, the two men were the only ones in the corridor and at her nod, they came inside. Raymond was the younger of the two brothers and his gaze darted around the solar before landing upon her.
“My lady, I am aware that much changes in this moment, but I would make a proposition to you. It has been agreed for some time that there would be an alliance between our houses and my father fully expected as much when he agreed to Marguerite’s marriage to Lord Denis.”
Isabella gave no sign of her surprise that the negotiations has been of such duration.
“It was less desirable in his view for your father to be the bridegroom, but your uncle was most persuasive and my father agreed.”
Isabella understood that a sum of coin had exchanged hands to ensure this result.
“Now, however, Marguerite has no future at Marnis. My brother, Antoine, and I would prefer to provide a solution to our father that he will find palatable, therefore, I present myself as a candidate for your hand.”
“In marriage?”
“Of course.”
“But I am wed.”
“I had understood that you intended to seek an annulment.”
“You were mistaken in that, which is not surprising as it was my father’s plan.”
He studied her with intensity. “But not yours?”
Isabella shook her head and he caught his breath.
“My brother will be interested to learn of this. Knowing that there effectively is a new Lord de Marnis may spare him a most unpromising alliance.” Raymond bowed politely. “I thank you for your attention, my lady, and wish you every good fortune.” With that, he pivoted and strode to the door.
“No doubt he would ensure that his brother does not propose to Lady Faydide,” Simon murmured, then winked at her before hastening after the other man.
Isabella found it incredible that a man would wed Faydide to secure Marnis, but then, she supposed he might have children already. Either way, the holding was rightfully hers. She barred the door again and when she turned, the keys on the string beneath her skirts collided with her thigh.
She lifted the keys in her hand. Where had her father kept his prizes? In the treasury, of course. Would these keys unlock its contents?
The treasury was hidden behind a wooden panel that did not appear to be a door, one that matched the others around the perimeter of the chamber. Isabella remembered which one it was, and how it had to be touched to reveal its secret truth, though it had been a long time since she had seen it.
Behind the door was a chest built into the very walls, with a doughty lock upon it. She glanced toward her father’s bed and saw that there were no keys upon the table beside it. Nor had there been any keys on his person when he had been removed from the hall.
She soon discovered that one of the keys held by Denis unlocked the treasury. It could not have been the sole key, for her father would never have surrendered it to Denis, particularly when Denis was riding to Montvieux.
Did Denis possess a duplicate key?
Had her father known?
