Page 31 of King’s Knight

Merewyn sighed with relief when she arrived at the chamber assigned to her. Her body ached from the long day’s ride. The room was dim; the only light was the narrow band spilling in around the edges of the closed shutters. She opened them wide, eager to view the surrounding area.

The window faced east toward the river. On the far bank of the Thames stood a few buildings, but on either side of them the land appeared to be untamed marsh. Dark clouds hung low overhead, their brooding color turning the waters of the Thames a dull gray. A stench rose in her nostrils making her grimace. She could not tell if it was the river or something else. As they had ridden into London, the whole city seemed to smell of raw offal. She could not imagine a king living in such a place, but then Alex had told her William Rufus was not often here.

Behind her, a knock sounded.

“Enter.”

Nelda peeked her head around the oak-paneled door, her blue-gray eyes scanning the chamber as her dark plait fell over her shoulder. “Can they bring the bathing water in now, mistress?”

“Aye, of course. And ’tis your chamber, too, Nelda. Lady Serena told me we were to share.”

“Do not be concerned with me,” the maidservant said, opening the door wide to admit two boys lugging pails of steaming water. “The chests will be here shortly so you will have fresh clothing after your bath. I will bathe while you and Lady Serena are at supper.”

The girl was efficient as she moved the copper tub to the center of the room and gestured the lads to fill it. When they had done so, Nelda ushered the lads from the room and waited by the door as two male servants carried their chests into the room, along with Merewyn’s bow and quiver of arrows.

Once the men had gone, Nelda made a quick survey of the chamber, a satisfied look on her face. “I will return after I’ve seen to Lady Serena.”

“Thank you, Nelda.”

Alone, Merewyn peeled off her gloves, her gown stained with mud, her undertunic, shoes and hosen. Taking the pot of soft soap from her chest and picking up a drying cloth from the stack left on her bed, she breathed in the scent of Talisand’s flowers and stepped into the tub.

The light from the window fell across her body. Most of her skin was a pale ivory, but even with her straw hat, her face felt tight, as if it had gained color from the sun, for they’d had good weather.

She eased her body into the steaming water and laid her head on the edge of the tub letting the hot water soothe her. Her mind filled with images of their travel to London. She had loved seeing the countryside and places she had never been. The days spent conversing with Lady Serena had been pleasant. But most of all, she had enjoyed being with Alex, mayhap too much. She was fond of seeing him each day. He could be charming as well as commanding and often he had made her smile in their brief stops or at supper. Whatever there was between them, it had grown, at least on her part. It was there whenever he touched her, placed his hands about her waist or allowed his gray eyes to linger on her.

It was dangerous, but she could not bring herself to show him indifference.

In Shrewsbury, they had played chess again and he had won. She had been relieved. It was better that way. Friends traded wins.

The memory of the first night he had kissed her flickered in her mind. He had said they could be more than friends. What had he meant? She would not be his mistress and could never be his wife. What more was there for them? In truth, she feared she was playing with fire. But she could no longer deny her heart.

The bath water began to grow cold and, feeling a chill, she quickly rinsed her hair and reached for the drying cloth. Stepping from the tub, she dried herself and changed into a linen gown the color of green summer leaves. Nelda would return to help her with the laces. Would Alex think it feminine? Her archer’s clothing had been sewn to conceal her curves. Though she was slender, she did have them and, for Alex, she wanted to appear more than a bowman.

Pulling her still damp hair back from her face, plaiting the sides and tying them together at her crown, she let the rest of her hair hang free.

She shot a glance at her bow, leaning against the wall next to her quiver of arrows. The silent rebuke she heard in her mind was not so strong as it had once been. As Maugris had advised, she would control the bow and keep her own counsel.

After Nelda had come and gone, Merewyn went downstairs. Everyone was there save Alex. Her searching gaze did not go unnoticed. Rory strolled to her. “Alex has gone to the palace to let the king know Earl Renaud has arrived. He will bring back news of the barons’ meeting.”

Embarrassed that Rory should have been so quick to see her interest in Alex’s whereabouts, Merewyn thanked him and went to join Lady Serena where she stood with Earl Renaud and Sir Geoffroi on the other side of the room. She had just taken a sip from the goblet handed her when Alex appeared at the doorway, a frown on his face.

He darted a glance at her, then strode to his father. “The king has decided the barons will meet two days hence. Ranulf says nearly all have arrived. But William has called a hunt for tomorrow in Windsor Forest.”

A hunt. With a night’s sleep in a comfortable bed, Merewyn would enjoy racing through the woods after deer. Her brows lifted in question to Lady Serena. “Where is Windsor?”

“ ’Tis the closest of the royal forests, a morning’s ride away,” replied Lady Serena. Then she turned to Alex, “Will we be expected to join the king for dinner at Windsor Castle tomorrow eve?”

“Nay, he plans to return to Westminster where we will dine with him and the barons. ’Tis likely to be a large gathering with so many in London.”

The steward was good to his word and soon they were dining on roast duck cooked in wine sauce with cherries. The dish was a particular favorite of Merewyn’s and she ate heartily from the trencher she shared with Alex.

It was a happy gathering that evening as the men discussed the king’s hunt planned for the next day. Merewyn had never seen Windsor Forest, one of the king’s woodlands set aside for his pleasure. The men did not invite her to participate but she wanted to. A royal hunt!

That night, Merewyn lay in bed, listening to the rain pounding on the roof, the sound soothing and the breeze blowing in through the open shutters clean and fresh.

The next morning, awakened by the bells sounding the hour of Terce, she threw back the cover and walked to the window. In the distance, the Thames was a deep blue, the morning sun already turning the sky a paler version of the river. She inhaled deeply. The air, washed clean by the rain, smelled fresh. The rain had swept away the horrible stench, at least for a time.

Nelda stirred in her small bed on the far side of the chamber. “Oh, I am late rising.” She sat up, already replaiting her hair. “Do you require my service before I attend Lady Serena? I am certain she is awake and Earl Renaud may already be breaking his fast.”