Read The Troubadour's Romance for Free Online Page A

with a mesmerized expression. When Felise met her eyes, the woman lowered her gaze and returned to her queen ’ s side, holding the cloak and stroking it almost reverently.
    “ Your point is well taken, ” Henry said to Harlan, a slight chuckle in his voice. “ Having never met the maid, I could not have known why you would fear to have her out of your protection. ” He gestured again to the men behind Felise. “ Would you have them stay to guard her bower door, or will you trust me to protect this valuable prize? ”
    “ I am at your service, my liege, ” Harlan said with assurance.
    Henry rose and stepped do wn from his dais. He extended a hand toward Harlan. “ I cannot keep her from being ogled by every fuzz-faced lad that catches sight of her, but I will see her virtue untainted for her future husband. You may turn your army to other pursuits. ”
    Harlan bowed. “ Yea, my liege. ”
    “ Bring your lady tomorrow and we will dine together. ”
    Felise glanced a bit uncertainly at her father, not quite ready for him to leave her, but knowing he must. Felise would stay at Windsor and only be visited by her family. A moment of doubt at this adventure caused her stomach to flutter anew. She had no idea what she was to do next.
    Harlan turned her, kissed her cheek, and gave her a comforting pat on the arm. He looked again to his king. “ I am at your service, Sire, ” he said. Then turning, he led the way out of the room, his sons following.
    “ Show the lady to her room, ” Eleanor instructed the woman who held Felise ’ s cloak. “ See that she is comfortable and that her belongings find her. ”
    The woman, startled out of her reverie, moved toward Felise with a gentle smile. “ My lady? ” she inquired. And then leading the way, Felise was taken upstairs and through halls and galleries to a bedchamber that was to be hers during her stay.
    Although her time with the king and queen had been brief, her maid and her belongings had arrived and Daria was nervously laying things away and setting out the articles Felise used daily. “ Come, lady, ” her escort softly urged. “ Will you have a scented bath or a small meal? I could have wine brought or even oils to soften your skin. What is your pleasure? ”
    Felise looked at the woman closely for the first time. She wore a plain wimple that covered her head and left only the oval shape of her face to view. She was petite of stature and her hands were small. Her glittering green eyes were kindly and crinkled about the corners. Felise thought she was approximately Lady Edrea ’ s age, a nd uncommonly soft- spoken -- her voice barely rose above a whisper. It was possible this woman had resided with Eleanor in her imprisonment, for her clothes were decent but not rich.
    “ You are so kind to me. What is your name? ” she asked.
    The woman ’ s eyes grew round for just an instant, then she smiled easily as she considered the question. “ I have lived in a convent for many years and am known among the nuns as Vespera. It is not my given name, but my preference. ”
    “ You are not a nun, ” Felise said, frowning.
    “ Nay, not now. But I think soon I shall be. I most certainly share all their vows and prayers. ”
    Felise paused for a moment and considered the woman. “ I have need of nothing, ” she finally said.
    “ I could brush your hair, ” the woman offered. “ Or lay out a gown? ”
    “ Will I be required to change my gown? ” she asked. “ I fear I do not know what I am to do save sit in this chamber. ”
    “ An escort will come to take you to the hall to sup with Her Majesty and the others. Your gown is perfect for the meal; the color becomes your skin. And on the morrow when you are not occupied, you must see the chapel and the gardens. They are not as beautiful as in spring, but are immense and well tended. Do not confine yourself to these rooms, my lady, for who knows when Windsor will be gr aced with your loveliness again. ”
    “ Am I