Title: The Lamentable Truth of Planning

Chapter: 14

~~~~~~~~~~

Wat was concerned for Kate. Since he’d caught up with her mid-morning, he’d noticed an odd pensiveness about her. She wasn’t happy like he’d thought she’d be. After all, their mission was accomplished. Shouldn’t she be relieved? Instead, he found her almost upset, slamming things about her work tent and muttering to herself. He caught the phrase ‘arrogant, contemptible men’ several times, but when he asked her about it, she told him to mind his own business.

Determined not to let her bad humor set his own day awry, Wat left her to her temper, making his way back to where Will waited to compete. The rain had pushed the games back a day. It’d be difficult out there on the field due to the mud, but he didn’t think Will would have any trouble. He, too, was in a mood, just like Kate, though Wat knew the reason for it.

Adhemar had gone home, which meant the opponent Will wanted to face was gone. Even though London had shown him the victor, Will still considered Adhemar a good opponent. Wat considered it stupidity. Adhemar was a cheater and manipulator undeserving of the title of ‘knight’ or ‘noble’. Birth as noble class didn’t necessarily mean the man was noble, as Will had proved last season. Will reminded him that Adhemar would be his opponent as long as they were both traveling the tournament circuit.

It certainly didn’t mean Wat had to like it. In fact, he thought it was a blessing from God that Jocelyn had leveled Adhemar with his own armor. Talk about Divine Judgment!

Glancing off to the side, he saw that Gavin chatting with a nobleman. Or rather the nobleman talking to Gavin. Gavin himself looked very discomfited, even squirming as he stood there. It was clear to Wat that he was being given a dressing down. Wouldn’t that be nice to hear? He wondered if the man was Gavin’s lord and if he could edge close enough to eavesdrop.

“Wat.”

“Hmm?”

Will waved a hand in front of his face. “A little help would be nice. I can’t tie this myself and Christiana is off to the stands to watch.” Will looked around, annoyance crawling his features. “Where the hell are Adam and Mark, anyway? They should be here by now.”

Making a mental note to find out more about Gavin and that lord later, Wat turned his full attention to Will’s concerns.

~~~~~~~~~~

Finished with the woman smith, Robert followed his other query towards the games in progress. The woman, Kate, hadn’t been pleased with his proposal, but she’d agreed to consider it. He’d have thought she’d be wishing for business, but she seemed to have an attachment to William Thatcher and his household. Sir Will wasn’t her liege lord, he’d discovered. She could go where she wished when she wished, yet she chose to remain with him. It interested Robert to see loyalty of that sort. His wish was to rebuild his home with such men and women.

Ignoring the cries of vendors with food and goods, he stepped beside Gavin and slung an arm about his shoulders.

“Well, if it isn’t Sir Gavin of Anjou!”

Gavin shoved Robert’s arm away and whirled to face him, hissing, “Not so loud, man! Do you want to get me killed?”

“Can’t I greet my favorite brother-in-law with enthusiasm? You’ve been shockingly lax in writing. Anne’s been rather distressed that you’ve not sent her tales of your adventures in the world for months now.” He paused, thinking back. “Well over a year, by my count. What have you been up to, Gavin?”

“I’ve not had the time.”

“For shame.” Robert sobered, fixing a hard stare upon the younger man. Gavin was Anne’s younger brother by just over a year, the two of them the youngest of the siblings. “Your circumstances interest me. Especially the bit on why anyone would want to kill you.”

“I can’t say.”

“Of course you can. Open your mouth and let the words come tumbling out. I promise to listen and not remark upon whatever tale you have until it’s well and truly finished.” He crossed his arms, raising his brows in expectation.

Gavin was nervous, his eyes in constant motion scanning the street. “Let this go, Robert.”

“I can’t. I can see you’ve trouble.” Gavin’s clothes were a sorry state, a jumble of worn items and those well-cared for. He resembled those country knights Adhemar had such disdain for. Robert decided he could excuse Gavin’s appearance if he’d been traveling hard.

With a last glance towards his right, where the jousters were getting ready for their turn, Gavin nodded. “Fine. Meet me at the stables once the joust gets underway.”

“Why there? Surely my tent would be a more private place?”

A half smile tugged his lips. “I don’t trust you not to tie me up and send me home to face Anne’s tongue.”

Robert laughed. If he’d thought doing so would curb Gavin’s wanderlust any, he’d do it. The truth was, Gavin didn’t want to be tied down anywhere. He’d announced his intention to travel the world alone years earlier, taken funds he’d not asked for from his parents, and set out, periodically sending long letters to Anne of his adventures.

“Tempting, but not a solution. Very well. I’ll meet you there, but if you miss our meeting, I’ll come looking for you.”

“I understand.”

He was sure Gavin did. Robert wouldn’t hesitate to find him and drag him home.

~~~~~~~~~~

Gavin was in a horrible mess of a place. He despised being beholden to Henry of Burgundy of all people, but it couldn’t be avoided. Not if he wanted to get his daughter back.

He headed for the stables, finding a spot to sit on a stool there, his mind traveling backwards in time to five years earlier. He’d never make saint, that was for sure. Anne had once compared him to Adhemar in his carousing ways, but it hadn’t affected his life until Lady Rosalind had sent him a letter.

He’d seduced her at a friend’s wedding and left her pregnant. Outraged, her family had sent her off to have the child in disgrace and somehow, she’d gotten word to him, giving him directions to find them and a plea that he save them from disgrace. Lady Rosalind, as often happens with fate, had died giving birth, never knowing she’d born a daughter. For awhile, Gavin had denied the charge of fatherhood. How could he claim a child that might not be his? Finally, his curiosity had gotten the better of him and he’d gone to collect the girl.

Even as a baby, Mary had looked just like him and had a sweetness of nature that was like a ray of light upon his days.

Henry held her captive. He’d been naming tasks for Gavin to do to earn her back for fourteen months now. This last one would gain Gavin his daughter, Henry claimed. The problem? He didn’t want to turn Kate over to him. In following her and watching her, he’d come to like her and respect her. He’d spent far more time than she realized watching her, mind churning plans on how to foil Henry on all accounts. Kate was a rare woman in these times, relying on a man only as long as it pleased her to do so. So many women had the men in their lives to tell them their identity -- his own sister included --, but Kate knew who she was and was unapologetic for it.

Gavin loved to watch her work. She had a confident, strong air about her and yet, at the same time, a hint of fragility. He’d no doubt she could, for the most part, protect herself. After all, she’d been working and traveling on her own before she’d met William Thatcher. But Henry was a larger threat than she would be able to handle on her own. Gavin longed to protect her from him as much as he longed to sit with her and tell her his own story. He ached to call her his own when all was said and done. Now wasn’t that a fine kettle of fish?

There could never be anything between them. He knew it’d never work. A nobleman and a peasant woman? He’d be laughed at, scorned far and wide. It was far easier to pretend to be a servant just to stay close to her. Many in his acquaintance would be horrified to learn he was considering doing just that. Maybe he could pledge himself to Sir William and let the mantle of noble life fall fully from his shoulders. After all, there was a certain freedom to following and not leading. Sir William had to be a fair master, for Kate and the others seemed to adore him. Maybe he’d let himself fall into anonymity, take his daughter and ask Kate to accept him -- a fallen noble with no desire save a quiet life with her.

Robert arrived, peering cautiously into the large room, before entering. “Well Gavin, what have you gotten yourself into?”

There was a chance Robert might understand. He’d always seemed less scornful than Adhemar. “I’ve lied to all of you these years, Robert. I didn’t go off to see the world.” He held up a hand. “Hear me out before you speak. Please.”

He crossed his arms, leaning against one stall. “Continue.”

“Nearly seven years ago, I attended a friend’s wedding in London. It was there that I met the most beautiful, kind-hearted woman I’d ever laid eyes on. I’m afraid I took advantage of her, seducing her, and then leaving her to face the consequences. She wasn’t a wanton girl. Upon finding herself pregnant by me, she sent me a missive, asking that I save her from her disgrace.” He found he could no longer look at Robert, turning away. “I’m ashamed to say that I decided I wasn’t the father of her child. I abandoned her and in turn, her family delivered an ultimatum. If I was the father, then I’d one year from the child’s birth in which to collect her. After that, she’d be given to a peasant family to raise.”

Braving a glance to Robert, he found his brother-in-law thoughtful, eyes narrowed. There was no censure or disapproval displayed there.

“The letter had been delayed in reaching me. I was aware, of course, of the date she was to give birth and calculated that traveling as fast as I could, I’d only barely reach the child before my time was up. Robert, I couldn’t let it be given away like that, not if it was mine. It was a child of noble blood from both myself and Rosalind. Bastard or no, it deserved one of us at least. I’d thought to marry Rosalind, to save her from her disgrace as she’d asked, but I was far too late on that. She’d died in the birth.”

“I’m sorry, Gavin.”

“I’d been a selfish bastard. You know, I’ve always liked children. Yours and Anne’s are darlings. I’d hoped to have several myself someday.” Leaning down, he rested his forearms on his thighs and continued his tale. “I was presented with a little girl they’d called Mary. Lord, Robert, she looks just like me! There’s no denying her father is me.”

“So all of these years of letters were made up?”

He laughed. “Yes. I found a man most willing to write fantastic adventures for me. Geoff’s advice was well-needed and I was sad when he decided to leave London to travel. For awhile, I kept contact with Philippa his wife, but when I fell in with Henry….”

“How did that happen? I don’t recall you as the sort of rogue who’d fall in with men like he’s reported as being.”

“I was stupid,” he admitted. “I believed one of his lies and he was able to kidnap Mary and her nurse. Now, I do get to see Mary every so often and she knows I’m her father. She clings to me and cries and it breaks my heart when Henry’s men rip her from me yet again at the start of another task he has for me. He holds her over me. You see, Henry is always in desperate need of money. Every task he’s had for me has been to gain him funds, but this latest is so thoroughly repugnant that I can’t bear to actually go through with it. I’ve been sabotaging it every step of the way.”

Robert stood tall and came to him, dragging another stool over and sitting. “Tell me the circumstances and we’ll figure a way out for you. Perhaps a rescue of your daughter?”

Hope swelled inside him. “Do you mean that? You’d help me?”

“Of course. You’re Anne’s brother, Gavin. You’re family. If I’ll help Adhemar, then I’ll certainly do the same for you.”

“There’s a woman smith here who gained some notoriety last season --”

“Kate.”

“You know of her?” Gavin sat back, studying Robert closely.

“Of course I know of her. I just spoke with her regarding a matter.” He waved a hand. “Continue.”

“Henry wants her. He wants her to build him and his mercenaries armor and then when she’s done with that, he wants her to remain with his army, but not in smith capacity. He plans to turn her into a whore to his men for his profit. He’d keep her chained, hidden, her usefulness as a smith done. I won’t allow him to. I’d thought that one final task would buy Mary freedom, but I can’t sacrifice Kate. I’ve come to know her, Robert. She’s one of those rare women that has such spirit and zest for life that it almost blinds you.”

Robert’s smile was knowing. “She’s a peasant.”

“I know that. I can hardly forget it.”

“And you’re in love with her. Your heart has fallen, my boy!”

Gavin stared at him. Had he become obvious or was it only that Robert knew him well? “Maybe it has and maybe it hasn’t. All I know is that I can’t let Henry complete his plans. Besides, Kate has her Wat to love her from afar. She doesn’t need another man doing so.” A thought occurred to him all of a sudden. “Money. You could lend me the funds to pay for Mary! Henry won’t turn down a goodly sum --”

He shook his head, sadness slipping across his features. “I can’t. My manor went up in flames from the soldiers months ago and all of my material goods with it. Anne, the children, and I have been at Adhemar’s and I’m only now starting to rebuild my wealth. In fact, that’s what I went to Kate about. I proposed that she be the smith in residence in my home while we’re rebuilding. Her new method would be well appreciated in other ways than armor.” He shrugged. “She’s attached to Sir William, though. Her loyalty to him astounds me.”

“She’s quite a woman,” Gavin agreed. “So what do I do?” Surely Robert would have some plan of action that he himself hadn’t considered? In his younger days, Robert had been quite a soldier.

“Have you considered telling Sir William of the threat to his smith?”

“I tried. I told his herald that Henry wasn’t to be trusted.”

Here was that scornful expression Gavin had thought he’d find earlier. “You’ve spent too long in a servant’s guise. Go to him as yourself. Then, they’ll be on guard and able to protect her.”

“I can’t do that. If Henry thinks I’ve warned them, I’ll be killed and if I’m caught giving a warning…. Mary dies.”

“Ahh.” Robert’s brows rose. “Quite the quandary. Do you think you can stay him longer?”

“Have you an idea?”

“I might at that. I’ll need time to think on it.”

Robert was closemouthed, refusing to speak until he could work out the plans, leaving Gavin to wonder if he was ever going to be free of Henry again.

~~~~~~~~~~

The journey home was going to be a long one. Jocelyn had sent the bulk of men ahead to prepare the household for his circumstances and it was a small group remaining. She assumed that role of wife he’d been wanting her to assume for months now -- handling correspondence with Germaine, travel arrangements, seeing to their comfort when they stopped. She did all these things with admirable skill.

It amused Adhemar to let her handle all matters. Besides, it gave him free time to think up those inane lines of poetry. It took forever to compose one line of idiotic, romantic verse. He didn’t know how those writers did it. The best part, however, was in the evenings when they bedded down.

Jocelyn would lie beside him, a hand upon his face, fingers tracing his features as though he was a stranger she’d never seen before. She would let herself be seduced, always watching him with wide, cautious eyes. No tears, no angry cries of betrayal, only…acquiescence. Beautiful acquiescence. Too bad he was certain it wouldn’t last for long. He could see her pulling herself back the closer they got to home, making herself once more that distant lady he’d been trying to reach for months.

No matter. He was one step closer to having wooed her back to herself.

The days passed, the weather warming.

Jocelyn drew up beside him. She handled her horse well, without that effort to control the animal he’d witnessed from some women. Some day he wanted to race her across the meadow near their home, to see if she’d push herself and the animal to beat him. “One word on goddesses and flowers --”

“Beautiful,” he interrupted. “Both of them.”

She sighed, frowning. “Adhemar, please. We’re almost back and Katherine will be waiting, demanding to know why we didn’t stay. She’ll want to know --”

“I trust you’ll handle her as you do everything else. With grace and tact. She can go back to her own life now.” This would be much easier without his mother meddling in the middle of things. “With her gone, I can concentrate on you instead of her distractions.”

“I’ll handle her?”

“Yes, of course.” As if it was a foregone conclusion that Jocelyn would do so. If she did it, then he wouldn’t have to. He much preferred to watch her dispatch his mother. “Say what you must to release her, but don’t be long, beloved. I must have you at my side.”

She laughed and it must have been his imagination that the laughter had a slightly hysterical ring to it. “Always at your side. And in your heart and mind and coursing through your veins!” Jocelyn shook her head. “I must confer with Germaine.” With a kick, she urged her mount faster, leaving Adhemar to ride by himself.

He could hardly wait for her interaction with his mother!

~~~~~~~~~~

How could a simple tap have changed a man so completely? Jocelyn pondered this question as they traveled. Surely bad humors couldn’t have influenced him that much? Everyone was surprised by how different he was, many murmuring that they liked the old volatile Adhemar better.

She tried to avoid conversation with him during the day, for he turned everything into lines of bad poetry and while it was lovely to hear how her beauty enchanted him, she’d like to discuss something else now and then. Perhaps how the war with France was going or what new torture method he’d heard about. She’d even settle for some gossip on which supposedly virtuous maiden had already been with child when she’d married that man old enough to be her grandfather.

“You bear this burden so well, my lady.” Germaine remarked with a glance back at Adhemar. He and Bess had been wonderful allies these past days, keeping her sane when Adhemar’s new self threatened to break her down into hysteria.

She grimaced. “Please don’t, Germaine. I get enough flattery from him these days.”

He nodded. “Oh, of course. Forgive me.”

“It’s not your fault. This is entirely my folly and I’ll pay the penance for addling his brains.” Another hour would see them home, she calculated. Then, she’d need to take over all those tasks Adhemar apparently had no interest in performing anymore. It’d be like he was off to battle and not even there unless…

A solution to this problem niggled at the back of her brain, but nothing that would come into focus. Jocelyn sighed again and looked over her shoulder. Adhemar was being pensive again, that piercing stare so focused upon her that she fancied she could feel it along her flesh. At times, he seemed close to his old self, but then he’d open his mouth and spout out something silly.

Whoever would have thought that she’d ever see Count Adhemar behaving this way? A year ago she’d have laughed at the notion, along with the prediction that she’d marry him and not Will.

Anne, Katherine, and assorted servants were waiting in the courtyard for them. Squaring her shoulders, Jocelyn mentally prepared herself for the confrontation that was coming. It was time to take over her duties as mistress of the household and she was going to have to wrest the keys from Katherine’s grasp. That one wasn’t going to step down without a fight.

When she’d dismounted, she took her time settling her skirts, giving herself a few more moments of preparation. Adhemar, of course, went into immediate conversation with the steward, leaving her on her own to greet Anne and Katherine. Very well. She cast a long dark glance his direction, then turned to face the two women waiting.

Anne smiled wide. “You look well, Jocelyn.”

Katherine’s snort was loud. “I should thrash you, girl, for striking him, but I assume he’s already beaten you for daring.” Her insolent glance slid down Jocelyn and back up. “Where the bruises wouldn’t show. You’ll be mostly healed by now, but let it be a lesson to you in the future. You mind your place and stay where you’ve been bidden.”

“You’re mistaken, Katherine. I’ve not been beaten.” Jocelyn stepped close, enjoying the way suspicion gathered in Katherine’s eyes. Had she any idea what was about to happen? What her precious son was letting Jocelyn do? “You may retire to your dower lands as soon as you’re ready to travel. We’ll not be needing your services to run this household any longer. I’m more than capable of taking over.” She didn’t look at Anne. Doing so might undo her calm and she’d begin laughing at finally giving Katherine the heave-ho, that very thing she’d been wanting.

Katherine stood up as tall and she could. “How dare you speak to me that way!”

“I’m mistress of this manor and you will leave.”

“I’m a greater lady then you’ll ever be. Adhemar,” Katherine called, indignation coloring her voice. “Do you hear --”

He looked their way, expression calm. Under normal circumstances he’d have entered into an argument with Katherine on the matter, but instead, he answered, “Jocelyn has full authority on this. Thomas will see to your traveling needs. You’ll be very comfortable in those lands father left for you.” He smiled, an agreeable gesture that caused gasps among the servants present. Adhemar didn’t smile like that. Ever. “Of course, we’ll send frequent letters inquiring as to your welfare. I’d see you taken care of as well as you’ve ever taken care of our family and guests in residence.”

Thinking back to Katherine’s methods of care, Jocelyn’s triumph in ousting her began to fade. Adhemar knew well how his mother needled those she thought were undeserving of her attention. But would his new self act on his knowledge?

Shock settled upon Katherine, her mouth opening several times before she could voice her words. “You’re sending me away? Me? The one who’s loved you and raised you and supported you? I’ve favored you above all my other children and this is what you do?”

He shrugged. “I’ve a wife now to love me and support me.”

She gasped, looking back at Jocelyn. “What have you done to him,” she demanded. “My Adhemar would hardly toss me from his hall like baggage. You’ve bewitched him, haven’t you? I should have known that’s how you were after that mess in London. First the peasant and then my son. How many other men have you worked your wiles upon?”

“His hall,” Jocelyn agreed. “You’ve your own hall that has hardly held your presence for a long while. I suggest you go as you’ve been told to do.” She glanced at Adhemar, found that watchful stare returned to her and quickly added, “I’ll make sure you’re looked after.”

Katherine laughed. “Looked after? Like an infirmed animal? No, thank you. I’ll see to myself as I’ve done for years…daughter.” Turning on her heel, Katherine stalked into the manor, leaving the gathered party in the courtyard to gape after her.

Jocelyn told herself that this was for the best.

~~~~~~~~~~

Anne watched Adhemar through the entire drama. Somewhere there, in the middle of Katherine’s hurried exit, she saw satisfaction flicker in his eyes, his expression smug. What on earth was he up to? It was no secret that he’d wanted Katherine to leave for awhile now, but why this method? Why give that task to Jocelyn when it was his own to perform? Had the blow to his head really done such damage?

Knowing Adhemar as she did, Anne decided it hadn’t. He’d been hurt far worse in battle than what Jocelyn had done. No, something was afoot and she was going to discover what.

Turning her back to Adhemar, she slid her arm chummily through Jocelyn’s. “Now, niece, that we can be assured of privacy to talk, why don’t we stroll the garden and you can tell me all about the opening tournament. And I do mean all.”

A last glance over her shoulder showed Adhemar watching them, a tiny, challenging smile upon his lips.