Chapter Fourteen

T he sound of laughter above the minstrels who played in the empress's great hall filled the room. Knights and their ladies danced to a merry tune and wine and food filled the banquet tables as everyone celebrated Christmas day. 'Twas hard to believe that Elysande had resided here at Oxford for almost a month. It seemed like yesterday that she had arrived in the bailey of this castle.

She and Hawke had remained in Winchester after the prisoner exchange went peacefully. She had been thankful that no further bloodshed had occurred between all the parties involved. She also could not have been happier that she would no longer have to lay eyes on King Stephen… the murdering cur! After all, he was the reason why she was here in the first place after his army left her home in shambles.

She had thought she would continue traveling in Reynard's company, but he had other ideas. He had explained there was no sense in her traipsing back to Bristol to oversee the release of Queen Matilda only to return here to ensure Earl Robert's heir gained his freedom. Elysande could only wait for his return before they at last began making their way to Oxford.

Word had traveled quickly that Stephen would once again be crowned as King of England. If the empress felt any pangs of displeasure at the news, she kept them well hidden from those who resided with her here at Oxford. Elysande was treated as any other guest who remained loyal to the empress and had not as yet been ordered to attend her. On many accounts she was thankful to be allowed the freedom to see to her own daily schedule as she desired instead of having to spend every waking hour attending the empress. Whilst this may be considered an honor, Elysande was not entirely sure she would be able to stand such a position.

Her eyes went to Richard's sister Beatrix who stood behind the empress's chair. The poor woman appeared completely bored and as if to prove Elysande's thoughts, the girl quickly hid a yawn. Elysande stifled a giggle. Beatrix had been a delightful surprise upon Elysande's arrival at Oxford. Richard had immediately introduced them. The same age as Reynard, Beatrix was a trifle bit… determined… Elysande supposed was the best way to describe her, and mayhap a little spoiled after getting her way far too often. But while she could be stubborn and impetuous, she was also spirited and engaging, and Elysande appreciated the friendship that was beginning to develop between them.

"You appear far too deep into your thoughts, my lady," Reynard said when he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

Surprised that the man had sneaked up on her, she turned on the bench far too quickly and came face to face with the man who continued to fill her dreams. Those steel grey eyes sparkled mischievously at her causing Elysande's heart to once again betray her. No matter how many times she told herself to move on from her feelings toward Reynard, she could not help the attraction that continued to consume her.

"Nothing to concern yourself with, Sir Reynard. Just worried that Lady Beatrix might doze off whilst attending our empress," she said with a light laugh even though her heart was beating so rapidly the entire crowd would surely hear it for themselves.

The deep baritone of his laughter increased her smile knowing she was the cause. "Poor Beatrix," he chuckled before he took a seat next to her. "I am certain she is not pleased she is only one among many ladies who flirt with the men here at court or take part in the dancing. She is used to being the center of attention."

"The celebration for Christmas is magnificent. I have not seen this much revelry in many a year," Elysande exclaimed as she turned her attention to those who danced.

"Not even at Blackmore?" he asked with one raised dark brow.

Elysande shook her head but kept her attention on the dancing. She didn't trust herself to look into his face again. "Nay. My parents have been in Normandy for over a year now and left Blackmore for me to handle. But even prior to their current trip, they were rarely at home. They have spent many years… absent from my life, to put it as politely as possible. I love them but they are very single minded in enjoying their own lives together without the burden of a child and the responsibilities that come with it."

He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "A pity… they are missing out on your lovely company." He continued holding her hand until she had little choice other than to finally gaze upon him.

It was her downfall. Her breath hitched. Her hand tingled where he continued to rub his thumb over her skin. Her mouth became dry and all she could think about was leaning forward and kissing his lips.

She cleared her throat as though this would help her to remain indifferent to the spell he was unknowingly weaving around them. She was the one who told him they would be friends. She needed to keep to the plan to remain civil and not ruin what she herself put into place.

"A son…" she muttered not finishing her thoughts on the matter.

"A son?" he asked with a frown.

"Aye… they were disappointed I was female and thus would not carry on my father's name. My mother was unable to have any other children after she almost died giving birth to me." Her explanation rushed from her mouth and for a moment all the loneliness of her childhood came rushing to the forefront of her mind.

As the daughter of the lord and lady of Blackmore, she was kept apart from the village girls and had learned from an early age the responsibilities that came with her position in life. It stood to reason this was why she had thought she had fallen in love with her captain of her guard. He was with her as a constant reminder that she was different and of noble birth. Her blue eyes left Reynard's and traveled to see Hawke across the hall. She had an older brother in her captain and was thankful for his continued presence. If only her grandfather yet lived…

"'Tis their loss, Elysande, and mayhap they will come around and appreciate all you have done to try to keep Blackmore running," he said with such positivity that she wished his words might come true. But she knew her parents and she highly doubted they would change their ways anytime soon.

She formed her mouth into a grim line of displeasure. "I wish I had your confidence, Reynard, but such a miracle might only occur with the second coming. They are very set in their ways."

He took her hand once more and gently pulled her to her feet. "Come! This is no time to be so melancholy and I refuse to be the cause. Let us dance, my lady, and make merry!"

She had no time to argue his decision because before she could reply he was whirling her around the hall to the pattern of the dance. She forgot anything else she had been pondering outside of enjoying the moment of being in his arms. She knew it would not last for long and she would take this time unto herself to just be happy no matter how briefly such an emotion would last.

When he lifted her around her waist and brought her high, she swore it seemed as though her joy lifted to the heavens. With her hands resting upon his shoulders, she tilted her head back smiling as he spun her in a circle. But that smile quickly faded when he slowly brought her back down and her body slid along his muscular form. Their eyes met upon her descent until her feet touched the floor. Her knees buckled and he quickly tightened his hold upon her, bringing her into his embrace. They stood there in silence staring at one another both with wide eyes. The contact of their bodies had been like an awakening and Elysande could only stand there in wonder knowing Reynard felt it, too.

"May I dance with the lady?" a male voice said breaking the spell between them.

Elysande quickly stepped back from Reynard for propriety's sake, hiding the fact that she was disappointed by the interruption and the fact that another wished to dance with her.

Reynard bowed low. "Of course," he replied before taking her hand and raising her quaking limb to his lips. "Thank you for the dance, Lady Elysande."

She gave a nod of her head. "Sir Reynard…"

Elysande watched him go until the stranger before her took her about the waist and they continued with the dance. This man's hair was as black as the midnight sky and he had eyes so green they reminded her of the deepest part of the forest at Blackmore. He was slightly shorter than Reynard but just as muscular. Another warrior whose fealty was sworn to the empress, she supposed.

"We have not been introduced," Elysande finally murmured when the silence stretched between them.

One dark brow rose as though to say she should know his name and was put out that she was not familiar with him. But to her, he was just one among many who stayed here at Oxford Castle. She had not met every man and woman here, especially for the holiday.

"Constantine Warin, Earl of Charlbury," he replied with a nod of his head as he continued to lead her through the patterns of the dance. They broke apart and then returned to clasp hands.

"My lord," she said as they turned in a circle. "I am Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore."

"I know who you are." His reply was curt but mayhap that was because they were forced to once again break apart.

When they came together again, she was once more lifted high but this time her reaction was far different than when Reynard had performed this same move. Her gaze traveled to the man who continued to twirl her around, but all Elysande could think of was she wished Reynard was still the man dancing with her. Her feet touched the floor and she instantly wished for the music to come to an end.

When the last notes were played by the minstrels, Elysande found her hand tucked into the crook of Lord Constantine's arm as he began to escort her from the floor. She thought he would return her to where she had been seated but instead he took her to stand near a wall where they were, for the most part, alone.

"I have had my eyes on you since your arrival here at Oxford, my lady," Constantine finally drawled.

That this stranger had been watching her caused the hair on the back of her neck to rise. "I am hardly anyone noteworthy, my lord," she said keeping her tone civil even whilst her gaze traveled the room in search of Hawke or even Reynard.

"I was surprised our empress did not take you under her wing and have you attend her. 'Tis an honor to become one of her ladies in waiting," he said with a wave of his hand.

"I am certain the empress has her reasons, and naturally I would not dream of questioning her as to what that may be," Elysande answered but frowned when he stepped closer.

"You should make yourself more available to her," he suggested and took her hand. "'Twill do you no harm to put yourself before her whenever the opportunity arises."

"I am certain the empress will call me to her if she has need of me. I do not see how following her every move and interfering will do me any good… not that I need help of any kind."

Constantine waved his free hand. "Everyone is eager to gain Empress Matilda's favor. 'Tis the way of court life that you should adhere to. How else are you to become one of her attendants?"

"I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions on where my life will lead, my lord," she scoffed, attempting to pull her hand away. This man was making her uncomfortable, and she wished to leave his side without causing a scene.

A disbelieving chuckle left him. "You would be wise to heed my words. I heard your precious Blackmore is all but falling down and in need of many repairs. You will need monies lining your coffers to ensure you can restore your estate to what it once was. For that, you will need a husband who is wealthy for such a miracle to happen and the empress's help."

"I do not need a husband to restore my land to its former glory," she said miffed that this was what most men thought. What made them so obstinate in the belief that a woman could never make it on her own without the assistance of a husband?

He pulled her closer. "Aye. You do. And if you stop to think hard about the prospect of marrying you would see 'twill be the solution to most of your problems. I think we would suit."

She yanked her hand from his hold and stepped back. "You do not even know me."

Constantine shrugged. "There will be plenty of time to get to know each other after we are wed. In fact, I have already proposed the idea to the empress."

She gasped at the prospect of being wed to such an egotistical man who seemed to feel he had the right to take over her life. "You presume too much, sir," she fumed.

A smirk turned up at the corner of his lips. "I know you must be overwhelmed at the thought of marrying me. But my own estate is not far from Oxford, and I am wealthy enough in my own right. An added bonus to our union is that I have the empress's ear. We would do well together."

She could only stand there in disbelief. Her eyes traveled to the empress sitting on her throne, and Elysande gulped when the empress raised her chalice toward the pair of them in a silent toast. She could not marry the earl. She could live a hundred years and in her heart she would never be able to love him.