Chapter Seventeen

R ichard approached the door to the Empress’s solar with a trace of trepidation in his heart. He had no idea why he had been summoned for a private conversation with the Empress but whatever was about to happen he had the notion that it could not be good news. Call it intuition or just some nagging feeling deep inside him, but all his nerves felt on edge…though he would confess that part of his turmoil stemmed from worrying about the fate of a certain lady he could not get off his mind. Between Annora’s plight and Beatrix hounding him about how she wished to return home, he could only pray that another catastrophe did not await him inside.

The guard standing at the entrance to the room immediately opened the portal when Richard approached, giving evidence that he was expected. He crossed the solar and took a knee before the lady.

“Take yourself from the floor, Grancourt, and instead take a chair beside me,” the Empress ordered causing Richard’s eyes to go wide at the unexpected privilege.

“You are too gracious, my Empress,” Richard replied before sitting in the chair she’d offered him. He stole a glance at the Empress’s brother, Earl Robert, sitting in the opposite seat. Richard gave the man a slight nod which Robert returned.

“You are most likely wondering why I have called you here, Richard,” Empress Matilda began, startling him again. She was not in the habit of calling her knights by their given names.

“I am yours to command, Empress,” Richard answered politely.

Before she continued, she turned her attention to a nearby servant. “Provide us wine and then you may leave us.

The pouring of wine splashing into chalices was the only sound in the room with the exception of the crackling fire in the hearth. Richard was offered a goblet. He took a sip of his drink but did not drink heavily. Whatever was coming, if the Empress thought he needed to be softened up to it with alcohol then he would, in contrast, be wise to keep a clear head.

“Your service to me has been invaluable to my cause,” Empress Matilda remarked as she, too, took a sip from her cup. She set her golden chalice down and gave a weary sigh. “Robert and I have had a heavy discussion for the past several days on where my campaign for the throne is headed.”

Richard also put down his goblet. “I assumed now that you had made your escape from Oxford that you would resume your efforts to seize lands currently controlled by the usurper.”

Robert shook his head. “Unfortunately, my sister and I have decided that if we were to continue such a course, this would only cause this war to continue on for years to come, plunging the country into further mayhem.”

Richard nodded his understanding. As strongly as he supported the Empress’s cause, he knew in his heart that to continue the fight would be to prolong the suffering of countless people. The citizens of England were already close to starving from the years the war had lingered with neither side gaining much ground. Matilda was no closer to sitting upon the throne now than when her efforts started years ago.

Matilda raised her hand to her brow. “We have come to the conclusion that I may never sit on England’s throne.”

Richard came forward in his chair. “But Empress—”

“Hear her out, Grancourt,” Robert replied.

“Of course, my lord,” Richard said waiting for Empress Matilda to continue.

Matilda leaned her head back on her chair before she turned her eyes to Richard. “ I may not sit on the throne, but my son will do so when the time comes.”

“Henry…” Richard whispered.

“Aye,” the Empress proclaimed. “He is young still at only nine summers, but I am placing him in my brother’s care to prepare him for the position he will hold. Robert is the best solution to foster the child and teach him all he must needs know. When he gets older, I will once again take over his tutoring so he will one day become a great ruler.”

“And what does this all have to do with me, my Empress?” Richard asked, feeling at a loss as to where his life might now take him.

“You will help my cause by following my brother. He recently lost his captain of guard to an illness after their journey home from Normandy. You, Richard, will take his place,” Empress Matilda declared.

Richard’s eyes went wide. The Empress was sending him away? Did that mean he had lost her favor? “What have I done to displease you, Empress, that you would send me away from guarding you?”

Robert leaned forward. “You have done nothing, Grancourt, other than to serve your Empress well. Think of this as an advancement. Not only will you become captain of my men, but you will be protecting the child who is the future King of England.”

“I am honored for the privilege but who will see to your safety, Empress?” Richard asked.

Empress Matilda reached for her chalice again. “I have enough knights here to guard me for the time being. And I may soon end up back in Normandy where I will be safe with my husband’s army as guards. However, I give you leave to take Kennarde, Goodee, and Woodwarde with you. You might need the strength of their swords in the coming months given the battles Robert may be forced to fight on my behalf before this war can end.”

Beatrix’s face floated into his mind. He figured that now was a good a time as any to plead her cause. “My Empress… as to Oswin Woodwarde…”

The Empress’s brow rose. “What of him? Has he offended you in some way? Do you wish to tell me that you no longer trust him?”

“Nothing of the sort, Empress.”

“Then what is the issue with him traveling with you and my brother?”

Richard reached for his own goblet and took a drink before putting the cup back down. “He is in love with my sister. With your approval, I am asking permission for them to wed.”

’Twas the Empress’s turn to stare in wonder at Richard. “You approve of their union?”

“Aye, but only if they might be released from their service to you so that they might return to Oswin’s home to live out their lives. Only then he would be a suitable husband to Beatrix,” Richard answered hoping he was not speaking out of line or too soon. He had not spoken to Beatrix as yet about her feelings for Oswin and could only assume she cared for the man as much as he did for her.

“He has estates near your home at Lyndhurst, does he not?” Empress Matilda inquired, and Richard could almost read her thoughts. No doubt she was pleased at the prospect that another landholder in the west would be loyal to her cause.

“Aye. Oswin’s home is at Ashurst to the northeast of my own land,” Richard answered softly.

“That is convenient…” Empress Matilda nodded tapping her chin as she contemplated this new development. “I will speak to Lady Beatrix to ensure she is amicable to a union with Woodwarde. If she is in agreement, and so is the gentleman, then we shall have a wedding prior to your departure.”

“You are too gracious, my Empress,” Richard said with a slight bow.

“Their union would benefit my cause and makes sense,” the Empress replied with a smile of satisfaction. “You and my brother can work out the arrangements for when you will travel and where you will head next. In the meantime, I give you leave to have speech with Woodwarde whilst I summon your sister to attend me.”

Richard stood and gave the Empress a bow before he left the room. Once in the passageway, he turned back to stare at the woman he had served for many years. He wondered what her future held now that she was no longer seeking to gain the throne. He shook his head and went to find Oswin, hoping he was bringing his friend good news.