Page 84 of His Forsaken Bride

“I hope you do not rue the day you threw in your lot with that family,” he sneered. “Their star may be in the ascendency now, but they are not without their own notoriety.”

“I wish you joy of your new in-laws also,” she told him briskly. “Tell me, how do you like having a resident mother-in-law, Ambrose?” she asked sweetly.

His face froze. “For all your faults, I did not think listening to gossip was one of them,” he said icily.

“Gossip? But I have heard no gossip,” she said opening her eyes very wide. “Is all not harmonious in your new household? What a pity!”

“And who’s fault is that?” he asked in an angry undertone. “You have turned my own sister against me! She has been most unwelcoming to Colleen. You have sown discord among my servants and…”

“None of this is true, Ambrose,” she cut across his words. “I did not have time to brief the servants before I left and as for Orla…Your sister was not at all welcoming to me in the early days of our marriage either. I believe you told me to ‘weather it’ at the time.”

He struggled a moment with his response. “I find you sadly changed, Fenella,” he said at last. “You never used to be such a shrew.”

She looked at him critically. “I find you changed also, Ambrose,” she acknowledged. “But I think now,” she pondered. “That I always saw you in an over-generous light. After all, I believed myself to be jilted and left on the shelf when you came along. I was grateful when you married me.” She looked at him, and it almost seemed like she saw him through a fresh pair of eyes: the fussy little moustaches; the pompous bearing; the bandy legs. He really should not wear yellow hose, which served only to accentuate the problem. “But I was not in need of rescuing by you, after all,” she said. “And your financial woes are no longer my concern.” Before he could answer, she called to her friend. “Hester, may I take your arm now?”

Lady Schaeffer halted while Fenella caught her up. She did not look back over her shoulder and she did not take her leave of him. “Bors!” she called, snapping her fingers. Her dog lumbered to her side. After a few moments, Hester Schaeffer squeezed her arm. “He has gone,” she said in a low, conspiratorial voice.

Fenella breathed out a breath she had not even been aware she had been holding. “Thank you for remaining with me.”

“Wild dogs could not have dragged me away, let alone my little Juniper” vowed Hester. She stooped and let her dog run free again. She hesitated. “Will you tell your husband?”

Fen started guiltily. She had not even considered it.

“He will not hear it from me,” Hester assured her. “In case you decide it is best not to tell him.”

“You are a good friend to me,” said Fen. “But I think I would rather be open and honest in my dealings.”

“That might be wise,” agreed Hester. “Considering that one of his spies may be watching us even now!” She smiled, but Fen could see she was half serious.

Fen turned her head, but all she could see was a falconer in the distance, training his bird. And two monks stood over by a dovecote. She turned uncertainly back to Lady Schaeffer. “I do not think-”, but then she remembered the bland faced men who had returned Bors to her and shivered.

“Honesty is so often the best policy,” said Hester.

**

On returning to their rooms, Fen found Roland polishing his armor at the table. At her appearance he looked rather defensive, and cleared his throat. “Didn’t realize you’d be back so soon,” he said glancing at the mess he was making.

“It doesn’t signify to me,” said Fen cheerfully. “These are your rooms, not mine.”

Bors lumbered over to her brother-in-law and rested his head on Roland’s thigh. She noticed that Roland managed to give Bors a satisfying neck rub whilst also sending a look of irritation her way. “What do you mean, they’re not your rooms?” he asked. “You’re a Vawdrey now, aren’t you?”

Fen picked up some grapes and made her way to the window seat.“Your brother told me from the outset that I shan’t be at court overmuch once our marriage is established,” she explained carefully. “And anyway, these feel far more like bachelor rooms than a home.”

Roland snorted. “So, you want me out?” he asked, without heat.

“Of course not!”

He swung round in the chair to look at her. “Even though I treat the place like bachelor chambers?”

“That’s not what I meant,” said Fen calmly. “And besides, once I am sent back to Sitchmarsh then-”

They both turned their heads as the door swung open. Oswald was stood on the threshold looking quite devastatingly handsome in a black doublet that Fen did not think she had seen before. So busy gazing her fill was she, that it took her a few seconds to realize, he also looked annoyed.

“Is there some reason you are speaking of Sitchmarsh?” he asked coolly as he strode into the room. “Has news arrived from the Keep?” He made straight for the fireplace and placed both his hands against the mantelpiece, staring down at the fire.

“Nay brother,” answered Roland, shooting a quizzical glance Fen’s way. “You are expecting some?”

“Then why are you speaking of it?” Oswald asked, ignoring Roland’s question and looking directly at Fenella.