Lovell House, Chelsey. I wish to expand my stable, and can use a good hand with horses,” I said impulsively. The man’s glance flicked to the innkeeper and back to me, taking in the fine clothing and the well-fed and cared-for stallion.
“Aye, I might,” he grunted, the corner of his mouth quirking in a good-humored smile, and I urged my horse forward and disappeared into the night.
Chapter 2
Roger stretched slowly, his foggy mind dealing reluctantly with returning reality. There was a feather bed beneath him, so he concluded he was not at home as he’d had to pawn his featherbed several months ago. The bed-curtains reduced the glare in the room to a level that merely poached his eyeballs, instead of the searing that opening his eyes in his own sunlit chambers would have produced, his bed-curtains having gone the way of the featherbed. So, he was not at home, and this was not any brothel he’d ever frequented before. Where in hell was he, then? At least he was alone. He hated waking up in the morning, or more likely late afternoon, with someone he didn’t remember bedding, and when sober, wouldn’t have looked at twice. He sat up to find that his left arm was bound tightly to his chest and his whole left side ached, the throbbing pain matching exactly the one behind his eyes. And he needed to find the necessary; well, he could always piss in the fireplace. If there was a fireplace. He cautiously drew the bed-curtains aside the merest inch and peered out into the surrounding room. His eyes met those of a large wolfish dog stretched out by the fire. The animal gazed at him for a few seconds then pushed itself to its feet and padded from the room, its claws soundless on the thick carpet that covered the floor.
A few minutes later a tall serving-man came in bearing a tray which he set on a nearby chest. He smiled at the blinking young man, pulled the chamber pot out from under the bed, and left the room without saying a word. When he returned with hot water and shaving gear the earl felt much better, although the food that had been left on the tray, bread and soft cheese accompanied by a tankard of ale, came close to making him retch. His clothing had been sponged and brushed and he was wearing a clean white linen shirt that was too large for him. His own shirt and collar were nowhere to be seen. The large man introduced himself as Jehan and offered to shave the earl if he desired it. Roger glanced at his own trembling hands and nodded ruefully.
He wished that he could grow a beard, a dashing pointed one like Ralegh’s, but whenever he tried it came in patchy and red, looking as if mice and moths had pillaged it. As his head was tilted back and the razor laid to his throat, it suddenly occurred to him just how vulnerable his position was. He started at the touch of the cold steel and might have caused himself serious injury if not for the lightning reflexes of the servant, who snatched the blade away almost before there was need. “I will not harm you, my lord,” he said quietly, seeming a little hurt. Roger blushed and nodded, submitting with what grace he could muster. Afterward he was helped to dress and taken downstairs.
The house was old and filled with a sense of brooding peace and a timelessness that Roger found somewhat oppressive. He was very much of the progressive party and “antique” was a term of utter condemnation. The uncarved golden oak paneling and plain whitewashed plaster without a trace of strap-work struck him as more impoverished than elegant, though the plenitude of wax candles and the richness of the subdued carpets and hangings gave that the lie. He shrugged and settled into a comfortably padded chair to await the arrival of his host. He must have dozed off again, for it was early evening when he woke with a slight start to find the opposite chair occupied.
He started again as he recognized the person sitting there eyeing him and smiling. “Your g-g-grace,” he stuttered, then found himself at a loss. He had often watched the elegant prince at court, planning the clever things he would say to impress him should they ever meet privately, and now, when his chance had come, he found himself as tongue-tied as