“
I have not followed the lad on his journey to France. Mayhaps he met some wealthy lord there and did a service for him.”
“
Would Theodoric finance him in his pursuit of Chandra?”
“
I have known Theodoric for a long time, and while he has given much to his sons, he has been most stubborn in his insistence that they make their own way as far as they can. He has complained that Tedric expects gifts he does not deserve. If he has given Tedric money, I would be surprised.”
“
There is money he boasts as his own for the betrothal, but more, he has made Medwin a substantial loan. Is it possible that the money he loans Tedric is not his own?”
“
Who, then, would give him money to secure himself a bride?”
“
Jewish usurers?”
Alaric digested the possibility.
“
Whose name would he borrow in? Theodoric would have none of that.”
Conan did not like the alternative possibility and he did not wish to bring a slight to Medwin’s name in the presence of his father. He knew they had a long and valued friendship.
“
Medwin could have consented to the loan. Medwin has lands.”
Alaric frowned.
“
If that is the case, Medwin has been cheated. He has either lost Cordell to Tedric or promised Phalen twice: once to you through your marriage and again to usurers. I have never known him to borrow from the Jews. He traded with them fairly, but never borrowed.”
“
I am not concerned with Medwin’s reputation; he is old and can be pardoned for his poor judgment. I fear he has compromised his daughter and fallen to the trickery of that knave, Tedric.”
“
His sight has been dimmed by the brightness of gold. It has been hard on all of us to meet the Saladin tithe and keep our towns from starvation, but I would not think Medwin would sacrifice one of his own to meet the cost.” He shook his head sadly.
“
Medwin has suffered many losses in recent years. Millicent was taken from him and she was his best advisor. Edwina is gone and he fears for her health. Laine’s commitment to the sisters is a burden he has borne with strength, but I know he was displeased. I think his motives are right but his actions misguided.”
“
Will you confront him, Father? Advise him yourself?”
Alaric nodded, and they rode on in silence for a time. Finally Alaric spoke again.
“
You show great concern in this matter. Is it because you so dislike Tedric?”
“
Oh, I dislike him, Father, but it is not for that reason that I bring this to your attention. Tedric has been beating a path to Chandra’s door for some time, and she confided that she feared her father would insist they be wed. She does not love him.”
“
Chandra’s battles are not yours,” Alaric advised.
“
Should I ignore an injustice? If I fear Tedric lays a trap, shall I watch silently as Medwin falls into it?”
“
And if Chandra had desired Tedric all along?” Alaric asked.
“
Then I would not feel a fox sneaking along the ground in
p
ursuit of unknowing prey. But if that were the case, Tedric would have but to pledge himself to Medwin and his daugh
ter. I do not recall him offering so much wealth when he had bidden for Edwina.”
Alaric slowed his horse and Conan did likewise. Father looked at son and tried to see what more there could be to his concern. The younger’s blue eyes showed only his characteris
tic cool and confident detachment.
“
And if she loved him, you would not be concerned?”
“
I would be concerned in any business of Tedric’s, for I think little of him. But I would hold silent.”
“
Three years ago you asked me if I would be pleased with Edwina as your choice of bride. I asked you if you loved her. You spoke of good faith, honor and oath. You spoke of desire and a pledge. You were a young man and I knew your word was your life. I will ask you only once, not because I doubt you but because I am your father. You have spoken for Edythe and your reason was love. You speak now for Chandra, your reason the same. Do you know now what love is?”
“
No, my lord,” Conan said easily.
“
But I have learned what it is not.”
Chapter 11
By the second week in August the London streets were teeming with visitors for the coronation. Merchants found themselves rousted from their homes as nobles moved in and claimed them, tossing them a sack of money for their trouble. Even so reimbursed, they could not buy space in the city, for every stable and house was filled to the brim. Still, in this madness and confusion, every horn was raised in toast to Richard. And the excitement mounted as his entry into the city drew near.
Friends who had not met in some years found themselves together in the streets of London, making the most of the market and shops, enjoying parties and sports. Others did not find each other for days, the crowds were so great and there was no way of knowing where their acquaintance had found lodging.
The latter was the case for Medwin and his daughter. They had secured a fine hall from a merchant who could house many without putting his family to any great discomfort. Medwin sent out servants immediately to locate Theodoric’s and Alaric’s families, but neither had been found. Medwin had begun to think he would not be reunited with his old friends until he saw them at the coronation banquets.
He had kept his daughter within the confines of this London manor, for the pressing mob bothered him greatly, but he could contain her no longer. Chandra begged for a chance to shop and barter. Along with prizes that could only be found at the grandest of country fairs, the merchants brought news from faraway places and fascinating tales to tell that caused Chandra to be nearly hypnotized with interest.
She skipped from shop to shop to stand, to examine goods and argue with the peddlers. Merchants who had traveled to the East took advantage of the many visitors to London to bring out their wares. There were spices, brass, pewter and gold, ornately carved wooden furniture, stoneware and silver goblets and pitchers finer than any that could be fashioned in the small English burghs.
She could not pass a fabric for sale without touching and caressing, viewing for the first time the many luxurious silks and satins brought to the city by these widely traveled merchants. She leaned over a long length of silk and purred quietly as she touched the precious piece to her cheek.
“
Cut the amount the lady desires,” said a familiar voice.
She turned to look into the eyes she remembered
--
the deep blue beneath his dark brown lashes. His hair was cropped shorter, his beard trimmed, his face bronzed. When his lips parted to smile at her, Chandra felt the same rush of joy and excitement that swept over her at every meeting.
“
Conan,” she breathed.
“
The cloth, Chandra,” he said.
“
As much of it as you would like. ‘Tis yours.”
“
You must not, Conan,” she advised.
“
It is too generous.” She looked about a bit nervously to see if any member of their families looked on.
“
While I’m able, Chandra,” he said softly,
“
let me make you this gift. ‘Tis not nearly what I would like to give you, but cannot.”
Flushing slightly, she turned to the merchant and gave him a measurement. The little man frowned slightly at the humble yardage and looked to Conan to see him hold up three fingers, ordering triple the amount. The merchant beamed and handed the entire bundle to Chandra, taking Conan’s silver eagerly.
“
Thank you,” she murmured, tucking the fabric beneath her mantle for safe keeping.
“
Unless you are asked, you needn’t mention it,” Conan told her, sensing that she attempted to hide the piece.
“
But don’t worry, Chandra. No harm can come from my simple gift, I will assure it.”
Quickly he inspected some fabric displayed and purchased some for his wife and his sister.
He took Chandra’s arm to lead her out of the shop, and in
d
oing so he leaned near and whispered to her,
“
Do not think my gift a casual thing. Remember that I cannot easily show you the way I feel.”
“
I will cherish the cloth, Conan,” she said, smiling.
“
Your father waits,” he urged.
“
And Edwina? Is she with you?”
“
Nay,” he said, shaking his head.
“
She would not venture into these crowded streets. She is afraid of the mobs.”
“
Poor Edwina,” Chandra sighed.
“
She misses so much of life because of her weaknesses and fears. Pray be gentle with her, Conan. I know she needs you.”
“
She is well cared for, Chandra. I gave my word to that, and so I keep it. As for needs, what of mine?”
“
You are strong,” she said softly.
“
I am strong. We can endure.”
Medwin stood against the wall of a hastily constructed merchant’s stand trying to escape the bedlam of carts, horses and people. Beside him stood Edythe, obviously left in his care while Conan looked for the shop where Chandra could be found.
Edythe rushed to Chandra to greet her, kissing her cheek, but she obviously had something else on her mind. She did not wait for the exchanged niceties.
“
Knights of Richard, Conan. I heard a passing man say knights of Richard approach. Please, please, let us see!”
Conan smiled and took her hand and drew her to Medwin.
“
Edythe longs to see the army approach, my lord. Will you come?”
“
In this madness? Bah! My time is better spent in a warm hall away from these maniacs. Nay, Conan, I will find my way home.”
“
I’ll go with you, Father,” Chandra offered.
“
Do you wish to see the army, daughter? I would trust Conan as your escort, if that is your desire.”
“
Oh, come with us,” Edythe begged.
“
Later Conan can take us home and you may visit Edwina.”
Chandra looked between Conan and her father, and, when assured Medwin would allow this, she smiled and nodded.
“
I won’t be long, Father. Will you go to Alaric’s house?”
“
They’re coming!” Edythe shrieked.
“
I hear a trumpet, it must be they! Hurry, Conan, I want to see them come!”
Chandra was barely able to wave to her father, she was so
q
uickly drawn away through the crushing mob. Conan held fast to her hand, he being pulled by Edythe. To become lost in this city would be a nightmare.
They were pressed together closely, among the last to respond to the call. They could not see past the other spectators. Edythe wailed her complaints until finally Conan grasped her at the waist and lifted her above his head, laughing and trying to escape the skirts that threatened to smother him. But Edythe found a perch on his shoulder and was quite content. She called down to them how many knights she could see, what banners she could make out, and finally she wiggled in excitement and screamed,
“
Mallory and Sir Thurwell!”
“
Where do they go?” he shouted.
“
I cannot see. I don’t know where they will stop. The palace?”
He brought her down to her feet and looked at her.
“
Westminster, I would think. Would you mind if we went there?”
She did not notice the teasing glint in his eyes. Her mind was filled with the number of days it had been since she had last seen Mallory.
“
I would not mind,” she answered him.
Conan led them toward Westminster. Being unfettered as he was, no one would know his rank, but the richness of his surcoat and the emblem of the blue falcon made him out to be at least a knight, and the crowd parted for his passage. The ladies fared the journey through the masses poorly, their dresses being caught on spurs, their wimples being tugged and finally lying askew atop their shoulders. But neither minded. They giggled and struggled to keep up with their escort.
Edythe stopped the moment she could see the rising structure of Westminster beyond the many heads that blocked her vision.
“
Lift me, Conan,” she ordered.
“
I will tell you what I see.”
Without thought he lifted her and she sat still, looking in all directions, finally tapping him on the head so that he would bring her down. Her eyes were downcast and her excitement seemed drowned by some other emotion.
“
Do you see where they stand?” he asked.
“
Aye, Conan, many of the knights have dismounted. Sir Thurwell was still upon his horse and Sir Mallory was leading his.”
“
Clearly in sight?” he asked. He raised her chin with his finger and saw the gathering tears in her eyes.
“
Can you lead me to them?”
She nodded and her chin trembled slightly.
“
Conan, they wear the Cross.”
Conan knew at once that all his suspicions had been accurate. She had hoped Mallory would return to take her to wife, but he returned prepared to go to war.
“
Can you make your way to him?” he asked gently.
She nodded as one large tear traced its way down her cheek.
“
Go then. I will follow.”
Her hand came up to caress his cheek and then she stood on tiptoes to kiss him. Her eyes met his for an instant and her gratefulness glowed there. Then she lifted her skirts and darted through the people. Conan’s last glimpse of her was her dark brown hair bouncing down her back as she ran to meet Mallory.
“
Conan,” Chandra begged,
“
Conan, where has Edythe gone?” She had to tug at his sleeve a moment longer before he looked down at her. She frowned in confusion and then her eyes widened to see his misting slightly.
“
She has gone to her knight,” he said softly.
“
Her knight? I did not know Edythe was betrothed.”
“
She is not. But she has chosen. And Sir Mallory is her chosen one.”
“
Mallory?” Chandra was surprised.
“
Come. We must join them. I would give her the moon, but I dare not give her more than a moment alone with Mallory.”
Before Chandra could digest this news, Conan was pulling her again through the crowd. Soon they were among the many horses that had delivered the knights into the city, the large beasts forming a maze that was difficult for even a tall man to see through. When Conan found them he stopped, leaned casually against a horse’s hip and crossed his arms in front of him.
Mallory held Edythe clear of the ground, burying his face in her neck and filling his hand with her hair. She clung to him as fiercely, her small feet showing from under her gown. Thurwell was the one to see Conan, and he squirmed a bit uncomfortably, clearing his throat and getting no response
f
rom Ma
llory. Then with his elbow Thur
well jolted the happy couple apart. Mallory turned on his friend with a growl, but he was directed by Thurwell’s eyes to Conan. The anger left Mallory’s eyes and was quickly replaced by concern. Gingerly he walked the short distance to where Conan stood.
“
Pardon, Conan,” he said with a half bow.
“
My word, I have not harmed the lass in any way.”
“
Oh? Methinks you’ve greatly hurt her.”
“
Nay, by my oath, I have not
--
”
“
You’ve taken the Cross,” Conan interrupted.
Mallory stiffened with pride.
“
Aye, Conan. ‘Tis my inten
tion to fight for Richard and God, and with what I gain I will make my offer to your father. I hope to marry Lady Edythe.”
“
When?” Conan questioned lazily.
“
When you’re an old man and finally returned from Jerusalem? I think it a poor proposal.”
Mallory seemed resigned.
“
I cannot blame you, Conan, but I will not rest so easily with your refusal. I will face my lord Alaric in any case.”
Conan laughed easily and drew his sister from Mallory’s side, rather enjoying the older man’s discomfort as he did so.
“
Betrothal? Before you venture off to war? Nay, I would not sell my sister into such a bargain.” He looked down into Edythe’s pleading eyes and smiled devilishly.
“
I say you marry her now or not at all.”
With a cry of gladness, Edythe threw her arms about her brother’s neck and hugged him so tightly that he could scarcely breathe. Choking and gasping, he disengaged himself from her wild embrace and looked into Mallory’s smiling eyes.
“
You are a generous friend, Conan,” he said, extending his hand.