Knave Of Hearts. Shari Anton

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СКАЧАТЬ not merely Carolyn’s decision. She cannot marry where her father does not approve.”

      Stephen shrugged with what he hoped showed unconcern. “I will grant you the advantage of having known William longer, and you seem to be in his good graces. But I have youth on my side.” He smiled and ruffled his hair. “See Edwin? Not one strand of gray.”

      Edwin laughed and shook his head, then resumed walking. Stephen fell into step within the torch’s light, acknowledging once more that Edwin wouldn’t fall into despair easily.

      “A strand or two of gray would serve you well.”

      “With Carolyn? Not so.”

      “Believe as you will.”

      Stephen had reason to believe as he did, for Carolyn made quite clear her preference for a young man as her third husband. Yet, Edwin seemed to think his age made no difference. The man could go on thinking so, to his detriment.

      After turning over the torch to a guard, they entered the great hall to find the trestle tables folded up and stacked against the walls for the night. Stephen spotted Harlan and a few of Wilmont’s soldiers seated on the floor with a group of Branwick’s guards, cups of ale in hand and tossing dice.

      William was yet strapped into his chair, now settled near the hearth. Carolyn sat on a nearby bench, an open book in her hands.

      A place of peace, quiet—boredom.

      The place wanted for music, or games, or a wrestling match. At least Harlan had found entertainment with his dice. Stephen looked around for Armand, and not seeing him, guessed his squire must have found more interesting amusement, too.

      “What is this?” Edwin complained, the words snapping Carolyn’s head up. “I had thought to come back to sweets, at the least.”

      “Do not be churlish, Edwin. You must know I set several aside for the two of you as well as for Marian’s girls.” Carolyn waved a hand in the air, hailing a serving wench. “Tarts and ale for our guests.”

      The wench bobbed a curtsey and scurried off.

      Stephen slid onto the bench beside Carolyn, ignoring Edwin’s raised eyebrow.

      “How very thoughtful of you, my lady. As I told your father earlier, I find Branwick’s hospitality most noteworthy.”

      “My thanks.”

      The compliment garnered him a half smile. ’Twas progress from her ill humor at supper.

      He glanced down at her book—a prayer book—one to be admired.

      “Your psalter is beautifully illustrated,” he said, the comment genuinely meant. The lettering was both simple and graceful, and the picture of the Holy Mother, surrounded by cherubs, had been drawn by a skilled and loving hand. “From where did you purchase it?”

      “’Tis a gift from Edwin.”

      A costly gift, surely, but not a gift a man gave a woman he was wooing. Did Edwin know nothing about women? Maybe he knew something about one particular woman that Stephen didn’t.

      He would never have guessed Carolyn preferred to read a psalter for her leisure, yet Carolyn sat in the great hall reading instead of taking to her solar to choose which baubles to place in her new wooden chest.

      “The Swiss monastery at St. Gall is renowned for beautifully illustrated books,” Edwin commented.

      “Never been there,” Stephen admitted. “Mayhap one day I should visit.”

      “In need of a psalter, Stephen?”

      “Nay, but it would account a fine gift for my mother. She cherishes fine works of a religious nature.” He refrained from voicing his belief she cherished them overmuch.

      The tarts and ale arrived. Edwin assured William that Marian and girls were settled for the night. Stephen contemplated drawing Carolyn away for a private talk, then decided it too soon, for she hadn’t yet let go completely of her sulks. ’Twould also be too obvious a ploy for privacy to commit in front of Edwin.

      “You look tired, my lord,” Edwin commented to William.

      The old man waved the concern away. “I spend too much of my day abed as it is. Besides, Carolyn and I were discussing the improvements she wishes to make to Branwick.”

      Carolyn closed her psalter. “My suggestions are quite sound, Father. I believe you should approve every one.”

      “And again I ask, where would the coin come from to pay for all of these improvements?”

      “I know how you abhor moneylenders—”

      William huffed. “Thieves. Every one.”

      “—but many of the repairs must be made before winter. We can delay some until after we sell our stock of fleece. The price should rise soon and—”

      “If it does not, then with what will we repay the moneylenders?”

      Carolyn pursed her lips, and for a moment Stephen thought she would end her argument. He silently urged her on, cheering her persistence. How many times had he stood before Gerard, arguing a point, striving to make his brother see reason? At times, it worked. To his delight, Carolyn’s chin rose.

      “Father, I realize you find it hard to make decisions based on others’ observations and opinions. If you were able to take to horse and ride the estate, you would agree that all of the items on my list deserve immediate attention.”

      “Surely not all.”

      “Ivo agrees with me.”

      “My poor steward likely gave in to you to save his wits. But you are right, since I cannot see for myself I must depend upon the opinion of others. Edwin and I have discussed—”

      “Without telling me? You would heed Edwin’s opinion over mine?”

      William didn’t answer, simply stared hard at Carolyn. She noticeably reined in her temper. Stephen knew the feeling and was tempted to defend Carolyn. Truly, though, she didn’t yet need help, had held her own quite admirably.

      “I see,” she finally said, her voice calm now yet strained. “Am I to assume you have made a final decision then?”

      “Not as yet. I thought to seek yet one more person’s opinion.” William’s challenging gaze swung around. “What of you, young Stephen? Have you the knowledge of land use and husbandry to offer an opinion?”

      ’Twas a challenge, insultingly delivered. The old lord wanted to know how, as a husband to his daughter, Stephen would council Carolyn. ’Twas also clear William thought Stephen incapable of a knowledgeable opinion, just as he thought Carolyn’s knowledge faulty.

      Stephen knew perfectly well how to manage an estate, several of them in fact. All of his holdings were doing quite well, too.

      “On what matter would you like an opinion, William?”

      “What СКАЧАТЬ