Free A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith

father. He noted the easy smile on his daughter’s face, and her spontaneous, affectionate greeting pleased him. He quickly ascertained that Anne was being winkled out of her shell, and he gave Kate an approving look. And then he saw Elinor, who was puffing across the greensward, and Kate noticed that although the smile never left his lips, it disappeared from his eyes.
“Good wife, how goes it with you?”
Elinor set down her basket and attempted to clean her plant-soiled hands on her apron, push a wayward strand of hair out of her face and look dignified all at the same time. He let go of Anne’s shoulders and took a step forward to greet his wife. He kissed her hand and then drew her to him and kissed her cheek.
She stiffened and pulled away. “My dear, your arrival is unexpected. I fear you will have to make do with what meager fare I have planned for supper. Why did you not send me warning?”
“Why, wife, I was released from my duties at Westminster and thought only of returning to Ightham with all possible haste to see you.” He surprised her with his flattery, and her reprimand was forgotten.Richard returned his attention to the girls. “Run along and prepare yourselves for the evening meal, sweetings. I have brought a guest with me, and I want you both to look your best. What is more, I have a surprise for you.”
Kate and Anne, needing no second bidding, turned and ran to the house, missing Richard’s introduction.
“Elinor, I present to you Martin Haute, our kinsman of Suffolk, who will stop with us for a few days before returning to the garrison at Calais.”
A tall man of Richard’s age presented himself to Elinor. He was sunburned, bearded and handsome, had the bearing of a soldier and wore his blond hair in the cropped Norman style, which was unfashionable now.
“Your servant, Dame Elinor.” Martin bowed, and Elinor quickly assumed the air of mistress of the house and graciously bade him welcome. Edgar stepped forward and bowed to his master, also bidding the guest welcome. Martin gave Elinor his arm. Richard clapped his steward on the shoulder and strode off with him to the house.
Later, when the household assembled for supper, Anne and Kate hung back in their chamber, wanting to make a grand entrance dressed in their new finery. The stratagem was quite effective; compliments flew around the girls’ swelling heads. Kate’s blue gown was trimmed with darker satin at the bodice. Her new headdress made her look much older. Richard inadvertently let out a whistle of appreciation as he turned to examine her, but not before he had admired his daughter’s new red sarcenet.
He nodded approvingly. “In truth, Kate, I chose well for you! What say you, Martin? Are not our young ladies a pleasant sight?”
Martin had not been able to take his eyes off Kate since she entered the room, and he was ashamed of himself for having lustful thoughts of one so young. He forced himself to look at Anne. She was comely enough, but the garish color of her gown caused her to pale beside Kate. “Aye, in truth, both the maids are as fair as any I saw in London.” His flattery caused Anne to blush and Kate to giggle. “If either of my sons were here now, they would be slack-jawed and tongue-tied, I warrant.”
“How old be— are —your sons, sir. And, if it please you, where are they?”
“Kate, have you not learned any manners since you came under my roof?” Elinor cut in with a warning frown. “You may not speak unless you are addressed.”
Kate bowed her head, chastened, but not before she noticed Martin’s mouth curl in amusement. She gritted her teeth and focused on a lavender stem in the rushes on the floor. “I beg your pardon, sir,” she offered half-heartedly, but Elinor shooed her to her place at the end of the table next to Anne. Kate found a moment to look up the table, and Martin winked at her. It seemed that being bold had won favor once again, she noted.
While the rest of the group took their