Free Velvet & steel by Sylvie F. Sommerfield Page B

"Well enough, I will inform her."
    "Aye."
    "Robert, you are really an old fox."
    "Aye." Robert smiled broadly.
    Royce opened the message from William and read. His face gave no sign of the contents. He didn't seem too happy about the news, and Robert wasn't too sure whether he should ask about it or not. But Royce put an end to his doubts.
    "For the wedding William bids me bring Lynette with me to London. It will be put off for another month."
    "This should prove of interest to the lady."
    "You will not mention it to her, or to anyone."
    "Royce?"
    "Leave be, Robert, I have my reasons. Word of this message is to remain between us for now."
    "As you will," Robert replied, but he was puzzled.
    "I have a task to perform. See to the armory. It has been brought to my attention that the arms are not in good enough condition, or in sufficient quantities to protect this manor in case of a revolt."
    "I will see to it at once."
    Robert watched Royce walk away from him with a frown.

    I Royce climbed the steps to his chamber, and when he closed the door behind him, he was again struck by the emptiness and loneliness of it. He longed for activity to draw him away from the shadows.
    He leaned against the door for a few minutes, then turned abruptly and left. He had no idea whether he would find Lynette in her own chamber or in Cerise's, so he checked the child's room first. It was empty. Leaving it, he walked resolutely toward Lynette's.
    The door stood a little ajar, and soft voices floated through. He did not mean to listen, but Cerise's words brought him to a stop before he could push open the door.
    "It does not matter if he does not like me. I know I am not pretty ... and I'm not a boy. I know everybody likes boys better than girls anyway."
    "Cerise, who ever told you you were not pretty?"
    "Lady Oriel told me that I was ugly and my papa would never want to see me. She said my mother wanted a boy, and so did my papa. They did not want an ugly little girl. That is why I had to stay in her chamber when Papa was at home. She said my mother was pretty. I wish ..."
    "What, Cerise? What do you wish?"
    "I wish that Papa would like me... just a little bit," the little girl said wistfully.
    "You must not listen to Lady Oriel. You are very pretty, and when you grow up, you are going to be as beautiful as a princess. And didn't your papa bring you home the day we went sliding? And he held you before him on his horse, and he did speak to you. You must remember that your papa is a very important man to King William, and he has many weighty things on his mind."
    "You asked him to carry me back," Cerise said promptly, "but it was fun, and his horse is so big. I'll bet only Papa can ride him. He is the strongest and most wonderful knight anywhere."
    Royce felt the same deep twisting in his chest, and the breath caught in his throat. Ugly! Oriel had told Cerise she was ugly, and that he did not like to look at her. Self-hatred filled him, and did battle with his guilt. He could not find the courage to look into his daughter's eyes, for he was afraid he would see unselfish love there, and that would undo him.
    How could she love him when he had done his best to ignore her?
    Slowly he pushed the door wider so he could view the occupants without their being aware of him. Lynette sat on a small stool in front of the low-burning fire, and Cerise sat on the floor with her back to Lynette, who was brushing her hair. The sight of her lovely mink-colored hair tore at him.
    Then his attention was drawn to Lynette, who was framed by the light of the fire. Her hair was like a golden halo, and the fire kissed her skin to a warm flush. Her slender body was a curved silhouette that stirred an unwelcome warmth within him. In a little more time she would be his wife. He had to resist a sudden flood of desire that struck him unexpectedly. He fought it into submission. Desire was something he would not take to the marriage bed.
    It was then Lynette sensed a presence. She