Free The King's Mistress by Emma Campion

dressed in costly garb,” I noted, pleased by the admiration in his eyes.
    His brown jacket was a fine, light wool; his boots were of beautiful red Cordoba leather. I had never seen him in such elegant dress. I did not think it livery.
    He blushed. “I thought I might spend a little money to feel like a man of substance when I am about in the city.”
    “It seems that I am to dress in escarlatte, silk, velvet, and soft leathers, and be an ornament of my husband’s household.”
    “Criseyde’s cloak,” Geoffrey said, looking bemused. His expressive eyes seemed to gaze at something vast and distant.
    “Who?”
    “A poem of ancient Troy that we listened to night after night in the hall while a gentleman who fancies himself a bard was a guest in the household. My lady particularly loved the part about Criseyde and her lovers. She is sent from Troy to the Greek camp, and dons a cloak redder than roses, whiter than lilies, and decorated with pictures of all the beasts and flowers on earth, fashioned from enchanted cloth and lined with the skin of a fabulous animal whose fur includes every color God has ever created. The trimming comes from the hide of a beast caught in the river of Paradise. It is fastened by the two richest and most beautiful rubies that have ever been seen. Beneath it she wears a silk tunic, embroidered with gold and trimmed with ermine.”
    The image captivated me. I could see an exquisite woman in fabulous dress illuminated by the campfire, dazzling the men who thought her a specter.
    Geoffrey bowed to me, his mood quieter now. “I’ll tease you no more.”
    I did not understand why his mention of this Criseyde led him to a more serious mood.
    “Are you finding time to compose ballads?”
    “There is always idle time in which to compose in my head.”
    “Are you composing one of Criseyde?”
    “She deserves a better poet than me. Now tell me,” he said, laughing again and confusing me even more, “has Janyn kissed you?”
    The mere question made me blush with the memory of our kiss.
    Geoffrey slapped his thigh. “Ah! I see by your confusion that he has, and that it was much to your liking.” His eyes were very merry.
    I laughed. “Yes, he has kissed me, and yes, it was very much to my liking. And you? Have you met a suitable lady?”
    “No. But parents are in no hurry to marry off their sons, just their daughters. In faith, I’ve seen few women younger than my mother.”
    We shared a companionable laugh, and I felt more at ease than I had in a long while.
    “When do you wed?”
    “Before Michaelmas.”
    “So soon?” He looked disappointed. “Then I shall not be there to witness it. I return to my new household in two days and shall not be in London until Christmas.”
    “Oh, Geoffrey. I had so hoped you would be there.”
    “Perhaps I can be second godfather to your first son, eh?”
    “Children. I have not even thought about them, let alone choosing godparents.” Janyn would no doubt choose a man of some prestige for first godfather. “I’ve been occupied with preparing my clothing and household items. Yes, Geoffrey, I would like you to stand as a godfather to our first son—or daughter.” I giggled about what came to mind. “Dame Agnes says that riding will strengthen my legs for carrying the weight of children.”
    Geoffrey smiled broadly and took my hands for a moment. “I am happy for you, Alice.”
    “I feel most fortunate except for my warring parents and the she-wolf casting a cloud over it all.”
    “I am sorry about your parents. But perhaps you need not worry about the queen mother. The gossips love their clever names for thosethey fear. It makes them feel superior and less afraid. The king’s mother is often at court now that so much time has passed since her treasonous and immoral behavior. In the end, the people were glad of her rebellion. It was Mortimer’s greed for power that soured them.”
    “I overheard my grandparents speaking of her one night and