(Medieval Song, #4) Secret Song by Catherine Coulter

Author:Catherine Coulter [Coulter, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The morning air was thick with fog. Daria, bundled to her chin in one of her winter cloaks, waited silently for Roland to finish speaking to the king.

She'd already said good-bye to the queen, kissing Eleanor's hand as she curtsied deeply and thanking her with great sincerity for her care and advice. The queen had even prepared a large vial of the herb drink should she become ill again.

"You will be patient with Roland," the queen had said, hugging her, wishing she could spare her pain but knowing that she couldn't. She would pray that the babe closely resembled Roland; there was naught else she could do. "He is a proud man, loyal, and sound in judgment save, it appears, in the matters of the heart. I heard it said that once, many years before, he gave his heart to a girl who betrayed him. I know no more than that. My lord told me that, saying that Roland had been miserably unhappy at the time, and had confided only that much. It must have soured him, my lord said." She looked smug as she said that, pleased that her husband, King of England though he be, was faithful to her and only to her. Daria nearly burst out that the girl had been Joan of Tenesby, but she held her tongue. Roland wouldn't thank her to tell his secrets.

The queen added, "When you arrive in Cornwall I hope you will visit St. Erth Castle. It is where my husband's daughter lives with her husband, Dienwald de Fortenberry. Philippa is a sweet but spirited child and plants gray hairs in her husband's head. It will be your husband's decision, of course, to select where you will reside until he has managed to purchase this keep of his."

"He just told me of Thispen-Ladock last evening."

The queen said comfortably, "Worry not that he is closemouthed. He isn't in the habit of confiding in others. Roland will come to tell you many things before long. I am pleased the earl did not resist returning the clothing and household goods that you were carrying to Colchester when he abducted you. You and your Roland will be finely prepared once you move into your new keep."

Daria glanced back now, seeing that the pack mules disappeared into the fog, so thick it was. She did bring Roland many things for his new keep. She didn't bring him only herself. No, indeed, she brought him more coin than he needed, and rich furnishings, for at the time he was planning for her to wed with Colchester, her uncle's pride had been at stake. She remembered Roland's sour look at the sight of all the goods half an hour before. She'd wanted to slap him when he said, "I feel like a greedy merchant, traveling about with all my wares. Mayhap I can sell some of this to Graelam."

"The goods are mine," she'd said instead, so furious she was pale with it. "Don't you dare speak of selling what is mine.

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