My Lady's Shadow: Power and intrigue in Medieval France by Coirle Mooney

Author:Coirle Mooney [Mooney, Coirle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2022-08-18T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I rose next morning at cock crow to the promising crescendo of horses’ hooves outside. From my upper window, I observed the early arrival of many sumptuously dressed nobles, followed on foot by a train of plainly attired villagers.

I rushed at once to prepare my own toilette before attending to Maria’s. A sound night’s sleep had benefited me well, and it was with some satisfaction I inspected my clear eyes in the glass. I stepped into the dress I’d had prepared and pressed. The mauve, linen gown was cut low at the front but embroidered with tiny, white rosebuds to suggest overall a feminine but provocative purity. Around my neck I tied the daintiest string of pale green seashells.

Just as I was applying the faintest hint of blush to cheeks and lip, the maid Claryse arrived to braid my hair. Claryse was by far the deftest in such arts and always was in high demand at feast times. Normally reserved for the high-born ladies, Maria had promised to send her to me so I could make the best impression with Lord Merle-Beaumont.

The chamber quickly filled with the sounds of merrymaking and I was eager to be outdoors. I hoped Maria would have no use of me.

On sight of the viscount and Maria, my sense of well-being evaporated. They were much flustered and sent me about so many different tasks I was sure I’d find no time for breakfast. I cursed them inwardly, for of course they had not thought on that. Still, I was accustomed to such treatment and so, with a grumbling stomach, I carried out the work. Afterwards, when I stopped at one of the hall mirrors to tidy myself, a pair of glowing eyes bore into mine. I froze to the spot; Gui d’Ussel was standing alongside me.

‘Maryse,’ said he, speaking to my reflection in the glass, ‘I’m glad we have found this opportunity to speak for we were, of course, acquainted at Turenne. I hope you fare well?’

I had somehow lost my tongue. Nor could I find my feet to move so I continued standing, open-mouthed and mute.

‘I suppose you have met the viscountess Maria this morning?’ he inquired then. Now I began to see why he’d stopped to address me. ‘Would you be so good as to inform me of her whereabouts?’ he asked, drawing in closer. I stepped back apace. ‘It is imperative I speak with her this morning,’ he said. Still I did not answer; he took his leave abruptly.

I watched then as he passed by others and noted how they shied away from him. Ladies, though they stared after him, approached him not, for he had hanging about him a remarkable intensity. It struck me he must lead a lonely life, but I was not sorry for him as I had ever been alone and friendless in this world. He’d seemed agitated, whether fearful or furious I could not tell. I hoped he’d not get in the habit of stopping me thus; a devil would hardly have had so unpleasant an effect on my nerves.

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