Hearts in Cups Page 12

  "Come now, I have obliged you very well in the past, and will do so in the future, my lady." He reached out to cup her chin in his hand and tilt her eyes up to meet his, "but I am tired of cooling my heels to suit you and your husband. I want my share!"

  "And you will get it." Her coal-dark eyes were beginning to kindle with anger. Regardless of whatever personal satisfaction this young man held for her, if his restiveness was going to become troublesome she had no qualms about employing extreme measures. She said nothing but continued to look at him with annoyance.

  His own eyes remained unperturbed and undaunted as he let go her chin and lifted her hand to his lips. "I shall try to be patient, for your sake."

  "I hope so." She left her hand in his for a moment, before she withdrew it. "Everything is falling nicely into place; your time will come. The royal embassy leaves in two weeks. You will return to Rengard with your family?"

  His smile became scornful. "Oh yes, I'll be going back with them. We leave at the end of the week, when the council session is dismissed. My father tried to talk me into joining the embassy so that I could become friendly with the Duchess of Langstraad. He thought I could sing my brother's praises to the lady so that if she was faced with returning empty-handed and choosing a husband my brother would stand a better chance!"

  Rashara smiled thinly at this news. "Your father lacks subtlety. Wasn't he afraid that you would might woo the lady for yourself?"

  "My father is under the curious notion that I exist solely as a tool to further his interests. One day soon, I fear he will be much surprised."

  "But if you did not know of our plans, might you be inclined to try yourself for our red-haired duchess, if she had a crown attached?" Rashara teased gently.

  "You pose an interesting question, but I’m afraid that it is completely academic, and school was never my strong suit. No, I have given my heart to my own fair-haired duchess, and she is far more desirable than any red-haired hoyden." With a grin he stepped forward to embrace her.

  She kept him at arm's distance and sternly pointed to his exit. "A very pretty speech, but I think, Lord Blaise, that you should leave now. When we meet again, there will be time enough for intimacies." She gestured again to the door through which he had entered. He took her extended hand and kissed it with a flourish before leaving.

  Alone again in her room, Rashara almost regretted the necessity of sending him away so quickly. She liked this young man more than she had any other in a very long time. But passion was something that she had never let rule her head.

  Because the case against Daffyd ap Blewyns was a major one, involving a Great House outside its own jurisdiction, Branwilde asked that Percamber himself sit as judge to his own role as accuser. A closed court of three was to be assembled with judge, accuser and defender the only participants. Colin had formally petitioned to be allowed to argue in favour of his former retainer, and had been granted the defender's position. He immediately sent word to Branwilde requesting that the Lady Angharad be available for questioning, but received a brusque reply from the duke stating that his wife and daughter were leaving for Gwenth within the hour. He asked for a witnessed deposition from her before she left, but nothing more was heard from the duke.

  Percamber chose to hear the case in a private audience chamber within the administrative wing of the palace. He sat in a chair wearing a diadem and carrying his steward's scepter. In a corner, sitting at a small table with a sheaf of parchment before him, was the clerk who would record the proceedings. With an impassive face Percamber indicated the two chairs facing him to the duke and the viscount, both of whom entered the room and bowed before him.

  "It is our intention to pass judgment based on the evidence and argument that you put before us now. Do you both swear to accept and obey our decision with no recourse outside this court?" Both Branwilde and Colin assented. "Then we declare this court in session. My lord duke, as accuser we will hear you first."

  Branwilde stood and spoke in a firm, confident voice. He told of finding his daughter's room vacant, of sending forth men to look for her and finding a woman who lived near the city's quays who told of seeing a girl boarding a boat on its way to Dacara with a young man. His men had ridden in haste to the port city and two days later, after asking after her and the boat, found her locked in a tiny room in the back of a tavern. His men had waited and apprehended the man who had taken her. They had then conveyed both of them back to the city. His daughter had been in a pitiable state on her return, frenzied and incoherent, and had to be deeply drugged by their personal physician before she had even been calm enough to sleep. When questioned by himself and his wife in the morning, she had lapsed back into a hysterical fit that again required sedation. The physician had advised them that she be taken home, away from the scene of her terrible experiences. Thus it was that his wife and daughter had already left for Gwenth. He ended his statement by demanding the maximum penalty for the kidnapping and rape of the daughter of the Duke of Creon.

  Colin noticed that when Branwilde sat down his hands were trembling slightly and there was a decidedly belligerent thrust to his jaw. Standing, Colin related the tale as Daffyd had told it to him. He tried to emphasize that it was the foolish act of youth and that while it was not a deed to the young man's credit, he had not taken the girl against her will and she had not been physically harmed by him. As he spoke, Branwilde's face flushed with anger, though he said nothing, in deference to the forms of the court.

  When Colin had finished his version of the crime, Percamber looked thoughtfully at both men and said, "We have heard the story from both sides. According to your grace, your daughter was forcibly taken from the palace and carried off to Dacara by this man, Daffyd ap Blewyns; and you, Lord de Chantalcalm, attest that the girl left the palace willingly and was, in fact, eloping with him." Both men nodded. "Now I need to see and hear what evidence there is to support these accusations."

  Branwilde rose and took a sheaf of papers from a leather bag at his feet. "This is the sworn testimony of the captain of the men that rescued my daughter." He handed the document to Lord Percamber who read it slowly and then passed them to his clerk. "I also have statements from the woman who saw her on the boat and the owner of the tavern in Dacara where she was found. This last document is from the physician who examined her when she returned." These were also handed to Percamber to be read in turn. Percamber read the last document with a deepening frown. When he had done, he looked expectantly at Branwilde. The duke nodded curtly and sat down.

  "All of these documents support your case, but what of your daughter's testimony? She is the one most concerned, next to the young man; is there no statement of any kind directly from her?"

  "My daughter is hardly herself. After the trauma that she has gone through, she is incapable of thinking clearly about what has happened, let alone write about it." Branwilde fidgeted irritably in his seat.

  "While we have great sympathy for what your daughter has gone through, the fact remains that she must be the primary accuser against the defendant. With no direct evidence or testimony from her, this court cannot in good conscience proceed against the defendant in this matter."

  Branwilde was on his feet and close to shouting at the old man who sat before him. "That is absurd! The man took her, carried her off, abused her and you will not punish him? I demand retribution!"

  "Sit down!" Percamber's voice crackled with authority. "We did not say that he would be set free, blameless. But the lack of direct accusation from the person most directly wronged weakens the case considerably. Lord de Chantalcalm, we would now know your evidence." The old man pointedly turned from the duke.

  "I have here a sworn statement from the defendant corroborating the story that I have told to you. I also have testimony from the man on whose boat they traveled, stating that he witnessed no compulsion in the actions between the two, and indeed that they seemed very comfortable in each other's company." He handed his documents to Percamber and sat down.
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  "Gentlemen, having heard both of your arguments, we must now consider the meting out of justice. Lord Branwilde, we are sensible to your position. You are a powerful and influential man in the Pentarchy, with the dignity of your House and duchy to maintain. What has happened, whether with or without your daughter's consent, is a blow to your reputation as well as hers. However, unless she can be brought to testify in person against the defendant, we cannot allow you to continue in the prosecution of the defendant."

  "What of the doctor's testimony?" Branwilde interrupted fiercely.

  "This document does not say that she was raped, only that she was under great mental stress. We are sorry, but it is not enough to proceed." Percamber looked compassionately at the tormented expression on the duke's face. "Can you not have your daughter returned to give testimony?"

  Branwilde shook his head. "No, I will not have her exposed thus; she has gone through enough."

  Percamber nodded. "Lord de Chantalcalm, although you have tried to lessen the defendant's guilt, there are still things for which he is culpable. Even if he did not abduct the girl, he did conspire against the duke by being party to the girl's running away. For that conspiracy we strip him of his palace office and exile him from the city of Pentarin." Colin stood and bowed in relief and gratitude.

  "That is all?" Branwilde sputtered incredulously.

  Percamber fixed his eyes coldly on the duke. "That is sufficient for the requirements of justice, Lord Branwilde." The duke glared back, before giving a curt nod of acceptance.

  The regent continued, "We conjure both of you to keep silent on all that has been said here today. We now declare this court to be adjourned." He stood and looked sternly at both men. "This episode has been painful and embarrassing to both of you. I think that it would be best for you to put it behind you, and not to feel that one of you has won to the other's loss. The Pentarchy and I need you both, especially in the days to come. The Duchess of Langstraad's mission to Prince Brian will leave Pentarin soon and we must be prepared to wait patiently until she returns. Strife will not serve at this time; do not hold grudges."

  "For my part, I hold no ill-feeling towards your grace," Colin said, trying to breach the gap he sensed the duke had built between them. "I am indeed sorry if wrong has been done. But I truly believe that the young man I defended today did not mean to do evil to you or any of your family."

  "I will hold my tongue and work with you in the council, Treves; but let the young man know that he is not welcome within the borders of Creon and would be wise to stay far from them." This speech was delivered in a grating tone of enmity that surprised both Colin and Percamber. "My lords," he said with a bow to Percamber. Turning on his heel, he exited the room.

  After Percamber conferred with and dismissed his clerk, the old man turned to face Colin, who had remained in the room. "I fear the repercussions of this incident, my lord," Colin sighed. "The duke is angry with the verdict and with me for defending Daffyd."

  "He may be angry, but he will not disrupt the council for a family matter, regardless of any hostility he harbours. Know too, that if he had produced any hard evidence of the girl's ill-treatment, even a written statement from her, things would have gone much harder with your man. I don't like what was done and he bears much of the blame even if she was willing. As it is, you would be well advised to send him far away from the duke."

  "Yes, I can see the wisdom in that," Colin replied with a touch of humor.

  "I am growing more concerned each day, Colin. All of this excitement over Creon's missing daughter has kept attention diverted from the duchess and her coming journey." Percamber began to make his way to the door but stopped as Colin put his hand on the old man's sleeve.

  "Everything will be fine, Percamber. The men are rallied and the provisions are gathered. I have put my affairs in order; Dinea will administer Treves for me while I am away. In another week we shall have gone and will return with Prince Brian before the summer is out."

  "And what of Niall and Rashara? I cannot believe that they are truly content with the solution of the prince's return. Though indeed, Niall has been of great help in the organization of this expedition." His face wore an expression of perplexity.

  "Possibly Niall is assuming that, should the mission fail and Hollin be forced to return and marry, he may yet get his hands on the throne. He was a strong advocate for her marriage to a son of one of the Houses and the beginning of a new royal line. If she should be forced or maneuvered into marrying Lord Galen, he would be very close to the power that he wants."

  Percamber looked grim. "You may be right, and that may be the game he now plays. I think though that he would be in for a very unpleasant surprise if he assumes that the Lady Hollin would submit to being anyone's tool. The more I see of her, the more I think that she will make my grandson an excellent wife and be a fitting queen." He smiled wanly. "The dreams of a weary old man. I do want to see Brian again. To see him become High King of the Pentarchy, as was his father before him."

  "I wish it as well!" Colin gripped the regent's thin, sinewy arm. "I promise that I will do all that I can to bring them back safely and soon. Now, I must go and relieve my wife's mind about this wretched business of Daffyd's."

  The two men smiled in mutual understanding as they parted, Colin, with a quick stride, eager to tell Dinea that Daffyd's head had been saved, albeit at the expense of his career, and Percamber, with slow steadiness, to his private study to sit long into the night considering what should be done to make ready for the return of his grandson.

  Dinea sat listening with an intent expression to her husband's assurances that her favoured musician was to keep his life. Though he could not detail all that had been said in the closed chamber, she knew him well-enough to decipher what was not said. They had spent the past few days feverishly gleaning what evidence in favour of the young man they could find, but both had known that it was the testimony of the duke's daughter that would really determine his fate. Even as she breathed her sigh of relief, Dinea's mind continued to wrestle with the situation.

  "You know that Branwilde will not let the matter rest where it is," she said when he had finished.

  "Oh, I think he will. After all, he did promise to abide by Percamber's decision." He reached for one of the cakes she had brought him on a plate at his return.

  "He made that pledge before he heard the verdict. The duke is a very proud man. He will not feel that justice has been done and he will not want pity or sympathy for his daughter, poor girl. He will want to inflict his own feelings of shame on Daffyd. I want to make certain that Daffyd is safe from the duke's wrath."

  "How do you propose to do that?" Colin asked around a mouthful of cake. "Send him back to Treves? He can read and write; perhaps he can be employed as an administrative clerk. A little lowering of his sights might do him a world of good."

  Dinea smiled indulgently at Colin. He had worked hard for the acquittal, but his thoughts were now turning back towards the quest and matters of greater consequence than the future of one lowly musician. "If the duke decides to send retribution looking for Daffyd, our lands will be the first place searched. No, he must go very far away and he must go soon. I think that it would be a good thing for him to go with you on your journey to find the prince." Colin's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. Dinea sat demurely, waiting for her husband to assimilate this suggestion.

  He shook his head doubtfully. "I can't see Branwilde standing idly by while the man he thinks kidnapped his daughter rides off with a prestigious embassy. I also don't think that Hollin would welcome such a snub. The Duke of Creon is too powerful a man to offend in that fashion."

  "Of course Daffyd could not ride openly with you. He would have to leave Pentarin quietly and rendezvous with you at some predetermined place in the Inner Ward." She began to pace in front of where he sat, marshaling her plans. "I can go to Hollin and plead his case. She sent a note when she heard about the incident, and I believe that she is somewhat sympathetic.
I shall explain our reasons for asking this and beg that she allow him to join you."

  "And what of his wishes?"

  Dinea looked at him in some surprise. "You think that he would refuse?"

  "I don't know what he wants to do, or will do, when he is told he is a free man. Being expelled from Pentarin and any chance of furthering his ambitions to become a bard will go hard with him. Not that I disagree with Percamber's sentence; I think that he was remarkably fair considering everyone involved. Daffyd made the decisions that brought him to this. He is a man and must decide his own course."

  "Then you refuse to take him?"

  "No, I don't refuse to take him. What I am saying is that he might refuse to come."

  Dinea came around behind him, placed her arms about his neck and asked sweetly, "But if I receive permission from the duchess, will you talk to him?"

  Twisting his head to look at her, he grinned. "You are a very determined woman, Dinea Caterin de Rommel." She nodded complacently. "All right. If you can get the duchess' consent, I will offer the option to him. "

  Chapter 8

  The day slated for the departure of the royal embassy was auspiciously beautiful. The main entourage, one hundred and fifty hand-picked soldiers, sat mounted and ready outside the city gates under their respective House banners. Assembled within the confines of the palace's main courtyard were a handful of the Duchess of Langstraad's personal men-at-arms and attendants, all under the watchful eye of Sir Benedict, who had asked to be allowed to come. The saddled horses of the duchess and her commanding officers waited in the hands of their grooms. All of the members of the Great and Minor Houses still residing within Pentarin Palace had come to wish the travelers a safe and successful journey. Hollin, attired in her green and gold riding dress, stood suffering the well intentioned advice from a host of well-wishers before the doors of the Great Hall. There was a tap on her arm from Lord Gerard which freed her from further long-winded admonishments of the Duke of Tuenth. Taking her leave formally of Percamber, she allowed Lord Gerard Cradoch, commander of this enterprise, to escort her to her horse. Behind her, Colin squeezed his wife's hand once more in farewell and followed the duchess.