Page 75 of An Ill-Made Match

Roland whisked her out of there without another word and saw her up the steps to their room. “I’ll be back presently,” he said shortly. “Lock the door, and be sure to open it only for me.”

Eden nodded and hurried to comply. She had washed and undressed by the time he had returned. He brought Parnell and Castor with him, and after letting them in, she got straight into bed. She had no words and no earthly idea what to say about her predicament. She listened to the sounds of Roland washing and shedding his clothes and then his footsteps approaching the bed. He blew out the candle then climbed stealthily through the doors, and Eden felt him settle beside her. She waited a few moments with her eyes open, but he did not speak. After a while she closed her own and waited for sleep for sleep that did not come. Instead she lay awake, thinking about her grandmother and Lenora and what awaited her at court. Eventually, she must have drifted off to sleep, for the next thing she knew she was being shaken awake by Roland who was already up and dressed.

“If you rise now, I’ll send Brigid in to help you dress and pack up your things.”

“Things?” repeated Eden blankly, but he was already crossing the room. “Wait!” She sat up. “You’re still coming too? To court?” she asked and rubbed her eyes.

He nodded curtly, “Of course,” and left. Eden got out of bed and presently Brigid bustled in carrying hot water for her to wash. As Eden set about her ablutions, her maid flung back the lid of the chest, and started lifting out the gowns which Eden had stuffed back in there.

“Which will you wear today, my lady?” she asked once she’d laid the four gowns out. She ran a hand over the gold dress with the pink roses. “I’ve never seen such dresses,” she cast an admiring glance Eden’s way.

“They’re not mine,” Eden told her. “They were made for my cousin’s bridal trousseau.”

Brigid looked doubtfully from the fine gowns to Eden and then back again. “You and your cousin must surely be of a muchness when it comes to size,” she said. “They look as if they were made for you.”

“I don’t wear colors,” Eden said flatly.

“But your blue gown is so pretty!”

“That was not made for me either,” said Eden. “But for Lady Payne. I prefer myself in somber shades. They suit my personality better.”

Brigid shot her a surprised look. “I find that hard to believe, my lady. You look so well in nice things. ‘Tis plain, my master thinks as much,” she said, glancing at the blue and gold robe Roland had brought her back from Areley Kings.

Eden had no reply to make to that. “As to which I’ll wear,” she said. “I have no preference. The blue is being cleaned I think.”

“If you’ve no preference, then I think this rose pink would look very well,” said Brigid.

Eden donned a clean shift, as Brigid exclaimed over the brightly colored stockings. She passed Eden a pair which were sky blue with gold ribbon garters. “Just pick out the plainest veil,” Eden recommended, as she saw her hovering over one covered in fancy ruffles and pleats. Brigid pouted and selected one with a delicate floral border.

Once dressed it seemed to Eden that she looked like she was dressed for a banquet, rather than a day’s travelling. She really did look the image of a frivolous courtier, she thought despairingly. Still, there was nothing for it, she owned nothing sensible. Instead she sat down and arranged her braids as best she could, securing them in a roll at the nape of her neck, before Brigid helped her pin the veil over the arrangement.

“I’ll pack your things while you break your fast below,” Brigid assured her.

Eden looked back from the doorway. “Thank you, Brigid.” She stood a moment, watching as the young woman busied herself folding the fine chemises and stockings that had been intended for Lenora. Was this the last time she would see Brigid? Her heart heavy, Eden made her way down, realizing she did not even have to look now or count the stairs as she went. She had in fact, mastered the trip steps. The table had been laid with toasted bread and butter and a platter of salted fish, but no-one else was seated yet there. Eden made a quick meal, and it was only as she was finishing up that Sir Palmerston and Sir Symond made an appearance. She thought she heard one of them exclaim before the door opened.

“My lady,” mumbled Sir Palmerston with a bow before he was seated.

Sir Symond appeared to be limping slightly. Eden wondered if he was a victim of the staircase or a dog bite. She had noticed that none of the dogs were attendance and wondered at it. Where were they all? Were they with Roland? And where was her husband? Her stomach lurched. And how much longer would he continue in that role.

They embarked on their journey as soon as their escorts had finished their morning repast. Their party was dour and uncommunicative, and that included Eden who retreated into her thoughts. The only one who seemed relatively merry was Cuthbert who brought up the rear. Nothing could put a damper on his spirits for long, and Eden suspected he was happy to return to the city. The only thing that brought her any comfort was that Roland brought two of the dogs along with them, Castor and Parnell. When they took infrequent breaks, Parnell leaned heavily against her legs. Even Castor periodically checked on her before returning to his master’s side. The first night Eden found she was expected to sleep in a separate bedchamber to the others, who it seemed would bunk down in a communal room. Sir Palmerston was apologetic about locking her in, but firm, and she was led to understand he would be remiss in his duty if he did not take this step. Roland was stony silent on the subject, simply directing her to take both dogs with her when she retired. On hearing the key turn in the lock, strangely, her first thought was that at least this way she would not be able to sleep-walk any further abroad than this room.

She readied herself for bed, pondering how Sir Symond had reacted the previous night and realizing that he had meant to separate them sooner. Was their marriage to be declared invalid? How would she fare at court if she was to figure as a prominent player in such a scandal? Could she bear all the gossip and conjecture if it was about her? Court had always been her happy place. She had always felt secure in the circles she moved in there. Was that to be ripped away from her? And if so, what would she do? Her hands and feet felt clammy as she considered being returned to her uncle. Would he even accept her back in such disgrace? She remembered his irate face the last time she had seen him and felt anxious. His only option would be to bury her at Hallam Hall, perhaps as her aunt’s companion. Eden shuddered, thinking of Lenora’s discontented mother. Perhaps he would be merciful and bury her in a convent instead.

It was perhaps not surprising that she couldn’t settle in the strange surroundings. In the end Parnell jumped up onto the bed, a heavy weight across her legs. This seemed to do the trick, and she managed to get some rest in the early hours of the morning.

The second day’s travelling was not much different to the first, except it grew warmer the further south they travelled. The sun was high in the sky, and Eden shed her mittens and drew back the hood of her cloak. They covered a good many miles and on the second night, Eden managed to sleep a little better that night from sheer exhaustion.

On the third day they reached Caer-Lyoness. To Eden’s alarm, they were forced to wait at the South gate for an armed escort. Was she under arrest, then? Her eyes flew to Roland’s, but his own were shuttered and gave nothing away. As she watched, Sir Palmerston drew him aside and they had some quiet conversation that Eden could not hear. Sir Symond moved alongside her, an expression of officiousness on his face that immediately irritated her. If he could get away with it, she realized, he would march her into the castle and throw her at the Queen’s feet like a prisoner! She directed her coldest, haughtiest look upon him and was pleased to see his face flush as he turned away. At long last a group of soldiers with lances marched out of the gate, and Sir Palmerston stepped forward, offering to help her dismount. Eden refused his help, though she thanked him politely after climbing down from Christobel.

“My horse-” she started, but he pre-empted her.

“-will be taken to the royal stables immediately, my lady.”

She took a deep breath and looked back at Roland. He was looking right at her, although he and Cuthbert were still on horseback. Were they going to leave her here then? It seemed, only she would be delivered up like some sort of captive! Her bosom swelled with indignation.

“Take the dogs,” said Roland curtly.

Eden opened her mouth to argue, but then changed her mind. After all, she needed all the friends she could get. Instead she inclined her head stiffly, and at his order, both dogs bounded to her side. Sir Palmerston eyed them a moment doubtfully, but then offered her his arm. She placed her hand on it, the guard fell into place on either side of them, and Eden found herself marched into the royal palace. She had never thought herself a fanciful person, but almost, she could imagine herself clad in chains.