Page 79 of An Ill-Made Match

“But did Lord Vawdrey actually say the word ‘Lenora’ in his request?” persisted the Queen, some five minutes later. She wore a faintly frustrated air, for Sir Leofric had turned out to give a very poor account of himself. He was defensive, apt to ramble off the point and quick to take offence at any perceived slight.

“Yes!” burst out Sir Leofric. Then he appeared to waver. “Well, only consider for yourself,” he said indignantly. “He said ‘you have in your charge…’ something along the lines of ‘the power to bestow a flower of womanhood’. Something of that sort. Well obviously, he was talking about Lenora. Everyone knows she is called The Flower of All Karadok.” He looked around with a smug look on his face, but after a moment or two seemed to realize that he had not given the assurances everyone had expected. Indeed, the noise from the crowd was getting quite loud again.

Earl Vawdrey stood up from his seat in the audience. “Pray forgive me, Sir Leofric,” he said mildly and everyone went immediately silent. “May I first commend you, on your powers of recall and your honesty. You are part right at least. I made no mention of the words ‘daughter’ or ‘Lenora’ in my request, and I did in fact, say the words ‘your charge’.” He let that suggestive phrase sink in as everyone started up their whispering once again. “And that is because,” he said politely. “I was speaking of your ward, your niece the Lady Eden, all along. As for the flower remark, I’m afraid, I did not know that was one of the Lady Lenora’s sobriquet’s. She has so very many.” He bowed low to Lenora, who gave him a dazzling smile.

Sir Leofric’s eyes were almost bulging out of his head. “Why I - I – I…” he cast about wildly. “Well, that is what I took him to mean!” he protested feebly. “Never even occurred to me he could mean Eden!”

“It never occurred to you he could mean Eden?” repeated the Queen sharply. “I see…” She turned to the crowd and frowned as they all started clamoring. “Now that is very suggestive, is it not?”

It was not long after this that proceedings wound up for the day and a very subdued Eden was escorted back to the Queen’s chambers with Jane Cecil. The Queen had gone to the King’s apartments to take supper with him, so Eden assumed it would just be an awkward dinner with just her and Jane. She wished she could warm up to Jane, but for some reason, they were both very reserved with each other. To her surprise, they had no sooner shut the door behind them, than a knock was heard upon it. The dogs went mad, and Eden was forced to drag them both by their collars into the next room as Jane answered it. Eden scolded Castor who was the instigator until his ears lay flat, then she released them and returned to the outer chamber with both of them close on her heels. To Eden’s astonishment it was her good friend the Lady Fenella, Countess Vawdrey along with Linnet, Duchess of Cadwallader. They were also, both her sisters-in-law. Neither had been present at the day’s official proceedings.

“There you are!” beamed Fenella, coming toward her at once. Eden immediately ran to her friend and they embraced. “My word, don’t you look pretty!” Fen exclaimed. “Let me get a good look at you. What a pretty gown! How well that sea-green color suits you! You look just like a nereid!”

“I could say the same for you, you’re positively glowing,” Eden told her in a choked voice. She was touched Fenella had not dwelt on her pallor, or the dark rings under her eyes. Her friend by contrast looked extremely well. “Motherhood is clearly agreeing with you.”

“Oh yes,” said Fen with a proud smile. “We’re all thriving, all four of us.” Eden’s smile was strained. She hardly knew what to make of Fen’s husband, Oswald Vawdrey these days. “And I have brought Linnet with me, to welcome you to the family.”

“It’s been an age since I last saw you, Eden. How lovely to see you again!” said Linnet with her sweet smile. Something was definitely different about Linnet, Eden thought distractedly as she kissed the freckled redhead on the cheek. Then she noticed the loose-fitting gown and fuller figure and realized Linnet must be expecting again. “And yours too,” she screwed up her eyes, trying to remember how many children Linnet and the Duke of Cadwallader already had.

“Oh this,” laughed Linnet. “It’s a pretty fabric to be sure, but cut like an old sack. Still, it will expand with me, so it’s good for comfort.” She placed a hand on her bump.

“Congratulations,” stammered Eden, unsure if she was supposed to offer them so soon. Perhaps that was why neither had been present? Fenella had only been delivered of her twin boys some two months ago, and Linnet was clearly in the family way.

“Thank you. Shall we sit?” The three of them moved toward the table where Jane was directing a servant to place the dishes. “This all looks excellent, what a treat,” said Linnet with easy grace, and she and Fenella exchanged pleasantries with Jane, who soon seemed to relax and look less ill-at-ease for intruding on a family party.

Eden managed to make a better meal than the previous evening when everything had tasted of ashes, and was secretly relieved when Jane rose as the last course was cleared away.

“If you ladies will pray excuse me, I will retire to the other room. My head aches sadly this evening and I would do all the better for a lie down with a damp cloth across my brow.”

They all disclaimed at this tactful retreat, but Jane was firm and bowed out of the room only moments later.

“What a discreet young woman,” said Linnet approvingly. “I predict she will go far at court.”

“She already has done rather well,” pointed out Eden, and then immediately felt contrite.

“Oh you must not mind so much, Eden,” said Fenella quickly. “Indeed, now you are a married woman, you will not have so much time to devote to the Queen’s service.”

Linnet murmured in agreement. “We are all devoted to the Queen of course,” she said painstakingly, “But there is no denying that she is rather demanding and best served by an unmarried lady I would say.”

Eden hesitated, not liking to bring up the fact she might very soon be restored to the status of single lady, depending on the outcome of the hearing. “I met your sister-in-law at Sitchmarsh,” she said instead, turning to Fen with a rather forced brightness. “Lady Orla Bernard.”

“Oh, how lovely!” exclaimed Fen excitedly. “Did you meet my brother Gilbert also? Or visit my old home at Sitchmarsh Hall?”

“No,” explained Eden regretfully. “Orla kindly called on me, but I did not get the chance to return the visit, although she did most cordially invite me.”

“Oh no, of course,” tutted Fen sympathetically. “Such a pity and so tiresome for you! This silly misunderstanding!” She pressed Eden’s hand. “Oswald is most put out on your behalf.”

“It is not the most propitious start to your wedded days,” agreed Linnet. “But after all, Mason and I suffered something not dissimilar, and our marriage made a full recovery from the experience.”

An awkward silence drifted over them as they reflected on the fact Roland had also been involved in that appeal for an annulment, but that time as a petitioner.

“He was not there today,” burst out Eden, unable to hold it in any longer. Her chest rose and fell. “Roland. He did not attend the hearing.” Her words sounded devastated, but she was too shattered to be embarrassed about that right now.

Eden and Fenella exchanged glances. “My dear,” said Fen kindly. “Did you not hear?”

“Hear what?” asked Eden hoarsely. But she already knew. He had gone home. Without her.

“Roland was summoned to the King today and stripped of his position as King’s Champion.”