The Troubadour's Romance by Robyn Carr

that two years I saw him four times. He was my father ’ s choice. ”
    “ I would relish two years, ” Felise retorted, stabbing her needle through the cloth.
    “ I was four and ten, ” Edrea exclaimed. “ And upon my first introduction to Harlan, he was brutish and clumsy. He frightened me. ” Her voice grew wistful then, and there was a fa int smile on her lips. “ But I think I loved him even then. ” Edrea worked her needle skillfully and did not look at her daughter when she spoke. “ Harlan was a rugged young man who had ridden with armies for years, and he paid no attention to ladies of proper retirement. He found it hard to play the groom and harder still to coddle me when I wept for my mother. But in time and with the arrival of our sons, we became more important to each other, and by the time I weaned my firstborn, I could not imagine life without him. ”
    “ I may not be so lucky as to find a man as wonderful as Father awaiting me before the priest, ” Felise grumbled.
    “ Or rather, ” Edrea said tolerantly, “ you may find a man as indisposed to marriage as you. If you find yourself thus, poor Felise , you might try a soft course with him and see what your labors yield. Answer his clumsy touch with warmth, the rule of his house with quiet obedience, and his oafish step with a pleasant smile. If you snarl at your new husband, you will find more of his back turned against you than his helping hand reaching out to you. But if you strive to do him honor and show him your gentle strength, you will gain not only his respect, but his love. ”
    Felise let her cloth fall abruptly to her lap and looked at her mother with glistening eyes and a quivering chin. She held her mouth in a grim line to try to forestall an outburst. “ Madame, I don ’ t know how that is done, ” she said sullenly.
    “ It ’ s of no matter how, Felise, ” Edrea said firmly. “ If it is your goal, you will find the way. ”
    Felise looked around the small group for solace, seeing all eyes on her. Edrea looked at her with stern dignity, showing with her eyes that she could not and would not coddle her any further. Whether or not Felise was ready, Edrea would cut her loose and let her make her way into wifehood. Vespera had a rather pained look, as though she pitied the girl, but nodded ever so slightly at Lady Edrea ’ s words. And Daria ’ s expression caused Felise to flinch slightly. The maid, unmarried herself and approaching thirty, had a gleefully wicked smile of superiority, as if seeing her mis tress ’ s comeuppance felt rather good.
    Felise ’ s eyes cleared and her voice became rather small. “ There ’ s nothing I can do, is there? ” she asked.
    “ Yea, daughter, ” Edrea said. “ You can bear this with grace and di gnity. You are a rich woman .. . and very soon a powerful man will wed you. Your influence and your husband ’ s will not be small in this kingdom of Henry ’ s. You must draw on all you have learned to be certain your monies and powers are well used. ” Edrea took a deep breath. “ Dress so that we might meet your father in the hall. And leave your fretting in this circle of women. ”
    Feli se slowly rose and turned away from the women, Daria close behind her to help her dress. Edrea ’ s hands rested in her lap and she turned watering eyes toward the hearth. She felt a gentle hand touch her arm and she turned to look into Vespera ’ s sympathetic eyes.
    “ It was easier, I think, to hold her on my knees when she was bruised from a fall or hurt because her brothers scorned her, ” Edrea whispered. She squeezed Vespera ’ s hand. “ I pray I have not spoiled the child from being a good wife. ”
    Vespera shook her head and looked down.
    “ God willing, I will attend her with her firstborn and this fear will be well behind us. I can ’ t know until then whether I have taught her anything at all. ”
    “ Lady, you have been a wonderful mother to her. She should thank you. ” Then