Courtly Love by Lynn M. Bartlett Page B

and steady her nerves.
    But matters were taken out of her hands as Beda launched full force into an immediate attack on both of them. "Where have you been? Your guests have been arriving since noon!" She gestured toward the field where pavilions were being set up. "I have had the entire responsibility of welcoming your guests and quartering the lords and ladies here in the castle. You, Lady Serena, should have been here to attend to these matters; after all, though you are not a wife, you are the lady of the manor and you do have duties to attend—"
    "You need not remind me of my duties, Lady Beda, I am quite aware of them, I assure you," Serena said quietly, though a slow flush colored her cheeks, for she had forgotten the grand scale of the lists Gyles had planned. "And from this moment on, I plan to relieve you of the duties I have so thoughtlessly thrust upon you." Serena motioned one of the servants to her as they advanced into the hall.
    Beda glanced sharply from Gyles to Serena as she caught the new authority in Serena's voice, and her eyes narrowed until they were little more than slits at the sight of Gyles's hand resting lightly on Serena's shoulder. Something had happened.
    "See that Lady Beda's things are removed from her chamber at once." Serena broke into Beda's thoughts when she addressed the servant. "And have my belongings placed in their stead. Beda, you may have my former chambers if you wish; the room is quite pleasant."
    Beda glared at Serena. "What do you think you're doing?" she hissed. "I have no intention of giving up my chamber!"
    "I fear you have no choice, Beda. The rooms you occupy are not yours, but belong to whoever bears the title Lady of Camden." Serena stole a quick look at Gyles before she continued. "I have waited for you to gracefully relinquish that which is no longer yours, and I feel I have been more than patient. But your time and my patience have run out, and so I tell you now that I will no longer be kept from my rightful place."
    "I will not—" Beda began.
    "You will do as I say, Beda, and not cause a scene in front of our guests, or I will have you confined to your chamber." Serena advanced upon the older woman, feeling quite pleased that at last she could do what should have been done when she first became Gyles's wife—and with Gyles's approval. "Heed my words well, Beda, for your own sake." Serena warned.
    One look at Gyles told Beda that there was no help to be had from him, at least for the present. So she whirled and mounted the stairs that led to the upper floors.
    "She's gone to find Aurelia, no doubt."
    The familiar voice caused Serena to spin about and the next moment she was being twirled around in her brother's arms.
    "Bryan! Oh, Bryan!" Serena was laughing and crying at the same time. "I'm so glad to see you! How long have you been here? How long can you stay? Are you riding in the lists? Will you ..."
    "Stop! Stop!" Bryan grinned down at her. "Will you never stop badgering me with questions? You have done so since you were first able to speak, and I was greatly hoping your marriage would change that." Bryan looked closely at Serena, and the bantering tone disappeared from his voice. "All is well with you, Serena?" He spoke quietly, for though Gyles had turned to speak to other arrivals he was not out of earshot.
    Serena lowered her eyes. "Yes, Bryan, of course."
    "We have heard," Bryan continued, "that you two, the marriage... is not complete."
    Serena colored. "You should not speak of such things, Bryan, and especially not here."
    "Is it true?" Bryan persisted.
    "True or false, 'tis none of your concern, Bryan."
    "Richard is here, Serena, and he wishes a private word with you. He has sent me—"
    "Are you both mad? Have you taken leave of your senses entirely?" Serena whispered angrily. "I cannot— and will not—meet Richard alone! You must tell him—"
    "My greetings, Bryan."
    Gyles had returned to them so quietly that Serena nearly jumped at the sound of his