Page 5 of The Raven and the Rose
“And wish upon a star, and carry a rabbit’s foot,” said Edward with nostalgia for youthful days long past. He watched Dobbin lead the Arabian to a rear box stall. “See if you can breed me some war horses from that one.”
Sadly she said, “The life of a war horse is short, and consequently the demand for them is great.” They walked together to Zeus’s stall, and the animal nickered a greeting to Roseanna.
Edward spoke after only a slight hesitation. “I promised your mother that I would speak to you about riding this uncut horse. Why don’t you choose a gelding, Roseanna? She would rest easier.”
Her eyes darkened as she spoke with passion. “You answer me a question first. Why do you ride an uncut stallion into battle? There is no logic to it. A gelding would be easier to control and wouldn’t give your position away to the enemy by screaming wildly.”
Edward grinned. “Damned pride! Stubborn Plantagenet pride!”
“Did you think I had none?”
The King looked at her with admiration in his eyes. “Then all I can do is bid you to take care. Ride over and join our hunting. We’ll be there until the end of the month, then I’ve promised the lodge to Ravenspur.” He strode off. For a moment it seemed the light was dimmer after his departure. Deep in thought, Roseanna leaned against Zeus’s stall. A beautiful voice behind her startled her from her reverie.
“Don’t stand too close, Mistress Castlemaine. The beast could harm you.”
She raised her eyes to his, then lowered her dark lashes quickly. “Thank you, Sir Bryan,” she whispered demurely, and allowed him to place himself protectively between herself and the black stallion. Anyone else would have received a setdown for their presumption! With all the emotional turmoil she had just been through, she had forgotten all about Sir Bryan. Now she wished fervently that she hadn’t braided her tresses so severely nor worn the plain blue riding dress. She forced herself to raise her lashes and speak to him lest he think his friend had an imbecile for a sister. “I pray you, call me Roseanna, sir.”
He bowed; his manners were flawless. “It will be my honor, Lady Roseanna.”
She sighed with relief when she heard her brother Jeffrey’s voice hail them, for indeed she had exhausted her store of conversation with the young knight.
“There you are, brat! Father’s been asking for you. I think he went into the garden to look for you.”
Her color became high when she realized that Jeffrey was only her half brother. Then that thought led to another—that she had three little half sisters at Westminster, all royal princesses. To her dismay, she found herself curtseying to Sir Bryan as she excused herself. Then she murmured under her breath, “Silly girl, he’s addled your brains!”
Her feet dragged as she walked toward the walled garden and entered through the little ornamental gate. He stood by a rosebush, and she searched desperately for words. But he spoke first.
“Joanna has told me that you know all.”
“Joanna?” she echoed. “How can you bear to utter her name?” she asked in an agonized voice.
“My dear one, Joanna never deceived me in any way. I knew she carried you when we wed. She has been a good wife to me all these years, and the year after you were born, she gave me my son. No man could ask for more.” He said it honestly, and she knew his words were sincere. At last she dared to raise her eyes to his, and she saw love there, clearly written. “You have been a good father to me. I shall always think of you as my father.”
“And you will always be my daughter,” he said simply. He held his arms wide, and she went into them, not caring that tears slipped down her cheeks. She whispered, “I was afraid to face you, but you are such a good man. You have eased my way, as always.”
Slightly embarrassed, he quickly changed the subject. “Come, I must bid Edward godspeed. Then we’ll have a closer look at that Arabian. Have you a name in mind?”
“How about Mecca?” she smiled.
“Well, it’s certainly a name to live up to.”
Alice handed Roseanna a small parchment. “My lady, a certain knight bade me give you this.”
Roseanna took it curiously, asking, “Which knight?” But as her eyes fell upon the lines, she knew it was from Sir Bryan.
Moon, moon shining bright
White and silvered over,
All night long you shed your light
Upon her sleeping bower.
Oh, that my lady dreams of me
Would be my desire,
Though I know well this cannot be
