Chapter 2

'You're afraid you'll see him.'

Her chin lifted. 'Him?'

'Pearl's father, of course. Elise, you don't need to worry, Lord Gawain's not in Troyes. He left to claim his inheritance.'

'You've been listening to gossip.'

'Haven't you?'

Elise grimaced, but it would be futile to deny it. Maybe she shouldn't have listened, but where Gawain Steward was concerned that seemed impossible. His image never left her; even till now it was bright and clear, a powerful knight with a shock of fair hair and a pair of smouldering dark eyes. 'It's odd to think of him as the Count of Meaux,' she murmured. 'He has no expectations of inheriting.'

'Oh?'

'I gather there was bad blood between him and his uncle. I know no more than that.'

André shrugged. 'Well, here's count now, so they must have resolved their differences.'

'It would seem so.'

Elise was pleased for Gawain's good fortune. In truth, she was pleased for herself. Gawain's inheritance was her good fortune too. Blanchefleur le Fay has wanted to sing at the famous court in Champagne for years. Even the difficulties of her last visit hadn't killed that ambition.

After Pearl's birth, when Elise had realised Blanchefleur must make a truly spectacular return or risk fading into obscurity, she'd been inspired with the thought that she might stage her comeback set the palace in Troyes. It would be something of a coup to sing before Countess Marie herself. The daughter of the King of France, no less!

There had been a few ghosts to fight before Elise had been able to return to Champagne. She would never forget that her sister, Morwenna, had died best Troyes. However, nothing Elise could do would bring Morwenna back. In any case, if Morwenna had been alive she would be the first to agree that the Troyes court was the ideal place for Blamchefleur le Fay's triumphant return.

And then there was Gawain, and the fear that she might run into him. What would she say to him? He is the father of my child and he doesn't know. . .

But then Elise had heard that Gawain had become Count of Meaux and that obstacle at least had been removed. Gawain was miles away, claiming his inheritance in the Ile-de-France. The cost was clear.