Chapter 10: The Dinner

Eleanora sat an ocean away from her husband.

Husband, she thought.

It tasted bittersweet in her mouth. That word tasted like sweet cream, it slid across her tongue but curdled just as she swallowed it. Even though the union was upsetting to her. She had to admit he looked different to her now. Nothing like the day of their wedding, or the foggy night they first laid together. She had to concede she had a little too much of the wine that night.

As she chewed the warm bread the servants placed before her she examined him in the better light. He had chestnut hair the receded just slightly with his age. His face was harsh and if it were not for the deep laugh lines, she would have thought he never smiled in his life. She did not mean the false smiles so many of the aristocrats had perfected, that one he used to calm her nerves on the day of their wedding. He looked as if he had not a single drop of joy in his life. The only soft about him was his eyes, it was like waking up to morning horizon, steady soft blue.

What killed her was his silence, he communicated less than her. She dreaded the thought of having to share a lifetime of these meals together. An eternity of heavy silences.

Picking up her glass of wine she attempted to be casual. "How was your day?" She stumbled over the words. They felt unnatural, she used her wine to rescue her from looking more a fool.

He smiled politely at her like she was a child.  "Nothing interesting. Meeting with the traders at the docks, some business at the palace. I am however more interested in your day dear wife." He too took a sip of wine, but his words sounded more natural.

Eleanora appreciated his interest in her day but knew whatever she said would not actually stimulate him. He could not be that interested in shopping and letter writing. He had much more interesting things going on in the house. "Well, I went to the shops for a dress for the King's celebration. Then I simply returned home and oversaw the housework and wrote some letters to thank some of our guest from the wedding. It was all trivial."

He shook his head at her dismissal. "I find the work at maintaining our home is difficult. Well, it was for me." He shrugged at his own admittance. "I struggled to come up with a shopping list, or simply overseeing that my staff knew when I intended to invite a guest. You do have my eternal gratitude." He smiled politely again.

Eleanora wanted him to stop with the charming efforts. He did not have to thank her, she was expected to do it. "Happy to." She returned the smile.

"You said you went shopping today?" He asked with unusual interest. As he raised his glass in a request for more wine.

She hesitated. "Yes, this morning."

"I would have liked to join you." He did not look her in the eye.

"You would?" She realized his concerns. "If you are concerned how I spend my allowance, I can wait to discuss my intentions before I make a purchase in the future." He wishes, Eleanora had money hidden away for that exact purpose.

He waved away her concern. "No, absolutely not. That is yours to spend how you see fit. I simply would have wished to join you on the walk. The people you must have met the city is quite large, even overwhelming."

Eleanora did not speak for some time as she stared at him, ignorant to her scrutiny. "You wished to join me in dress shopping?" She said each word slowly, letting him hear his exact words.

He chuckled, at her choice of words. "Yes. I simply enjoy walking through the city, especially since now I have such a lovely wife to enjoy it with." He paused just as the servants came in with the main meal. "Additionally, the dressmaker owe me. Your allowance would have been unused if I accompanied."

Eleanora was intrigued by his remark. "I did not say which dress maker I went to." There are thousands with in the city. She would not limit herself so he might impress her.

"It matters not, simply mention you are my wife."

She liked his confidence, it was surprising. "I will consider it my lord."

The doors swung open with the servants arriving with silver trays of food. Aromas of spices and fruit floated across the room. Eleanora's stomach grumbled, reminding her she had not eaten much today.

A jolly large man walked at the head of the small group. Her husband stood. Embracing the cook of the house. "This smells wonderful Thomas. Thank you for preparing this for us."

"Of course my lord. Please enjoy. I just wanted to see your beautiful wife again. She knows you well, requesting one of your favorite meals. It was a treat to prepare." Thomas smiled largely his teeth larger than his mouth.

Just behind him was the young little maid who suggested the meal. She laid the first plate in front of Robert.

Eleanora ignored the dull girl laying the plate in front of her. She glared at the young maid smiling too warmly at her husband. Flaunting her youth and interest in front of a wife.

The lack of respect.

The girl made eye contact with Eleanora and turned ghostly white. Eyes down cast she scurried away.

Her husband was obviously happy with the company, but it did not help her mood. They ate in silence until the walked into the parlor for some conversation.

As she sipped her tea she watched her husband look comfortable in the silence. Eleanora felt awkward in her own skin as she sat in the same room as him. She could not solve the cause of her discomfort. Maybe it was her natural female instinct to not trust him. He kept as many secrets as her. That much was evident.

"So you visited the the Palace today?" She kept her voice meek.

He smiled and nodded at her catch of his words. "I had an audience with his majesty."

"Very kind of the King to meet with a noble merchant." It was actually odd. Made only more odd by the King arriving at her wedding. It was one thing to seek her out, another to spend so much time with her husband after. If she remembered correctly, he barely made his appearance before they feasted. She had several glasses of wine before then. Eight to be exact.

"He must find you company comforting as a friend?" She stifled her intrigued by sounding bored. Picking up her needle work. It was a tone her mother often took when her father spoke to her about his day at the docks.

"The King does not find comfort in friends, sweet wife. He finds that in other ways." His voice gruff.

Eleanora clumsy pricked her finger. But did not stop her hands. "So what does a King need, from other men?"

He leaned back, more relaxed from the wine. "An ear, to soothe his fears. A voice to elevate his thoughts. A sword to prove loyalty."

"You provide all of that, you are just a nobleman. What things would a King speak to you about." Eleanora was now hearing information that interested her. She moved to sit beside her husband as who looked slightly dazed. He watched her every step toward him. It was not the heated look she was familiar with. Something else, she did not know what it was. It confused her.

"To help him protect his throne." He looked at her his eyes focused on her mouth.

"The King has a natural claim to the throne. I thought God blessed his place." She leaned in breast slightly pressed into his arm.

He took another sip of wine, moving his eyes respectfully away from her obvious clevage. "He did until his father was overthrown and killed by someone who replaced the monarchy. He still has enemies out there. His claim is as fragile as a newborn babe."

Eleanora could see him fading, she just needed a little more. She placed a dainty hand at the top of his thigh and slid inward. "Is he still in danger from those who support the old lord protector?" She whispered.

He stared at her. Eyes slightly conscious, confused by her movements, her questions.

He snatched her hand as she moved up his inner thigh. His grip firm at first, causing her gasp. "Robert."

Hearing her say his name caused him to relax. Keeping his hand around her wrist he sighed. "That's the first time you have said my name." He sat deeper in the seat, laying her hand against his chest, his hand resting on hers.

Eyes closed he looked relaxed. She had never seen him that way. "Yes the king is in danger, I fear it maybe those loyal to Cromwell, or something far worse." he sighed again, but he still held her hand against his chest. His steady heartbeats vibrating through her hand. "I apologize, dear wife, I seem more tired than I thought."

She did not say anything as she watched him fall asleep, and his hand fell away from hers. She stayed seated beside him. Until she heard the parlor door open with a click.

"My lady?" Jane whispered.

Eleanora stood and grabbed the small leftover wine and held it out to her. "Pour the leftovers out. I do not wish for some greedy servant to pass out."

Jane took the glass, but her eyes looked nervous. She kept looking back at Eleanora and Robert. "Is he alright my Lady?"

Eleanora sighed annoyed by the implication. "It was a simple sleeping remedy. It is perfectly safe. All the French brothels us them. Better to get paid for a whole night when a man is sleeping." She smiled at the cleverness.

Jane did not look as amused as Eleanora. Her eyes looked judgmental, wondering how she got hold such a drug. "Is it wise to drug your husband? I'm sure he simply would have told you whatever you asked."

Eleanora Ignored her comment. "No man works for the King and gives away information. Especially the loyal ones. I needed to know what is going on in that palace." She looked down at her sleeping husband, his chest steadily rising and falling. "He is simply an unsuspecting inside man I can use."

"But should you be using him that way." Jane stuttered.

Eleanora stood over her sleeping husband. She used the back of her finger to trace the lines around his mouth.  "Jane" She spoke like a lion walking through dry grass. Soft pads roaming, undisturbed on the grass. "Why should I hesitate to use them for information, when they would use me so readily as a bargaining token or a prized sow ready to be impregnated."  Jane looked at Eleanora as if she had never seen her before. Eleanora hid the hurt.  "Do not mistake me for cruel Jane. I am simply doing as they would do, or even he would." She made her way to the door.

"I trust your decisions my Lady" Jane whispered so softly Eleanora almost missed it.

Eleanora, knew Jane was loyal to her. However, Jane had never been involved like she was now.

Eleanora wanted to keep her out of it, but the black envalope tucked in her skirts caused her palms to sweat. The same red seal keeping it closed, and a name written in gold, Robert.

Someone was either threatening her husband, or they were using him to get to her. Either way she was going to find out who was pulling the strings.