The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

It never failed to amuse her, how easily a man’s heart could be manipulated with faint promises. Women were more steadfast, Summer thought, and then laughed at herself. Well, perhaps she would give him what he wanted, and then they could settle down and become good friends over the poets.

In the meantime, she set herself not to fret. The challenge had clearly been offered and accepted, and the Duke would come in his own sweet time. She knew he’d not left the city, between her father’s near daily complaints of council and the preparations for Midsummer’s Eve. That would be an auspicious day for the Duke to make his move, indeed, and it would be worth her while to catch his eye amongst the ladies that would be at court that night.

Summer busied her hands with dressmaking, and her mind with the poetry they both loved — though she determined to speak in her own words at their next encounter, rather than let Dante or Petrarch speak for her. Soft green, like new sage leaves, and trimmed with undyed thread; she was not often much for dresses but this one gladdened her heart.

The rush of happiness when she came into the hall and saw him at the high table brought a bright smile to her lips, and anticipation made her eyes sparkle when Midsummer’s Eve finally arrived.

Humphrey sat at the table, his squire behind him. He was amusing himself watching the crowds filling the hall, ‘Tis but a market of maidens,” he said laughing to Thomas who in return gave him a frown as he took his seat. “Brother, sometimes I wonder if your humor was lost with your innocence when you married our dear aunt, or if you ever had humor at all.” He remarked, as John took his other side. He and Thomas could not be more different, if anything they shared it was the hate for Burgundy but naught more and even that didn’t bring them an inch closer.

She wore a light green dress, his first thought as he caught her sight being, how did she know? He himself dressed in grass green velvets, grey and silver. He watched her, nodding with a slight smile as appropriate when their eyes met. He knew in an instant what was missing, and she could see him whispering something into his squire’s ear who then hurried away.

Soon His Majesty, The King – was announced and Henry arrived. With none else than Thomas between them, Humphrey knew he would have but little chance of interaction with Harry, missing his eldest brother’s light humour and chatting throughout the meals. The food itself left no room for complaints though, and the wine was sweet Gaxon and Portugese, fruitful summerwine that goes to the head so quickly. It reminded Humphrey of the lady he set his mind on, and who was deeply engaged in conversation with a lady-in-waiting of the Queen Joan, that Humphrey knew (well, he knew her quite closely but that was rather long ago.)

When the dancing started, Humphrey didn’t go to her at first. He danced with Philippa of York, and several other aunts including even Thomas’ wife Joan (who was widow of uncle John Beaufort and well, everyone at court knew how she graced Thomas’ bed before the wedding night,) and some ladies-in-waiting, collected two offers ‘in case your highness needs company later’, and finally took the chance to get closer to Harry, enjoying his brother’s company for a while. As the party became louder, men became drunker and ladies more loose of their manners, Humphrey kept waiting for when the time would be right.

Summer watched Humphrey, laughing to herself. He circled round her like a hunter, but refused to move in for the kill. Was he hoping to make her jealous by giving attentions to other ladies? There was time and enough time for jealousy later, when she tasted the direction of his intent. Would once be all he sought, or would he try for a longer association?

She refused all invitations to dance, preferring to recite and discuss the Commedia with a like-minded lady-in-waiting of the Queen’s. Humphrey was waiting for some cue, she could tell. If it was some act of hers, he’d be waiting long, for she was minded to make him seek her out. Still, when their gazes crossed, Summer allowed him a welcoming smile.