From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [209]
“So you would like your queen to have your mother’s chambers?” Prince Oren asked, his tone flat. “On the northern wing? I thought they displeased you.”
“They did,” Achan said. “My dear advisors, whomever I marry will share my chambers.”
Sir Eagan’s thin lips drew into a line. Sir Gavin’s eyes twinkled. Prince Oren hid a smile. And Sir Caleb honked out laughs like a goose.
“What is so funny?” Achan asked.
“The queen will be expecting her own space,” Sir Caleb said. “Privacy.”
Achan frowned at whatever it was he was missing this time. “Privacy from her husband?”
“Undoubtedly,” Sir Caleb said.
Achan shook his head. “No. That won’t be necessary.”
Sir Caleb laughed heartily now, as if Achan had asked Sparrow to live in the privy chamber. “You cannot surprise Lady Averella Amal with no chamber of her own.”
Achan massaged the back of his neck. He did not understand any of this. If he was to be married, why wouldn’t he and Sparrow live together? They would have in his cottage in the woods. So why not here? “Very well. Sir Eagan, send a message to Lady Averella making this known.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Sir Eagan said. “It is customary that the queen have her own chambers.”
Achan set his jaw. “Why?”
“Because noblewomen are used to having space of their own,” Sir Eagan said. “For their maids and gowns and such.”
Sparrow had grown up in a castle. She was used to such luxuries. “But I want us to share the same space.”
“Once you are married, there is no impropriety in your sleeping in each other’s chambers,” Sir Caleb said, “but you should still have your own.”
Achan raised his voice. “And still I ask why?”
“It has always been this way with the upper class,” Sir Caleb said. “One of the benefits of the wealthy.”
“For Lightness’ sake, don’t coddle him.” Sir Gavin fixed his gaze on Achan. “It’s done so that your wife won’t know who you take into your bed. There lies the tradition.”
Which was exactly why Achan wanted to share a room.
“Gavin, that is not the only reason separate chambers are favored,” Sir Caleb said. “Think about bathing and getting dressed. It would not do for the king’s servants to be around the queen in those circumstances. Nor would it be proper for the queen’s servants to be around the king.”
Achan clapped his hands together and grinned. “Then we will finally be able to dress and bathe ourselves.”
“It will also put pressure on your new bride,” Sir Caleb said. “If she knows she will share a bed with you nightly, it will look as though…”
“You’re in a hurry to produce an heir.” Sir Gavin winked.
Achan’s cheeks blazed. He straightened, but could not look at anyone, Sir Eagan, especially. His next words came out as a croak. “That’s not at all what I intend to imply.”
“Achan,” Prince Oren said. “It’s natural to be nervous about marrying. Do not make things harder than need be.”
“All of you mistake my meaning entirely.” He fought to put his feelings into words. “My father failed my mother. He’s to blame for this…” he waved his hand around the empty room… “arrangement. There’s much infidelity in my family line, so I must do what’s necessary to keep such temptations away. If I start my marriage with such distance—with even one wall between us—how will I be able to grow closer to my wife? And if I do not grow closer, how will I fight temptation when it appears before me?”
“Where would she keep her gowns?” Sir Caleb asked.
“You think she has that many?” Achan asked.
Again Sir Caleb laughed. “Likely ten times as many gowns as you have ensembles.”
That seemed quite excessive. “Build a bigger wardrobe?”
“It will be terribly awkward to share one room, I should think,” Prince Oren said. “Wouldn’t you feel crowded?”
“I slept under an ale cask for thirteen years, Uncle. This room is bigger than three cottages in Sitna Manor.” Achan sighed. “Look. Peasants do not have the luxury of putting their problems across a castle or even in another room. Most homes only have one bedchamber. Why