Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,105

of Salisbury has been stockpiling riches for himself and his relatives for many years, even back in the time of the old king. Something should have been done long ago. When it happened, it just got out of hand, that’s all.”

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Joscelin arched one eyebrow. “That’s an understatement.”

“Stephen knows what he is doing,” Will said hollowly. In Oxford, there had been a quarrel over lodgings between the household knights of Meulan and the bishop of Salisbury. A vicious fight had broken out, blood had been spilled, and the bishops of Salisbury, Lincoln, and Ely had been accused of fomenting a riot and subjected to arrest and arraignment.

“I wouldn’t call laying hands on a bishop a good way of garnering support from the Church.”

“It could have been done with more finesse, I grant you, but the amount of silver Salisbury has been creaming off is beyond a jest.”

“I agree, but Church discipline is a matter for the archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the bishops, not the king.” Will heaved a sigh. “Done is done. It is not the wisest move the king has ever made, but we have to go on from here. I—” He looked up as a midwife entered the room with a wrapped bundle in her arms.

“Sire,” she said, “you have a son.” The words struck Will such an emotional blow that it was hard to breathe. “And my wife, the queen? Is she all right?” The woman gave him a broad smile as she placed the baby in his arms. “Your wife is well indeed, sire, and sends you her greetings and your heir.”

Will gazed into the tiny crumpled face amid the folds of soft blanket. Suddenly there was a tight lump in his throat. “I have a son,” he said in a choked voice to Joscelin. “A prince because his mother is a queen. A son to carry my line.” The feel of the baby’s weight took his breath away and filled his chest to bursting. He passed him to Joscelin, who took his nephew gingerly and having murmured appropriate words, and held him long enough to be polite, returned him to Will with relief.

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Will was torn. He was so proud and besotted that he could have carried the baby round with him all day, but he also knew that the child should be kept safe in the haven of the women’s apartments, not in the public arena. With great care he returned him to the midwife. “Give him to his mother,” he said, “and tell her I will visit as soon as she is ready to receive me. Tell her also I will arrange to have him baptised tomorrow morning.” When the woman had gone, the blanketed bundle cradled along her arm, Will put his head in his hands and wept a little with pent-up joy and release. “The world has changed,” he said to Joscelin, who was looking at him askance. “I have a son in it now, and I must safeguard his future as much as my own.” ttt

Later in the day, he visited Adeliza in her confinement chamber.

She was sitting up in bed looking radiant, her hair a gleaming braid falling forwards over her shoulder. Her gown had a deep opening secured with brooches so she could feed the child herself, which she intended to do until she was churched, after which she would employ a wet nurse. Her face was tired, but her eyes were glowing and her smile was radiant.

Will leaned over and kissed her very gently, feeling big and awkward. “I am so proud of you, and our beautiful son,” he said.

“And I am so grateful for God’s great mercy that we have him,” she answered with a tremble in her voice.

Sitting on the low chair at her bedside, he presented her with the small carved box he has been hiding under his cloak, and looked at her with anxiety and expectation.

Mystified, she took it and ran her fingers over the exquisitely chiselled leafwork on the top and sides, before unfastening the clasp. Inside was a book, its jewelled ivory cover a stunning contrast to the red silk lining. “Aesop!” she exclaimed with bright pleasure. “I love those stories!”

“I used to listen to you tell them at court years ago, and 261

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saw how you engrossed everyone.” He gave a wide smile at her delight.

She turned the pages, marvelling at the illuminated capitals and illustrations.