Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,116
rubies lay on her breast, and her fingers glittered with rings of sapphire, ruby, and pearl. “I will not leave here as a fleeing woman, but as a queen and an empress,” she said to Adeliza as her ladies fastened her ermine cloak with gold clasps.
“You must see that we are caught between two millstones.” Adeliza’s gaze pleaded Matilda to understand.
“Had everyone followed my father’s wishes, there would not have been any millstones,” Matilda said curtly.
“I agree, but since they did not, everyone has had to make unpalatable decisions.” Adeliza bit her lip. “You must write to me. I will worry about you.”
Matilda was tempted to ask if Adeliza would share the letters with her oaf of a husband and pass the notes on to Stephen, but she bit her tongue. “If I can,” she said shortly, and turned to the door. “No,” she said. “Do not come with me.” Adeliza’s eyes filled with tears. “I cannot bear to part like this. Will you not at least let me embrace you?” Matilda was still angry but allowed her to do so, and as she felt Adeliza’s arms around her, a sudden tug of emotion made LadyofEnglish.indd 287
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her hug Adeliza in return. Before the feeling could turn to tears, she pulled away and stood upright like a soldier.
“God keep you safe,” Adeliza whispered. “I will be praying for you.”
In the courtyard, the bishop of Winchester and Waleran de Meulan were waiting for her with Will D’Albini. Since Henry of Winchester was not only a bishop, but also a papal legate, Matilda had to kneel to him. She knew he was sizing her up like a spider with many flies stuck on his web, his own brother among them, and wondering if he could entangle her too.
Waleran de Meulan on the other hand was a wolf, ready to run down his enemies and rip out their throats.
“Cousin,” said Henry of Winchester. “Would that we were meeting in happier circumstances.”
“Indeed, my lord,” Matilda said. She did not acknowledge Meulan beyond a curt nod. He knelt to afford her the courtesy due her rank, but rose again immediately so that his knee barely skimmed the ground. Matilda compressed her lips.
Will assisted her into a covered wain that had been part of the negotiations. It contained her baggage and was covered by a rich tent cloth painted with golden lions that had belonged to her father. It meant she would not be seen by Stephen’s soldiers as she journeyed past the enemy camp and was a symbol of peaceful travel rather than military briskness.
Will knelt to her again, with full honour, and then stood up.
She expected him to look away in embarrassment or shame, but he met her gaze with a troubled, steady look. “God speed you, domina. I wish you no harm.”
“But you do wish me gone, do you not? Well, you have your way, my lord, may it not trouble your slumber.” She climbed into the wain and dropped the curtain, then sat down amid the cushions and furs padding the sides. Light filtered through the red covering, dipping everything in dark crimson 288
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like the back of a closed eyelid on a sunlit day. Briefly Matilda put her face in her hands, and a tremor shook her body, but she made no sound.
ttt
Will found his wife standing in the room that had been Matilda’s for her brief stay. He was uncertain how she was going to receive him, but when she turned at his entrance, there was no anger in her eyes, just troubled sadness. “I fear for her,” she said. “I fear for us all.” He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
“When I married you, I swore I would protect you and keep you safe, and no matter what happens, I will do that.” His voice strengthened with a hint of anger because he felt as if his word of honour had been impugned. “I am a man who keeps my promises.”
Adeliza leaned her head against his chest. “I know that, but I am sorry you cannot protect her in the same way you protect me.”
“She can look after herself,” he muttered, remembering her wide grey eyes on him in the moment before she climbed into the wain. The contempt. The pride. The anger.
“No,” said Adeliza. “You are wrong, my husband. She cannot, because she is her own worst enemy.” ttt