Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,130
that should be ours,” de Roumare spat. “You act like an amiable big dog with no brain between its ears, while all the time you are lying under your master’s table, taking the bones that belong to better men. No matter how many fancy castles you build, you are still nothing.”
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Rage flamed through Will’s body. “But at least I am faithful,” he snarled, and then had to turn aside to cough and then spit into the fire.
“Oh indeed,” de Roumare sneered. “This is why you harboured the empress in your bosom last year.”
“Peace!” Stephen roared. He glared at the brothers. “Since you feel so greatly aggrieved and I value your fealty, I shall heed your argument. De Roumare, you can take the title of Earl of Lincoln if my lord D’Albini is willing to accept that of Earl of Sussex instead.”
Will’s gut curdled. He felt insulted and humiliated, but was too sick and feverish to argue.
“And you will give me the right to Lincoln Castle?” pushed de Roumare.
Stephen ground his jaw. “Providing you swear me fealty and stay within bounds.”
The way that the brothers were staring at Stephen made Will apprehensive. His dogs had that air when they fought each other for dominance of the pack.
After a long pause, de Roumare stepped forward and bent his knee. “I do so swear,” he muttered. Chester followed suit.
“Oh get up,” Stephen snapped. “We will make it official tomorrow before all, and let this be an end to it. I will yield no further!”
The tension was palpable. This wasn’t the end, Will was certain, because appeasement was not control, and no one in this room was satisfied.
ttt
Will lay in bed beside Adeliza, lazing in delicious warmth, the furs drawn up to his chin. He did not want to move to get ready and go to the Christmas court at Windsor, but knew he must. Stephen was expecting him, and he was to kneel and pay homage for his replacement earldom of Sussex. There was 323
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a bitter taste in his mouth over the arrangement, although in truth, it made sense and should have been given to him as his earldom from the outset.
He could hear the nurse in the anteroom cooing to their son as she changed his wet linens. Against his body, Adeliza’s womb was round and full with their second child. She was soon to go into confinement, and it gave him pleasure to feel the baby kick against the palm of his hand. Adeliza had said nothing about his change of title, and he was grateful for her silence even if her looks had been eloquent and knowing.
Eventually, aware of his duty and prodded by the increasing sounds from the antechamber, he left the cosy nest of their bed, shoved his feet into his shoes, and, scratching and yawning, ambled to use the latrine. Then, wrapped in his fur cloak, he went to see his son. Wilkin squealed and held out chubby arms, demanding to be picked up. Will swept him into his embrace and nuzzled the baby’s pale brown curls. He smelled of fresh, warmed linen and sleep. “Pa!” he said and pulled his father’s whiskers.
“Well, my little man,” Will chuckled, “what shall I bring you from court? A silver spoon? A golden cup? Bright silver bells? Or perhaps a new earldom, hmm?”
“Sire…”
He glanced up to see Milo Bassett, one of his senior knights, hesitating in the doorway. “What is it?” Will beckoned him into the room.
“A messenger’s just ridden in.” Milo’s expression was tense with two fine creases between his eyes. “William de Roumare and Ranulf of Chester have just gone the full distance and declared for the empress. They’ve closed Lincoln against the king.” Will stared at him. “I knew this would happen,” he said grimly. “I told Stephen he should not trust them, but he would not listen. He gives too many the benefit of the doubt.”
“You’re summoned to meet the king at Lincoln, not 324
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Windsor,” Milo continued. “I’ve set the grooms to harnessing more packhorses and told the steward to increase the provisions.” Will nodded briskly. “Give me a moment to dress and I’ll attend you. Find Adelard and tell him I’ll need my hauberk and weapons.”
As Milo strode off, Will returned the infant to his nurse and went to tell Adeliza he was not going to Windsor as planned, but north to Lincoln and war.