Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,161
wet snow spun across the courtyard. What in God’s name was she doing here?
“Never mind that,” he said. “You should come inside before you freeze.”
Matilda hesitated. Her knights exchanged worried glances.
“This is a house of God,” Will said brusquely. “Neither I nor my men will harm you; you have my word.” She inclined her head. “Then I accept because I know you for a man of honour, whatever your loyalties.” 398
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While they had been speaking, a monk had run to fetch Abbot Ingulph, and he arrived as Matilda and her escort were gathering around the guest-house hearth, although not too close to the fire because of the pain in their frozen hands and feet. Ingulph was plainly disconcerted, but did his best to appear composed. “Be welcome in God’s name, domina,” he said.
“This house embraces all travellers, especially on a night such as this. I will see that you are fed and given beds.”
“Thank you, Father, but we will not be staying for long,” Matilda replied. “Just let us warm ourselves for a while, but hot food would be most welcome.”
“The loan of horses, would be appreciated too,” said de Bohun. “We have some distance still to travel.” Ingulph’s brow furrowed. “Most are out at the grange.
There are only two cobs in the stables, and my old mule, and his riding days are long over. You are welcome to the cobs, providing you return them as soon as you may.”
“Thank you,” Matilda said, although her heart sank at such news. “We are grateful for whatever you can provide.” Ingulph offered Matilda and her escort his lodging in which to revive themselves because it was warm and more private. Since there were things he needed to make straight, Will went with them. “I am lodging at the abbey tonight,” he said as they entered Ingulph’s house, “but tomorrow I shall be returning to Oxford.” Matilda sat down on the bench before the fire and opened and closed her fingers, encouraging them to thaw. “Tomorrow it will not matter,” she said, “because the castle will surrender to the king.”
“But you will not be inside it.”
“No.” She gave him a thin smile. “Whatever he steals, it will always lack its true worth in his hands—like his crown. All glitter and no substance.”
“You will forgive me, domina, if I beg to differ.” 399
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“Will I?” she said, barely smiling at all now, and changed the subject. “How is Adeliza?”
“She is well. We have another son, Godfrey.” He added after a hesitation, “You are often in my wife’s prayers.”
“As she is often in mine. I will write to her as soon as I am able.”
Will concealed a grimace. “Is it worth it all?” he asked.
She drew a deep breath. “I know you will never abandon your oath to serve Stephen, but what happens when he is gone?
Would you bend the knee to that brat of his, Eustace? Or would you look to my son?”
Will considered this woman, sitting before the fire, her fine bones sharpened by the cold and dark smudges of exhaustion under her eyes. Even if he thought her misguided, he acknowledged her courage and resolution. “As much as his breeding, it would depend on the kind of man he becomes, and the same could be said for Eustace.”
“But you would consider?”
“Yes, domina, I would, but very carefully indeed.” He bowed to her and turned to leave, but on the threshold he paused, torn between his duty to Stephen and the obligation to Matilda born of the kinship bond between her and Adeliza. Before he could think better of it, he said, “If they are of use to you, you may take three of my horses from the stables. The chestnut is sturdy and will bear two of you with ease, the bay with the white star is steady, and the grey bites, but he’s a worker.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes glinted with moisture, and her expression dared him to notice.
“It is the most and the least I can do,” he said.
She swallowed. “I ask also of your goodwill and for the kinship your wife bears to me that you intercede for the garrison and those of my household who are still trapped inside the castle.”
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“I will do what I can.” He left the room and returned to the guest lodge, and when his men asked him what had transpired, he put them off with a bland comment and,