a narrow gap in the hedgerow with Serlo astride. Will slumped with relief. “You fool, I could have cut off your head,” he snapped.
Looking aggrieved, Serlo gestured to the panniers attached to the mule. “I have clean bandages in here and ointments, and needles for stitching flesh if anyone is in need of attention. I thought you would be pleased to see me.” Will exhaled hard. “Indeed I am. If nothing else this night, you at least are a godsend.”
Serlo glanced back towards the glow from Wilton. “My lady the queen is not going to like this,” he said.
Will grimaced and felt the sword cut tug along his cheekbone. “No,” he said, his heart sinking further. “She isn’t.” ttt
Adeliza tiptoed into the bedchamber to look at the sleeping children. The soft glow from a lantern set in a niche near the open bed curtains illuminated Wilkin spread-eagled on his back, his chest lightly rising and falling and his face flushed in slumber. Two-year-old Adelis was curled up like a little hedgehog, her thumb in her mouth, and Godfrey, five months, was making soft snoring sounds in his crib. Sarah, his nurse, was gently rocking the cradle and working wool from her distaff to her spindle, a task that could be done in dim light. Watching their innocent and vulnerable slumber, her eyes prickled with tears. It grieved her to think of the many children unable to sleep safely in their beds because of all the strife in the world.
After a while, she crept out and, in a pensive mood, sat down by the open window in her chamber to work on some plain sewing by the last of the light. She glanced at the length of sheeting draped over two trestles. Earlier, Wilkin had constructed a campaign tent for himself and a couple of play-mates. They had pretended to be soldiers at war. Listening to the martial talk of little boys still firmly tied to the apron strings but 423
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fiercely practising their future roles had saddened Adeliza deeply.
She knew that, to survive, they had to learn to be warriors, and how to control and command, but it was as if nowhere was free from the taint of violence, even her own chamber.
Hearing a shout from the walls and the sound of the gates being opened, she set down her sewing and gazed out of the window.
Melisande joined her. “Who is it?”
The servants were kindling torches and she could hear the jingle and clatter of mounted men. “It’s the earl!” Adeliza said in astonishment. “Will’s home!” She clapped her hands, and bade servants bring food and prepare a tub. Remembering Wilkin’s prayer in the chapel earlier, she praised God for answering so promptly, but at the same time felt worried. To return at this late hour suggested they had pushed the horses, which could mean either good news or bad.
Arriving in the great hall to greet the returning men, she recoiled from the powerful stench of sweat, blood, and hard-ridden horses. Will, clad in his mail, was staggering with exhaustion. A clotted cut slashed one cheek and his eyes were glassy.
“We have wounded,” he said. “Do what you can.”
“Wounded?” She stared at him in consternation and dismay.
“Robert of Gloucester caught us unawares,” he said. “We escaped by the skin of our teeth.” His gaze slid from hers as if he was unable to bear the weight of contact. “Stephen is free and clear, thank Christ, but others have not been so fortunate…” He broke off and rubbed his forehead with his cuff, leaving a black smear. “Martel’s been taken prisoner by Robert of Gloucester…” He staggered again. Frightened, Adeliza called two burly menservants to support him and bade them bring him to her chamber, but he pushed them off. “No,” he said. “I must see to my men first.” She gave a slight nod because she knew about duty and responsibility. However, she bade the servants stay close as she 424
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accompanied him to see what she could do. Most of the injuries were cuts and contusions and small broken bones. The main need was clean water, bandages, sustenance, and rest. These things having been provided, together with words of comfort, she eventually managed to persuade Will to their chamber.
Food and drink had been set out, and water was heating in two cauldrons over the hearth, which attendants now poured into a tub, mixing in jugs of cold to adjust the temperature.
Will’s