Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,51

so, I would say that men do not yet know what to think of him. He is a young man and still to come into his full flowering. It is said he should watch those who serve him lest they are serving their own ends. When the count visits his castles, his bailiffs take goods to provision the place from the local people, promising to pay them, but they never do. It has happened to me with my charcoal before now, but if folk complain they are beaten or imprisoned. Perhaps these men think that they can gain advantage because their lord is inexperienced, but it was an abuse of his father’s day also.” Geoffrey contained his instinct to kick the filthy creature off his horse and have him clapped in fetters for his insolence.

It was in his own interests to keep his subjects sweet and see justice done. He knew his father-in-law had put a stop to such abuses among the officials of his own court, and that he had received praise from the people because of it. Over and above that, Henry had taken control of the situation and stopped men from lining their own pockets At the expense of himself and his subjects. This charcoal burner might be crude and soot-smirched, but he spoke a refreshing truth.

“What else do they say?” he asked.

By the time they reached the castle at Loches, Geoffrey had a very clear view of how he and his court were viewed by his 127

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people, and it was mostly uncomplimentary. He had been given much food for thought. He had also been highly entertained by his guide, whose name was Thomas Charbonnier. The charcoal burner’s expression when he finally realised he had been riding pillion behind the Count of Anjou himself was priceless and Geoffrey was deeply amused to witness the shock from both peasant and castle attendants alike; the latter horrified that their lord had been sharing his horse with a man of such dubious credentials. Charcoal burners were always viewed with suspicion. Living their itinerant lives in the forest, they were only one step away from being poachers, and outlaws. Charbonnier knelt, with bowed head, but Geoffrey raised him to his feet and, laughing, ordered the servants to give the man food and drink and a horse to carry him home.

“A donkey would be better, sire,” Charbonnier said. “A horse would take too much caring for and cost too much to feed. Men would envy me. If it did not die, it would be stolen.

But a donkey will bear a burden of charcoal and be coveted by few.”

“So all you desire is a donkey?”

“Yes, sire.”

Geoffrey chuckled. “Therein lies wisdom,” he said. “Perhaps I should make you my fool.”

Charbonnier gave him a shrewd blue look. “I am no man’s fool, sire.”

“Indeed not. But would you not like to give up the life of a charcoal burner for one at court? Wear fine clothes and sleep on a feather mattress and know that your wife and children were well fed? That to me seems the deed of a wise man.” Charbonnier puckered his face in thought. “Indeed, I would enjoy such things,” he acknowledged, “but I would be changed. I would be more than a simple charcoal burner and that would not be so wise, sire.”

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In the end Geoffrey sent him on his way with the requested donkey laden with provisions and a promise to buy whatever charcoal he produced. Watching the peasant go on his way, happy with his donkey and his lot, Geoffrey felt a momentary pang that was almost envy.

“Sire,” said his chamberlain, bowing. “Your lady wife arrived while you were gone. She is settling in the wall chamber of the west tower.”

Geoffrey’s heart sank. He’d known her return was imminent; it was part of the reason he had gone hunting, because he had felt it was his last opportunity to taste true freedom. He dismissed the man with a curt wave and, pinching his upper lip, turned to look down the road that the charcoal burner had taken with his new donkey. Losing his way today might have been a portent, and his conversation with the forest dweller as they journeyed to Loches had made him very thoughtful indeed.

ttt

Matilda paced the chambers she had been allotted by Geoffrey’s tense attendants. Preparations had been made to receive her, but the fine details of laying a fire and providing warm washing water