Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,99

her informally and she smiled until her cheeks were stiff and she felt as if that smile would drop off and be trampled underfoot.

Brian FitzCount was kind to her and one of the few to understand how difficult it had been for her to leave Wilton and rejoin the world. “I often think I would have taken to a life in the cloister,” he said. “My father was in two minds whether to give me to the Church when I was a boy, but then the king took me because he wanted youths to raise as companions for his son. If not…” He spread his hands.

Adeliza managed another smile, this time less strained. “You would doubtless be an abbot by now—or a bishop.” He shook his head and his peat-brown eyes were pensive. “I am not sure I would be worthy of such robes.”

“Then that in itself makes you fit.” He looked wry. “Madam, you always think well of people.” He lowered his voice. “I am glad you will be at Arundel.

Perhaps, if you are still a patron of the arts, you will permit me to write to you sometimes?”

Adeliza dropped her gaze. She knew what he meant and he was not talking about the books and works of poetry she had sponsored in the past as queen of England. Brian was a skilled poet and writer of tales that had been read out at court of an evening, but he was not intending to send her stories or poems now. “Providing the content is suitable,” she said.

“I would send you nothing of which anyone could disapprove.” He inclined his head and still in a lowered voice asked,

“Do you ever receive news from the empress?” Adeliza risked an upward glance and saw the anguish in his eyes. “Yes,” she said. “She is my family still.” She laid a sympathetic hand on Brian’s arm. “I know your loyalty, but keep your vision clear.”

“Madam.” He bowed to her, his colour high.

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His wife arrived fresh from a conversation with Waleran de Meulan about hunting dogs. Her face was as shiny as a new apple, and wisps of grey hair escaped out of the side of her wimple, which was slightly lop-sided. “My lord of Meulan says he has a fine black alaunt dog that he’ll lend us to breed greater size into the pack at home,” she said, loud with enthusiasm.

“Two of the bitches are due in season any day.” Brian looked mortified. Unabashed, his wife addressed Adeliza. “Do you hunt with hounds, madam?” Adeliza shook her head. “I do not have a pack,” she said faintly, “but I believe my husband does.”

“Well, if he needs advice on breeding, you must let me know.”

Adeliza promised she would and made her escape. Brian FitzCount’s quiet request had flustered her. For the moment she knew she must keep it to herself until she had had time to work upon Will. And then there was the troubling matter of allegiance. She had vowed a wife’s loyalty to Will, but before that, such loyalty had been to Henry and she had sworn an oath before God to uphold his daughter.

During and after the wedding meal, there was music and entertainment. There were tumblers and jugglers, singers of songs, tellers of tales, and dancing too. For Adeliza it was like being at court again but it was also very different. She could almost feel Henry standing just beyond the reach of fire- and candlelight and it gave her a frisson of unease as she imagined what he might think of all this—none of it positive.

The time arrived for the bedding ceremony and suddenly Adeliza’s hands were icy and her chest so tight that it was difficult to breathe. Memories of her first wedding night surged over her. The crowds in the chamber, the stares, the comments.

She sensed the current speculation, and branching off from it, the curiosity and voyeurism of people wanting to see her 247

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unclothed. She could not bear to think of being thrust naked into a bed with Will D’Albini in front of all these people. She was a dowager queen, yet she felt as powerless as a chicken being chased round the yard because someone wanted it for the pot.

As she and Will were tumbled into their chamber by a merry crowd of revellers, she seized his arm. “Get rid of them!” she hissed. “I cannot bear this. It is too much!” He gave her