I congratulate you on your blessed journey to the Holy Land, and on your safe return."
"My thanks to his lordship. I have some items from Jerusalem at Heywood.
If circumstances permit, you must take one back with you for the bishop."
The monk absorbed the hint of bribery. "He will be most grateful, I assure you, my lord. If circumstances permit."
But despite the proviso, Galeran guessed that even haughty Brother Forthred wasn't above awe of crusaders. In fact, he was looking more uncomfortable by the moment.
"You said you had business with my wife? If Lord Hubert permits, perhaps we could go into the hall and discuss it in comfort."
"By all means, Galeran," Hubert declared, and shepherded them into the hall, where Galeran found Aline busy laying out wine and sweet cakes, assisted - improbably - by Raoul.
Jehanne was out of sight, as he had directed.
As he passed close to Raoul - a sweet-smelling Raoul in relatively clean clothes - Galeran murmured, "How is it that you always get a bath before me?"
"Charm. Sheer charm! What do you make of this business? Should I put my armor on again?"
"We cant take up arms against a bishop. Let's see how much my charm can accomplish."
Galeran moved on to where Brother Forthred was seated on a bench, sipping the wine. His two assistants stood uneasily close by, one holding a wax tablet ready to write an account of the proceedings.
"So," said Galeran, taking a seat nearby, "what business calls you to these parts, Brother? As you know, I have only just returned to England, but if in my absence some tithes have been neglected, or if my people have offended the Church in any way, you can be sure it will be set right."
A tinge of color entered the monk's lean cheeks, and he actually looked lost for words. But he soon gathered himself. "My lord, there has indeed been offense. Word has come to the bishop of a grievous irregularity in your household, one which might cause discord among some of our greatest men. He has sent me to investigate it."
"I see. And what investigations have you made?"
The monk cast a harried glance around the busy hall. "Perhaps we should continue this in private, my lord . . ."
"Not at all," said Galeran, smiling amiably. "It is always instructive for simple people to see matters put aright."
Brother Aiden, looking as if he was concerned for his neck, carved rapid marks into the wax.
Forthred put down his wine and sat straighter. "Has the bishop been misinformed, my lord? To be blunt, he was told your wife has played the harlot and borne a bastard."
"That is blunt," said Galeran coolly. "It is true that my wife has borne a child who is not mine. I would not take kindly, however, to anyone - in or out of Holy Orders - who called her a harlot."
Forthred blanched and Aiden dropped his stylus.
"Indeed, my lord . . ." stammered Forthred. "Perhaps in that we were . . .
but still" - he gathered his dignity - "the Lady Jehanne has clearly sinned!"
"Have not we all? She has been forgiven."
He was aware of a distinct stir among those close enough to hear.
"By God?" demanded Forthred.
"That, you must ask of God. She has been forgiven by me."
"That is, indeed, noble of you, my lord."
Galeran met suspicious eyes. "I have recently walked in the footsteps of our Savior, Brother Forthred. Did he not say that only those without sin on their soul should cast stones at others? And I believe in that case the sinner was a woman taken in adultery."
"Very true, my lord. But in these troubled times we have to be more practical. . . ."
Galeran let his gaze wander to the smoky rafters. "Why do I feel that Christ Himself was pressured by those words?"
"My lord, this is no time for levity! Bishop Flambard is concerned that you might make this abuse of your marriage and your home excuse for acts of violence."
Galeran focused on him again. "You may assure his lordship that I won't - as long as it is not repeated."
"Moreover," said Forthred, clearly having arrived at his prepared text, "he feels that the presence of the evidence of sin might well stretch even the most tolerant man's forbearance. . . ."
"But, by God's grace, will not break it."
Forthred rose to his feet. "My lord, I have been instructed to take charge of the bastard child, and bring it with me to York, where it may