Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,112

adoration of her was no secret in Lewes Castle, where it had been a reason for some teasing of the young man. Perhaps, once the proprieties had been observed, those who had teased might find the tables turned against them. De Warenne grinned secretly to himself, behind his hand, which he passed negligently across his face as though to wipe the sweat from it. It was very warm in the hall, anyway, but Henry noticed the smile as well as the gesture.

"What is amusing you, John?" he said.

"A sudden private thought, my liege," said de Warenne. "It was connected with Lewes."

"John, John!" said Henry, laughing. "A more uxorious husband I have yet to meet. Alice is a lucky woman!"

"Well, Sire, no-one should disagree with his liege lord, so I heartily agree with you,"

returned de Warenne.

At that moment, Jervis reached his side. De Warenne gestured to a chair, which had been placed just beside him, forcing those on that side to move further down, amidst much muttering under the breath.

"Come, Jervis," he said. "You are welcomed by the King to his table. Sit and eat your food with us both, and tell us more of your hunting. But discreetly, you understand. You have done well today, and the King would show he is pleased. I join him in his pleasure."

Henry nodded his agreement and waved at the chair for Jervis to be seated. the young man bowed low before sitting carefully and accepting a silver plate loaded with meat from a servant. A beaker of wine was placed on the table in front of him. The King leaned across in front of de Warenne.

"Slake your thirst and take some food, before you tell us of your day, Jervis," he said.

Jervis, who was famished, needed no more prompting. He took the meat in one hand, and his knife from his belt, hacked off some of the roasted flesh and pushed it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed the delicious stuff, then washed it down with a mouthful of wine. The wine was the best he had ever tasted, too. This was a feast to BOSON BOOKS

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remember, he thought to himself. Jervis FitzHugh, seated at the King’s table, eating and drinking with the King and his friends!

He looked out across the hall, at the people sitting there, eating and drinking and enjoying themselves. Heads from all over the hall constantly glanced to wards the high table, curiously watching the activities of all who sat there. He looked for Madeleine, seated, as he was, at the high table, and saw her several seats away, on the King’s other side. She looked across at him at the same moment and gave the tiniest shake of her head, warning him not to show too much intimacy. He contented himself with a polite smile and smallest bow of the head, a member of de Warenne’s household recognising a frequent visitor, and dropped his eyes to his plate again.

When his plate was clear, and his beaker of wine finished, de Warenne spoke to him again.

"If you are ready, Jervis, the King would like to hear your story. Tell His Majesty what happened in the forest, from the moment you went exploring on your own."

Jervis told his story quickly, leaving out nothing. When he came to the part after he had been sent by de Warenne to return to the body, and told them of its disappearance, both listeners frowned heavily. Then, as he explained that he had found it in the hut of Green Gerda, they both seemed vastly amused. The King chuckled delightedly and de Warenne slapped Jervis’s shoulder in glee.

"So you have met Green Gerda, have you?" said Henry. "I hear she is as fond of a strong young man as any woman. Yet here you are, apparently unchanged by the experience!"

Jervis smiled awkwardly.

"She has a strong character, Sire," he said. "And a way of loosening your tongue . . ."

Henry sobered and glanced at him, sternly.

"What did you tell her, Jervis?" he said.

"Not much, Sire," said Jervis, hurriedly. "Only that Sir Roger had been hurt, and that I had gone for help, and been dismayed when I could not find him again on my return."

Henry nodded.

"I see you are a wise man, despite your youth," he said. "It is well if only a few people know what really happened. You must never the true story to anyone no-one at all, you understand? We must protect ourselves from accusation, and protect the memory of