Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,114
came a sudden angry shout.
Jervis straightened up from his exploration of the various jugs and bundles he had found and looked round. A large and red-faced monk was heading for him, with a knife held in front of him. Behind the monk, the young boy was sitting with his mouth wide open, and round, frightened eyes, as he watched the advance.
"Your bread is delicious, Brother!" said Jervis. "I was directed here for some food, and the directions were excellent."
The monk stood still, breathing heavily.
"My thanks!" said Jervis, and walked briskly out of the kitchen, leaving a thunderous silence behind him.
Outside, the sun was shining in a clear sky, and Jervis stood, eating the rest of his purloined loaf and enjoying the warmth and promise of springtime. Idly, he gazed around him, watching people crossing the courtyard with a purposeful air. Men of all ages, some in the fine clothes of Henry s entourage, some in rough work clothes, and a few in monk s habit, went about their business. Only he seemed to be standing still. Everyone who passed him stared at him with curiosity, obviously wondering who this young man was, who so clearly had nothing to do.
A figure beckoned to him urgently from the far side of the courtyard. It was Joan, waving at him to hurry, as he strolled across, a smile on his face. As he drew nearer, he could see that she had an expression of extreme anxiety on her face, and he quickened his pace.
"What s the matter . . .?" he began, but got no further.
"Oh, Master Jervis, you must come to my lady!" said Joan, dragging at his arm, and hastening him along the cloister. "She has heard some dreadful tale about the manner of Sir Roger s death, and fears for her own life she is preparing to flee the Court!"
Jervis s heart sank.
"What has she heard?" he said, stopping, and resisting all her efforts to drag him on.
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Belaset’s Daughter
"She has heard that Sir Roger was m-murdered," said Joan, stumbling over the dreadful word. "Because he was giving Earl Simon news of the King s intentions. She is afraid that she will be murdered, too, if anyone thinks. . ."
She stood beside Jervis, literally wringing her hands with distress and anxiety. He glanced round, but no-one seemed to be within earshot of them. He put his finger to his lips, and walked briskly with her until they were out of the courtyard and into a small kitchen garden. He led her along a path that led into the centre of the neat rows of plants and stopped by a sundial.
"Joan," he said. "She must not leave the Court precipitately. It is tantamount to an admission that she knew what Sir Roger was doing."
"But she did!" said Joan.
"What?" said Jervis, startled. "I thought she was not privy to her husband s thoughts in these matters."
"He said nothing to her," agreed Joan. "But Madeleine has eyes and ears, Master Jervis.
She is not a foolish girl. She saw people coming and going in Amiens and in Lewes and so did I," she said, thoughtfully. "There was the time that Guy de Montfort spent with us, when he was drugged by one of the King s men, posing as a priest. She knew we had him in the stables while he recovered his strength."
"Well we must stop her taking flight, whatever else is decided," said Jervis. "But no-one else must see that we are anxious or hurrying, in case there are eyes on us which will report back to an interested master. Take me to her, Mistress Joan, as if I am going to offer consolation."
"Yes, you are right," said Joan, suddenly becoming more like her usual brisk self. "Come with me."
They left the little garden and went back across the courtyard, in through a door set in the corner, and up stone stairs that spiralled up to another floor. At the top, Joan pushed a door open and Jervis found himself staring straight into Madeleine s eyes. They were full of tears, and he saw a fleeting look of alarm pass across her face, until she recognised him. She rose from her chair and came swiftly across the room to him.
"Jervis!" she said. "Thank God! Has Joan told you?"
"Yes," said Jervis. "And you must stay here, Madeleine, and show that you are but a grieving widow, mourning your husband. Then you will be safe."