Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,61

noticed, and there was no sign of any of the nobles or their ladies. Just the soldiers and the young squires mingled with the ostlers and servants. As the ostlers tried to make sure that all the horses in their charge were safely stabled, the servants were equally frantic in their efforts to unload the contents of the wagons. Still, tempers were calming down, as more room became available, although here and there a sudden quarrel flared up. Arms were raised, faces darkened, and then, more often than not, a peacemaker would step in and resolve matters. Meanwhile, the squires were kept busy ordering the ostlers about, while the soldiers made their contribution to the noise by giving each other orders.

Behind her, the manservant coughed discreetly. She turned back to him.

"Do you wish me to convey any message to Sir Roger?" said the man, civilly.

"I think not, other than my most grateful thanks," said Judith. "And that I await his instructions."

The man nodded and turned on his heel. He glanced at Aaron and hesitated.

"No, I have no message," said Aaron. "But I am glad to have made his acquaintance."

The servant left them, closely the door quietly behind him. For a few moments, Judith and Aaron stood looking at each other.

"Well," he said, at last. "Now what do we do?"

Judith shook her head.

"I cannot tell," she answered. "We can do nothing, until we know what Sir Roger wishes. It may be awkward for him to have us here or it may be of benefit."

"Of benefit, surely!" said Aaron. "Now you can tell him what has happened to you how you were taken to London by Guy de Montfort and..."

"And how Jervis FitzHugh was first with de Montfort, and then acting as my rescuer on the Thames?" said Judith.

"Why not?" said Aaron, his face reddening suddenly with temper.

"Because," said Judith, slowly, " we do not know two important things."

"One was Jervis for de Montfort or for Henry?" said Aaron.

Judith nodded.

"And two?" he asked.

"We must ask ourselves the same question of Roger de Tourney." she said. "He was surprised to see you, Aaron."

Aaron shrugged.

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"Perhaps because he had never seen me before," he said.

"Or perhaps because he expected you to be someone else," said Judith. "Like Jervis FitzHugh."

Aaron was nonplussed for the moment, then nodded his head thoughtfully.

"Yes," he said. "You could be right but how will we find out the truth?"

"By watching and listening and trying to be everywhere at once," said Judith. "And by finding out what they have done with FitzHugh."

"I can do that, but what can you do?" said Aaron. "You are a woman in a monastery.

You might also be in danger. Now that I am here, there is no more need for you to take the risks that you have been taking."

Judith sighed impatiently.

"This is no time to be playing the gallant!" she said. "I have been picked for this task, and I have managed very well so far. As for being a woman in a monastery so far, only you, Jervis FitzHugh and de Tourney are aware of my sex."

"What of the manservant who showed us here?" said Aaron.

"I do not think he noticed anything odd about me," she said. "If he did, well, he is in de Tourney’s household and de Tourney can deal with him."

They both jumped as the swift rat-tat-tat sounded on the door. Moving quietly, Aaron opened it slightly and peered out, then flung the door wide. Sir Roger de Tourney entered, then stood with his back to it, listening carefully, hand on sword. At last, satisfied that there was no-one behind him, he closed it behind him, and leant against it, surveying the room. He studied everything the windows, the fireplace, every piece of furniture, and the floor. At last, he turned his attention to Judith and Aaron.

"Well," he said. "This should be fairly comfortable for one of you. But what shall we do with you, young man?"

He turned to Aaron, with a smile.

"I shall stay here also," said he, firmly.

For a moment, de Tourney’s face hardened, then he was all affability again.

"As you wish," he said. "I am sure we can arrange for food to be brought for two, as easily as for one."

"We are to be kept in here?" asked Judith.

De Tourney gestured airily.

"For your own safety," he said.

"And for how long?" said Aaron.

"Well," said de Tourney. "Until we have decided what to do with you."

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"You phrase yourself oddly, Sir Roger," said Aaron. "We are not your