Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,71

I mean Aaron!" she said. "I can see that you and he are drawn to each other. Master FitzHugh is a young coxcomb, without depth, by comparison."

"There is more to Jervis than he is willing to let you see," said Judith. "But yes, Aaron and I are pleased with each other."

"I am glad, my daughter," said Belaset. "It is time for you to be more settled in your life."

"That may be but other things will not let that happen just yet," said Judith. "I must continue to be a messenger, until this whole matter is settled. Then I can settle, too."

She stood up and patted her mother’s shoulder.

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"I must deliver the message I was given at once," she said. "Then I can at least rest for a while."

"Will you be asked to do more, then?" said Belaset, fearfully. "I had hoped that this was all just to deliver this one message."

"I fear it will not be the end of it," said Judith. "Now that I have been entrusted with such a matter once, and carried it out, they will use me again. You know the King thinks of us as his possession. We have no choice but to do as he wishes. In any case, I cannot resist the chance to hurt de Montfort’s cause. It is only just that our family should have some revenge for the loss we have suffered at his hands."

Belaset sighed. She could not help agreeing with her daughter, and it was understandable that she should feel such bitterness toward the de Montforts but this was not a proper

way for a woman to behave, surely?

"Why not let Aaron take your place?" she said. "I presume you told him what you were about and he must be able to do something like carrying messages as well as you..."

"If not better," Judith finished for her. "Yes, he could be very useful, but it was I who was entrusted with delivering the message I have for Foville, and it is I who am known to him. Besides, Mother, you know that I have never been someone who mopes by the fireside, complaining and wringing my hands, waiting for a man to solve the problem!"

It was true, and Belaset knew it. Her only daughter was exactly like her father fierce, determined, and wanting to take matters into her own hands.

"Very well, Judith," she said, resignedly. "I cannot stop you if your heart is set on continuing. But promise me this you will ask for Aaron’s help if you need it. And at least suggest to the King’s men that he could be useful to them."

"I will suggest it," said Judith. "But I think it may have already occurred to them."

She left her mother sitting with a puzzled expression on her face, and ran to collect her cloak an make her way to the Priory. Although she had sent no message asking to see him, she was sure that Foville would be expecting her. Somehow, he would know of their arrival yesterday.

She was able to slip into the Prior’s lodgings unobserved. The early morning service was over, and the monks were about their various businesses. As soon as she knocked, the door to Foville’s rooms flew open, and he stood aside, ushering her in. She hurried past him and stood waiting in the centre of the room.

"Well," he said. "You have arrived back safely, although by a somewhat roundabout route, I hear?"

"Indeed," she said. "I have had more adventures than I bargained for, but, as you say, I have arrived safely in the end. May I know who has kept you informed of my journey?"

"I see no reason why you should not be told, since you have met them both," said Foville, with a considered air. "Gregory Rokesly sent me a message that you had been BOSON BOOKS

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brought to his house, and Jervis FitzHugh told me the rest of the story a few minutes ago.

I am surprised you did not pass him on your way here."

"I have passed no-one," said Judith. "Perhaps he is elsewhere in the Priory, or left by another gate."

Foville shrugged.

"It is not important," he said. "But your message from the King is you have a package for me, I believe?"

"A package containing nothing but old parchment, and a message in my head," said Judith.

"What!" said Foville. "If there is nothing in writing, then how am I to know you have remembered it correctly?"

"If the King of England is content to trust my memory,