Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,72

why not you?" said Judith, tartly. This man, with his beautiful features and false poverty always irritated her. He would never be able to accept that someone who was not a Christian might be worthy of respect and trust. Still, she reminded herself, she was not doing any of this to earn the good opinion of Prior Foville, but to bring some kind of comfort to her mother and to satisfy her own need to damage de Montfort’s cause.

"The message is short," she said. "It is simply this: Prepare for the King’s arrival, and his advisers. He expects to be here within three months."

Foville stared at her.

"The King plans to come here?" he said. "Why?"

"As I told you," said Judith. "It is a short message. The King does not open his mind to me, as yet."

She could hear the sarcasm in her voice, and so did Foville. He reddened, but bit back a sharp retort with an effort. Why should he waste his time trading insults with this Jewess? She was unimportant just a messenger, as she had reminded him herself. He inclined his head, coldly, and opened the door for her again.

"There is no need for me to detain you, now that your job is done," he said.

Judith said nothing, but walked past him. The door was shut behind her and she was down the steps and out of the Priory completely before her anger had cooled again. Thank goodness she would not have to deal with that man ever again! She would sit at home and forget the whole thing, she thought, grimly. Let them all get on with it, without her she was not going to risk her life for them any more!

Lifting her head, she set back her shoulders, and breathed deeply, as she walked back up the hill, towards her home. She would become a dutiful daughter, and behave as a betrothed woman should, she thought to herself. Her mother should have no more reason to worry about her. She nodded to herself, satisfied with her plan. The effort of walking BOSON BOOKS

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up the steep slope was having its usual effect, making her blood sing through her veins and lifting her spirits. She looked about her, conscious that the first signs of Spring were visible. There were catkins showing on the hazel trees, the snow had really gone from here, and the first snowdrops were showing. It was impossible to stay disgruntled in the circumstances, she decided.

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PART THREE

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Belaset’s Daughter

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Aaron was woken by a ray of sun striking through a gap in the wooden shutters, on to his face. He opened his eyes suddenly, fully awake in an instant, every muscle tensed and ready for swift movement. Then as he realised he was in his own small chamber, he relaxed, and stretched, yawning. He lay flat, his arms linked behind his head, thinking of the pleasures of the day to come.

It was April, at last. Spring was in full spate, and even here, in the Jewry, its presence could be sensed. It was in the changed light, the early sunshine, the beginning of warmth, and days already lengthening. This was the time of the year when people felt more energy, when even the most troubled felt a lifting of their spirits in spite of themselves, sometimes. As for Aaron, his spirits were so high, he almost laughed aloud with sheer delight.

Today, he would see Judith again. She had arrived the evening before with Belaset, part of a small band of Jews who had travelled together for safety. Today, he and Judith would be married in the synagogue at the corner of the Jewry. The ketuba, giving written agreement of the contract between them, would be given to Judith, and the marriage ceremony would take place, in front of both families and as many friends and well-wishers as were able to squeeze in. There would be feasting and music for the rest of the day and then, at last, they would be alone together.

A sudden surge of energy and excitement made him leap from his bed. Hurriedly, he poured water into a bowl, and splashed it over his face and chest, then rubbed himself dry briskly with a rough cloth. He threw on a loose robe for comfort and left the room, running down the stairs and into the hall humming a tune under his breath.

A servant was sweeping the floor with a rough broom. He looked up and grinned at Aaron,