He threw a worried look at Aliena. He was afraid to leave her. But he had no choice. He went to the door.
Aliena took a step toward the door, as if to follow him.
"Stay here," William ordered her.
Walter stood between her and the door, barring her way.
"You have no right to command me!" Aliena said, with a touch of her old imperiousness.
Matthew spoke in a scared tone. "Stay, my lady. Don't anger them. I'll be quick."
Aliena frowned at him, but she stayed where she was. Matthew went out.
William sat in Aliena's chair. She moved to her brother's side. William studied them. There was a similarity between them, but all the strength was in the girl's face. Richard was a tall, awkward adolescent, with no beard yet. William liked the sensation of having them in his power. He said: "How old are you, Richard?"
"Fourteen years," the boy said sullenly.
"Ever killed a man?"
"No," he answered, then with a little attempt at bravado he added: "Not yet."
You'll suffer too, you pompous little prick, William thought. He turned his attention to Aliena. "How old are you?"
At first she looked as if she would not speak to him, but then she appeared to change her mind, perhaps remembering that Matthew had said Don't anger them. "Seventeen," she said.
"My, my, the whole family can count," William said. "Are you a virgin, Aliena?"
"Of course!" she blazed.
Suddenly William reached forward and grabbed her breast. It filled his big hand. He squeezed: it felt firm but yielding. She jerked back, and it slipped from his grasp.
Richard stepped forward, too late, and knocked William's arm aside. Nothing could have pleased William more. He came out of his chair fast and hit Richard in the face with a swinging punch. As he had suspected, Richard was soft: he cried out and his hands flew to his face.
"Leave him alone!" Aliena cried.
William looked at her with surprise. She seemed more concerned about her brother than about herself. That might be worth remembering.
Matthew came back in carrying a wooden platter with a loaf of bread, a side of ham and a jug of wine on it. He paled when he saw Richard holding his hands to his face. He put the platter down on the table and went to the boy. Taking Richard's hands away gently, he looked at the boy's face. It was already red and puffy around the eye. "I told you not to anger them," he muttered, but he seemed relieved that it was no worse. William was disappointed: he had hoped Matthew would fly into a rage. The steward threatened to be a killjoy.
The sight of the food made William's mouth water. He pulled his chair up to the table, took out his eating knife, and cut a thick slice, of ham. Walter sat opposite him. Through a mouthful of bread and ham, William said to Aliena: "Bring some cups and pour the wine." Matthew moved to do it. William said: "Not you-her." Aliena hesitated. Matthew looked at her anxiously and nodded. She came across to the table and picked up the jug.
As she leaned over, William reached down, slipped his hand under the hem of her tunic, and rapidly ran his fingers up her leg. His fingertips felt slender calves with soft hair, then the muscles behind her knee, and then the soft skin of the inside of her thigh; then she jerked away, spun around, and swung the heavy wine jug at his head.
William warded off the blow with his left hand and slapped her face with his right. He put all his force into the slap. His hand stung in a very satisfying way. Aliena screamed. Out of the corner of his eye William saw Richard move. He had been hoping for that. He pushed Aliena aside forcefully, and she fell to the floor with a thud. Richard came at William like a deer charging the hunter. William dodged Richard's first wild blow, then punched him in the stomach. As the boy doubled over, William hit him several times in rapid succession about the eyes and nose. It was not as exciting as hitting Aliena, but it was gratifying enough, and within moments Richard's face was covered with blood.
Suddenly Walter gave a warning cry and sprang to his feet, looking past William's shoulder. William spun round to see Matthew coming at him with a knife held high ready to stab. William was taken by surprise-he had not expected bravery from the effeminate steward. Walter could not