- and perhaps some strategic ideas.
He found Petranilla in the hall, sitting at the table, which was laid for two with bread, ale and a platter of salted fish. He kissed her forehead, said grace and sat down to eat. He allowed himself a moment of triumphant pleasure. "Well," he said. "I'm the prior-elect, at least, and here we are having dinner in the prior's house."
"But Roland is still fighting you," she said.
"Harder than I expected. After all, he has the right of nomination, not selection. It's inherent in his position that his choice will not always be elected."
"Most earls would accept that, but not him," Petranilla said. "He's felt superior to everyone he's ever met." There was a bitterness in her tone which, Godwyn guessed, sprang from memories of their aborted engagement more than thirty years ago. She smiled vengefully. "Soon he will realize how badly he's underestimated us."
"He knows I'm your son."
"Then that will be a factor. You probably remind him of the dishonourable way he behaved to me. That's enough to make him hate you."
"It's a shame." Godwyn lowered his voice in case a servant might be listening outside the door. "Until this point, your plan has worked perfectly. Withdrawing myself from the contest, then discrediting everyone else, was brilliant."
"Perhaps. But we may be about to lose everything. Have you said any more to the bishop?"
"No. I've reminded him that we know about Margery. He was scared, but not scared enough to defy his father, it seems."
"He should be. If this comes out, he won't be forgiven. He could end up a lowly knight on the level of Sir Gerald, wasting his days as a pensioner. Doesn't he realize that?"
"Perhaps he thinks I don't have the courage to reveal what I know."
"Then you'll have to go to the earl with the information."
"Heavens! He'll explode!"
"Steel your nerve."
She always said this kind of thing. It was why he looked forward with such apprehension to meetings with her. She always wanted him to be a little more daring, and take greater risks, than was his inclination. But he could never refuse her.
She went on: "If it came out that Margery's not a virgin, the marriage would be called off. Roland doesn't want that. He'll accept the lesser evil of you as prior."
"But he'll be my enemy for the rest of his life."
"He'll be that whatever happens."
Small consolation, Godwyn thought; but he did not argue, for he could see that his mother was right.
There was a tap at the door, and Lady Philippa walked in.
Godwyn and Petranilla stood up.
"I need to talk to you," Philippa said to Godwyn.
He said: "May I present my mother, Petranilla?"
Petranilla curtsied, then said: "I'd better leave. You're obviously here to broker a deal, my lady."
Philippa gave her an amused look. "If you know that much, you know everything of importance. Perhaps you should stay."
As the two women stood facing one another, Godwyn noticed that they were similar: same height, same statuesque build and the same imperious air. Philippa was younger, of course, by something like twenty years; and she had a relaxed authority, and a touch of humour, that contrasted with Petranilla's tight-wound determination - perhaps because Philippa had a husband and Petranilla had lost hers. But Philippa was a strong-willed woman who exercised power through a man - Lord William - and, Godwyn now realized, Petranilla also wielded influence through a man - himself.
"Let's sit down," Philippa said.
Petranilla said: "Has the earl approved whatever you're about to propose?"
"No." Philippa made a helpless gesture with her hands. "Roland is too proud to agree in advance to something that might then be rejected by the other side. If I can get Godwyn's agreement to what I'm about to suggest, then I've got a chance of persuading Roland to compromise."
"I thought as much."
Godwyn said: "Would you like something to eat, my lady?"
Philippa dismissed the offer with an impatient wave. "As things stand, everyone is going to lose," she began. "The wedding will take place, but without the proper pomp and ceremony; so that Roland's alliance with the earl of Monmouth will be blighted from the start. The bishop will refuse to ratify you as prior, Godwyn, so the archbishop will be called in to resolve the dispute; and he will dismiss both you and Murdo, and nominate someone new, probably a member of his staff whom he wants to be rid of. No one will get what they want.