Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine (reading an ebook TXT) 📕

the king to extend the time he needed to repay his debts and reinstate him in favor, but to no avail. The king remained deaf to his desperate demands to be granted further audiences and turned to new friends. It was clear that the de Braose family was to be ruined unless something or someone could be prevailed upon to change the king's mind. So, after long and worried consultations with Giles and Will, who had arrived with Mattie and their baby son, John, diplomatically named for the king, it had been agreed that Matilda should try alone, and try before the king heard that Giles had obeyed his conscience in deciding to support the church in its quarrel with the king over the election of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Having read, in Hereford Cathedral, the papal interdict suspending church services throughout the kingdom, Giles had prudently followed the example of the other bishops, who had defied the king and fled to France.

The king was in council at Gloucester Castle, and it was with a profound feeling of foreboding that Matilda relinquished her mare to the esquire who ran forward to help her dismount and preceded William Ferrers and Adam into the great hall. John was, it appeared, busy and could or would not receive them at once, so, her heart pounding nervously, Matilda took the carved oak chair to which John's chamberlain had shown her and sat down nervously, clutching her mantle around her and glancing up at Adam, who, resting an arm protectively on the back of the chair, stood close beside her. Ferrers, less in awe than the others, went off cheerfully in search of refreshment.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back for a moment, feeling the heavily carved ornamental wood press into the back of her skull. Her courage, for the first time, was beginning to fail her. What if the king should refuse to grant her an audience? What if he refused her plea? What if he refused to see William and persevered with his plan to bring him, and thus the whole family with him, to ruin? She shivered a little in spite of the warm furs around her shoulders.

They waited a long, long time in the great hall, watching the busy throng who were gathered there. From time to time men passed into the presence chamber to see the king and reappeared again, but no one came to call the de Braose party.

Cold night had settled in outside. Through the ever-reopening outside door Matilda could see the swirling mist and the white haloes around the burning torches as men moved back and forth across her line of vision. More branches were heaped on the two huge fires, and aromatic smoke escaped now and then in puffs that hung beneath the high beams of the roof.

And then the door opened again and a party of men were hurried out. The usher approached the chamberlain and whispered, and the man turned and began to walk purposefully in Matilda's direction.

She sat without moving, watching his stately progress down the hall, only the whitening of her knuckles, as her fingers clutched unconsciously together, showing the turmoil inside her.

Then he was before her. He bowed. "His Grace will see the Lady of Hay, " he stated gravely. "He does not wish to see you, sir, nor you, my lord. " He nodded at Adam and Ferrers in turn and then, without looking to see if she followed, he slowly retraced his steps down the length of the great hall.

John surveyed her for a long while without speaking and then, with a snap of his fingers, dismissed the clerks and attendants crowding the room and watching the tall, graceful woman who curtsied before her king.

He waited until the door had closed behind the last bowing figure and then he leaned back in his chair and smiled. "I wonder if I can guess what brings the Lady Matilda to Gloucester?"

She lowered her eyes. "Your Grace is probably aware of my predicament. I would not presume on our long friendship if I had not thought you might grant my request. " Glancing up, she saw something akin to amusement in his face and, taking courage, she smiled. "Please see William once more, Your Grace. Give him a chance to explain to you our temporary difficulties in raising so much money so fast. We will pay. But please, give us time, Your Grace. And please smile once again on William. He is so fond of you, so devoted to your service. You have broken his heart with your disfavor—" She broke off, seeing the black frown that, at the mention of William's name, succeeded the look of humor.

"William, my lady, is a fool, " he snapped. "He preens and crows under my favor and amasses fortunes and lordships all on credit, and then when I seek to realize some of my debts, he fawns and whines like a kicked dog" He leaned forward in his chair, his blue eyes suddenly flashing. "God's teeth, Matilda. I made your Sir William. From a petty border baron I raised him to one of the greatest in this land. And I can reduce him again as quickly. " He smashed his fist against the palm of his hand.

Matilda shuddered.

"Your husband, madam, was becoming too ambitious, too powerful, " he went on. "I smell treachery there. "

Matilda gasped indignantly. "Your Grace, that's not true! William is a loyal servant. And he is your friend. "

Rising, John stepped off the low dais on which his chair was placed and, throwing one leg over the corner of the table, rested there, his arms folded.

"He sought alliance with the rebellious lords of Ireland, my lady. Lords who have defied my justiciar there. They complained when he took Limerick from your son-in-law. Do you know why I took it?" He stared at her intently. "I took it because no dues have been received from William. The Earl