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

Marshall was at court this winter pleading the cause of the Irish lords. You did not know, perhaps, that I have reinstated them now in their land in exchange for a pledge of loyalty. Yes, Walter de Lacy too. But my benevolence does not extend to your Sir William. He has driven me too far with his greed. God's blood! He even covets an earldom!"

Matilda bit her lip and then nodded reluctantly. "There is no treachery in that, Your Grace. "

"Perhaps not. " John was thoughtful. "Nevertheless, I prefer men about me who serve me out of loyalty. I mistrust ambition. " He snorted. "A quality you did not display when you had it in your power to take a prince for a lover, though you did feel able to give your favors to a mere earl. " His eyes, deliberately insolent, slid up and down her body and she reddened violently.

"I am an elderly matron now, sire. Too old, I think, for such adventures, " she stammered.

John laughed again and, pushing himself up from the table, came and stood close to her. Slowly he raised his hand and touched her cheek. "You scarcely look a day older, my dear, for all your little Welsh princeling grandchildren. " He paused. "Is that what you have come for? Did you hope to seduce me into waiving your husband's debts?" For a moment their eyes met. She saw the challenge in his gaze and something else—something that was veiled so quickly behind the hard, enigmatic stare that she wondered if she had glimpsed it at all.

She took a step back, feeling the heat mount in her cheeks again. The interview was not going the way she had intended. "I came here to ask delay from Your Grace for the sake of the friendship you once had for us both, no more than that, sire, " she said with quiet dignity.

John turned away abruptly. "Very well. I will give him another chance. For your sake. But I will require substantial proof of his intentions. Castles, hostages. " He spoke curtly.

"Hostages!" Matilda repeated indignantly. "Why hostages? Is our word not good enough?"

"William's isn't. " He threw the remark over his shoulder as he returned to his chair and lowered himself into it.

"Then mine, my lord. There should be no need of hostages. "

"Oh, come, Matilda, it is customary. Are you afraid I might demand your own fair self?" He smiled. "I'm sure we can take someone you won't miss too much! Tell your husband to come to me the day after tomorrow at Hereford. I will hear his excuses then. But never again. This is his last chance to convince me he can work something out. His last chance. "

With a gesture he dismissed her. Then as she curtsied and turned toward the door he called out. "By the way, my lady. I have no doubt you have heard that following the papal interdict I am confiscating all church property for the use of the crown. I understand there are substantial properties waiting for me in Hereford. Episcopal properties. "

Matilda swallowed, nervously holding her breath.

"You must admit, my lady"—his voice was as smooth as a cat's purr—"that I have grounds for scenting treachery within the de Braose family. Very good grounds. "

When William returned to the Hay from his meeting with the king three days later, it seemed that all had gone well. He strode into the hall, where most of the household were gathered for the noonday meal. At his side were two of the king's officers.

Matilda laid down her napkin and rose to her feet, anxiously scanning her husband's face for signs of worry or anger.

He met her eyes and then glanced down, swallowing nervously.

"Father, what happened? What did the king say?" Will was around the table and off the dais in a moment, confronting his father. There was silence in the great hall. At the high table all eyes were fixed on William and at the lower tables where other members of his household ate; men and women alike waited with bated breath for their lord to speak. The only sound came from the fires, where logs hissed and crackled between the great iron dogs and from behind the serving screens at the back of the hall, where a hastily suppressed giggle rang out in the silence.

"We have reached an agreement. " William spoke at last. Matilda saw him swallow again and she felt a tremor of unease. Silently they waited for him to go on.

"The king has agreed that I can spread the payments of my debts over several years, " he continued, and then, as if conscious for the first time of the watching eyes from the depths of the hall, he stepped onto the dais, lowering his voice. "The king has requested one or two guarantees that I will pay. " He glanced over his shoulder at the waiting officers and then turned back, refusing to meet Matilda's gaze. Full of misgivings, she slowly seated herself once more, forcing herself to stay calm.

"What guarantee does the king demand, William?" She reached slowly for her goblet, keeping her voice slow and steady with an effort.

"I have agreed that he take all my Welsh lands and castles into the royal holding, just until I pay. He has already sent constables to take them over—all but Hay, which he said was more yours. " He frowned. "And then... " Once more he looked at the floor, his voice trailing away uncertainly as a gasp of horror went around the high table.

"And, William?" Matilda could feel Reginald beside her holding his breath. She put her hand gently over his on the table. Before them the plate of meat congealed in a pool of cooling fat.

"And I agreed that we should give him hostages, Moll. Many, many other families have been asked to do the same. It's not just us. " He hesitated. "He wants Will, and our two grandsons, little John, and