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

listen. " Matilda raised herself on an elbow and put her finger to her lips. "We won't let Sir William know that I might be coming. I don't want him to forbid me, thinking I am more tired than I am. "

She lay back on her pillows again after Megan had gone, well pleased with the little Welshwoman's conspiratorial smile of understanding.

Below in the courtyard the morning sounds were reaching a crescendo of excitement and down the winding stairs to the hall she could hear a hubbub of shouting and laughter and the crashing of the boards onto the trestles as the tables were set up. It was hard to lie idle with so much going on about her but she was content to rest for the moment. The time to get up would come later.

She watched as a boy staggered in with a basket of logs and proceeded to light a new fire, and then a man humped in her boxes of clothes. There was still no sign of Nell, but

Megan was close on his heels. After throwing back the lids under Matilda's instructions, she began to pull out the gowns and surcoats, crying out with delight as she fingered the scarlets and greens of silks, fine linens and soft-dyed wools, laying them on the bed one by one.

Matilda looked at each garment critically, considering which she should wear. Ever since she had heard about the feast she had thought about the gold-embroidered surcoat brought to her from London by William for her name day. It had come from the east and smelled of sandalwood and allspice.

"Oh, my lady, you must wear this. " Megan held up her green velvet gown trimmed with silver. "This is perfect for you. It is beautiful, so it is. "

Matilda took it from her and rubbed her face in the soft stuff. "William thinks that green is unlucky, " she said wistfully. She loved that dress and she knew it suited her coloring. It would go well below the gold.

Nell appeared at last, fully recovered from the journey and in high spirits, as Megan was hanging up the last of the gowns in the garderobe. She had brought a message.

"From one of Lord Clare's knights, " she whispered, full of importance. "He wants to see you in the solar, now, while Sir William is out in the mews with his hawks. "

She helped Megan dress Matilda hastily in a blue wool gown and wrapped her in a thick mantle against the drafts. Then, her finger to her lips, she led the way out of the bedchamber.

Richard was waiting in the deep window embrasure, half hidden behind a screen. He was dressed for traveling.

"Richard?" Matilda stared at him as Nell withdrew.

"I am leaving. Your husband demands it. " He put out his hand toward her, then let it fall. He shrugged. "My men are waiting. I return to Gloucester. "

"No, " she whispered in anguish. "I thought he would change his mind and let you stay... I thought you would be here... "

He reached out and touched her hand. "This is your household, lady, " he said sadly. "This is where you wished to be, at your husband's side. There is no place for me here. Better I go now. "

"But I thought it would be different—I thought it would be all right. " She looked away from him, her bravery and excitement forgotten. "I had forgotten what he is like. " She put her hands to her face, trying not to cry. "And I have to stay with him for the rest of my life!"

Richard felt the sweat start on the palms of his hands. "You are his wife, " he said harshly. "In God's eyes you belong to him. "

They stood for a moment in silence. She wanted to cling to him. Firmly she put her hands behind her. "I am carrying his child, " she said at last with an effort. "So he is going to let me stay. Not here, but at Brecknock. He is not going to send me back to Bramber after all. " She gave a faint smile.

Richard stiffened. The pain in his face was hidden in a moment, but she had seen it. She clenched her fists in the folds of her long skirts. "Are you not going to congratulate me on fulfilling my wifely duty?"

He bowed slightly. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I couldn't... " she whispered. "I couldn't... "

Outside the wind was rising, funneling down the valley, turning the melted slush back to crisp whiteness. It rattled the shutters and screens and stirred the hay that covered the floors, releasing the smell of stale woodruff, tossing the firesmoke back down into the rooms.

"You said your men were waiting, " she said at last. The words caught in her throat.

"So. God be with you. " He took her hand and raised it to his lips. Then he left her. She heard him walk across the room and slowly down the long winding stairs, his sword catching on the stone wall as he went until the sound died away and she was alone.

She sat for a long time on the stone seat in the embrasure, then, stiff with cold, she returned to her room and crept back beneath the covers of the bed.

Some time later Megan reappeared. She was bubbling with excitement. Prince Seisyll had arrived with his eldest son, Geoffrey, and his retinue, his harper, and his chief councillors.

"Handsome he is, " Megan reported breathlessly, her eyes sparkling. "A real prince to look at, and tall... "

Matilda dried her eyes, pushed back the covers, and slipped out of bed.

She was standing in the middle of the floor in her shift with Megan braiding her long hair to go beneath her veil when she heard William's unmistakable step on the stairs. She glanced around wildly, looking for somewhere to hide, not wanting him to see her preparations.

"Quick, madam. " Megan threw a warm dressing gown around