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

"Clerics, " he muttered to himself. He had no time for the church but he was pleased to see them for her sake.

Matilda gazed at the senior among the black-robed figures and smiled uncertainly. He was a grave, thin man in his late twenties, dressed with restrained sumptuousness, his mantle trimmed with miniver that showed up the plain black habit of the monk at his side. His eyes, ranging around the hall, took in every detail of the place and of the lady standing in front of him. Then he bowed courteously and held out his hand in the gesture of benediction.

"I am Gerald, madam, Archdeacon of Brecknock. " He spoke softly and yet with great presence.

Matilda bowed her head to accept his blessing.

"I was with Prior John when I heard of your plight, my lady, " he went on. "Some of the lay brothers are bringing furnishings across for you and I have sent to my house at Llanddeu for other comforts that may help you. I am sorry you should find Brecknock so unready for you. "

"It's my own fault. " She found herself responding to his warm smile. "I brought no retinue, Archdeacon. No escort except for the one John Picard there could spare me, out of his kindness. I was foolish to come, I suppose. "

He scrutinized her face for a moment and then grinned boyishly. "I can understand you wanting to come here.

One's home is always the best place to be, and I believe women in your condition frequently conceive such fancies. After all, where else should your child be born but here?"

She felt herself blushing at his outspokenness and, drawing her mantle more closely around her, she retreated to the fire where she stood and watched as two sandaled lay brothers from the priory carried in a folding stool and set it down near her. They were followed by others with trestles and tabletops for the dais, benches, and candlesticks. Finally a linen cloth was produced and carefully laid on the table. Matilda waited in silence as the hall was transformed. Slowly, through Gerald's eyes, she was beginning to see the funny side of her undignified arrival. He had been watching her closely and he didn't drop his eyes when she caught his stare, but grinned pleasantly once more. "Better?" he inquired humorously.

She laughed. "Much better, Archdeacon. I don't know how to thank you. "

"Don't bother. My own reading chair is on its way down to you from Llanddeu. You will find it easier sitting on a chair with a back, I should imagine. If there's anything you need, or any help wanted, send for me. I'm usually there when I'm not traveling around the diocese. " He stepped forward and took her hand earnestly. "I'll take my leave now, I can see you're tired. But remember, I'm there if you need me. "

John Picard raised an eyebrow as Gerald left. "An intense young man, that. But I'm glad he's here. He'll keep an eye on you till your husband comes. " He leaned back, tucking bis thumbs comfortably into his belt.

It was from Sir Robert Mortimer that she at last understood the full extent of the danger in which she stood and which the Picards had managed to keep from her throughout the winter. John Picard had left at dawn the next morning, bidding her a cheerful good-bye and leaving her with a smacking kiss on the cheek, then Sir Robert had found his way to Matilda's side.

"I've ordered a double guard, my lady, on the walls and on the gate, and I've told them to keep the townsfolk out for now, " he reported.

"Why?" She stopped clearing a pile of linen from the table and turned to look at him, puzzled. Nell went on folding the material, but her eyes too were fixed on the constable's face.

"We cannot take any risks with you here at Brecknock, my lady. Things have been peaceful this winter. We've had no trouble, but now you're here I'd expect them to have a go at you. " He clenched his fist over the hilt of his sword.

"Have a go? Who?" Matilda narrowed her eyes.

"The Welshies of course, my lady. An eye for an eye; a death for a death, all that. You've heard of the galanas?"

She looked puzzled and he shook his head. "The blood feud. They will seek revenge, my lady. It's the law of these hills. Then, no doubt, if they get it, your descendants and relatives will seek theirs in their turn and so on it will go. It's the way the Marches takes their justice. "

Matilda shivered. "So Seisyll's wife died?"

He shrugged. "As to that, I haven't heard for sure. But we've got to assume you'll be a target, with Sir William away at Windsor or wherever. Did the Picards not warn you?"

Matilda licked her lips nervously. "Yes, they did mention it. Lady Picard told me of the feud, but I paid no attention— I was ill... I must have put them in great danger while I was there. " She walked over toward the hearth, her light-green skirts sweeping the rushes. "They sheltered me all winter, Sir Robert, and never let me know that. "

Sir Robert rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. "Aye, they're good folk right enough. "

"Let the townspeople come and go as usual. I don't want them to resent me from the start. Give me a bodyguard of some sort, that'll be enough. These are my husband's people after all, not Seisyll's. I'm sure they're not involved in any feud. "

Sir Robert frowned. He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "There's something I think you should understand, my lady. " He looked at the floor, embarrassed. "The thing is, your husband is not exactly well liked by the people. These lordships came to him from the family of his lady