Lord of My Heart (38 page)

Madeleine and Aimery were seated by local dignitaries, too, and did their best to make a good impression. Their ability to converse in English was appreciated. Looking around, Madeleine could see communication was stilted in many places. Did it not occur to many Normans to learn the tongue of this land? Apparently not. They were waiting for the English to learn French.

She remembered Hereward’s prediction that English would be the language here in the future. It seemed unlikely.

She looked nervously at the far side, where Odo’s men were seated. She had no way of knowing which was the man who could recognize Golden Hart, and she saw no one gazing their way with suspicion. She had to copy Aimery and put the matter out of her mind or she’d go mad, but she didn’t have his training in fatalism.

Her worries were broken by a disturbance at the doors. A party swept in, led by a striking blond woman of middle years. She was not particularly beautiful, but there was humor and character in her face, and she possessed snapping bright eyes. Madeleine’s attention, however, was caught by a figure trailing behind the woman and her guards.

What was Aldreda doing here? Joining Aimery?

Aimery stood suddenly. Madeleine stared at him in astonishment as he moved quickly toward the group, delight on his face. Her pain was sharp. He would betray her thus before the whole company?

He swept the blond woman into his arms. “Mother!”

Madeleine stood slowly, prey to a mixture of relief and guilt. She looked again at Aldreda, and the woman’s sharp gaze met hers, and hardened. Why was Aldreda looking at her as if Madeleine were a chicken for the pot?

But there was no time for speculation now. Aimery was calling her forward, the queen was summoning them all to her, the Lady Lucia’s party was being settled and fed.

Madeleine found herself wrapped in a warm, cushiony embrace. “My dearest daughter! You are so pretty. How did the worthless wretch win himself such a lovely bride?” As they went to the queen, Lucia explained, “I saw how it would be. I could sit in Normandy and turn to stone before my husband or son gave a thought to me, so I came.”

Lucia curtsied respectfully to the queen, but said as she rose, “Matilda, you must be crazed.”

The queen laughed. “People have said that to me all my life. Sweet Savior, but it’s good to have you here, Lucia. Sit here and tell me all the news. You can huddle with your son later.” She waved Aimery and Madeleine away, but they heard her say, “He’s doing very well, by the way. You can be proud of him.”

“I always am,” said Lucia. “Are you in labor yet, or are you just waiting to burst like a pea pod?”

Madeleine and Aimery shared a grin as they resumed their seats. “She’s lovely,” said Madeleine.

“Yes, but don’t be deceived. Even Father shakes in his shoes if she takes up an issue. We may at last have hope of the queen seeing sense.”

“I pray it is so.” Madeleine toyed with a pastry. “Did you see Aldreda?”

He looked up. “Where?”

His reaction was a relief to her. Madeleine pointed the woman out. “She came with your mother.”

“Mother must have stopped at Baddersley then,” he remarked without great interest. “But why would she bring Aldreda?”

“And why,” asked Madeleine pointedly, “would Aldreda want to come?”

The man was harassed. “I have nothing suitable, Lady Madeleine. Every inch is taken in the ladies’ rooms.”

“You mustn’t concern yourself,” said Lucia. “I am not so soft that I can’t sleep in the hall or the stables.”

“Oh, dear,” said the man. “It isn’t right.” He suddenly brightened. “Perhaps the lady could share your room, Lady Madeleine.”

Madeleine thought of the private room and knew it was right. Not only was it right that Lucia have some comfort, but it was right that she and Aimery not be tempted yet. It wasn’t a question of a vow anymore, but matters must be truly settled between them if they were to find happiness. “An excellent idea,” she said. “Come along, my lady.”

When they arrived at the chamber, Lucia looked around and said, “This is yours and Aimery’s.”

“Yes,” said Madeleine, “but your sleeping here will not inconvenience us, I assure you.”

“That,” said Lucia, “sounds most unnatural.”

Madeleine’s face burned. “We’re both very tired these days.”

“I can’t say a day’s travel would have stopped Guy and me. Or would now, were he here.”

Madeleine didn’t know what to say to such plain, lusty talk, and took silver goblets out of a chest.

“I know your marriage was strangely arranged,” said Lucia. “Have you learned to deal together?”

Madeleine busied herself in pouring wine. “Now and then,” she said, and passed a goblet to the older woman.

Lucia laughed. “And I should mind my own business. Forgive me, my dear. It’s hard to have but one chick. He looks well, if tired.”

Madeleine sighed but smiled. “Believe me, getting Matilda to York is enough to turn us all gray.”

Aimery came in to catch the end of that. “True enough. Have you changed her mind, Mother?”

“No, and I doubt I can. She’s as aware as any of you of the problems, but she’s shaped her fate by force of will all her life and believes she always can.” Lucia shrugged. “Knowing Matilda, I would say the chances of the babe being born in York as she intends are extremely high.”

Aimery drained the wine Madeleine gave him. “So be it. We should make Gainsborough tomorrow, then Airmyn, then York. Only three more days and all on water. Now,” he said, throwing himself down on a bench next to his mother, “tell me your adventures, and all the news from home.”

Madeleine pretended she had forgotten a duty to the queen and gave them some time together. When she returned, Lucia smiled her thanks. A little later Aimery left to do his nightly inspection of his force, leaving the two women alone.

“He’s grown so,” said Lucia, half proud, half sad.

“I have not known him any other way.”

Lucia lovingly folded the cloak Aimery had dropped on a chest. “It seems an astonishingly short time since he was a babe at my breast, a mere moment since he was all legs and arms and a voice slipping out of control.. .” She took a deep breath. “You must pardon a foolish mother ...”

Madeleine hugged her. “I pardon you anything, for you have given me Aimery.”

Lucia pulled back to look at her. “Is it so?” She smiled. “Then I am content. You will keep him safe. I worry about him being in England, and I know Guy has been deeply concerned. Even I find the situation here painful, and I am not called upon to fight.”

Madeleine wondered just how she was supposed to keep Aimery safe, then remembered Hengar and shuddered. “Hereward is your brother, isn’t he?”

Lucia clucked. “Yes, and if I have the chance I’ll give him a piece of my mind. Men! There’s no turning back time. He should bow to the inevitable.”

As they undressed, Madeleine ventured the subject of Aldreda. “I saw a woman from Baddersley in your party. Why is she here?”

“The weaver? When I stopped there looking for you, she asked to come. She has recently lost her husband and needs to travel to a brother in York. Is there a problem?”

Madeleine shook her head. “Except that her husband was found murdered at Huntingdon when we stopped there. The culprit has not been found. Likely enough she does have relatives in York.” But Madeleine wondered. She had never heard of such relatives. And where exactly was Aimery now?

Madeleine had to fight an urge to go in search of him, to check if he was with Aldreda.

Madeleine and Lucia shared the bed. As they settled there Lucia said, “Poor woman. Especially as she is expecting a child.”

Madeleine stiffened. “She is? She shows no sign.”

“No, but she said she is pregnant.”

Aimery came in with a straw mattress and settled himself in a corner. Madeleine looked up at the painted beams. Aldreda had quickened with only one child, said to be Aimery’s. Now she was with child again.

“Lady Madeleine,” she said demurely, “I hope you do not mind my coming here with your lord’s mother.”

Madeleine faced the woman warily. “Of course not,” she lied. “I understand you seek relatives in York.”

The woman’s eyes shifted, revealing the lie. “It’s hard for a woman to lose her man, Lady.”

“I’m sure it is. I will be happy to arrange another marriage for you. Did the sheriff tell you I will pay the
wergild!
Twenty shillings, I believe.”

“Aye,” said Aldreda, adding boldly, “and I’m wondering why you would do that.”

“I am your lord in Baddersley,” said Madeleine calmly. “Your welfare is my concern, and I fear your husband’s murderer will never be found.”

“Do you, indeed?” said Aldreda with a distinct sneer. “Time will tell. But thank you for the
wergild,
Lady. It will come in useful. After all, I have a daughter to settle.”

Madeleine couldn’t hold it back. “And another babe on the way, I understand. When is it due?”

“Next Eastertide, or thereabouts, Lady.” Aldreda’s smile was cat-like. “Conceived so little time ago.”

“A blessing,” said Madeline tightly, “to bear a child after so many barren years. Did you say special prayers?”

The woman smirked. “I certainly did something special, Lady.”

Aldreda bowed herself away. When next Madeleine saw her, she was talking to Odo, of all people. That made Madeleine very uneasy. First d’Oilly’s man, now Aldreda. Though Odo’s ambitions had taken other directions, Madeleine knew he would do her and Aimery a mischief if he could, and her instinct told her Aldreda was mischief incarnate.

They traveled the Foss Dyke in two relays of small barges, then embarked on larger vessels at the port of Torksey for the trip up the Trent. During the wait at Torksey the women kept the queen active, but once they were on the water again, she was condemned to sitting still. Though the litter had been a trial to her, on the road she had been able to demand frequent stops to walk around. The barges were wide boats, but with the large number of passengers and the oarsmen, there was little room to move. Matilda was uncomfortable and let everyone know it.

If it hadn’t been for the queen’s complaints, Madeleine would have enjoyed the peaceful glide through green countryside, but as it was she was immensely relieved to see Gainsborough. She offered prayers that the queen’s labor would come on her there and put them all out of their misery.

Despite all the signs, and the silent prayers of her attendants, the queen did not go into labor in Gainsborough. Madeleine and Adele even discussed using herbs which would bring on labor, but the risks probably outweighed the advantages.

Only probably. Madeleine was nervous of the queen giving birth away from a town with only her personal guard to protect her and the babe.

The further north they traveled, the further away she felt from civilization. This part of England was clearly less under Norman control, and the people looked more Norse than Saxon. Though Gainsborough seemed prosperous and peaceful, the inhabitants regarded the invaders askance, and muttered curses beneath their breath. If trouble was to occur, there would be many willing accomplices.

As Madeleine waited to board her barge, Aimery came to stand beside her. “You look worried.”

She snorted with exasperation. “And you aren’t?”

He laughed. “At a certain point, worrying becomes pointless. Odo has no head for geography and is too arrogant to listen to those who have. He got lost on his way here and arrived after the rearguard. Allan de Ferrers is so nervous to be in the wicked north he’s racing ahead expecting two-headed monsters to leap out from behind every bush. It seems impossible to expect them to keep pace with the barges. I’m wondering what the penalties are for tying a pregnant queen to a post and keeping her here.”

Madeleine couldn’t share his humor. “This is a mad enterprise, isn’t it? Perhaps Hereward was right, and the line will not survive. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end.”

She saw him sober. “Hereward was right,” he said simply. “Hereward is always right.”

“Is he?” Madeleine asked, fear sharpening her voice. “Then why are you here with us, instead of with him?”

“Because it’s my duty to get the queen safely to York.” His voice had matched hers in sharpness, but now he moderated it. “Madeleine, I do not serve Hereward. We should have sorted this out long ago.”

“You forget. I heard you promise.”

She could see his patience straining. “Yes, but not what. I am oath-bound to secrecy, but the service was not disloyal, and it is long over with. Believe me.”

She wanted to so badly. “You mean no harm to the queen or the babe?”

He was shocked. “Is that what you think?”

She bit her lip. “It was all I could imagine. I’m sorry.”

He turned away, and it was as if a wall grew up between them. “Am I a fool for wanting your trust? Am I going to have to prove my honesty afresh every day of my life?”

“I had reasons for doubting you,” Madeleine protested. “You can’t deny that.”

“You had my word that I was loyal.” He looked back at her, and she thought it was all right. But then he merely said, “Get aboard,” and walked away.