Bestowing a warm smile on him, she turned away and moved across to gaze out of the window. She pondered. Richard de Fontenel had much to recommend him as a husband. He had wealth, position and power. His manor house was one of the largest in the county, his estates scattered across Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincoln and Essex. In Normandy, too, he had substantial holdings. The lady Adelaide was tempted by his proposal but two things held her back. The first was the fact that her beloved husband, Geoffrey, had been killed in a hunting accident while riding out with de Fontenel and that memory still festered. The second obstacle concerned her host’s relationship with his two previous wives. One had died in childbirth and the other had been carried off by a fever, but it was rumoured that he treated both with a harshness unbecoming in a devoted husband.
Richard de Fontenel was a hard man in a world that punished softness. He was ruthless, ambitious and acquisitive. The lady Adelaide’s fear was that she would be one more prize to be added to his collection. Though he was wooing her gently now, his manner might change sharply once she had succumbed. There was the additional problem of providing an heir for a childless husband. That phase of her life, she hoped, was over. Having already brought two children into the world, she did not wish to go through the ordeal again. Her hesitation shaded into reluctance.
Watching her carefully, he moved across to stand behind her shoulder. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘How fine your garden is,’ she said, pointing at the avenue of trees.
‘Fine enough to make you yearn to share it with me?’
‘Perhaps, my lord.’
‘And perhaps not?’
She turned to face him. ‘It’s not an easy decision.’
‘What’s making it so difficult?’
‘Memories,’ she whispered. ‘And the presence of a rival.’
‘Mauger is no rival,’ he snarled. ‘He’s a grasping rogue. While I was away on my travels, he had the temerity to claim land that is rightfully mine. Fortunately, when they compiled their returns for this county, the commissioners did not believe him. Even as we speak, a second team of commissioners is on its way to Norfolk to settle the dispute between us.’ He became earnest. ‘Settle the more important dispute between us, Adelaide. Mauger is no fit husband for you. Discard him and choose me.’
‘Why must I accept either of you?’
‘Because it’s my destiny!’
There was anger as well as exasperation in his voice. The lady Adelaide was too composed to let her feelings show but he sensed her disapproval. Making an effort to control his temper, he showered her with apologies, then conducted her to a chair.
‘You must do as you wish, Adelaide,’ he said.
‘I intend to, my lord.’
‘All I ask is that you hear me out.’
‘That’s the least you deserve.’
Her smile encouraged him to show his hand more clearly. Richard de Fontenel had admired her from afar for years. He spoke of his continuing affection and of the deep sympathy he felt for her at the tragic death of her husband. Honest about his faults, he was profuse in his vows. The lady Adelaide listened attentively, enjoying the flattery without being taken in by it and making an occasional mention of her other suitor in order to prick him into a response. Courtship was preferable to marriage. While she had two suitors paying their attentions to her, she could play them off against each other in order to secure advantages for herself. Eventually, however, the game would have to end.
Richard do Fontenel was persuasive. As the time slipped past, he slowly began to gain ground. He talked so fondly about his previous wives that she disregarded all the rumours she had heard. She even forgot some of the dire warnings her husband had given her about the man who was now bidding to replace him. The lady Adelaide was tempted afresh. When he pleaded with her to marry him, she gave the matter serious thought.
‘Let me see them again,’ she said at length.
‘See what?’
‘The two elephants, of course.’
His hopes rose. ‘Then you accept my proposal?’
‘Allow me a little more time.’
Concealing his disappointment, he gave a nod, then escorted her out of the room. They went down a passageway until they reached a door at the far end. He unhooked the keys from his belt and inserted one into the lock.
‘This door is solid oak,’ he boasted. ‘I like to protect my property.’
She was almost flirtatious. ‘Is this where you would lock me up as well?’
‘No, Adelaide. I’d never let you out of my sight.’
He opened the door and they stepped into a small room that smelled of damp. Light came in through the cracks in the shutters but the iron bar that held them in place made it impossible to open them from outside. Three large wooden chests took up most of the floor space. Her companion went to a smaller chest that stood on the table. Made of elm, the chest was reinforced with iron bands. He chose a key and offered it to her.
‘You open it,’ he suggested.
‘Shall I?’
‘The elephants are yours.’
She took the key and pushed it into the lock before giving it a sharp twist. Lifting back the lid, she expected to feast her eyes on the two gold miniatures, but a rude shock awaited her. The chest was completely empty.
‘Where are they, my lord?’ she asked.
‘My steward should have put them back.’
‘Who else has a key?’
‘Nobody apart from Hermer and myself.’ He stepped back into the passageway and roared at the top of his voice. ‘Hermer! Hermer, where are you, man!’
When repeated yells failed to elicit a response, he went charging off in a fury. The lady Adelaide could hear him calling for his steward and howling at his servants. It was minutes before he appeared. Richard de Fontenel’s face was puce with rage.
‘He’s not here,’ he said, biting his lip. ‘Hermer has gone.’
His guest heaved a sigh and looked down at the empty box.
‘So have the elephants,’ she said.
Chapter One
Love had finally won the battle against caution. Protracted absences from home made Gervase Bret miss his young wife so much that he eventually decided to take her with him when he next ventured out of Winchester on royal business. Hitherto, he had always persuaded himself that Alys was too delicate to undertake a long journey and that it was wrong to expose her to the potential dangers of travelling through open country. Gervase was also concerned that his wife’s presence would be a distraction, taking his attention away from the important judicial work that he and the other commissioners had to complete in each designated county. Long nights in a lonely bed made such arguments less convincing. Setting aside his reservations, therefore, he invited Alys to join him on the trip to Norfolk and was delighted at the alacrity of her response.
Early fears were soon confounded. Though small and slight, she had an innate strength that kept fatigue at bay. No additional periods of rest were necessary on her account. Alys proved herself a competent horsewoman and revelled in the opportunity of leaving her native Hampshire and seeing something of the rest of the country. What was an onerous assignment for her husband was a wonderful adventure to her. After only one day, Gervase realised that he did not, after all, have to watch over her so anxiously. Alys was well able to take care of herself and she was an ideal companion for Ralph Delchard’s wife, Golde, a seasoned traveller with the commissioners. They might come from different backgrounds but the beautiful young Norman lady and the Saxon thegn’s daughter showed a sisterly affection for each other. Gervase was able to relax. The decision to bring his wife was already yielding up more than one bonus.
Her value to the expedition had not gone unnoticed by Brother Daniel.
‘You are a fortunate man to possess such a wife,’ he observed, fondly.
‘I know,’ said Gervase.
‘Anyone can see that you bring each other great joy. Your good lady also helps to cleanse the minds and mouths of the company.’