‘Was it taken away from him?’
‘It is not for me to say.’
‘But you must have heard rumours.’
‘My whole life consists of hearing rumours,’ said Caradoc with a grin. ‘Rumours and snores, to be exact. For my wife works as hard as we do and she is so tired that she snores her way to heaven every night.’
‘Tell me about these rumours.’
‘I pay no heed to them.’
‘Do they paint the lord Hamelin in a favourable light?’
‘No, Master Bret.’
‘How does he deal with trespassers?’
‘Harshly, I think.’
‘Have you ever heard of one Querengar the Breton?’
‘Yes,’ replied the other. ‘A decent man, by all accounts. He holds land near a kinsman of mine in one of the commotes. Unlike most of the others, he has tried to adapt to Welsh customs.’
‘Did you know that he has an interest in the Westbury Hundred?’
‘No, Master Bret.’
‘So he has never held land there?’
‘Not to my knowledge, but that is very limited. Querengar may have held it in the past but I doubt that he does so now.’
‘Why?’
‘Because of the lord Hamelin. He rules the roost.’
‘By force of arms?’
‘There have been stories. How true they are, I have no notion.
For my own part, I will not say a word against the lord Hamelin.’
Another grin. ‘And certainly not against this fabled wife of his. She came from France, they tell me. Her beauty holds everyone in thrall.’
‘I see that you do pay heed to rumours, after all.’
‘Only pleasant ones.’
‘Are all the others unpleasant, Caradoc?’
‘We must move on,’ said Ralph with a nudge. ‘Hurry, Gervase.’
‘A last question, then. Tell me, my friend, is the name of Abraham the Priest known to you?’
‘Why, yes. Known and respected. A wonderful man.’
‘Yet you are not part of his diocese here.’
‘That does not stop him visiting this area. Abraham is a kind man. I have met him a number of times and always enjoyed his company.’
‘What brings him this far afield?’
‘The spirit of friendship.’
‘There must be something else.’
‘Not to my mind.’
‘Does he ever talk about the others I’ve mentioned? Hamelin of Lisieux? Querengar the Breton?’
‘Neither, but Strang’s name sometimes passes his lips.’
‘With some distaste, I fancy.’
‘Yes, Master Bret, though I cannot say why.’
‘Gervase,’ called Ralph. ‘We must away.’
‘One second, please.’
‘You’ve asked a dozen last questions already.’
‘It must take the archdeacon a long time to get here,’ said Gervase, ignoring Ralph’s impatience. ‘He would have to ride in a loop around lord Hamelin’s holdings. Unless, of course, he rides across them.’
‘He would be a brave man if he did that.’
‘Too hazardous?’
‘According to the rumours,’ said Caradoc. ‘I am also sure that neither Strang nor Querengar would dare to venture on to that land. In fact, there is only one man I know who rode into Westbury Hundred without the slightest sign of fear.’
‘Who was that?’ asked Gervase.
‘The man you’ve been asking me about.’
‘Your rent collector?’
‘Yes. Brother Nicholas.’
It was impossible not to notice the commotion. From the window of their chamber, Golde could see the activity down in the bailey.
Soldiers were being mustered, orders given, visible attempts at smartening up made. Provisions began arriving in large quantities; butchers, bakers and other tradesmen delivered their wares to waiting servants who hurried away to the kitchens. Inside the keep itself, the sound of bustle and urgency drifted up to Golde.
She guessed its meaning at once. A pattern of behaviour which she had seen so many times at Hereford Castle was repeating itself here. Important visitors were coming. The mild panic down below gave her an idea of the scale of their importance.
When Golde went down to join her hostess, Maud was not in her customary position with her embroidery. Instead, she was issuing shrill orders to a bevy of female servants before shooing them out with fluttering hands. She gave Golde a strained smile of welcome.
‘We are having more guests,’ she explained.
‘I gathered that.’
‘Durand has only just told me. That’s so typical of him. We have no time to prepare, no time to make the castle look its best. Why on earth didn’t you warn me, Golde?’ she scolded, waving a finger. ‘You must have known that this was in the wind.’
‘Must I?’
‘Of course. Durand told your husband when the message first came. And since the lord Ralph hides nothing from you, he must have confided the tidings.’
‘What tidings, my lady?’
‘The possibility of a royal visit.’
Golde was surprised. ‘The King is coming here?’
‘He should arrive by nightfall.’
‘I see.’
‘Bishop Wulfstan has already ridden into Gloucester and there may be other counsellors due before long. They will find us in disarray.’
‘Not at all, my lady,’ said Golde, trying to adjust her mind to the news. ‘It’s a great honour to be given a royal visit. I am sure that King William will find nothing about which he can complain.’
‘Durand has already found a hundred things. He left my ears buzzing. That is why I am rushing around in such a frenzy.’
‘Then I will not get under your feet, my lady.’
Seeing the chance to withdraw, Golde took it gratefully and moved towards the door. Maud hurried across to intercept her.
‘Answer my question first,’ she demanded.
‘What question?’
‘Are we not friends, Golde?’
‘Of course, my lady.’
‘Then why did you not have the kindness to warn your friend?
It is embarrassing to be the last person to know. How can I play the hostess if I am not told that guests are descending on me?’
‘It was unfair of your husband to keep it from you.’
‘Forget my husband. Talk about yours.’
‘Ralph?’
‘Yes,’ said Maud tartly. ‘When did he tell you?’
‘Well …’
‘Come on. You pretended to be surprised at tidings you already know. How long have you been keeping this secret from me?’
‘I have kept nothing from you, my lady.’
‘Then why remain silent?’ She saw the dismay in Golde’s face and her anger mellowed into sarcasm. ‘So? The lord Ralph is not the paragon you imagined. He is not the soul of honesty, after all. You have been deceived as cruelly as I have, Golde. The wonderful husband who tells you everything has this time held his tongue.’
‘With good reason, I am sure,’ said Golde loyally.
‘An excellent reason. It is the one used by Durand. I am a wife. A mere woman. I have to wait my turn in the queue before I learn what is going on.’ She gave a cold smile. ‘It’s comforting to know that there is at least one person standing behind me in the queue.’
Golde reddened. ‘You have much to do, my lady. Excuse me.’
‘The lord Ralph did not tell you because he did not think it fit.’
‘That is a matter between the two of us.’
‘I wish that I could be there when you raise it.’
Golde dropped a curtsey then went quickly out through the door. Bitter recrimination took her all the way back up the stairs.
Her hostess had crowed over her. It was galling to be put in such a position and the fault lay squarely with Ralph. She vowed to tax him on the subject at the earliest opportunity. Sweeping into the room, she gave vent to her humiliation by slamming the door behind her and emitting a yell of rage.
They had ridden only a short distance across the Westbury Hundred before they were challenged. A horseman approached, waved them to a halt then demanded to know their names and their business. Ralph Delchard gave him a dusty answer and sent him on his way, peeved that anyone should dare to obstruct his way. He rode on with Gervase and his escort, stopping only when they met some of the sub-tenants who worked the land nominally held by Hamelin of Lisieux. It was an area of rich pastures and gurgling streams, undulating gently and dotted with woodland. They could see why it was sought after so eagerly by all four claimants.