First came the knock, then the summons.
William the Scribbler, you are hereby and forthwithly commanded, without delay, to attend upon your lord, Robert Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, in the Great Hall of Leicester castle.
I really didnt know what to make of this, and I was right. Nothing had gone horribly afoul lately, so why would the Earl need to deal directly with me now? Keeping my wits under control, I told myself that the voice was familiar enough, if not the formality. I rose and turned to the speaker, asking, Osgod, are you practicing on me?
The curtain was pulled aside, and the messenger entered our room. He was dressed in the Earls dark green livery, an extraordinary change from the peasant rags of the past. His long face was all smiles. The Earl does want you, and I might as well learn to do the job properly. Osgod looked at me expectantly, and then dodged the pillow Edythe threw at him. He was a recent addition to the Earls household, and fully understood that it was my recommendation to Adam the Marshal that had gotten him out of the stables. I had been helping Adam for a few years, hoped to be his successor, and thought it would be useful to have a capable friend already in place.
Edy had been sitting with me on the bed. She stood up and walked over to join us, an unhappy look beginning to take hold. I could imagine her envisioning the possible consequences of this summons. She was very new here, and although aware that I had some standing with the Earl, couldnt know that there were times he was personally involved in my life. What she could tell was that our five-minute affair was at a critical juncture, and her clothes were still on. Throwing the pillow hinted at the depth of her feeling, this distinctly being an unwanted command.
Or possibly it was something else. There was still a little mystery about Edythes behavior. Her dark coloring enhanced the searching look that she split between the two of us. Its message was obvious, and Osgod, who certainly was surprised to see her, reacted quickly enough to give an accurate, but useless, answer. Oz declared that he didnt know what was happening, and of course the Earl wouldnt tell him anything of significance.
Edythe had just been temporarily paroled from two weeks in the kitchen, and, hearing this blank statement, clutched at my arm and asked, What are you going to do?
I said, You know that I must obey my lord, and that we dont know yet whether this is good news or bad, or which would be worse. Having failed at reassurance, I continued, Well figure out where we stand as soon as possible. Remember, no matter what happens to me, youre still under Earl Roberts protection. That had an immediate impact.
Her eyes widened dramatically as she said Really? Edy then stepped back slightly, the frown disappearing. I said, Thats right. Youve been working in the kitchen for a while, you must have been accepted by Ralf the Steward. You certainly have a place in Leicester, and it is not dependent on what happens to me. We drifted into a hug, and for a few moments I engulfed her petite frame. At the same time, the thought occurred that Edy might have considered me her protector. Hopeless in any practical way, the idea was intriguing, for she had taken to me when she shouldnt, and this aborted rendezvous was mostly her doing. I tried to convince myself that there was nothing to worry about, but inevitably her motivation was a topic that would linger in my mind. Possessiveness starts very quickly.
Osgod tapped my shoulder, saying that it was time to go. I released my little lovely and grabbed the writing kit. Howsoever, I came to the conclusion that, no matter what I thought, her existence may still have felt tenuous. Meanwhile, Edythe went and retrieved the pillow, clutching it tightly to her breast.
On our way, almost. A kiss and a pinch intervened before Osgod held the curtain open for me, and I stepped into the hallway. While he picked up the pillow that again came flying in our direction, I looked around to see what had been used to create the original knock, in the absence of a door. There wasnt anything obvious. Osgod was learning rapidly.
We started down the hallway, and had reached the stairs, when I reminded him that Earl Robert didnt need the pillow. Oz assured me that if Edythe was abandoning property, it rightfully belonged to her lord. I had to admit he was correct, except that it was my property, and Edy couldnt abandon it. Then you carry it, was his reply, so I did.
Osgod wanted to talk about Edythe, but I wanted to think about me. He won. Scribbler, he asked, Whose wife is she?
I know Norman males take great delight in despoiling English brides, but we dont just sit around waiting for it to happen. Well ruin local women whenever circumstances permit.
Oz expression had taken a turn to the serious. Ods Muffins, Scribbler. We should really dislike you, just the same as any other Norman. Youre overly proud of your status, but youre frustratingly good-natured about it. The stablers also agree youve been fair with us, and theres usually nothing underhanded about you.
I had started to build a nice smug look when he finished his thought. So, why didnt you answer my question? I was trying to create some reply to this when his face twitched back into a smile, thus giving himself away. He had just cleverly manipulated me into telling him all about my little lovely.
As far as I know she isnt married, her betrothed having gone off to be a foot soldier for Stephen, and not returning. She is a cottager from Agra Legra, and I found her entering the castle with the washerwomen when I was doing head count a few weeks ago. Pulling her aside, I found that she was shaking like you did when you were with your first girl.
She must have been in bad shape, was his reply.
I agreed. A complete mess.
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