The Saxon. Margaret Moore

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СКАЧАТЬ wisely. That way, Adelar knew, he could later say he agreed with both those who welcomed the alliance and those who were against it. As for Father Derrick, he was like a marble effigy, expressionless except for his disapproving eyes.

      “She is as lovely as Freya, as wise as Baldur, and Endredi speaks the Saxon tongue,” Dagfinn said eagerly.

      Again Adelar had to struggle to keep his face expressionless. Surely, surely there were other Viking women who had learned the Saxon tongue and who were wise in healing arts.

      “What did he say?” Bayard demanded.

      “He says the woman is wise, beautiful and speaks our language.”

      Suddenly Father Derrick stepped forward. “Is she Christian?” he asked sternly.

      “She has had the ceremony of the water,” Dagfinn answered.

      His Endredi was not a Christian, and she had never been baptised. But years had passed and everything could have changed.

      Father Derrick, apparently satisfied, returned to his place in the shadows.

      The men haggled for a short time over the bride price, and again over the gifts to Endredi, but all knew it was only because it was expected. The true goal had already been achieved when Bayard had agreed to the marriage.

      “We are finished, then,” Dagfinn said, heaving himself to his feet when they decided on the sums. “We will bring her in a fortnight when the roads are clear.”

      Bayard rose, too. “I will have the wedding feast prepared.”

      The Dane nodded as Adelar finished speaking. Then he turned and strode to the entrance of the hall, followed by his men. The Saxons watched silently while the Danes collected their weapons and left.

      “You are making a mistake, Uncle,” Ranulf declared immediately. “Cynath will not be pleased.”

      Not for the first time, Adelar was disgusted by Ranulf’s lack of discernment. He had been one of Bayard’s men for longer than Adelar, yet he could not seem to comprehend that there was no point to question one of Bayard’s decisions after it had already been made.

      Bayard faced his nephew. “Unless I have lost my wits,” he said with deceptive calm, “it was you who first suggested making an alliance, Ranulf. There is no cause for second thoughts now. Cynath knows that he has my complete loyalty, and so does the king.”

      “By king you mean Edward?”

      Bayard’s expression was hard as flint. “He is the Britwalda, King of the Britons, and anyone who says otherwise has no place in my hall.”

      “Of course, my lord,” Ranulf replied hastily. “I meant nothing else. But what of the woman’s loyalty?”

      Adelar darted a condemning look at Ranulf’s lean, anxious face. “Are you saying you doubt that Bayard can control his own wife? That he will be influenced by a bright eye or soft cheek?” he asked, inwardly hoping it would not be so, and that perhaps Bayard would hear his words as a warning.

      “Not at all,” Ranulf answered, reddening under the scrutiny of the two men whose haughty, stern eyes were so alike. “Naturally I wish that this marriage may be a happy one.”

      “Women are evil creatures, full of sin and temptation,” Father Derrick said, his stern, deep voice commanding silence. “Men should beware their traps and snares.”

      “Yes, Father,” Bayard replied peaceably. “I regret that I cannot be as strong as you in denying the desires of the flesh, but I shall be very careful. And this is merely a marriage of necessity.”

      “That is good, my son.”

      “Now you must all join me in a pledge of loyalty to any future children this marriage will bring.”

      Ranulf struggled to look pleased. “Yes, my lord. To your children.”

      Bayard lifted his goblet. “To my heir.” For only a moment, Adelar thought he saw a look of pain in Bayard’s eyes, but it passed before he could be sure it was pain and not mere annoyance with Ranulf. “This alliance should ensure that my land will be safe for someone to inherit when I am dead. The woman’s dowry will also enrich my estate.”

      “My lord, surely you know I hope you will live a long and happy life and leave many sons to follow you,” Ranulf said.

      “I know precisely what you hope, Ranulf,” Bayard replied.

      “Beware the yearning for earthly wealth,” Father Derrick intoned. “A camel can pass through the eye of a needle sooner than a rich man enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

      “Thank you, Father, for your timely reminder,” Bayard responded with his usual good humor. “Someone find Godwin. We need music—oh, there you are, Godwin. No time for hanging about in the shadows, gleeman. Sing something suitable for the occasion. Adelar, where is your ale? Are you not going to drink to my impending marriage and my future bride? What was her name?”

      “Endredi,” Adelar replied, looking about for that timid female slave. “Ale!” he shouted impatiently. He wanted to get very drunk very quickly.

      But not for celebration. He wanted to forget.

      * * *

      Ranulf’s wife shoved his wandering hand away. “I’m talking to you about serious matters, dolt!” Ordella said sharply, her pale blue eyes seeming to glow in the dim building.

      Ranulf, lying beside her in bed, gave her a peevish look. “And I’m acting like a husband.”

      “Speak quietly, you lustful beast. A husband would have his family’s interest in mind, and that is what I am trying to discuss.”

      “Oh, very well.” Ranulf shifted to a sitting position in his bed. In the other part of the building, which was only half the size of Bayard’s hall, slaves and servants slumbered. His wife, however, had the amazing ability to sound as if she was almost shouting without waking anyone. “What is it?”

      “I want to know what you are going to do about this marriage.”

      “Do about it? Nothing. An agreement has been made.”

      “Because of your stupidity.”

      “Mine? I am not marrying some Viking widow. And you yourself said we should make peace with the Vikings. If the betrothal is broken now, who knows what those savages might do?”

      “I didn’t mean a marriage alliance.”

      “And I tell you again, I did not suggest it. Dagfinn did, and Bayard agreed.”

      “Yes—and for that reason alone you should have stopped it.”

      “I should have stepped into the middle of the discussion and ordered Bayard to refuse?” Ranulf asked scornfully. “He would have had me tossed from the hall.”

      “If you had been witless about it, of course he would,” she snapped. “You merely needed to find a way to delay the negotiations. Then СКАЧАТЬ