Geoffrey witnessed his wife’s distress and hoped that she would not interfere. It was imperative that he have her grandfather’s trust and loyalty, and though he had not voiced his reasons to his wife, he expected her to keep her silence.
“Go to your husband.” The quiet instruction was heard by Geoffrey.
Elizabeth felt torn in half between the two. She wanted the time to explain her grandfather to her husband, and to explain her husband to her grandfather, but there was no time. She let go of her grandfather’s embrace and walked to stand on the step, beside her husband.
Silence filled the area as the two giants considered each other. It was a most difficult moment for Elizabeth. She did not know what she would do if her grandfather refused to bend to her husband’s will, did not know if her husband would truly carry out his threat to do battle . . .
The game ended. With absolute ease, her grandfather flipped off his cap and knelt on one knee before her husband. He placed his right hand over his heart and said in a clear and forceful voice, “I, Elslow Kent Hampton, give you my loyalty and vow on this day nare to betray you.”
It was an emotional moment for Elizabeth. She had never seen her grandfather so intent. His word was his bond, and all he had to give. It was his honor, his soul. Did her husband sense this about her grandfather? she wondered. No, he could not, for he barely knew him, she reminded herself. He could have no idea that her grandfather was as fiercely loyal as she was.
“Stand,” Geoffrey said. All harshness was gone from his voice and Elizabeth could tell he was pleased. Her husband walked down the steps and placed a hand on his new relative’s shoulder. “There is much I would discuss with you, and before night arrives, now that I have your loyalty.”
Geoffrey was not prepared for the mighty whack he received on his shoulder, nor the deep bellow of laughter that filled his ears, making them ring. “You will have my time, my lord, for time is all I have to give. And there is much on my mind also . . . much I would like to ask you.”
“So be it,” Geoffrey responded.
“You would have fought for my pledge?” the grandfather asked, chuckling.
“Aye, and won too,” Geoffrey replied, smiling.
“Do not be too sure of yourself. I’ve still strength left in these old bones. I’m thinking I’d have the advantage of the wisdom age gives.” His eyes sparkled at Geoffrey’s reaction.
The lord began to laugh. “Not a chance,” he replied. “I have the strength of younger bones, old man, and would have cut you down in one quick blow.”
“Ha! We will never know for sure, now, will we?” her grandfather teased. He threw his arm around Geoffrey just as if they had been boyhood friends and changed the subject before her husband could answer. “Know you the treasure you have in your new wife?” he asked. And then, before Geoffrey could speak, he said, “I have a terrible thirst for a cool drink, Baron. Share a toast with me to your marriage.”
Geoffrey was chuckling as the two men walked up the steps and disappeared behind the doors. Her grandfather was saying something in a low voice and then her husband’s deep laughter reached her ears. He was actually laughing! Elizabeth looked to the sky and saw that the sun was shining. Amazing, she thought. There wasn’t a single rain cloud in sight!
It was nearly the dinner hour, and still Geoffrey continued in deep conversation with Elizabeth’s grandfather. They sat at the long table, across from each other, with cups of ale before them. Twice she tried to join them in their discussion but both times the talk would stop and both men would simply stare at her. They made it very obvious that they did not wish her present.
She knew the talk concerned Belwain and the “other” that Geoffrey had hinted at and decided that they were planning their course of action. God, give me the strength to see this charade through, to look at Belwain and not plunge my knife into his heart.
Elizabeth grew increasingly restless. She sought solitude and went for a walk, and although she could not bring herself to visit the graves, she headed in that direction. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow to the horizon. In the distance, on the knoll, she could see the wooden crosses anointing the freshly turned earth, marking the area where her family was buried.
“Granddaughter?” Her grandfather’s voice intruded and she turned and watched him make his way to her.
“I was this very minute wishing you were by my side,” she said, smiling. “Grandfather, I am so very glad you are here.” She grabbed his hand with both of hers and held it in a tight grip.
“You were going to the graves?” her grandfather asked.
“No,” Elizabeth admitted. “I cannot say good-bye yet.”
“And have you wept for your parents, your sisters?” he asked, his voice soft.
“No. Perhaps when it is done, when Belwain is punished—”
“Do not wait,” her grandfather said, “cry for them now, before it becomes too bottled up inside you. It will tear at your insides then and make you a bitter woman. Your mother would not have wanted that.”
Elizabeth considered his advice and nodded. “I will try, if it will please you, Grandfather.”
“You always please me, Granddaughter. Don’t you know that?”
Elizabeth smiled. What he said was true. He gave her his love without restrictions, without rules. And most important, he accepted her for what she was.
“You have a new life now, Elizabeth. Are you truly content with Geoffrey?” he asked.
“It is too soon to know that,” Elizabeth replied. She let go of his hand and the two began to walk, side by side. “I try to follow my mother’s example in playing the wife, but find it a most arduous task. Geoffrey is nothing like father. He is so hard . . . like steel. And he covers his emotions so that I am never quite sure what he is thinking. I do not think he is content with me but that too is too soon to tell.”
“What makes you think him discontent?” her grandfather asked. “You have only been married one day,” he said, trying not to smile.
“Almost two, Grandfather, but you are right, it is too soon to make such a judgment. Still there are his rules . . .” Elizabeth paused, gathering her thoughts. Was it disloyal to discuss her husband with her grandfather? she considered.
“Rules?” her grandfather asked, nudging her into a decision.
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered. “Rules of how I should act, what I should do. I think he considers me ill-prepared to be his wife, and in truth, he is right. It is but a role I play and I do not know how long I can wear the mask of deceit.”
“I do not understand,” her grandfather said.
“I have not shown my temper once since meeting Geoffrey and have tried to act with great humility.” She saw that her grandfather was about to laugh and frowned up at him. “I have been a gentle, obedient wife these past two days.”
“The strain must be terrible,” her grandfather said, chuckling. His tone grew serious but the twinkle remained in his eyes when he added, “I do see your problem. You wish to be meek but find it not in your character.”
“Exactly.” Elizabeth was pleased that her grandfather understood. “It is most difficult indeed. To keep my thoughts inside.”
“Is it that you wish to be master here?” he teased.
“No, of course not!” Elizabeth was surprised by his question. “Please do not jest with me. I am most serious.”
“Then what is it you wish?”
Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to her grandfather. “To be a good wife, to rule with my husband, to stand at his side.”
“And you do not think this will come to pass?” her grandfather asked.
“Nay, I do not,” Elizabeth answered, shaking her head for emphasis. “He would have me locked inside the walls, without a comment of my own, I fear. And when he discovers I have no talent with the needle, or with the household affairs, he will undoubtedly despair. Oh, but I wish I had spent more time with my mother. It will mean nothing to Geoffrey that I can hunt with the best of
his men and bring down as many kills. Worse, when he sees me without my mask, I fear he will—”
“Why do you think he married you?”
“Because of my father, and his failure to help him in his time of need,” Elizabeth responded. That was such an obvious conclusion she couldn’t understand why her grandfather hadn’t realized it.
“Think you he marries each time there is a situation like this?”
“Well, of course not, but this is the first time he has been called on to—”
“Elizabeth, you confuse yourself with your thoughts and conclusions. Your husband was not at fault for what happened here. The safety within these walls fell to your father. A trap was laid for him, and there wasn’t any way that Geoffrey could have prevented what occurred.” Her grandfather sounded a little exasperated and Elizabeth grew irritated.
“Then why do you think he married me?” she asked.
“I do not think that Geoffrey does anything he does not want to do. I think he wanted you for a wife.”
“Because I was his responsibility,” Elizabeth added. “He felt it was his duty.” Elizabeth sighed and added, “Honor is the reason, he is an honorable man.”
“I agree that he does not know you in full yet, but I believe he will be most pleased when you remove your ‘mask’ and be yourself. Do not try to imitate your mother. In time you will learn the duties of being a good wife, just as Geoffrey will learn how to be a good husband.”
“Do you like him, Grandfather?” Elizabeth asked. His answer was important, as she valued his opinion. He was an astute judge of character, and not easily fooled. She hoped his reply would be favorable to Geoffrey, admitted that she wished him to admire her husband. Why, she couldn’t explain.
“Yes, I do like him. He seems an honest man. He is much younger than the other barons of his stature, from what I was able to learn. And much favored by the king himself.”
Elizabeth swelled with pride, as if it was she who was receiving the compliments. She nodded and said, “Roger hinted that he saved the king’s life.”
“I would believe it,” her grandfather agreed. “He seems to possess many good qualities, Granddaughter.”
“But there are faults too,” Elizabeth said to counter the praise. She did not wish her grandfather to become overly impressed, to place her husband upon a pedestal. He was, after all, only a man. And pedestals could crumble. “He is very stubborn.”
“And you are not?”
“No! I am a most agreeable person.”
“Then you will have no problem adapting to your baron’s rules?” her grandfather teased.
“I did not say that,” Elizabeth replied, laughing at the way her words had been twisted. “Perhaps it will be easier if I ignore the rules completely. What say you to that?”
“He will not be so easily led, Elizabeth,” her grandfather warned. “But there will be joy in the battle, I believe.”
“Have you seen your grandson?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Aye, he was brought to me,” her grandfather answered. “He did not recognize me and I felt like weeping like a woman when he did not.”
Elizabeth could not imagine her grandfather weeping and shook her head. “You carry your grief inside you too, Grandfather. Why, in all these years, the only time I have seen you cry was when you bested my father and laughed so hard that tears rolled down your cheeks.”
“I will miss them all,” he said in a quiet tone.
“Even my father?” Elizabeth asked.
“Especially your father. I’ll miss our battle with words, the jests we played on each other. He was a worthy opponent and a good husband to my daughter. She was happy.”
“Yes, they were happy.” Elizabeth nodded, feeling the sadness in her shadow.
“I have a heavy heart that little Thomas does not remember them. Heavy, indeed.”
“But, Grandfather, he saw it happen. And it was too much for him,” Elizabeth replied. “Geoffrey says in time he will remember, when his mind stops protecting him from the horror.”
“We will find the ones who did this,” her grandfather muttered. “They will all die.”
“Did Geoffrey tell you his thoughts? I believe Belwain is the one responsible but he considers my uncle only a follower. He hints of another who would have equal gain.”
“Aye, we talked and he shared his thoughts. He believes we must not rule out all the possibilities.”
“And what do you think, Grandfather?”
“I am an old man and need time to think on this,” her grandfather stalled.
“You only remember your age when it is convenient,” Elizabeth replied.
“And you know me well,” her grandfather answered. “Tell me this. Do you remember the stories about Hereward the Wake?”
“Only that when the battle for control of England was waged, it was Hereward who fought the longest.”
“He was a powerful Saxon noble and held out the longest against the invading Normans. He fought near the fens around Ely.”
“I have heard ballads sung in his praise,” Elizabeth whispered, “though I do not think our king would be pleased if he heard them. The songs glorify his enemy. Why do you bring this up?” she asked, frowning. “What has Hereward the Wake to do with Montwright? There is a connection?”
“Perhaps,” her grandfather said. “Hereward is long dead, but there are still his faithful followers. And more have recently joined their ranks, those who wish William removed from power and the return to the old ways. Geoffrey knows of this band of men and must consider that Montwright was attacked to cause havoc.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened while she considered what her grandfather said. “How do you know of this group of rebels?” she asked after a time.
“I was asked to join with them,” her grandfather admitted. He watched Elizabeth closely, judging her reaction.
She was horrified. “It is treason you speak,” she whispered. “Oh, but you would not—”
Her grandfather smiled and said, “No, I would not. It is not honorable, for I had already accepted William.”
“Did you tell Geoffrey that you—”
“No, I did not mention that I was approached by one of their leaders, child. But I did tell him that they were a threat, to be careful. I feel caught in the middle of this struggle, Elizabeth. Some of the leaders are old men now, displaced and full of hatred for all they had to give up. I do not feel loyalty to them but I am not inclined to name them either.”
Elizabeth took hold of her grandfather’s hand again and squeezed it.
“Why do these rebels persist, Grandfather? William has been our king for many years now. Can they not accept him?”
“There have been several uprisings over the years, many in the first two years of William’s rule, but nothing I fear on the scale that is soon to come. Greed is the motivation, I think. These men do not wish for a better way of life for all, only themselves. They make rash and foolish promises to all who will listen, even promising that when William has been dethroned, the danegeld will be done away with.”
“But wasn’t there a tax levied in the time before William?” Elizabeth asked. “Called by another name perhaps, but—”
“It is not significant, child. What matters is that they are all fools, these rebels, but with a deadly purpose.”
“I am frightened for you, Grandfather. Will there be penalty for not joining with this band?” Elizabeth found herself wringing her hands and stopped herself.
“I do not know,” he whispered. “Perhaps it is no coincidence that my only daughter and most of her family were murdered just days after I refused. I do not know,” her grandfather said, “but as God is my witness, I will find the truth.”
Both Elizabeth and her grandfather could hear the footsteps on the path behind him. They turned as one and saw that Roger was approaching.
“Roger comes,” Elizabeth said. “Have you spoken with my husband’s vassal yet? He is usually by my husband’s side.
”
“I have met him,” her grandfather answered. He said no more until Roger stood before them.
“The Baron wishes to speak to you,” Roger said, addressing Elizabeth.
Elizabeth nodded and started down the path. Her grandfather did not follow and she turned, waiting for him. “Grandfather?”
“You go on, Elizabeth. I will visit the graves first. I would say good-bye to my daughter.”
Elizabeth nodded, knew that he needed to be alone for a few minutes. She motioned Roger to her side and walked beside him back to the hall.
“Is it true that my husband saved the king’s life?” she asked.
“Aye, and he was only a boy at the time,” Roger said.
“Tell me, please,” Elizabeth asked.
“There was poison in the wine that Geoffrey carried to William,” he said. “Geoffrey knew this as he had seen the deed done by one of the nobles. As he approached William’s place, he tripped and the wine spilled to the floor. William was angry over the clumsiness and was about to punish the lad when one of the dogs began licking the wine from the floor. Within seconds the dog went into fits and died. It was obvious to William that the wine was the reason. He made everyone save Geoffrey leave the hall and then questioned the boy. The plot was uncovered and the guilty punished.”
“Why did he not just yell out what he had seen?” Elizabeth asked.
“He had only been a page in William’s court a short time, but already knew not to speak unless asked. It was a rule he would not disobey.”
“Aye, my husband seems to place great import on rules,” Elizabeth said, smiling to herself.
“It is the way of things,” Roger announced, borrowing his lord’s phrase. “Without rules there would be chaos.”
“But being rigid at all times,” Elizabeth began, “seems most predictable. Surprises are sometimes a nice change from the daily hardships. Don’t you think?”
Roger glanced over at his mistress and shook his head. “Surprises imply that one is not prepared. Geoffrey is always prepared.”
Julie Garwood - [3 Book Box Set] Page 13
