“How did he know they were there?” wondered Hubert.
“Ragnar Longfoot explained that to me. Toki would do anything to regain the inheritance for Inga and her mother. Because my lord Nigel held the land, Toki assumed he would also hold the charters relating to it. When my lord Nigel and his men were away, Toki slipped into the depleted castle and threatened the steward with death if he did not surrender the documents. A man usually tells the truth with a dagger at his throat. The steward confessed that the charters in ques- tion were held by Aubrey Maminot and that he was the true landlord.” Gervase sighed. “The success of that escapade was Toki's undoing. Because he had gained entry to one fortress so easily, he thought that he could do it again in York.”
“I am so pleased that we stayed at the minster,” said Simon. “We were spared this atmosphere of wickedness and deceit. To be in the same castle as my lord Aubrey and his beasts would have stained my soul.”
“Evil contaminates all that it touches,” noted Hubert. “But goodness purifies. I like to feel that we leave York a much cleaner place for our visit.”
“Oh, yes, Canon Hubert,” said Simon.
“My lord Tanchelm did his share towards that.”
“Amen.”
“We will commiserate with his widow when we reach Lincolnshire. Her grief will be profound.”
The three men suddenly found that they had two new companions. Ralph and Golde had dropped back to join them. To Brother Simon's consternation, Golde drew up beside him and her cloak all but brushed his habit. The proximity of womankind made him blush to his roots.
“We have come to apologise, Brother Simon,” said Ralph.
“To me, my lord?”
“Yes,” said Golde. “We have caused you offence.”
“No, no,” he lied.
“The simple fact is this,” said Ralph. “We are not wed. That troubles you. And Canon Hubert has also suffered discomfort.”
“Spiritual anguish,” said Hubert. “Profoundly unsettling.”
“It will not happen again,” promised Golde.
“When we travel to another county,” said Ralph, “you will not have to ride beside such blatant immorality. Golde and I are resolved on that. We have repented.”
“Your words move me, my lord,” said Simon joyfully. “I feel as if a great stone has been lifted from me.”
“Yes,” said Hubert. “We applaud your conversion to the path of righ- teousness. How did the miracle occur?”
“In the chapel back at the castle.”
“One moment,” said Gervase, disappointed. “Do I understand this aright? Golde has been such a delightful companion. Are you saying that she will never travel with us again?”
“No,” said Ralph. “I am not saying that at all.”
“But I thought you were, my lord,” said Hubert.
“Yes,” agreed Simon. “You promised even now.”
“Golde will always travel beside me now,” said Ralph.
A smile of true contentment spread across her features. Ralph held her hand proudly and beamed at the others.
“But less sinfully.”
The Lions of the North (Domesday Series Book 4) Page 24
