Chapter 11 #3
He suddenly spoke, interrupting the reading, objecting to something. Madeleine realized he was giving her back Baddersley as her own dower property. She looked at him, bewildered, for she had not expected kindness. He did not meet her gaze.
Then it was time to sign. Madeleine’s hands were sticky, but she took the pen and signed. He signed next.
Then all the witnesses, beginning with the king and including as many of the men as cared to add their name and seal. Ample witnesses to testify that all this had been done according to law and custom.
Then, smiling widely, the king took Madeleine’s hand and placed it in Aimery’s. She felt the reluctance of his touch. “Now to the church,” said the king, “and then we can eat at last. My stomach flaps like an empty bag. You need a ring,” he said to Aimery. “You have one to spare.”
Madeleine sensed the tension which leaped into him, and looked at the two rings, the twisted wire one on his left hand and the solid one on his right. Geld? No. These rings were symbols of a union as close as marriage itself. Which was to spare? Why was this matter so important?
She sensed the danger in the air even as Count Guy stepped forward and pulled a ring off his little finger. “This was the ring with which I wed my first wife. I would be honored for it to be used.”
Aimery de Gaillard took it with a breath of relief. “Thank you, Father.” It sounded like the most sincere thing he’d said that day.
Father Cedric was waiting at the church door. His smile turned to a beam when he saw Madeleine’s choice, and he raised his hand to bless them. “In nomine patris, et filiis, et spiritu sancti . . .”
All the king’s train were there to witness the wedding, and many of the castle people also gathered around. Father Cedric went briskly through their declarations of intent and agreement, and pronounced himself satisfied that this was an honest union.
The king took Madeleine’s hand and gave it to Aimery, gave him complete and utter power over her. Aimery slid his father’s ring onto the third finger of her left hand. “With this ring I thee wed,” he said somberly. “With this gold I thee honor, and with this dowry I thee endow.”
“Then you are joined together in the sight of God,” announced Father Cedric joyfully, “and will receive his innumerable blessings. Aimery, be forever gentle to your wife and support her in all her endeavors. Madeleine, be forever gentle to your husband and support him in all his endeavors.”
Even treason? thought Madeleine. I most certainly will not. She made a promise of her own. Aimery de Gaillard will give up his work for the English or I will expose him to the king.
Father Cedric blessed them again in the name of the trinity, the Virgin, and all the saints.
The priest turned to lead them into the chapel, but the king interrupted. “Kneel to your husband, Lady Madeleine,” he said, “as custom dictates. You are inclined to be bold. Kneel and kiss Lord Aimery’s hand, the hand that will chastise you if you err.” He was clearly still annoyed with her.
If only you knew, sire, Madeleine thought, that you are commanding me to do homage to a traitor. But she obeyed and knelt to kiss the fingers of her husband’s right hand, which was all that protruded from the bandage there.
Throughout the Mass, she prayed for the strength to make something of her marriage and turn her husband from treason.
Afterward, they processed back to the hall among cheers.
Madeleine tried to smile, but it doubtless was not much of a show.
Aimery did not even try. Oh, Sweet Jesu, she wondered helplessly, what would happen tonight when they were alone together?
Had he not promised to make her life a misery if she chose him?
Then she remembered she had a weapon. She held his life in her hands.
The meal at least was splendid—a feast, not a breakfast. She had not done anything to forward it since the afternoon before, but the Baddersley servants had proved their mettle and produced tender meat, fine sweet-dishes, and plenty for all.
A bullock was roasting out in the bailey for all the local people.
Aimery and Madeleine sat in pride of place, even the king taking a lower seat. They sat in silence. Count Guy leaned sideways and said to Aimery, “Talk to her. You must be able to think of something to say.”
“Many things. They will wait until later.”
Madeleine lost what little appetite she had.
As the meal began to wind down, the king turned to Madeleine. “Perhaps you do not understand the situation, Lady Madeleine. I and my entourage must leave shortly, but we would see this matter finished. I believe the solar has been freshened for you.”
Madeleine started. “Now?”
“Now,” he said. “Go along. It won’t take long, and we’ll believe your word before all that it is done.”
Madeleine stood dazedly, and the king added, “And don’t forget to tend his hand.”
At this descent to the mundane, Madeleine laughed, a little laugh which sounded desperate even to her own ears.
The king sighed. “I don’t know why there’s such a fuss over this sort of thing.
Aimery, take her, for God’s sake, and get the marriage completed.
I need to be on my way. I’m leaving you here to see to this place so you’ll have all the time you need for dalliance.
You’re no use as a fighter anyway for a week or so, according to your wife. ”
Aimery stood and held out his hand. Rather than be dragged to her marriage bed, Madeleine allowed him to lead her to the solar.