Chapter 20 #3
Lincoln was truly a welcome sight, sitting high and proud on the hill over the River Witham, the new castle already dominating the ancient town.
William of Percy, who had been given the castle to man and guard, rode out to welcome the queen.
He was a hard-looking man with a fearsome scar down his face, but he inspired confidence.
Madeleine thought even Aimery was grateful to let someone else take responsibility for a while.
The castle had been hurriedly ordered to be built as part of William’s current campaign to subdue the north, and it was stark, but within its protection were numerous handsome houses where the queen’s train settled to rest.
Aimery came straight to the queen to urge that she stay in Lincoln for a few days.
“Nonsense,” snapped Matilda. “The worst of the journey is over. Water travel will present no problems.”
“If the weather holds,” warned Aimery.
“It will,” said Matilda.
As Aimery left, Matilda again rubbed her belly.
“Your Majesty,” said Madeleine desperately, “it would not be wise to give birth on the river.”
“I have no intention of doing so,” said Matilda, as if it were a matter completely under her control. “I know these aches. They come for weeks before the birth.”
Adele came forward. “But they are aches, Lady?”
“Of course they are aches,” snapped Matilda. “I ache all over. Anyone would ache after being in that cursed box for a week. The baby is not on its way.”
Madeleine and Adele shared a look and a sigh.
“I will sleep here with you tonight, Your Majesty,” said Madeleine.
“No, you will not. I have enough people to hover over me, and Aimery has only one wife. Stop fussing over me, girl, and go and fuss over your husband. He will doubtless appreciate it a great deal more.”
There was no debating with Matilda in this mood, and so Madeleine went to find her quarters. Again, they had a small but private room. When he’d promised to make love to her in York, had Aimery forgotten the opportunities that would be provided by the halt in Lincoln?
William of Percy provided a magnificent feast that night for the queen and her party. Madeleine thought this must be hard for Matilda, but there was no sign of it. She was gracious and alert, paying special attention to the burghers of the town, currying their favor for her husband’s cause.
Madeleine and Aimery were seated by local dignitaries, too, and did their best to make a good impression.
Their ability to converse in English was appreciated.
Looking around, Madeleine could see communication was stilted in many places.
Did it not occur to many Normans to learn the tongue of this land?
Apparently not. They were waiting for the English to learn French.
She remembered Hereward’s prediction that English would be the language here in the future. It seemed unlikely.
She looked nervously at the far side, where Odo’s men were seated.
She had no way of knowing which was the man who could recognize Golden Hart, and she saw no one gazing their way with suspicion.
She had to copy Aimery and put the matter out of her mind or she’d go mad, but she didn’t have his training in fatalism.
Her worries were broken by a disturbance at the doors.
A party swept in, led by a striking blond woman of middle years.
She was not particularly beautiful, but there was humor and character in her face, and she possessed snapping bright eyes.
Madeleine’s attention, however, was caught by a figure trailing behind the woman and her guards.
What was Aldreda doing here? Joining Aimery?
Aimery stood suddenly. Madeleine stared at him in astonishment as he moved quickly toward the group, delight on his face. Her pain was sharp. He would betray her thus before the whole company?
He swept the blond woman into his arms. “Mother!”
Madeleine stood slowly, prey to a mixture of relief and guilt. She looked again at Aldreda, and the woman’s sharp gaze met hers, and hardened. Why was Aldreda looking at her as if Madeleine were a chicken for the pot?
But there was no time for speculation now. Aimery was calling her forward, the queen was summoning them all to her, the Lady Lucia’s party was being settled and fed.
Madeleine found herself wrapped in a warm, cushiony embrace.
“My dearest daughter! You are so pretty. How did the worthless wretch win himself such a lovely bride?” As they went to the queen, Lucia explained, “I saw how it would be. I could sit in Normandy and turn to stone before my husband or son gave a thought to me, so I came.”
Lucia curtsied respectfully to the queen, but said as she rose, “Matilda, you must be crazed.”
The queen laughed. “People have said that to me all my life. Sweet Savior, but it’s good to have you here, Lucia.
Sit here and tell me all the news. You can huddle with your son later.
” She waved Aimery and Madeleine away, but they heard her say, “He’s doing very well, by the way. You can be proud of him.”
“I always am,” said Lucia. “Are you in labor yet, or are you just waiting to burst like a pea pod?”
Madeleine and Aimery shared a grin as they resumed their seats. “She’s lovely,” said Madeleine.
“Yes, but don’t be deceived. Even Father shakes in his shoes if she takes up an issue. We may at last have hope of the queen seeing sense.”
“I pray it is so.” Madeleine toyed with a pastry. “Did you see Aldreda?”
He looked up. “Where?”
His reaction was a relief to her. Madeleine pointed the woman out. “She came with your mother.”
“Mother must have stopped at Baddersley then,” he remarked without great interest. “But why would she bring Aldreda?”
“And why,” asked Madeleine pointedly, “would Aldreda want to come?”