Chapter 2 #2
Renaud waited for his men to draw near. When he spoke, it was in Norman French.
“Sir Maurin, you speak some of the English tongue. Round up the thegn’s men and see they swear fealty to me.
Any who do not must leave.” To the rest he said, “The usual rules apply concerning the women. Take care lest you consume too much of their ale in these first days. Though we are expected, I cannot predict our reception. Many will yet be unhappy a Norman lord has replaced their thegn. It would be best if you could learn to speak their language. Do not flaunt the power we have over them lest they hate us all the more. In time, they will accept their fate or rue the day.”
Maugris whispered in his ear a reminder that the men would be concerned with their comforts.
Raising his head, Renaud said, “I’ve sent Sir Geoffroi to see about a meal and lodging for the night, but there may not be room enough for all of you to set your pallets in the hall.
Sir Geoffroi and I will lodge within the manor.
The remainder will sleep in the hall or in tents until the castle is finished. Knights have first choice.”
The men nodded, their faces telling Renaud they were pleased.
The road had been long and the weather not always fair.
Spring had brought heavy rains and they were often soaked to the skin while traveling north.
Hard biscuits and dried meat were their only fare when their pace did not allow them to hunt.
Now his men would have hot food to warm their bellies and more than soggy ground to lie upon.
He prayed Talisand possessed a decent cook.
Leaving his men to their duties, and with Maugris following, Renaud headed toward the manor’s entrance.
Many eyes followed him. Whispers from the young lads told him his fierce reputation in battle had preceded his coming.
At the door of the manor, he paused and turned.
This time he spoke in English as he addressed the villagers.
“I am Sir Renaud de Pierrepont, now Earl of Talisand by King William’s decree. I come in peace. If you show me the same, we will do well.”
The English remained silent, their stern faces disclosing little. Were they surprised to find he knew some of their language? Whether they yet accepted their fate was not clear, but it mattered little. They were now his serfs and had no choice but to follow his orders.
Inside the manor, Renaud allowed his eyes to adjust to the light from the small windows, their shutters open, as he surveyed the interior.
What he saw surprised him. Colorful tapestries depicting animals and plants draped the whitewashed walls.
In between them were iron sconces that would hold torches at eventide.
The furnishings were elaborate even for a thegn’s dwelling, making Renaud think the old lord must have traveled or traded well.
Many of the objects he saw were from distant lands, the kind of things he had seen in Rouen and his home in Saint Sauveur.
In the entry a brazier radiated heat, sending a thin column of smoke wafting up to a hole in the roof.
A small woven rush mat lay in the center of the space and there was a bench placed to one side.
In front of him, on the left, stairs ascended to the floor above where an open corridor with a half railing ran in front of several doors.
To the right of the stairs under the upper story was an entrance to another corridor. From the savory smells coming from that direction, he judged it to lead to the kitchen.
On his right, a wide opening in the wall led to the large timbered hall he had seen from afar, the two buildings having been joined.
Peering through the opening, he saw two long trestle tables set upon the floor that was covered with what appeared to be clean rushes.
The benches, he was pleased to discover, would seat all his men.
A raised dais, the place the thegn would have taken his meals, was set at a right angle to the tables.
In the middle of the hall was a stone hearth.
All he observed was clean and neat. It cheered him to think that Talisand was well kept by the lady of the manor, soon to be his bride. Mayhap it was not a bad thing if she were fair of face, as Geoff had said. If he had to look upon her each day, he would prefer a pretty woman to a plain one.
Just then, Geoff came through the doorway that Renaud had assumed led to the kitchen, approaching with a worried look. “Something’s amiss, my lord.”
Renaud scowled. “What is it?”
“When I asked for ale and food for the men, the few servants I saw rushed about with little aid. When I inquired further as to where the serving wenches were, the servants averted their gazes. I fear some of the women are in hiding or have fled, no doubt in fear of our arrival.”
“It would not be unusual given the actions of William’s army,” said Renaud. “Send out a detail to search the surrounding area. If they are not found in the village, tell the men to search the woods to the north.”
Geoff hurried toward the manor’s front door, but before he reached it Renaud asked, “Is there a seneschal?”
Geoff turned. “Aye. A steward named Hunstan, but he has gone to the three smaller manors to tell them of our anticipated arrival.” At Renaud’s raised brow, Geoff smiled.
“Those manors are a part of Talisand, now yours as well. The housekeeper said the man would return in a day or two. There is also a captain of the old lord’s guard, named Theodric.
He lives in one of the manors. I have not yet found him. He might be assisting the men.”
With a flick of his wrist, Renaud dismissed the knight. More manors?
“Talisand is rich, indeed,” said Maugris standing at his side.
From the hallway that led to the kitchen, a woman of middle years hurried toward them.
She was plump and her manner pleasant. Her rosy cheeks and green eyes, the color of spring grass, rendered her a robust sight.
But as he looked more closely, her brown hair, laced with gray, was in disarray and her expression anxious.
She curtsied before him. “I be Maggie, m’lord. Cook and housekeeper. Me husband, Angus, is the smith. The lads are bringing ale and soon ye and yer knights will have a hot meal. I imagine ye’re hungry. Do ye have many with ye?”
“A half dozen knights and a score of men-at-arms and other retainers and squires. Your servants seem small in number, Goodwife Maggie.” Then with raised brows, he said curtly, “Are you missing some?”
A troubled expression came over the woman’s face. She looked down for a moment before she spoke. “Some of our lasses feared for their virtue, m’lord. They have left to follow Lady Serena.”
Renaud’s gaze narrowed, furrowing his brow, shocked at what he had heard. He attempted to hide the anger welling within him, but his jaw involuntarily clenched. “The Lady Serena is gone?” His voice was as cold as his heart at the realization she had run.
“I am verra sorry, m’lord.”
“Where is she?” he demanded.
The woman twisted her hands at her waist. “In truth, I do not know, m’lord though her destination was Scotland.”
Seething, Renaud felt a muscle in his jaw clench.
So the English maiden had fled rather than be wed to a Norman knight?
She would not get away with such an insult!
He would send a man after her, even to Scotland if need be.
William’s decree had begun the marriage; consummation would establish it. And he meant to consummate it and soon.
He was still pondering whom he should send after his errant bride when Maugris introduced himself to the housekeeper. “I am Maugris, Maggie.”
Taking in Renaud’s scowl, Maugris said in a calm voice, “Perchance in time Lady Serena will be found, my lord.”
Renaud stroked the pelt of the wolf in an effort to calm himself and let out a breath. Maugris’s message was clear. He should wait. It was only his respect for the old man that stayed his anger from turning into action.
“I truly hope so,” he said to Maugris. “It would displease the king to find the woman he gave me is now in Scotland.” Then to the housekeeper, “And it pleases me not at all.”
For a moment an uncomfortable silence hung in the air, interrupted by the housekeeper’s anxious question. “May I show ye to the lord’s bedchamber?” It was clear to Renaud she was eager to leave behind the subject of her missing lady.
Geoff stepped through the front door and joined them, acknowledging Maggie with a smile.
“It seems Lady Serena has chosen to flee,” Renaud informed Geoff.
“With the other women?” Geoff asked incredulous.
“I know not, but I will soon have the truth of it. Come, let us see the chambers above. I will deal with my rebellious bride later.” Renaud and Geoff followed Maggie up the stairs. Maugris chose to remain below, seeming to take all in with his knowing blue eyes.
Though still angry that the lady had fled, Renaud turned his attention to his new manor. As she ascended the stairs, the housekeeper told him there were three chambers above. The lord’s chamber was the first she directed them to at the far end of the corridor.
“’Tis the largest o’course,” said Maggie, “nearly twice the size of the others.”
The bedchamber they entered contained a poster bed with dark green curtains and furs strewn on the cover, extravagant even for a wealthy thegn.
The bed cushion looked well stuffed and comfortable.
His gaze lingered on the soft coverings in anticipation of his rest that night.
He had not slept in a bed since he had left London.
Several chests lined the wall on the other side of the bed beneath a small window.
Directly in front of him was a trestle table and bench seat, which would provide him a place to work.
Behind the table, on the wall, were wooden shelves that contained scrolls and other writings.
The old lord had been a man of letters, it seemed.