Chapter 6 #4
Emma had purposely seated Inga across from young Mathieu, who appeared to be a few years older than the sword-maker’s daughter, thinking he would be less threatening than the knights.
Happily, she was right. The young squire was polite and solicitous of Inga, offering her bread and pouring her wine when her goblet was empty, but speaking little.
In some ways, he was as shy as she was. Despite all she had endured, Inga responded to his gentle nature, even offering him an occasional smile.
Their exchanges encouraged Emma to believe Inga would one day be able to put behind her the tragic events of the recent days and eventually view men without terror.
When they finished their meal, the knights thanked her and rose to leave.
Emma was reluctant to bid Sir Geoffroi goodbye.
It was a strange feeling, knowing he was the enemy, yet she found it difficult to think of him as such.
His easy laughter and kindness made him seem less an enemy and more a friend.
She had not always had such laughter in her life.
She had loved Halden, but he had not been a man who laughed easily.
Being with Sir Geoffroi was like sitting next to a warm fire on a cold night.
“I am sorry to take your leave, my lady,” he said, “but the hour grows late and we will be expected. Hopefully with the king’s departure, we will not have to hunt so often, but I promise to keep your table in meat, so you can confine that hound of yours to the house while he heals.”
Her gaze drifted to the hearth where Magnus was asleep on his pallet. “Mayhap he has learned his lesson with snares.”
Ottar came to bid the knights and their squire good eve, his eyes focused on their swords hanging at their sides. She worried he was a bit too fascinated by the knights’ weapons. It had been the boy’s longing to see the men fighting that had drawn him into the clearing that terrible day.
Finna gave Sir Geoffroi a small wave from where she stood with Inga several feet from the men.
The knight waved back. Sir Geoffroi and Finna had made some kind of connection, just like he had with Magnus.
He was the only Norman that Magnus had ever warmed to.
To most he was indifferent, to others hostile.
The knight’s two companions had certainly not drawn the hound’s affection as Sir Geoffroi had.
It was yet another sign of the knight’s being unique.
Once Mathieu and Artur had brought the deer around to the other side of the house for Artur to butcher, the Normans departed. Emma felt a pang of regret as she watched them ride away. If she were honest, she would have to admit Sir Geoffroi was becoming more than a friend.
She closed the door and, sending the twins to their chamber, went to join Inga standing near the hearth. The girl was less pale than she had been in the days following that horrible night. “How are you, Inga?”
“I am all right. He was kind.”
Emma knew Inga referred to the squire. “I wanted you to see they are not all alike. Even I have had to learn that among those who would kill and maim are those who would help and heal.”
Inga raised her eyes to Emma. In their gray depths, she sensed confusion. “But how is one to know?”
“All men are known by their actions,” Emma counseled, inwardly giving herself the same advice. “And observing those takes time. Even with that, we can never forget the French knights are sworn to serve their Norman king.”
Inga nodded and her gaze drifted up the stairs. “I think I will look in on Papa. He was sleeping when I left him but he may have heard us talking. He will want to know who was here.”
“He would like to see you,” said Emma, knowing the girl’s father worried about her and did not like for them to be long separated.
“I do not think I will mention your guests were Normans,” said Inga thoughtfully. “He would not be pleased to know that.”
“Yea, you speak truth. He might try to rise from his bed to claim justice no matter these Normans were the ones who helped him.”
Inga nodded her acceptance and turned toward the stairs.
“I will see you in a short while,” said Emma. “I want to see if Sigga needs any help and then I will make sure the children are in bed.”
Emma’s gaze followed her friend as she ascended the stairs to the bedchamber Feigr occupied.
Then Emma set about her nightly chores, all the while thinking of Sir Geoffroi.
In her mind, she saw the creases that formed at the corner of his eyes when he laughed.
She remembered his kiss, too, and it sent warmth rippling through her.
His gift of the deer would see them well fed.
’Twas unusual for a knight, hardened by war, to have such a tender side.
She thought of the wistful look on his face when his fellow knight and squire spoke of Talisand.
Could such a place exist where Normans and English lived together in peace? Surely it was only a dream.
* * *
The next day, Geoff stood at the top of the motte, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing the king’s procession pass through the gate. William, apparently satisfied his new castle was rising sufficiently from Baille Hill, left for Winchester with his army and FitzOsbern.
Gilbert de Ghent, the new castellan, departed shortly after with his Flemish mercenaries in tow, bound for Durham. Far better they should stalk armed rebels than the innocent maidens of York.
Once the two contingents of soldiers had gone, Geoff went to the bailey where he was to meet his men.
“I was surprised to see Malet is still sheriff,” Geoff said to Alain as they mounted their horses, preparing to leave on a hunt. Today they would hunt wild boar, something they were becoming quite good at.
“Yea, William needs him. But the king is taking no chances on another failure. I overheard him tell FitzOsbern that he is to return here after Easter.”
Geoff signaled to his men and led them through the gate.
He did not worry overmuch about the comings and goings of William’s favorites.
There was still a garrison of knights that remained.
He hoped the city would soon come back to normal.
He and his knights would hunt less often and mayhap he could visit Emma more frequently.
The last time he had been to her home had given him hope she might one day entertain his suit.
To have a summer wooing the Northumbrian widow was a pleasant thought, bringing a smile to his face as he and his men headed for the forest.