“You accused my wife of poisoning herself. You will tell me why you said this.”
The child began to shake. She sobbed.
“Enough!” Severin roared. “I will not have any more of your nonsense, Eloise. You made a grave charge against Hastings. You will answer it or else you will displease me mightily.”
To Hastings’s surprise, Eloise hiccuped once, then raised her head. She stared at Hastings. Her young face, so smooth and clear, suddenly twisted. “I saw her,” she yelled, pointing her ringer at Hastings. “Aye, I saw her sneak into the hall, looking to see if anyone was about, then she poured this powder into her own goblet.”
“When?” Severin asked, sitting forward in his chair. “When did you observe Hastings doing this?”
“Yesterday, just before the dinner.”
“What was she wearing when she did this?”
“Wearing?” Eloise suddenly jerked about to search out Marjorie.
“What, Eloise? Look at me!”
The child looked ready to burst into tears. She looked ready to flee.
“I don’t remember,” Eloise whispered, her head down, her feet scuffing the reeds.
Edgar the wolfhound snarled, then quieted again.
“It was only yesterday, Eloise.”
“She was wearing the gown she wore to the meal. Aye, that was it. It was that yellow color that makes her look sallow.”
Severin leaned forward only to have Eloise shrink back. “Hold still,” he barked at her. “Now, you will listen to me, Eloise. I have never seen this hall empty of people. You say that no one was in the great hall, no one except you and Hastings?”
“Aye, that’s true. She didn’t see me. I was hiding.”
Severin rubbed his jaw. Then he called out, “Dame Agnes, please come forward.” When she was standing next to Eloise, he continued. “Tell me of Hastings’s movements just before the dinner meal yesterday.”
“She was with me, your mother, and Alice. We were dressing her in
the saffron gown. She was with us until all of us came down into the great hall together for the evening meal.”
Severin said to Eloise, “Do you wish to hear the same words from my mother? From Alice?”
“I hate you! I hate Hastings! I want to go home with Marjorie.” The child turned and ran to Marjorie, throwing herself against her, burying her head in her skirts.
“I am sorry, Hastings. This has not been pleasant for you.” He stilled, turning to look at Marjorie, who was gently rocking Eloise against her. By Saint Albert’s knees, she was so beautiful it made his groin tighten to look upon her. What groin would not tighten? At that moment, Marjorie raised her head and looked squarely at him.
“You may take the child to your bedchamber,” he called. “You will speak to her about the evils of lying. I am very displeased with your tutelage, Marjorie. The child has changed since she was here in Hastings’s charge. She is sly, her nature is unpleasant, and she has proven to be a liar. I do not like it.”
Hastings could but stare at her husband. He was actually criticizing his goddess? But everything he said was true. Eloise was very different now. She was mean-spirited. Had Marjorie alone brought about the changes in the child? She did not believe that Eloise could possibly have
**fep #»<- known to say that her saffron gown had made her look sallow. What child knew that word? No, that had come from Marjorie, and Eloise was just repeating it. It w:-.s hurtful and Eloise knew well it was hurtful. Severin waved Marjorie and Eloise away. "You will take the evening meal in your bedchamber," he called after them. Marjorie didn't say anything, nor did she turn to acknowledge his order. Her head was high. Her glorious hair floated down her back to her hips. Hastings could throw the bloody potion down the jakes. She wanted to throw herself in her husband's arms. She wanted to dance, mayhap even juggle some leather balls as the jongleur had done. Severin had made his choice. He would return them very soon now to Sedgewick. Then Severin turned to her and said, "I trust Dame Agnes isn't the o Q o I I