It was the chancellor of England, Robert Burnell, King Edward’s sec-
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retary and most trusted advisor. He looked as if his bones had been rattled into dust. He didn’t ride well. His face looked drawn and tired, yet they were but a three-day ride from London. Riding beside the chancellor on a bay palfrey with white stockings was one of the most beautiful women Hastings had ever seen in her life. She was so fair, her hair shone nearly white in the sunlight. She was wearing a white wimple that fastened beneath her chin. She was young, not more than five years older than Hastings, and she rode her palfrey well. She was wearing a soft green gown with long, loose sleeves that fell nearly to the ground. Burnell slowly dismounted. Then he shook himself, looked up at her, and nodded. He handed the reins of his horse to one of the Oxborough stable lads.
“My lady,” Burnell said, giving Hastings a fat smile, for he’d known her since she was born, though he’d seen her only rarely during the past ten years, “this is Lady Marjorie, widow of Sir Mark Outbraith. King Edward has sent her to you to care for Eloise of Sedgewick. This is the child?”
The child pressed herself against Hastings’s side.
“Eloise,” Hastings said, “my dear, this is a very nice man who serves our king. He isn’t here to hurt you.”
“What is wrong with her?” Robert Burnell asked, one eye on Eloise, whoxefitsed to release Hastings’s leg.
“Her father beat her and her mother set her on her knees most of the day to pray. She is much more at ease now, but it will take time.”
“Ah, the little girl,” Lady Marjcrie said, and without paying any attention to the dirt on the keep steps, she dropped to her knees and looked straight into Eloise’s pale blue eyes.
“You and I,” she said very slowly and quietly, “will become great friends. You may call me Marjorie.” She reached into the pocket of her beautiful cloak and withdrew a cloth. Slowly, knowing Eloise was staring down at that cloth, she unwrapped it. Inside were almonds covered with honey. “Just one, Eloise, just one. That way they will last a long time and you will have something to look forward to.”
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Eloise very slowly reached out and took an almond. She studied it. T she eased it into her mouth. Almost immediately she closed her eyes
in ecstasy.
Marjorie smiled and rose. “You are Hastings of Oxborough?”
“Aye. You have come quickly.”
Robert Burnell said, “We will remain until tomorrow, Hastings, then ao to Sedgewick. Lady Marjorie will be the child’s guardian until she comes of age. Where is Lord Severin?”
“He is away visiting his other holdings.”
The evening meal was an odd affair. Robert Burnell sat in Severin’s chair, Lady Marjorie sat in Eloise’s chair with Eloise on her lap. “She is so very thin,” Marjorie said.
“You should have seen her when she first arrived at Oxborough.”
“All of this is very strange. However, I fancy that at Sedgewick, everything will soon be all right again.”
What am I, Hastings thought, a witch to terrify and starve the child? She realized she didn’t want Eloise to return to Sedgewick. Beale was there. Both Hastings and Eloise were afraid of Beale, probably with good reason. When she spoke of this to Robert Burnell after the long dinner, he was silent for a long moment. Then he shrugged. “I will hang the woman. Then there will be no problem. You did say that she threatened you, did you not, Hastings?”
“Aye, I did, but sir, surely hanging is a bit too severe, even for Beale. Cannot Eloise simply remain here? It is kind of Lady Marjorie to come to her, but I can be Eloise’s guardian until she is of marriageable age. Severin will protect her and her holdings.”
I am sorry, but His Majesty is set on this course. Besides, you are newly wedded. You and Severin will have babes. What need do you have of a child not your own?”
I hke Eloise. She has not had an easy life. I cannot believe she would e happy if sne wem ^^ a stranger back to Sedgewick. Please, sir-“