waved to them.
“I regret, my lord, that it took us three days,” Sir Roger said, all
leased with himself. There had been no surprise when their party had
.,, jnto the inner bailey. It was obvious he had discovered that Sev-
• was coming. He was a tall man, thinner than the legs of the trestle
bles in the great hall of Langthorne. His hands moved constantly. She
didn’t know if he was naturally nervous or whether this nervousness was
brought upon by Severin’s presence and how Severin would deal with Sir
Roger’s lapse.
“Is she normal?”
“Aye, she appears so. She is quiet, so the women tell me. As I said, she was laughing and waving. That is the only way we found her. Who would think to search up in the trees?”
“May I see her, Severin?”
“Aye. Sir Roger, this is my lady wife, Lady Hastings.”
“My lady. ‘Tis an odd name you carry.”
“But ’tis solid, Sir Roger. When you say my name you have no doubt that you have said it.”
“I will believe what you have said though my wit must have more time to glean your meaning.”
“She is like that,” Severin said, and cuffed his wife’s shoulder.
“I do not see Trist, my lord,” Sir Roger said. “He is well?” My damned marten wasn’t to be found when we left. I believe he is spending more time in the forest, perhaps mating. We will see.”
Hastings followed Severin up the narrow stairs to the small chamber “where Sir Roger had moved his mother a short time before when he had taken a mistress, thus needing the larger chamber. The new chamber, Sir °ger said, all affability, was quite adequate.
Adequate, hah, Hastings thought, when Severin unlocked and pushed pen the door. The room was dark and narrow. It smelled of stale reeds
unne. There was one narrow window that had a square of bear skin
5 3
over it. The reeds on the cold stone floor were filthy with rotted food and excrement. Hastings simply stood in the doorway, so dismayed that at first she didn’t see the woman who was standing still as a pillar, her back pressed against the stone wall.
“Mother,” Severin said, but made no move toward her.
The woman shook her head but didn’t move. “Who is she?” She
raised her arm and pointed at Hastings. “Why are you with this girl?”
“She is my wife. Her name is Hastings.”
“I am not stupid. I remember now. She is the heiress, the one you had to marry to save us.”
“Aye. I’m pleased you remember. How do you feel, Mother?”
“Feel? Are you blind? Just look at my feet. They hurt. Sir Roger’s bitch made me flee the keep and I had to hide in the forest for nearly a week before I managed to gain the attention of the men-at-arms who were riding below. I had to hide in the tree so the -wild animals wouldn’t kill me. They said they were looking for me. The bitch must have gotten frightened that I would die and Sir Roger would be angry. Just look at my feet. No one cares about my feet.”
“I do, madam,” Hastings said. She turned to her husband. “Please have one of the men bring my trunk of herbs. May I speak to your mother, Severin?”
EflE wls staring at his mother, clearly uncertain.
“I am larger than she is. If she becomes violent, I will be able to deal with her.” She turned to the fat woman who -was hovering behind them. “Bring me warm water, a bathing tub, and many bathing towels.”
The woman’s three chins wobbled. “Aye, my lady.”
“This is one of the women you selected to see to your mother?”
“Aye, it is. She has gained more flesh than seems possible in such a short time. You will call me if you need anything. I will go into the hall and speak with Sir Roger. I would know more about this situation.” He paused a moment and looked around him. “I do not like this chamber. It would depress the spirit of a healthy man.”
“Aye, it would. We will speak of it later, my lord.”