“Then you do not want me to return to my brother’s hall? I may stay at Aelfleah?”
“Stay at Aelfleah? Aelfleah is your home, mother! You are its mistress.”
“No, Mairin. You are now its mistress, and Josselin de Combourg is its lord. Aelfleah is mine no longer.”
Mairin flung her arms about her mother and hugged her hard. “Once,” she said, “my home was stolen from me. I was sent away from the place I loved and knew best. Then you opened your heart and your home to me. You took me for your daughter even though at the time your heart was breaking for Edyth whom you had carried within your womb and raised for five years.
“I do not remember the woman who gave birth to me, mother. It is you who raised me, who rejoiced with me in the hour of my small triumphs, who wept with me over my small misfortunes that at the time seemed so enormous to me. It is you who nursed me when I was sick and scolded me when I was wrong but too stubborn to admit to my faults. Faults which you always forgave. It is you who are my mother. To send you from your home, from a place you love, would be a great sin. But more important, I love you, mother! I want you with me for as long as God will allow.”
Eada looked with tear-filled eyes at Mairin. Her hand went to her mouth to stifle her cry of happiness. When she had recovered herself she said, “I will mourn your father and Brand all my days, but surely God blest me when he gave me you for my own true child, Mairin.”
The two women hugged again, and brushed away each other’s tears. Then with a smile they began to help each other wash and dress for the coronation. They would wear the gowns they had worn yesterday when they had been presented to the king. The only other garments that they possessed were the more serviceable ones that they had worn traveling down to London. No one would notice, they knew, for they were not important. It was very unlikely that they would be close enough to see the king again except at a distance. After the ceremony they would return to the house to change their clothing, and be on their way back to Aelfleah that day.
They were not expected to join the feasting afterward where there would be more male guests for there were few Norman ladies of rank in England yet. It was still considered too dangerous due to the continued unrest in the countryside. Norman women were considered by their men to be ornamental and useful only for the breeding of children, or the making of alliances. Even the queen had not yet set her dainty foot in England.
It was a cold Christmas Day, gray and overcast with just the hint of snow in the air. The streets of London were festive, and filled with both Normans and Saxons of all ranks on their way to the great Cathedral of Westminster, built by the late King Edward, and only a year ago consecrated to God’s service. William had thought it the most appropriate place to be crowned. Most guests were on foot, but here and there were parties of mounted guests who rode even as did the little group from Aelfleah. They had not come to London unescorted, but Josselin was not certain of the temper of the city and had left his men camped on the far side of the London Bridge where there was less likelihood of trouble.
Now as they drew nearer to the great church the pace slowed even more in the press of the crowds. The noise was fearsome. They had been promised a place within the cathedral itself, and leaving their horses with Dagda they joined those on foot to enter Westminster. Josselin could see no one that he knew, but he managed to secure a place for his wife and Eada toward the rear of the great church on the edge of the large crowd where they would have a fine view of William as he passed by.
William of Normandy entered the abbey of Westminster with a firm tread to be hallowed as England’s king according to the ancient British rite. He was crowned and the unction performed by Aldred, the archbishop of York. The late King Edward had been forced by the Godwin faction to remove the legal prelate of Westminster, and replace him with a priest named Stigand whom the pope had disavowed.
It was not a long ceremony, and when it was over Archbishop Aldred presented William I, King of England, to the people, speaking in the English tongue which was quite an innovation. Then Geoffrey, the bishop of Coutances, speaking in his native Norman French, also presented the king to all his subjects.
Unfortunately the mercenary troops guarding Westminster heard the second round of shouts marking the king’s acclamation and thought a rebellion was starting. They promptly set fire to some of the surrounding houses. This error in judgment was quickly corrected, but not before two homes had burned to the ground, and some half a dozen others had been damaged. Horrified, the king gave immediate orders that reparations be paid to the householders. Then he thanked God upon his knees before the main altar that no one had been hurt in the melee.
Torn between the women in his care, and a possible danger to his liege lord, Josselin had hesitated a moment when the furor arose. Then Mairin had hissed at him, “Go to the king, my lord! We will be safe here.” He left them without even looking back. When the confusion had settled William noticed his Breton knight, and smiled briefly at him.
“I am all right, Josselin. Go back to your beautiful wife and to those lands of yours, and help to keep England safe for us. I have been crowned king this day, but if I am to keep my crown then I must unite this country into one. Marriages such as yours, and men like you upon the estates will help me to make England strong.” He held out his hand to the younger man, and Josselin de Combourg, kneeling briefly, kissed it. Rising, he left the king’s presence. William smiled after him, and turning to his brother, Odo, said, “Let us depart for Barking, brother, and receive the homage of my subjects good and true.”
The bishop grinned back at his brother and replied, “Let us depart for Barking, William, because it is a cold day, and at Barking there is food and hot mulled wine awaiting us. Perhaps even a warm maiden who might be half as lovely as the flame-haired wench you so casually gave to de Combourg. Ahh, I envy the man! If she’s as fiery as her hair you’ll be lucky if that border keep gets built. She’ll exhaust him in the nights, and he’ll have nothing left for the days! You would have done better to give him an ugly wife so he would spend all his time out upon the walls driving the workers.” And the bishop laughed uproariously.
“Odo, you are far too worldly for a man of God,” said the king, a slightly disapproving tone to his voice.
“But, William,” replied his brother wisely, “you needed a bishop in the family.”
A small, frosty smile touched William of Normandy’s mouth for the briefest moment, and then he said two words. “To Barking!” and turning, left Westminster.
Odo of Bayeux, a knowing look upon his own face, hurried to catch up with his older brother.
Josselin had shepherded his wife and mother-in-law from the great church. He knew that once the king had left, the crowds would thicken again. He hoped to get quickly away and back to their own house so that they might change their clothing and depart. Despite the disturbance Dagda was exactly where they had left him.
Mairin grinned as he boosted her into her saddle. “Can you imagine anyone forcing him to move?” she said to her husband.
“What happened?” demanded the big Irishman. “My heart was in my mouth when those mercenaries began firing the houses.”
Josselin explained, and Dagda nodded. “Undisciplined fools!” he muttered as he climbed upon his horse.
Making their way back through the city, they reached the house where the two women quickly changed from their finery into their more practical traveling garb. The clothing was serviceable, dark and plain to the eye, for despite their armed escort, Josselin did not wish to attract any attention. His objective was to return to Aelfleah as easily and as swiftly as possible. Checking that the coals in the fireplace were completely dead, Dagda took the remaining food and locked the small house behind them. They rode over the London Bridge to meet with their armed escort.
The weather was bitterly cold, and light snow fell intermittently. The damp seemed to creep right through their fur-lined cloaks. Mairin rode with her head tucked as deeply into he
r hood as she could get it. Even so her cheeks felt frosted with the icy air. A year ago she and Eada had celebrated a quiet but happy Christmas with Brand, and two years ago she had been in Byzantium at Christmastide, and in love with Basil. She felt a tear glaze her red cheeks.
Why am I weeping for him, she thought? It was bad enough that he deserted me for a lover, but a male lover? He did not really love me for all his beautiful words! Then she thought of the tender initiation he had given her into the sensual world of passion, and of the exquisite arts of love he had taught her. Surely he had felt some love for her. She wondered if Josselin would enjoy having her practice upon his body those delicious arts in which Basil had instructed her. She very much wanted to make love to Josselin, and she wanted him to make love to her. This husband, she mused, would not leave her a virgin.
They rode until just before dark when they were forced to accept the hospitality of strangers, a Saxon thegn and his family. The thegn had not fought at Hastings having been ill at the time, and his sons were too young to have gone in his stead. Now he and his wife thanked a merciful God that it had been so for several of his neighbors had died at the hands of the Normans. Their women and children had been cast out into the winter cold to wander the roads. At least half a dozen girls of good families had been debauched by their Norman conquerors, and they were not faring well. It was a tragedy repeated all over England. Basically the king had been merciful, but there were those who had boldly defied him even after his victory over Harold Godwinson. To them he showed his wrath.
Their hosts were anxious for the latest word, and eagerly listened to the accounts of the coronation. They nodded their heads approvingly as Eada told them of how the archbishop of York had presented William to his subjects in the English tongue. The thegn almost wept openly when Josselin told him that he would be confirmed in his lands provided he swore his fealty to William. Relief was evident upon his face for he had feared that like his neighbors he would lose his lands.
“The king is not like that,” said Josselin firmly. “Though I am not a Norman I have served him for many years. William of Normandy is a just man. A harsh one I will admit, but a fair and an honest lord. You have but to be loyal and honest to him in return.”
“But can he hold England?” the thegn questioned. “I hear there is yet restlessness in the north, and Exeter as well.”
“King William will hold England you may rest assured,” replied Josselin. “You cannot harm yourselves or your family by giving him your fealty.”
The following morning they took leave of their hosts, and continued upon their way. For a few hours the sun made a brave attempt to shine, but the cloudy lemon disc was quickly overcome by the gray as they hurried slightly north and west toward Aelfleah. They traveled onward for several more days, stopping only at night to shelter, and once during the mid-day to rest the horses, and eat. At last the landscape around them began to look familiar, and they knew that they were near the end of their journey.
The valley with its fine manor house looked so peaceful and welcoming as they rode down the eastern hills to cross over the Aldford river. The stableboys came running to take their weary mounts, and within the house was warmth, and decent food and wine.
“And a hot bath!” said Mairin gleefully.
“Oh, yes,” echoed Eada fervently, “but you first, child. I must see to the removal of my things from the master’s bedchamber. It now belongs to you and Josselin. I will sleep in your room from now on.”
Mairin was about to protest, but then realized her mother was right. The master’s chamber did belong to Josselin now, and she was Josselin’s wife. Mairin might be uncomfortable at first in the chamber she considered her parent’s, but she would get used to it.
“I will see to the evening meal then, mother,” she said quietly as Eada hurried up the stairs, Nara in her wake.
“Has the king then confirmed my lady Mairin as heiress to these lands?” asked Nara.
“Not quite, Nara,” said Eada with a small smile. “The lady Mairin and my lord de Combourg were married in London in the king’s very presence, by the king’s own brother, the bishop of Bayeux! What think you of that?! Josselin de Combourg is now master of Aelfleah, and lady Mairin is its mistress. Now open the chest, girl, and hand me out those clean sheets for the bed!”
Rendered speechless for once Nara aided her mistress to clean and freshen the bedchamber so that the new lord and lady of Aelfleah might take their rest.
When she was satisfied that the room was ready for its new inhabitants Eada instructed Nara. “Have Kene help Dagda bring water upstairs for your lady’s tub.” Then she hurried back down the stairs again for in the back of her mind she remembered Mairin saying something about supper. As she reached the hall, however, Eada stopped suddenly. Her daughter was now mistress of this house, and it was her duty to plan the menus. Eada had always hated having to decide on what to have for the evening meal. It was one chore she would not regret giving up. With a chuckle she helped herself to a goblet of wine, and sat down before the fire.
Chapter 10
It was night and the manor of Aelfleah had settled down to rest. Outside the narrow windows of the lord’s house the snow, which had been threatening to fall for several days, was silently drifting down through the pitch black night to quietly blanket the sleeping earth. In the hills above the valley a wolf howled his lonely cry and was taken up by another of his kind who hunted nearby. They were doomed to failure this night and would go to bed hungry, for all the other creatures had taken shelter from the storm.
Mairin had bathed earlier in the large oaken tub that had been set before the fireplace in the solar. It had been refilled with boiling water after the evening meal and left to cool. Now with everyone else abed Josselin was to be bathed by his wife. It fascinated him that although she was a widow, Mairin had not been in the least embarrassed by his nakedness when he had first pulled his clothes from his body. Indeed she had seemed to assess him, or was that his imagination? He was uncomfortable to think she was weighing and balancing his attributes against others she had seen in such a state of nature.
“You are very long,” she noted innocently while looking at him up and down. He had just stripped the last of his clothes off.
“Is there any particular part to which you refer, lady?” he teased her devilishly.
“Everything about you is long, my lord. Your face, your arms and legs, your trunk. Indeed I have never seen such a long man.”
“Is there nothing else of great length that takes your fancy, lady?” He leered wickedly at her.
He could see her seriously considering his words for a long moment. Then suddenly she turned fiery red as what he really meant struck home. “Oh, knave!” she scolded him as he laughed. “Get into the tub, my lord, before the water cools too much! I am not certain that a cold bath would not be more suitable for such a randy fellow!”
“Oh, Mairin, my sweet enchantress of a wife! I admit to being as randy as a young billy goat for you! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen! We have been man and wife these six nights yet I have been unable to bed you. Do you know how very much I long to lie with you? To caress your beautiful body? To possess you fully?”
She smiled, and began to gently soap his broad shoulders. “Tonight, my lord, we will both satisfy our desires for each other. I will give you pleasure such as my first husband taught me, pleasures that delight a man. In return you will make love to me, and give me children. I very much want children!”
She had no idea of the effect her words had upon Josselin. The blood pounded in his ears and with a suddenness that surprised her he reached up and pulled her into the tub with him. Wrapping his arms about her he kissed her with a ferocity that left her totally breathless. She felt his tongue push into her mouth. She welcomed that first penetration of her person, slowly stroking at his tongue with her own even as Basil had instructed her. Cradling her in his lap he tore away the delicate linen of her shift, the only garment she
had been wearing, and flung the two pieces from him. She was vaguely aware of water sloshing over the side of the tub and onto the floor as he drew her hard against his chest.
Their tongues were cavorting wildly, one about the other, licking at each other, at lips and cheeks and ears. She flung her head back exposing the column of her throat to him. His tongue darted along the silken length of the skin while a hand fastened itself about her breast. With unhurried movement he kneaded the flesh within his fingers slowly, until he felt her bottom grinding into his lap as her passion began to rise.
She turned her head to bury her face into his neck. Then reaching up she fastened her teeth into his earlobe, and bit gently, worrying it as a puppy might worry a piece of cloth. Next she pushed the tip of her tongue deep into his ear, teasing at him with little flicking motions.
“Ahh, enchantress,” he groaned, “unless you desire our first coupling to be here in this tub, then you must cease this sweet torment.”
“I did not know one could couple in the water.” She looked into his face seductively, saying sweetly, “I was quite happy bathing you, my lord.’Twas you who drew me into the tub, and totally destroyed my chemise. Are you not ashamed?”
“No,” he said softly, his green-gold eyes bright with his desire.
“Let me up,” she commanded him weakly, his look seeming to drain the very strength from her bones.
Reluctantly he released her, and helped her to arise. Mairin stepped quickly from the tub and knelt to finish her task of bathing him. The ends of her long hair were wet, but she did not feel them for her skin was still damp too.
Josselin had glimpsed her fully when she had risen and he had almost lost his breath in wonder at her beauty. He had felt himself hardening with the mere sight of her. She was so very beautiful, and she was his.
With a pounding heart and lowered eyes so she might hide her thoughts, Mairin finished bathing Josselin. She poured several buckets of rinse water over him and he stood up, his aroused state no longer a secret. Her breath had grown quite shallow as she observed the hard, pale column of his manhood springing from the dark blond curls between his lean thighs. Here before her was the weapon which would destroy her virginity, and how eager she found she was to face that destruction. Rubbing him dry with a rough piece of linen she said huskily, “We must get into bed, my lord, lest we catch a chill.”
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