“It was Amy, Dame Alice’s serving woman, who attacked me. She waylaid me on the track leading down to the river and – ” Janna sat up straighter, wincing at the pain in her side, “ – she may still be there. I’m afraid I may have blinded her while trying to defend myself. And she will certainly have a bruised neck as a reward for her actions. Someone should go out and look for her.”
“I’ll see to it.” John stood up and strode out. They heard his voice barking commands before he returned to the room.
“Where’s the knife?” Janna asked Aldith. “Did you find the knife?”
“You mean this?” Aldith took the thin blade from the basin of bloodied water and wiped it clean. She held it up for Janna to see. “I had to prize it from you, you were clutching it so tight.”
Janna smiled her thanks, and fell back against the bolster on the bed. “Find the owner and you find out who was responsible both for killing Isabel and for ordering my death.” But there was no doubt whatsoever in her mind. Robert.
“I suspect the misericord belongs to my husband.” A cool voice drew their attention to the doorway and to Dame Alice who stood there. She stepped forward. “I heard what had happened to you,” she told Janna. “I came to see for myself if it was true.” She hesitated. “I would speak with you in private, if I may?” She sent a glance of appeal to John, who nodded. He walked out, followed by Aldith.
“Please, tell me what happened. Why were you attacked?” the dame demanded, as soon as they were left alone.
Janna had no wish to either alarm or distress Dame Alice, but Godric’s life was at stake and she knew that it was time, now, for the truth. And so she told the dame all that had happened, leaving nothing out save the information about Cecily and her own mother, for by his actions Robert was already condemned. She understood, from the dame’s darkening expression, how difficult the information must be to hear, but foremost in Janna’s mind was Godric. Saving him was more important than fostering any illusions the dame might harbor regarding her husband’s fidelity.
Dame Alice took the dagger from Janna and scrutinized it carefully, perhaps hoping even now that it might, after all, belong to someone else. “I’ve known about Robert’s dalliances for years,” she said then, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “Your friend Cecily wasn’t the first, but Amy will certainly be the last.” Her lips tightened as she contemplated her husband’s fate.
That Dame Alice knew about Cecily came as no surprise to Janna; she had long suspected it. She wondered if the dame was aware that Cecily had also been pregnant, even if she couldn’t know the consequences of that pregnancy. Janna couldn’t bring herself to mention it. In spite of the dame’s brave words, Robert’s betrayals must have hurt her pride and destroyed any last vestige of affection she might once have felt for him, while his punishment would shame and disgrace her in the eyes of the world. Even worse, Janna knew how desperately Dame Alice longed to bear another child. That another woman could lie with her husband and conceive so easily would cut deep indeed.
Putting aside her sympathy for the dame, she went to the heart of her concern. “What about Godric?” she asked. “Will you arrange for his release?”
Dame Alice hesitated. “I would like to see for myself the fatal wound that led you to suspect that Isabel had been murdered before she was pushed into the river.”
Janna made to rise, but the dame bid her rest. “You tell me Hugh saw it too. I shall ask him to show me,” she said, and took her leave. Janna wasn’t sure whether or not the dame believed her story, but could understand how desperately she would clutch at the hope that, after all, someone else might have been responsible for Isabel’s death.
After Dame Alice left the room, her father and Aldith came in once more. The midwife wasted no time in finishing her ministrations, wrapping Janna’s wound with clean linen and binding it tight before turning her attention to the superficial cut on Janna’s arm. “Thank you.” Janna lay back, feeling easy in her mind that the midwife was doing exactly what she herself would have done. She turned to her father. “What about the dame’s husband?” she asked, knowing her father would understand her meaning.
“My men are keeping an eye on him for the moment,” John answered grimly. “I shall interrogate the girl, once she’s been found and brought back here, and after that I shall speak to Robert.” There was no need for him to say any more; Janna knew they understood each other perfectly.
A sharp knock surprised them all. Aldith went to the door and Hugh practically fell into the room, followed by Godric. His agonized expression smoothed into relief as he noted that Janna had apparently suffered no lasting harm. She ventured a smile in his direction, which he returned. It warmed her heart and brought a flush to her pale cheeks.
“The manor is buzzing with rumors,” Hugh said, as he bowed to Janna’s father. “How do you fare, my lady?”
“Very well, I thank you.” Janna was amused at his mode of address, suspecting that it was more for her father’s benefit than her own.
“We’ve heard what happened. That girl, Amy, has been brought back to the manor. She claims that you were both waylaid and attacked by a fugitive from the forest.”
“Nonsense! You can go back and tell her that I’m still alive and that I have told the truth of what transpired between us. The truth is that she tried to kill me.”
“But…why?”
“You must look to your aunt’s husband for an answer to that,” Janna said shortly.
“Robert?” Hugh’s tone was flat with disgust.
Janna wished she could explain the full extent of Robert’s villainy, but she knew it would have to wait until Cecily’s confession. “I can tell you what I suspect,” she said at last. “I believe your uncle made Isabel pregnant, but he needed to hide the evidence.”
“So he sent Amy after her, just as he sent her after you?”
“I don’t think so. Yes, she was certainly out along the river bank on that day, but it’s more likely that she decided to go and visit her family because she was not meeting Robert as usual. No, I’m fairly sure Robert was behind Isabel’s death, for two reasons. One, he wouldn’t risk telling Amy why he wanted Isabel dead, not when his new mistress could well find herself in a similar predicament.”
“And the second reason?” Janna’s father asked.
“Isabel was wearing her finest dress when she was killed.”
“So?”
“So I suspect Isabel must have told Robert about the baby, and already suffered his wrath. Certainly she was in great fear and distress over her predicament. The cook told me so, and so did you.” Janna turned to Godric, careful not to mention his name for fear that her father would remember it. Godric’s eyes met hers in a straight gaze but his expression was inscrutable. “I think Robert arranged to meet her along the river bank, and so she dressed for the occasion. Perhaps she hoped that he’d changed his mind and that he would look after her and do the right thing by her. But he’d decided to kill her instead.” Just as he’d once meant to dispose of Cecily. But this time he’d chosen a more foolproof method. “Perhaps he’d already started a liaison with Amy by then. Certainly he needed to eliminate the danger of being found out, but I expect he assumed everyone would believe Isabel’s death was an accident.
“Instead, and fortunately for Robert, Amy saw you with Isabel,” she continued, looking directly at Godric. “No doubt it was Robert’s suggestion that you two were lovers, so that he could accuse you of his own crime and make you the scapegoat.”
“But why did Amy go after you with a knife? Why would she see you as any sort of threat?” Hugh asked.
“Robert believes I have knowledge of something that threatens his safety, and he wants me silenced. He sent Mus after me on more than one occasion, and he hasn’t given up yet. I suspect he may have told Amy that I was here to look into Cecily’s death and that I’d been asking questions about her testimony. He may even have warned her that, if their liaison became known, I would rep
ort her behavior to Dame Alice and she would be dismissed - unless she could silence me. He would know that I’d be on my guard if I encountered him along the river, but he would imagine that I’d feel safe with Amy – as indeed I did. To Amy’s credit, she did seem somewhat unsure of me until my questions confirmed what Robert may have told her.”
“I thank God that devil has been found out!” John said fervently. “I will make sure he hangs, and that young woman with him.” He turned to Godric. “It seems you’ve had a lucky escape from the gallows, young man. What is your name?”
Don’t answer! But Godric had no intimation of danger as he calmly said his name.
“Godric?” John frowned, puzzling for a moment before turning to Janna. “Is this the young man whom you say was helpful to you on past occasions?”
Janna closed her eyes and groaned inwardly. All the warmth engendered by Godric’s smile drained out of her as she whispered a wretched, “Yes, Papa.”
“I wish to reward you for your services to my daughter.” John was unfastening his scrip as he spoke.
“No!” Janna and Godric spoke in unison.
“No?” Perplexed, John looked from Godric to Janna. “I thought you felt some gratitude toward this young man?”
Not only gratitude – love! Janna tried desperately to find the right words to pacify her father while telling Godric what was in her heart. Before she could speak, Godric intervened.
“I’ve been privileged to serve your daughter in the past, but with no expectation of any reward, sire. Nor do I want one.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, man. Take the money, I pray you.” John held out a fistful of silver coins.
Godric took a step backward. “Please excuse me,” he muttered, and left the room.
“Extraordinary.” John shook his head.
Hugh exchanged a sympathetic glance with Janna.
“Will you speak to him?” Janna found her voice at last, addressing Hugh.
But John answered her. “I can try if you wish, but he seems very stiff-necked and arrogant. I’m surprised you tolerate that sort of attitude in a servant, Hugh.”
“He’s not – ” Janna began, but Hugh spoke over her.
“I can assure you, sire, that Godric is the very best of men, despite his humble origins. I’ve learned that I can count on him in all things. In fact, I would trust him with my very life. He’s the sort of man, sire, whom you would be proud to call your son if only you knew him as I know him.”
Janna held her breath, wondering whether her father would chastise Hugh for his insolence. She was grateful beyond measure for Hugh’s testimony, and knew that it was a mark of his regard for her as well as for Godric that he would risk speaking out so boldly.
Her father stayed silent, his gaze moving from Janna to Hugh and back again. Janna felt her cheeks burn under his regard, but she said nothing. The silence lengthened between them. Finally, it was broken by Hugh.
“I apologize if I have spoken out of turn, sire. I just wanted you to know how grateful I am that my steward has been exonerated from this crime, although I deeply regret that your daughter was wounded as a result.”
John nodded, and turned on his heel. “It’s time for me to interrogate that young woman, and I will then speak to your uncle,” he said grimly, and left the room.
“Thank you for your defense of Godric. Could you…would you ask him to come back here and speak to me?” Janna asked, as soon as her father was out of hearing.
Hugh smiled down at her with wry humor. “Oh, Johanna; I shall always wish that you had the same regard for me.” His knuckles stroked her cheek in a brief and gentle caress. “And of course I shall do as you ask.”
Left alone with Aldith, Janna wondered if she should take the midwife into her confidence. It was at times like these that she most missed her mother’s presence and the comfort of her advice. She’d made such a muddle of things in the past, first believing herself in love with Hugh, and then transferring her affection to the charismatic Ralph, whose death had left a scar that had taken quite some time to heal. It had always been her mother’s dearest wish that she and Godric would marry; a request that Janna had furiously rejected at the time. And when Godric had expressed the same desire, she’d dismissed him out of hand. It was only now that she’d grown into womanhood that she’d come to understand Godric’s true worth, and her own love for him – a love he’d reciprocated when he thought of her as lowly born like himself, but withheld now that he knew about her father. How could she change Godric’s mind? And how could she persuade her father to accept him as her husband? Wanting him was driving her to distraction. She had to know what was in his heart, for the thought that she might lose him forever cast her into black despair.
“So you’re in love with that young man. That Godric.” Aldith’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“How did…?”
“Plain to anyone with eyes and a brain.” Aldith gave a gleeful cackle. “Your mother would be so happy to know you’ve finally come around to her way of thinking.”
Janna bobbed her head in acknowledgment. “But I think it may be too late now, for our circumstances have changed so greatly,” she said mournfully.
“Nonsense! I saw how he looked at you – and how you looked at him. And your father saw it too.”
“My father?” Janna jolted upright in alarm, then groaned with pain at the movement.
“Lie easy.” Aldith helped settle her down once more. “You can only speak what is in your heart, and hope that your father will listen to you,” she advised. “As to Godric – he’s come far from his humble birth, but not so far as you, of course. He’s a good choice for a husband, but he’s proud, Janna. You’d do well to remember that.” She patted Janna’s hand. “Speak your heart,” she said. “It’s always best to start with the truth.” And with a final reassuring pat, she left the room as Godric entered.
He was alone. Janna was glad of it. She beckoned him forward. “Thank you for coming,” she said huskily.
He took a couple of steps closer and bowed his head in respectful obeisance, taking care to keep some distance between them. Janna wished she could get up and close the gap, but was wary of movement now, and so stayed still. They looked at each other.
Godric’s face gave nothing away. He held himself taut, his stance betraying that every part of him was under stringent control. There was nothing left of the easy familiarity there had once been between them, nor of the ardor that had led to his offer of marriage. Janna wondered what to say that might convince him that she was prepared to abandon everything, if only she could be with him. She remembered Aldith’s advice, and knew it was wise – knew also that she would never have a better chance than this to speak her mind. But her mouth was dry and her heart hammered so violently she could hardly think. She was panic-stricken that a careless comment might widen the gulf between them, might drive Godric away forever. She took a deep breath.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” she began, “but you once asked me to wed you.”
“Twice.”
It was true. Janna wondered if he meant it as a reminder of his affection or if it was a grievance on his part.
“Twice,” she agreed. “But I was not ready, then, to think of marriage, of settling down with a husband and having children.”
“Just as well, for you have found your family and a fortune that might otherwise have been lost to you.”
It was a gentle reminder, said without bitterness, yet his words hurt worse than a hornet’s sting.
“Not marrying you is my greatest regret, Godric,” Janna said. “At the time, all I could think of was trying to find my father in order to avenge my mother’s death, so that she might rest in peace. I made the promise at her grave, and I felt it was my duty to see it through. Of course, I had no way of knowing who my father was, or even if my quest would succeed. But I do know now what I didn’t know before: that I wish with all my heart that you had shared this journey with me.”
&nb
sp; “Ah, Janna.” Godric’s voice was gentle as he continued. “For so many years I longed to hear those words from you, and longed to be with you. But it’s too late now. You saw what your father thinks of me. Someone to be paid off for services rendered to his daughter – and those services most certainly do not include taking her as a wife!”
“If we were wed without asking my father’s permission, he could do little to prevent the match after the event. After all, that’s how he wed my mother!”
“A powerful and noble lord marrying a woman of lowly birth is a very different situation from ours. Your father would disown you, should you do such a thing.”
“It’s what Dame Alice did when she wanted to marry Robert.”
“And look how that match has ended!”
Janna flinched at the scorn in Godric’s voice. “But you are nothing like Robert,” she protested, wishing she’d never raised his name. “You are honorable, I know that.”
“Too honorable to sneak off and wed the granddaughter of a king!” Godric shook his head. “Janna, I – ” For a moment his mask slipped, revealing something of his true thoughts before he put on the mantle of indifference once more. “You must forget me,” he said. “All your life is before you and it will go well and be happy if you pay heed to your father’s wishes.”
“No! Never!” But Janna’s protest went unheard for, without waiting for her dismissal, Godric hurried from the room.
Janna stared at the empty spot where once he had stood, too upset and shaken even to cry. She was sure she hadn’t misread the agony of loss on his face, just in that fleeting moment. She was equally sure he was quite determined that he could not and would not marry her. She folded her arms around her body in an instinctive gesture of comfort, and began to rock to and fro. She tried to cheer herself with the thought that she had saved Godric from the hangman and was about to avenge her mother’s death, yet even those triumphs paled beside the enormity of her loss.
*
She had fallen into a restless sleep when Cecily was shown into her room. She roused herself to welcome the young woman, and quickly set about trying to persuade her to add her testimony to that already supplied by Amy: to confess that she’d also been seduced by Robert.
Day of Judgment: The Janna Chronicles 6 Page 18