senseless.”
Giselle gave a small grin, “It’s true, Ulfric, she disobeyed me so I tied her with the hounds with a rope around her neck, but I didn’t beat her – she fell down the stairs.”
“A likely story! She bears the signs of punches to her face and her eyes didn’t swell and close of their own accord.”
“She is a disobedient servant, Ulfric. Let it be a lesson to all the other servants that we are a strong and mighty nation and will brook no disloyalty.”
“Hilde is the mother of my... of Juliana who is now the lady of the Hall. You have no power over them, Giselle, and when your brother arrives back from Lincoln he can take responsibility for you. I will not tolerate your abuse of my people – is that understood?”
“Richard won’t agree with you. He’ll think as I do.”
“I don’t care what Richard thinks. You and he are alike in so many ways but neither of you take after your father.”
“Our father is weak like you. He always showed you favour over us, Ulfric.”
“That’s untrue, but even if it were it still doesn’t give you the right to beat my people. Now, I want your word that you will observe the courtesies I show to the people around me, ladies and servants alike or I will throw you out of the Hall together with your brother.”
Giselle considered his threat and tossed her head in defiance, but knew she w as beaten. If Ulfric told her father of her misdeeds then he would send her back to Normandy but she was tired of that place and wanted some adventure. Under his stare of disapproval she lowered her eyes and nodded her head. “So be it, Ulfric, but don’t think this is the end of the matter.”
“For your sake I pray that it is!” he said and walked past her back to the Hall cursing the day he ever met the de Gants.
Chapter 12
The weeks following Giselle’s attack on Hilde were long and difficult for all concerned. Even Richard de Gant held his tongue but he and his sister could be seen huddled together in conversation and if anyone approached they stopped talking. Juliana was at her wits end attempting to cope with Giselle’s demands and trying to keep the peace. Hilde herself began to make a slow recovery once Sara moved in and took over her care. Potions were made and as the autumn approached, she and Juliana began collecting fruits from the hedgerows and replenishing stocks of herbs to continue the treatment.
Father Matthew attended frequently, showing his gratit ude for the work to replace the church’s spire. His small room on the upper floor above the nave was less damp and he was looking forward to a warmer winter than previous years. Ulfric suffered his suggestions that he should marry Juliana with as much grace as possible, but eventually began to contrive to be away from the Hall if he knew the priest would be calling.
The time arrived when he had to go to Lincoln for a month in accordance with the King’s orders but Thorvald was left behind to oversee the Hall and try to keep Juliana and Giselle from killing each other. The night before Ulfric was due to leave he and Juliana were in their bedchamber discussing his absence.
“I wish you didn’t have to go, Ulfric,” Juliana began, a slight wobble in her voice betraying her dread.
“You know I have to obey the King’s orders and Thorvald will be here. I can’t take you on this occasion as I’ll be with the men. The sooner a permanent garrison is in place the better. I don’t relish the thought of sleeping in cold and draughty quarters any more. I must be getting soft, Juliana. I will miss your charms and comfort,” he laughed, trying to lighten the moment.
“Will Sir Richard be going with you?”
“Yes, at least I won’t have to worry about him and Giselle plotting together. I wonder what they find to talk about huddled in their corners.”
“I’m worried, Ulfric. Do you think they plan to take over the Hall?”
“No, that
Giselle gave a small grin, “It’s true, Ulfric, she disobeyed me so I tied her with the hounds with a rope around her neck, but I didn’t beat her – she fell down the stairs.”
“A likely story! She bears the signs of punches to her face and her eyes didn’t swell and close of their own accord.”
“She is a disobedient servant, Ulfric. Let it be a lesson to all the other servants that we are a strong and mighty nation and will brook no disloyalty.”
“Hilde is the mother of my... of Juliana who is now the lady of the Hall. You have no power over them, Giselle, and when your brother arrives back from Lincoln he can take responsibility for you. I will not tolerate your abuse of my people – is that understood?”
“Richard won’t agree with you. He’ll think as I do.”
“I don’t care what Richard thinks. You and he are alike in so many ways but neither of you take after your father.”
“Our father is weak like you. He always showed you favour over us, Ulfric.”
“That’s untrue, but even if it were it still doesn’t give you the right to beat my people. Now, I want your word that you will observe the courtesies I show to the people around me, ladies and servants alike or I will throw you out of the Hall together with your brother.”
Giselle considered his threat and tossed her head in defiance, but knew she w as beaten. If Ulfric told her father of her misdeeds then he would send her back to Normandy but she was tired of that place and wanted some adventure. Under his stare of disapproval she lowered her eyes and nodded her head. “So be it, Ulfric, but don’t think this is the end of the matter.”
“For your sake I pray that it is!” he said and walked past her back to the Hall cursing the day he ever met the de Gants.
Chapter 12
The weeks following Giselle’s attack on Hilde were long and difficult for all concerned. Even Richard de Gant held his tongue but he and his sister could be seen huddled together in conversation and if anyone approached they stopped talking. Juliana was at her wits end attempting to cope with Giselle’s demands and trying to keep the peace. Hilde herself began to make a slow recovery once Sara moved in and took over her care. Potions were made and as the autumn approached, she and Juliana began collecting fruits from the hedgerows and replenishing stocks of herbs to continue the treatment.
Father Matthew attended frequently, showing his gratit ude for the work to replace the church’s spire. His small room on the upper floor above the nave was less damp and he was looking forward to a warmer winter than previous years. Ulfric suffered his suggestions that he should marry Juliana with as much grace as possible, but eventually began to contrive to be away from the Hall if he knew the priest would be calling.
The time arrived when he had to go to Lincoln for a month in accordance with the King’s orders but Thorvald was left behind to oversee the Hall and try to keep Juliana and Giselle from killing each other. The night before Ulfric was due to leave he and Juliana were in their bedchamber discussing his absence.
“I wish you didn’t have to go, Ulfric,” Juliana began, a slight wobble in her voice betraying her dread.
“You know I have to obey the King’s orders and Thorvald will be here. I can’t take you on this occasion as I’ll be with the men. The sooner a permanent garrison is in place the better. I don’t relish the thought of sleeping in cold and draughty quarters any more. I must be getting soft, Juliana. I will miss your charms and comfort,” he laughed, trying to lighten the moment.
“Will Sir Richard be going with you?”
“Yes, at least I won’t have to worry about him and Giselle plotting together. I wonder what they find to talk about huddled in their corners.”
“I’m worried, Ulfric. Do you think they plan to take over the Hall?”
“No, that
Similar Books
