“With a woman like Golde in his bed, any man would sleep well.”
“They seem well-matched.”
“Well-matched and well-mated. I am so glad for Ralph. When his wife died, I never thought he would find the woman to replace her.”
He poured wine for both of them. “In Golde, I dare to hope, he finally has.”
“You fought beside him in the old days, I hear.”
“Yes,” said Aubrey. “We came here with King William himself. I stayed but Ralph went back in disgust. He was not happy with the way we despoiled this county.”
“Were you?”
“I am a soldier. I obeyed my king.”
“And since then? Have you seen my lord Ralph often?”
“No more than once or twice. But we hear news of each other from time to time. His memory has always stayed bright in my mind. My wife, Herleve, has happy recollections of him as well. We were delighted to learn that Ralph was coming to York.”
“Has he changed much since you last met?”
“Not in the slightest. He is a soldier still.”
“Yet he tells me that he yearns for a quiet life on his estates in Hampshire.”
“Do not believe it!” said Aubrey with a grin. “Ralph Delchard will always go in search of action. I am the same. It is in our blood. That is the main reason I remained here in York. It is a fine city but it is also a dangerous place in which to live. I thrive on that danger.”
“So I see.”
“My wife, alas, does not find Yorkshire so attractive.”
“I gathered that,” said Tanchelm. “At the banquet that you so kindly held in our honour, she told me that she has never felt wholly safe here. Especially when you are away.”
“But I rarely leave York.”
“That was not the impression she gave.”
“Herleve exaggerates,” said the other airily. “You know how women are. I have to visit my estates in the East Riding occasionally and may spend a night or two away from here, but that is all. My wife really has no cause to fear. When I am absent, she has the finest guards in York to protect her.”
“Romulus and Remus.”
“They would frighten an entire army.”
“Yet they are like babes in your arms.”
“Yes,” said Aubrey, swallowing the last of his wine. “To everyone else, the lions are instruments of death, as that intruder found out the other night.”
“And to you?”
“My children!”
Outside in the darkness, Romulus and Remus roared in acknowledgement. Aubrey gave a paternal chuckle.
Brother Francis was already seated at the table in readiness when Gervase Bret arrived next morning. The monk gave him a warm smile of welcome.
“You must have risen early, Master Bret.”
“Not as early as you, I think.”
“No,” said Francis cheerfully. “While you were still caught up in your dreams, I was attending Matins and Lauds. It is an inspiring way to start the day. Canon Hubert and Brother Simon joined us in worship.”
“At the minster?”
“Of course. Though I am attached to the abbey, I spend much time with the secular canons at the minster. Our abbey is still in a rather primitive state, I fear. We will continue to lean heavily on the goodwill of Archbishop Thomas until our own buildings are fit to receive us.”
“And when will that be, Brother Francis?”
“Who knows?” said the monk sadly. “Work on the minster must naturally take first place. Archbishop Thomas has been exceedingly generous with his own wealth and his example has brought money flooding in from many sources. The Abbey of St. Mary has not been so fortunate.” Optimism revived his smile. “But we have kind benefactors as well. It is only a matter of time before the abbey plays a full part in the spiritual life of York.”
“I would like to view the site, Brother Francis.”
“Then you shall.”
“I know there is not much to see as yet, but the project interests me.
Could I trespass on you when I have more time?”
“Please do,” said the monk with genuine delight. “I will happily show you all that you wish to see. This is a quite unlooked-for pleasure. When royal commissioners arrive here on secular business, I do not expect two of them to express such curiosity in our abbey.”
“Two of us?”
“I showed your colleague around but yesterday.”
Gervase was astonished. “My lord Ralph?”
“No,” said Francis tolerantly. “My lord Ralph is not as predisposed towards the Church as you and your other colleagues seem to be. My companion last evening was my lord Tanchelm.”
“Indeed?”
“A most inquisitive visitor. I must have talked with him an hour or more. He wanted to know everything.”
“My questions may be more superficial.”
“I will be just as willing to answer them.”
“Thank you.”
A testing day lay ahead. Gervase took his place at the table and sorted through the documents in his satchel. He was not surprised that Tanchelm of Ghent had visited the Abbey of St. Mary. What puzzled him was that his colleague had made absolutely no mention of the fact.
Nigel Arbarbonel was annoyed at having to spend the night in York.
Business that was concluded during the visit of the first commissioners now appeared to be unresolved. It was galling to find that the past was not as completely behind him as he assumed. Bolstered by the knowledge that he had nothing to fear, he determined to be helpful and even-tempered in the presence of his examiners. They were acting with royal warrant and that had to be respected. At the same time, he would not let them intimidate him in any way. There were limits to even his good humour.
Making virtue of a necessity, he paid a number of calls on friends in the city to exchange pleasantries and conduct business. That morning he was summoned before the commissioners again. As he rode through the streets with his men-at-arms, he caught sight of three figures emerging from their lodging. He could not resist accosting them.
“Good morrow!” he said with a courteous wave.
Sunnifa was startled to see him towering over her on his destrier.
She stepped back and gave him a cautious nod. Brunn the Priest muttered a welcome. Inga merely stared up at him with defiance. He addressed his remarks to her.
“It is a long journey home,” he observed. “You had best start out now to be sure of getting back before nightfall.”
“We have to give evidence about the theft of our land.”
“Hearsay evidence,” he mocked. “It counts for nothing.”
“We will stay in York until we get justice.”
“Then you may be here for eternity, Inga. You have no case to offer and the commissioners must find in my favour.” He pointed in the direction of Monkgate. “There lies your way. Take it while you may.
You never know what perils may lurk beside it if you delay here.”
“You are a brave man, my lord Nigel,” said Inga, glaring up at him, “to threaten two unarmed women and a priest. That takes the courage of a true soldier!”
He smiled disarmingly. “What I give is no threat. It is sage advice. The countryside around York is infested with outlaws. The commissioners themselves were robbed on their way here.” He leaned in closer to her.
“I will be pleased to offer you the protection of my men as you ride back.”
“No, thank you!” she said with scorn.
“You are tenants of mine. I wish to help you.”
“Then restore the holdings you stole from my father.”
“This argument belongs in front of the commissioners,” he said. “When they have made their decision, I hope that you and your mother have the grace to abide by it.” He flashed a grin. “And do not forget my offer.”
“Offer?”
“Yes, Inga. It still stands. You do not need to spend the rest of your days in that hovel where you live.” He gave her a polite leer. “There is always a place for you in my household.”
“I would sooner die, my lord!”
Laughing happily, he rode off down the street.
Sunnifa was anxious. “Do not provoke him, Inga.”
“I will not let any man insult me!”