Fire and Ice (12 page)

Once they had reached the woods Erik told Sara what had happened and she immediately wanted to run back to attend Hilde, but Erik stopped her.

“We need to think things through properly, Sara.  There must be something we can do to put a stop to this woman’s antics.”

“I could poison her,” Sara said
, grinning.

Erik laughed, “No, I don’t think we’d get away with that, but there must be something
we can do to make her want to return to Normandy.”

“You could speak with Thorvald – he might do something.”

“Thorvald is busy visiting other nobles at the moment and has no interest in what he would call women’s business, and neither have I for that matter, but Ulfric would be furious if he knew what was going on here.”

“I still think you must speak with Thorvald, he’s in charge of matters whilst Ulfric’s away.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right, but in the meantime, please try and think of something that would force Giselle to return to her homeland, or at least send her away from Bertone.”

“I will try to think of something, but I still think poison would be a good idea.  She needs to be put down like the rabid dog she is.”

“Unfortunately, I agree, but de Gant would only make things worse for Juliana.  No we must be clever in our dealings with these people and not allow them to get the upper hand whilst Ulfric is away.”

When they re-entered the Hall Giselle was sitting before the fire wearing a fine woollen green dress which had been Hilde’s.  Her black hair was thin and stringy, her dark face and whole being seemed to emanate an evil aura and Sara scurried past her as fast as she could, leaving Erik at the door.  Kyle was sitting with the other dogs and wagged his tail in greeting but dared not leave his place.

“I see you have helped yourself to a new wardrobe, Giselle,” Erik remarked candidly.

“And why
shouldn’t I?” she snapped.  “That old hag has no use for them anymore!”

Erik bit his tongue as Thorvald entered and sat opposite Giselle, looking from her to Erik and picking up on the atmosphere between them.

“I’ve been to visit your parents, Erik.  They send their warmest greetings and hope that you are well.”

Erik dragged his eyes away from Giselle but Thorvald did not miss the look of hatred which he tried to cover up with his words.  “Thank you, Thorvald.  I’ve been too busy with matters here to visit them recently, but I will go as soon as Ulfric allows it.”

“Aren’t
you
the dutiful son?” Giselle smirked, but pricked her finger with her needle causing her to throw her stitching down while she put her finger to her mouth.

“You see – we all get what we deserve in the end,” Erik grinned at her discomfort and Thorvald smiled, unaware of what had gone on before but knowing that Giselle
would be at fault no matter what it was.

“Perhaps you should speak with Juliana, Thorvald.  I’m sure she has something she wishes to tell you,” Erik said.

Giselle stood up and stamped her feet but her fury was too much for words and she hurried away to her chamber.

The men watched her go so Erik took her seat and brought Thorvald up to date with the latest news from the Hall, after which he excused himself and went away to calm down, leaving Thorvald with the headache of dealing with Giselle.

At that moment Father Matthew entered and Thorvald had an idea and beckoned the priest over.

“Father Matthew, come and warm yourself by the fire.  I have matters to discuss with you.”

Chapter 13

Ulfric returned to Bertone happy that he had finished his duty in Lincoln.  The King had left orders to garrison the men in the castle building as soon as it was finished and work was proceeding apace.  He had no sooner set foot in the Hall when Giselle appeared complaining about Juliana, the servants, the food and anything else she could think of.  He looked round for Thorvald who shrugged his shoulders and hunched in front of the fire.  The weather had set in cold and Ulfric had dreamed of getting back to the warmth of the Hall and of course to the soft comfort of Juliana, whom he noted, was not there to greet him.

Holding up a hand to stop Giselle’s complaints, he said, “Hold woman.  Am I not the lord of this Hall and am I not entitled to enter here without the moans and groans of a
spoilt harridan?”

“Harridan? 
Me
a harridan.  You listen to me, Ulfric.  If it hadn’t been for me keeping these peasants under control while you’ve been away, they would all have robbed you and left without another thought.”

“I doubt that, Giselle.  Thorvald was in charge whilst I was away and I’m sure he has obeyed my orders as far as this Hall is concerned
, and if you have taken that responsibility upon yourself then you have wasted your time and efforts. 
You
have no authority here and never will have - and let me repeat what I have already told you – you are a
guest
here only because of the debt I owe your father - and that applies to your brother too.”

Giselle
sneered and went to stand in front of the fire glaring at Thorvald who grinned inanely at Ulfric’s words.

“
Now, where is Juliana?” Ulfric asked looking around.

“She is with her mother who has taken ill once more,” Thorvald replied
, looking directly at Giselle.

Ulfric took the steps three at a time and
burst into Hilde’s room startling all the occupants except Kyle who bounced joyfully around him while Juliana ran into his arms.  “Now that is the greeting I was waiting for,” Ulfric laughed, but then he saw Sara leaning over Hilde and felt Juliana’s heaving sobs against his tunic.  His smile fell from his face when he noted Hilde’s pallor, almost yellowish in the pale sunlight which filtered into the room.

“What happened?” he asked, looking at Sara over Juliana’s head.

“That Norman she-dog!” was her answer.

“But she seemed to be
getting better when I left.”

“That excuse for a woman came in here and frightened Hilde out of her wits again.  She had to watch as all her clothes were stolen from her trunks and thrown around the room.  When
Juliana stood up to her she threatened to take her clothes too.  Hilde was terrified and hasn’t recovered since.  We fear for her, my lord.”

Ulfric
raised Juliana’s head to gaze into her eyes.  “I’m sorry, my love, I mean to throw both of the de Gants out of this Hall and to blazes with my debt to their father.  I think we have paid enough of that debt off now and believe me, he would be the first to advise me to get rid of them.  I think he is thoroughly ashamed to be their father.”

Juliana relaxed slightly and whispered her thanks before moving away to sit by her mother once again.

Ulfric left the room with Kyle at his heels and went to join Thorvald who had Erik by his side.  The servants brought them a bowl of red wine warmed by dipping a poker into the fire and then plunging it into the bowl.  Drinking horns were passed to each before the servants left quietly with orders from Ulfric not to disturb them.

Thorvald and Erik drank their wine slowly but Ulfric swallowed his in one gulp.  “I needed that,” he
said, “now tell me all that has happened and don’t spare the detail.”

After he had heard everything the men had to tell
, Ulfric considered their words while he idly stroked Kyle who had taken up position at the side of his master’s chair.

Erik interrupted his thoughts, “Sire, Thorvald has come up with a plan to rid us of Giselle whic
h doesn’t involve poisoning her - which Sara was ready and prepared to do.”

Ulfric looked pointedly at Thorvald who cleared his throat but kept his voice down.  “I have spoken with Father Matthew and it could be arranged for Giselle to be placed in the care of the
sisters at the Nunnery in Goxhill.”  He noted Ulfric’s disbelief but went on, “It’s quite legal, Ulfric.  Father Matthew says that a gentlewoman of noble birth like Giselle could be held there ‘for her own safety’.”

The corners of Ulfric’s mouth turned up and his eyes sparkled with merriment.  “And you came up with this plan yourself, Thorvald?”

“Indeed I did.  Ask Father Matthew or Erik here if you don’t believe me,” he said indignantly.

“No, I believe you, old friend.  It just seems such a simple solution.  I could
put my seal to an authority that she be held there until I deem it safe to let her go and I’ll only do that if she agrees to go back to Normandy.”

“What about Sir Richard, sire?” Erik asked, “Won’t he have something to say about this?”

“I suppose he might, but I am lord here and perfectly entitled to sign any papers that you might draw up for me as my Reeve.”

“Do you think you should give her the option of going back to Normandy first, my lord?” Erik asked.

“I’ll consider it, but in the meantime I must eat a decent meal.  Erik, go and tell the servants to serve the meal earlier tonight.  I have a lot of thinking to do before we put this plan of yours into action, Thorvald.  No doubt Richard will be here before nightfall and he and his sister will be whispering in corners again.”

***

The opportunity to put Thorvald’s plan into action was put on hold and Ulfric said nothing of it to Juliana.  There was much to do before the winter set in and the leaves were beginning to turn by the time the harvest was gathered in.  The farmers brought their tithe to Ulfric’s store which meant they would all be fed during the colder months, but those who couldn’t give a tenth brought their reasons and excuses to the Moot Hall where Ulfric with Erik’s help, passed judgement on those who were genuine.  In these cases they were given leave to provide labour at the Hall instead, but for those who Erik knew from past experience were trying to cheat Ulfric, their farms were searched and their stores measured, any excess was taken to the Hall.  Anyone found trying to cheat their new lord was threatened with being turned off their land if they tried such tricks again.  Their names were entered in a book and tallies of all produce taken.

The castle at Lincoln was taking shape and parts of it were already
being used for a garrison for William’s northern army.  It would take some years to complete but at least it meant a permanent Norman presence in the prosperous town.  The plans for the cathedral had been finalised and the digging of the foundations would begin the following spring. 

Work in the barley
fields of Bertone was quieter now that the harvest was in and their thanks to God underway at the church.  Father Matthew was busy with his parishioners and gave little thought to Giselle and her troublemaking, but he was concerned for Juliana and her mother.  Hilde had not improved in health and Sara had returned to her own cottage for a rest, leaving Juliana and the servants to carry on her work.  Juliana looked tired and out of sorts with dark shadows under her eyes accentuated by her paler than usual complexion so he sought her out after the harvest festival.  Ulfric was away in Lincoln again leaving Thorvald alone once more to take care of the Hall and its occupants.  The priest saw Juliana edging her way to the door with the rest of the congregation and drew her to one side as she passed him.

“Are you feeling unwell, Juliana, my child?” he asked gently, looking into her green eyes for the spark which they normally held.

“Not really unwell, Father, just tired, I think,” she smiled to assuage his concern.

“How is your mother?”

“Just the same,” she answered tearfully.  “I don’t think she will live through this winter.”  Juliana finally gave way to her tears and Father Matthew led her to the baptistry and pulled out a bench for her to sit down.

“Hush, child.  I think you’re wrong.  Your mother is very strong and as long as she has peace of mind she will pull through.”

“But, Father, she doesn’t get peace of mind because she is haunted by Giselle’s treatment of her.  Even though she can’t speak, she insists that her door is barred at all times which means that I or one of the servants have to stay with her, which they don’t like to do as it means a sleepless night for them.  I hear her moaning and groaning and I cannot sleep let alone the servant who is in the same room.  I don’t know what to do for her.  Giselle complains constantly that she is kept awake but she’s too far away to hear her, so I know that’s untrue, but I’m so tired of her complaints.”

“That wo
man just likes to complain, you know that, but let me speak with Sir Thorvald and we will put our heads together to try and find a solution which suits everyone.”

“You are very kind, Father.  I’m sorry to burden you with my worries.”

“That is what I am put here for, Juliana.”

Father Matthew walked back to the Hall with her and found Thorvald just getting ready to go hunting.
  He had a bow and a quiver full of arrows slung over his shoulder and the boy Sam, who Thorvald had rescued on more than one occasion from the de Gants’ petty cruelty, was ready to go with him.  In recent weeks the boy’s mother had worked in the brew house making cider from the orchards around and about and she and Thorvald had become friends.  Her name was Margaret and she was a widow, her husband having died along with many of the town’s male population, at the hands of the Normans.  She was pleased that Thorvald had taken her boy under his wing and was a good influence for him.  She also thought that Thorvald was very good looking and she blushed beetroot-red every time he sought her out.