Bone of Contention by Roberta Gellis Read Free Book Online

complained that their men had been sent out of Oxford because there was no room for them. At that time she had remarked that such an order was foolish. Who better than William’s foreign mercenaries to keep the peace? They certainly did not care about English parties. And one of William’s captains had said that perhaps someone did not want the peace kept.
    Bell had been watching her face. Now he shrugged. “I hope the rule of safe conduct may hold. King Henry was strong enough that he could suffer a man to defy him in Court and let him go free because he could punish him later. Stephen has beaten back his enemies, but I doubt he believes himself able to confront the really powerful among his own men. That is why I fear some move will be made against Salisbury…but I do not know what. Salisbury has given no real cause for Stephen to act against him.”
    Magdalene sighed. “Well, it does not matter. I still say that unless the whole city of Oxford goes up in flames, I will be safe enough. And I have already given my word that I will be there by Monday morning at the latest. So, will you let me ride with you, or shall I make other arrangements?”
    Bell looked sour and then laughed. “I should know better than to try to change your mind after it is fixed. Of course you will be welcome to ride with me.” He stood up. “And you had better finish that packing. If I stay the night, which I hope you will allow, I have no more desire than you to hear Ella wailing or asking over and over why you must go and what will become of her.”
     

Chapter 3
     
19 June,
Oxford
     
    Aside from several showers, one severe enough to force them to seek shelter, Bell and Magdalene had no trouble on the road to Oxford. He was not surprised, since he had four well-armed men and he himself wore mail and helm. Moreover they did not look to be worth attacking, since the mule that carried the baggage was not heavily laden and the woman who rode with them wore simple clothing without a ring or a chain for ornament. A poor knight and his wife, thieves would think, with no money or jewels worth fighting five armed men.
    Ordinarily the most dangerous part of their journey would have been the passage through a heavily wooded area and then crossing the ford just outside of the town, but there was a whole concourse of people, several with larger meinies of armed men, on the road that morning. As they slowed behind a heavily laden baggage cart until the road widened and they could pass, a mounted man waiting by the side of the road hailed them. He waved his meinie to ride behind and brought his horse to Bell’s other side. Magdalene was surprised to see him, but her face showed only mild curiosity, as for a stranger. He glanced at her and then away.
    “Is the bishop here?” the young man asked Bell eagerly.
    “No, Lord Ormerod,” Bell replied. “I am sorry to say he holds by his decision to remain in Winchester. However, the dean is here. He is at Wytham Abbey and will welcome you.”
    The young man frowned. “The dean will not do. It is that old trouble about the farm my father bought just before he died. You know I have a quittance and the bishop witnessed it, but the man now says that was only the first payment. I hoped the bishop would ask the king to settle the matter. Winchester is the king’s own brother. And I think the king feels an especial desire to please the bishop just now.”
    “And so he should,” Bell snapped, then set his jaw. After a deep breath, he went on, “There is such a great attendance at this Court that I am not certain the king will have time to look into all the claims raised, but he usually does try to settle clear cases. It might be worthwhile for you to approach him. However, with the press of business, I cannot think of a way to bring yourself to his attention.”
    “Sir Bellamy!” The young man’s voice was raised in mingled shock and reproach. “I never thought—”
    What he would never have thought was