In The Grip Of Old Winter by Jonathan Broughton Read Free Book Online Page A

William of Normandy’s rule is
followed. Why Oswald, you accepted it and suffer no ill. Stand forth and let
the folk see that what they knew before has not changed. Obedience is all that
is required and that will be administered by force, if that is what is
demanded.”
    Oswald did not sound
convinced. “Oh come, such words are air when fear abounds, there must...” He
stopped talking as Peter heard the tread of other feet come into the room.
    Oswald said, “Una, fetch my
daughter. She must drink with us.”
    A woman replied. “She is
here.”
    “I heard my Eorl arrive.”
Leonor’s voice and Peter’s heart jumped.
     
    ***
     
    “Let us drink to our union,”
declaimed the rider. “To a maid so fair and full of grace.”
    Leonor said. “My Eorl
flatters. In answer, I offer him good strength and long life.”
    Oswald coughed. “This is
prettily done and I add my best sentiments to you both.”
    Silence followed. Peter
guessed they drank and then the rider gave a loud sigh of pleasure. “Fine
mead,” followed by the clunk of a wooden cup being set down. “I trust my lady
was not alarmed?”
    “What was it, my Eorl?” asked
Leonor. “I heard Tobias shout, but I saw nothing.”
    “An outlaw skulking in the
woods,” replied Oswald. “Eorl Bosa gave chase, but his cunning ways threw him
off the scent. There is little we can do but stand guard.”
    “It is sad that so many of
our kith have taken to hiding and abandoning their ways,” said Leonor, “Do they
not see that we mean them no harm?”
    “They do not wish to see,”
Eorl Bosa announced. “They believe that the old ways are still possible and
will not accept changing times.”
    Oswald sighed. “So it has
always been.”
    “It seems,” said Bosa, “that
they forget to whom they owe allegiance. They live upon your father’s land,
Leonor...”
    Oswald interrupted. “As they
always have.”
    “Indeed,” agreed Bosa. “And
it is to you they must defer in all matters, as has been the custom and the law
since your father’s fathers’ time and his father before. That they break these
common bonds renders them outlaws, for which they will not go unpunished.”
    “It is sad, my Eorl, to think
that might happen,” said Leonor.
    “My lady’s heart is tender,” replied
Bosa. He cleared his throat, much like Peter’s headmaster at school before he
made an important announcement. “Fortune granted me the opportunity for
travelling here, for I came to arrange the day of our union.”
    Leonor whispered. “My Eorl.”
    Oswald stammered, as if
flustered. “It is hard to - after the - I cannot know what to say...”
    Eorl Bosa resumed walking
backwards and forwards. “My unexpected arrival and present events have put us
all out of temper. It is unwise to desire such longed-for arrangements without
a clear head and a light heart. Let me speak again in a few days when these
matters might be resolved to all our satisfaction.”
    “I am grateful for your
understanding,” said Oswald. “A few more days will be no great hardship.
Leonor?”
    “Father.”
    Bosa walked around the couch
and his boots disappeared from sight. “I am impatient for this union, my lady.
You too desire it?”
    Leonor replied. “My Eorl’s
wishes are my own.”
    Peter didn’t think she
sounded happy, though it was difficult to be sure without seeing her face.
    Oswald said, “I will send two
of my men with you.”
    Bosa snorted. “That will not
be necessary. I do not fear the common folk, though I thank you for the offer.”
    The men’s voices echoed as
they moved down the passage. Peter shuffled onto his side, his stiff legs
ached.
    Then Leonor’s feet appeared.
A long gown, cream coloured, covered her legs to her ankles and she wore
slippers, like jazz pumps that the girls at school liked, but of a darker
shade. She paced and muttered. Peter didn’t catch the words, but she sounded
angry… or upset. She came towards the chest and Peter held his breath.
    “He can’t