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

make me. I won’t do
it. I’ll... I’ll...”
    The tread of heavy footsteps
approached and Leonor turned and ran. “I won’t be betrothed to him, father, I
won’t.” Her voice gasped, close to tears.
    “Calm yourself,” said Oswald.
“Nothing is arranged.”
    “Why don’t you just tell
him?” cried Leonor. “Why do we have to dissemble?”
    “It is wise to appear
desirous of his wishes, Leonor. You know that.” Oswald’s boots strode into
view. “These present times are troubling and strife tears our land apart. Eorl
Bosa is vulnerable too. The unexpected disappearance of his lady has been the
cause of many stray and unkind words.”
    Leonor stamped her foot. “I
know these arguments father, but it isn’t fair that you use me in this way. And
what happened to his lady? Why did she disappear? Might the same fate befall
me?”
    Oswald came closer, but she
moved away.
    “And I can’t hold my tongue
every time he visits.” She faced him. “I will tell him, father. I’m not afraid.
I will tell him that I hate him.”
    “Please, Leonor, have
patience. By the next full moon, I promise, Eorl Bosa will trouble us no more.”
Oswald strode around the couch and out of view. “You see how I sent him on his
way? Already I have given us more days to secure our position.” The splash of
liquid poured into a cup. “I cannot risk upsetting him before I am sure of
support. He commands greater lands, with more men to muster and his allegiance
to the Norman king will secure a boon of armed knights that I cannot hope to
resist.” He re-appeared and stood before Leonor. “I never intended that this
struggle include you.”
    “Then why have you led him
down this path? I am sick at the sight of him.”
    “Because,” and Oswald
swallowed from his cup, “the opportunity bloomed in such an unexpected way. His
wooing softened difficult choices that I needed to make. Neither the Norman
king nor his knights will trouble us while Eorl Bosa holds firm to his
betrothal wishes to you. They will think that my allegiance to King William is
sure.”
    “Because Eorl Bosa woos me?”
Leonor no longer cried.
    “That is so. Like mist that
hides the river, we hear where the water runs, but we cannot see its path.”
    Leonor giggled. “That is very
pretty, father.”
    Oswald spoke louder. “Like
smoke that stings the eyes, we see where it lies, but cannot pass.”
    Leonor laughed and clapped
her hands. “I understand, father. Enough.”
    Oswald chuckled. “It is good
to hear you happy, though my words hide darker meanings that I do not care to
think upon.”
    Leonor came closer to her
father. “I will resolve to appear willing, if you wish it, though my heart
shudders at what might happen.”
    “Do not fear for events that
have not come to pass. All I ask is that you follow my wishes, for the present.”
Their feet almost touched and Peter guessed that they hugged.
    “I will father,” said Leonor.
    Oswald spoke close to a
whisper. “The outlaw in the wood, is it the truth you spoke?”
    “No father. I saw him. And
last night too, when I glimpsed the flames from his brand as he passed through
the trees. It was Wulfwyn followed Eorl Bosa.”
    Oswald strode past her. “That
is good.” His voice stayed low. “The woodland camp is drawing more men if
Wulfwyn leaves to scout. And Tobias surprised me.”
    Leonor laughed as her father
said, “Eorl Bosa’s face frowned like thunder to be halted by such rude demands.
I did not think Tobias possessed such wit.”
    “I feared he might strike
Wulfwyn with his arrow. They made such a fight as I feared for their lives.”
Leonor’s surprise softened. “He loves you father, as we all do.”
    “I take great comfort in
those words.” Then he clapped his hands and Peter heard the rasp of coarse skin
as he rubbed them together. “Later, I will visit the camp and speak with
Wulfwyn. There is much to be decided after I gauge his strength of men and
arms.”
    Oswald strode out of