Maud speaks

“Good morning, dearest!” Githa chirped. To her surprise, she found Maud already seated in a chair before the fire, though she had not dressed, and her hair was a bit wild. Still, this was progress.

“I’m so happy to see you up this morning,” she continued. “I wonder whether it is because you know what day it is. Do you?”

Maud, of course, made no sign of having heard.

“Well, I shall tell you. It is All Saints Day! What do you think? Now, that means two things,” she said as she began to brush the Queen’s hair. “First, it means that we shall go to Mass today. It is such a sunny day and warm that Father Brandt would like to know whether you might come to the church? The people would be so happy to see you. Of course, he will come to the chapel later, if you prefer, and we might have Mass there. There is a bit of wind, after all. Now, do you know what else?”

Maud stared off into the fire.

“Why, it’s the first of November, silly! You know what that means! It means your month of silence is over. Now you are free to say, ‘Shut your trap, Githa, I’ve had it up to here with your chatter!’” Githa tittered to herself. “But you’ve obliged me to talk for two, my dear. I’ve had to sing the verses and the refrain. There!” she said, patting the smooth hair that fell over the Queen’s shoulders. “If only I had hair like yours. It takes no time at all to brush it. Athelis and I spend ages picking at one another’s hair. I’m only glad that the boys have Theobald’s hair, for otherwise I should probably shave it off in desperation.”

She came around to stand before the Queen.

“Well, dear, you need to tell me whether you want to go to Mass in the chapel or the church now, so we can decide what you will wear. I believe your husband means to go to the church, but – ”

Maud looked up at her suddenly.

Githa froze in mid-​​sentence. It was the first time the Queen had turned her head to look at anyone since she had been found in the garden of the abbey. Githa was afraid to breathe, as if this living Maud were a wild animal that would dart away again at the slightest movement, leaving behind only the empty, mindless body for which Githa had cared these last few weeks.

“My husband?” Maud asked with a voice that was hoarse and hesitant from disuse.

“Yes!” Githa smiled. “Your husband! Sigefrith!”

Maud stared at her as if the words were supposed to make sense, but did not.

“Your husband means to go the church today, for the people, but he will come to Mass in the chapel with you, as well, if you will come. Won’t you? Won’t it be lovely? I am here with my girls, and the two Eadgiths are here – and oh, Maud! You shall meet Cenwulf’s cousin Edris! She is such a charming lady. You will adore her. Edris will go to the church, but I am certain she too will come to the chapel, if you will. Oh, won’t you, dear? How we should all love to see you again!”

Maud rose unsteadily. “Which dress?” she asked.

“Yes! Let us choose a pretty dress,” Githa said, taking the Queen’s hand and helping her shuffle over to the chest. She pulled open a drawer and allowed Maud to look inside. “Which do you like?”

Maud looked over the neatly folded piles of colored cloth as if these too made no sense. But suddenly her eyes came alive, and she clutched at a soft green gown that lay in a corner.

“Why, Maud!” Githa laughed. “That little dress won’t do for Mass. It’s a very pretty dress, mind, but not for Mass. Why don’t you wear this other green one? It’s not very heavy either, but it will be warm enough if you only go to chapel. Maud?”

Maud had pulled the first gown out of the drawer and was already shaking out the folds.

“Oh, Maud, I don’t know,” Githa fretted. This was a summer dress – it was far too thin for November. But Maud was smiling like a girl at the sight of it. Perhaps she could be wrapped in a fur robe, if she only went to chapel… It would be such a shame to refuse her the first thing she had seemed to want in a month.

“Oh, very well, dear,” Githa said. “If the wife of the old Earl of Mercia could ride naked through the streets,” she giggled, “I suppose that my Queen may wear a summer gown to All Saints Mass.”

Githa helped her out of her nightgown and into the dress, and then looked her over. The Queen had grown thin and pale, but she was not sure that Maud’s pallor was not one of her charms, at least in Sigefrith’s eyes. Still, Githa would have liked to see her fat and rosy, and if Sigefrith had any sense, so would he.

But the look Maud was giving her was growing more frightened by the moment.

“Oh, darling, you’re lovely,” she reassured her with a hug, and she seemed relieved at once. “Just delicious. That green brings out the warm colors in your hair so nicely, and the coppery flecks in your eyes.”

“My husband,” Maud repeated.

“Your husband? Would you like to see Sigefrith? Shall I go call for him? Won’t he be pleased to see you up!”

“Where is my husband?”

“In his office, probably. He usually is before breakfast. Shall I have him come?”

“Take me.”

“Take you to him? Oh, Maud, we shall have to cross the court, and it’s not yet warm…”

“Take me,” she insisted.

“Oh, well then,” Githa frowned, but she did hate to say no to her now. “You must at least put on your thick slippers. The flagstones will be cold. And there isn’t even a fire over there! Oh, Maud!

“Take me,” she begged.

Githa sighed. “I hope he forgives me for taking you out.”

Maud allowed her to put her thick slippers on her, but she absolutely refused a cloak. Luckily the morning was warm for November, and the hall was quite warm, so there was only the short walk across the court to be managed. Maud walked quickly, though, on Githa’s arm, and indeed it seemed to have brought some color back to her cheeks.

Githa knocked on the door and called out, “Only Githa, and a little visitor!” when the King asked who was there.

“Come in,” he called. “Who’s that? My little Emmie-​​Em?” he asked with a weary smile as Githa opened the door and stepped inside – alone. “But where is she?”

And then Githa knew that Maud must have stepped into the doorway behind her, for his face changed as from night into dawn.

“Maud?” he said softly, as if he did not believe. “Your dress?”

“I’m sorry about the dress, Sigefrith,” Githa sighed. “I told her it was too cold for it, but she did want to wear it, and I hated to refuse.”

“She wanted to wear it? Oh, Maud!” He held his hands over his mouth and nose for a moment as if he feared he would cry out – or simply cry.

“Come in, come in, darling,” Githa said, leading Maud into the room. “Here is your husband, as you asked.”

“My husband,” Maud repeated with a radiant smile.

Sigefrith sat on a chair and pulled her down onto his lap so gently that it seemed as if he too feared she was a wild animal that might take fright and go bounding away.

“I suppose I shall leave you two alone,” Githa giggled.

“See that we aren’t disturbed,” Sigefrith mumbled, gazing into his wife’s eyes.

“They shall reach you over my dead body,” Githa swore.

He looked up as she turned for the door. “Thank you,” he whispered.