Hetty asks Egelric's opinion

“Egelric?” Hetty called.

“Aye?” he smiled.

“Where did that Ethelwyn go?”

“He was just here, but Sophie swooped in and carried him off. Shall I fetch him for you?”

“No, no. I wished to speak to you, and it is good that he is gone. I told Sophie not to harass you, but I did not mention Wyn.”

Egelric chuckled. “Poor Wyn! But I thank you for watching out for me.”

“Oh, but it is only for a moment. Then she may harass you again. I remembered something I wished to ask you, but she moves across the room so much faster than I…”

She laid her pretty hands on her rounded belly, and then waved one at the empty space Ethelwyn had recently occupied.

“You see,” she said softly, “it is about Wyn.”

“Aye?”

“Egelric, I want to know: do you think Wyn will dance with Wynflaed’s sister?”

Egelric opened his mouth and squeaked.

“Alred asked me to invite her,” she explained, “because we would not have the same number of men and women if I did not, if I am not counted. But she does not often come among us lords and ladies, and I fear she will feel uncomfortable. And Wyn comes from a good family, but he is not a lord or a lady.”

“Not a lady, anyway,” Egelric agreed.

“And, of course, Mouse is from a good family, too, but her mother was born on the wrong side of the bed, as you say—”

Egelric coughed. “The sheets.”

“Pardon me?”

“We say ‘born on the wrong side of the sheets.’”

“Even so. But… what does it…”

“Don’t think about it too long,” Egelric warned.

“Even so,” she agreed, blushing. “So, do you suppose that would trouble Wyn?”

“But—haven’t they met?” Egelric asked warily.

“I do not know. I do not believe so.”

Egelric tried to think. Poor Hetty looked as innocent as a lamb. Was it possible that she had only heard Cynewulf’s original story that said Ethelwyn had been pushed into the moat by Heafoc himself? Was it possible that she did not know a young lady had fallen into the moat as well, or if she did, that she did not know that the young lady was Mouse?

But gentle Hetty would not have consented to such a trick—this he knew. She was as innocent as she looked. This was truly, truly better than he had hoped.

“So,” Hetty said, “do you think Wyn will dance with her and make certain that she is not neglected?”

“My lady,” Egelric said, “Wyn is a gentleman, and if you ask him to dance with her, he will dance with her. He would dance with anyone if only you asked it.” He could not resisting adding, “Even a maid!”

Hetty smiled. “That is a fine thing! I thought he would. And I see he has escaped from Sophie, so if I hurry I may ask him right away. Excuse me, dear.”

“Don’t delay,” Egelric grinned. “Young Sigefrith could arrive at any moment.”