Sigefrith went to his wife early in the morning, hoping to find her still in her bedroom – and before he had even the hint of wine on his breath. There would be not only her, but his baby daughter to offend. He knew well that Maud despised him, but he would not have Emma cringe away from him.
She stood before the north window, looking out onto her garden.
“Admiring the view?” he asked her.
“It’s a dreadful view,” she said without looking around. “Everything is dead and black and gray. I wish it would at least snow to cover everything.”
“But think of how it will look in the spring!”
“I thought you didn’t believe I would live to see the spring?”
“Please don’t be sarcastic, Maud. Especially not where your health is concerned. How are you feeling?”
“Well.”
“Is this new chamber helping?”
“I don’t know. No.”
“But I think my wee Emma likes it, don’t you, Emmie-em? Don’t you, bitty girl? Don’t you, little ginger-baby?”
Emma laughed and flailed her arms furiously, trying to catch the Papa who danced just out of reach.
“Oh, take her, Sigefrith, before she tries to jump out of my arms,” Maud grumbled, but she could not help but smile at his absurdity.
Sigefrith gladly took the little Princess from her mother and held her up to cover her belly with kisses. Emma laughed with her deep, gurgling laugh that her father loved so well.
“Your beard is no doubt scratching her,” Maud said.
“Tickling her, dear, tickling her,” Sigefrith corrected. “I seem to recall you used to like my beard tickling your belly.” He could not resist a jab.
“I seem to recall that it scratched.”
“Well, well, Emmie-em, will you pass judgement? Tickle or scratch?” He kissed her again, and she laughed heartily. “Sounds like a tickle to me.”
“I shall take her word for it.”
“How big she is growing!” Sigefrith sighed as he settled Emma on his shoulder. “Soon she’ll be asking for a pony instead of a kiss.”
“Not too soon, I hope.”
“She’s a natural horsewoman, Maud. You’ve seen how she rides my knee. How old is she now? Forgive me, Emmie. Papa is dreadful with dates.”
“Seven months.”
“Oh, bitty girl, you’ll be a big woman before Papa knows it. Can you believe Dunstan is almost seven?” he asked Maud. “I remember when he was just a tiny thing. My God, how proud Alred was! It seems like only yesterday. And yet it seems like a lifetime ago. Don’t you think?”
Maud shrugged. “It is neither yesterday nor a lifetime ago, Sigefrith, but seven years.”
“Seven years! And he shall have his sword. My God, I remember mine! My father was still alive and strong then, although my mother had died shortly before. And Harold was there, too, although I don’t think I noticed him then. And Cenwulf’s father and brothers of course. And Leofric was there – he was only a page then! My God…”
“I think God has heard you by now, Sigefrith,” Maud drawled. “You needn’t continue taking His name in vain.”
“You’re right. I don’t want to teach my ginger-baby any bad habits, do I, Emmie-girl? Don’t talk like your Papa if you want to be a lady.”
Maud sniffed. “Is there something you wanted to ask me, Sigefrith? I want to get down to the children before they have finished their breakfast.”
“In fact there was,” he said. “I wanted to ask you to guess what the workers found in your old room, behind the chest.”
“I don’t know and I don’t care to play guessing games this morning. Why don’t you tell me?”
“I shall show you. This!” he said, taking out the ring and holding it before her face.
Maud’s eyes went wide.
“So you do recognize it!” he laughed. “In that case, perhaps you can tell me how Egelric’s grandfather’s ring came to be hiding behind your chest?”
“Egelric’s grandfather’s ring?” she cried.
“Care to guess that?”
“I have no idea,” she said, her face white. “I have no idea. Perhaps he lost it when – when he came to see Colban, when big Colban came to see him for the first time.”
“Oh, that’s true, that’s possible.”
“Let me see it,” she said, trying to take it from him.
Sigefrith snatched it away and laughed. “Not so fast, my lady. I should like to play the same joke on the Squire and see how white he gets.”
“But I should like to return it to him.”
“And spoil my joke? No, you shall not deny me that bit of fun, at least.”
“I do not find it funny.”
“You would have if you had seen your face.” He laughed. “Come, Maud. You will be the first to agree that I have many faults, but I am not a jealous man. Have I ever seemed jealous to you?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“There! Until I know you have deceived me, I prefer to trust you. Afterwards, I shall no doubt chop off your pretty head with my sword, but until then I trust you.”
Maud blinked at him. “I didn’t think one could chop off a head with a sword,” she murmured, seeming dazed.
“Oh, it can be done! I hope I shall not need to demonstrate it, however. Oh, don’t look so white, Maud. It’s a joke. Damn, I need to get Alred to show me what I’m doing wrong. Or perhaps you simply don’t care to laugh today. Don’t worry, I would no doubt kill my own self with my sword before I ever thought to come after you or your lover, so you’re quite safe,” he winked.
She took a deep breath and let it out again.
“Here now, Emmie-em, your Mama wants to take you down to see your sister and brothers before they scatter to their daily tasks. I should like to take you with me, but I’m riding up to Bernwald and Mama doesn’t allow wee babies on horses. Good day, ladies.”
Maud took Emma into her arms, watched her husband go out to the stairs, and then turned her head to cough.
Chapters
All Maud does is complain...grrrr. If Maud gets her head sliced off with a sword, it would serve her right for straying from her husband.