The door to her husband’s study was slightly open, and she could hear Sigefrith’s voice inside, so Edris tried to bustle the children up the stairs in silence.
Baldwin, however, having made the same observations, decided on an entirely different course of action. Still full of the energy of the out-of-doors and of his ride home from Nothelm, he squealed, “Papa’s home, and Sigefrith!” and ran through the door.
“Why, Lord Baldwin!” Sigefrith cried and held out his arms.
“First Papa, please,” Baldwin said apologetically, and threw his arms around his father’s legs.
“I’m so sorry to disturb you…” Edris said softly from the doorway.
“Who said anything about a disturbance?” Sigefrith laughed. “Perhaps Ardith has a kiss for me, if this ungrateful runt doesn’t.”
“I do,” Baldwin said, and ran up to the King.
“Ladies first,” Sigefrith corrected.
Edris was relieved to see Cenwulf smiling, and so she carried Ardith in and held her up to kiss Sigefrith’s cheek.
“Not papas first?” Cenwulf asked.
“I kissed you first, Papa,” Baldwin reminded him.
“You kissed my knees. I’m not certain that counts.”
Edris smiled brightly to see her lord in so pleasant a mood, and brought Ardith over to kiss him as well.
“What about mamas?” Sigefrith asked.
“I kiss Mama all the time!” Baldwin protested.
“I didn’t mean for you to kiss her, boy! I was thinking of myself. These days I can’t get a grown woman to kiss me for love or money.”
“You mayn’t kiss my Mama,” Baldwin said. “Only my Papa may.”
“Is that so? Does he do it well, at least?”
“She likes it.”
“Then I shan’t disappoint her with mine!” Sigefrith laughed.
Edris felt she should have scolded Baldwin. She wondered how he knew, especially since Cenwulf so rarely kissed her when the children were around, and even then rather chastely. But it was funny – and true, moreover – and she was still feeling gay from her visit with Matilda and her ride in the spring air, so instead she laughed along with Sigefrith and craned her head back to give Cenwulf a loud kiss beneath the chin.
She had kissed him precisely there over and over the night before, and he had laughed and told her it tickled, and when she apologized, he had asked her to do it again. But this time he did not laugh.
“Edris!” he gasped and reared back his head.
She stopped laughing at once, and smiled weakly at him in hurt and confusion. The sudden silence almost seemed to have a hum of its own. “I beg your pardon,” she murmured.
“Whatever for?” Sigefrith asked behind her, and although she could not see him, she could feel the glare he laid on her husband like a lash. Nor did the question seem to be addressed to her.
“I believe it was rather undignified,” Cenwulf said to him, with all his somber gravity.
“And I believe the word you mean is ‘charming.’”
“Pardon me,” Edris said again, this time to excuse herself as she reached down to grasp Baldwin’s hand and lead the children out.
Sigefrith stared at Cenwulf a moment longer, and their looks were like crossed swords. Just before she reached the door he turned to her and said kindly, “Emmie has been asking for the three of you. I hope you will ride up to see us one of these afternoons, now that the weather is so mild and the fruit trees are blooming along the way.”
“We shall, thank you, Sigefrith.”
“Good day, my dears,” he added as she went out and pulled the door closed.
Neither Baldwin nor Ardith asked her what had happened nor why they had to leave. They were too familiar with such scenes by now. The wonder was that, as familiar as she should have been with them, she hadn’t yet learned.
Chapters
Blasted man! He has a wife who's full of love and happiness and he seems determined to squash both!