Hilda is stunned and delighted
Ragnhild walked wearily down the long corridor, grateful at least to be released from the tedious company of that prig of a Countess. If she couldn’t find Estrid, she supposed the safest course of action was to go to her husband and allow him to fuss over her. Then, at least, Leofric would be certain to leave her alone, and she could always count on Eirik to make her laugh.
She rounded the corner and slowed as she stepped into a halo of violet-blue light.
There was a light in the nursery, and the colored windows, which had let in the sun before the gallery was built around it, now let out the tinted candlelight from within. The effect was stunning, and Ragnhild promised herself that she would have colored windows on the inside of her house.
She decided she would go right away and tell Sigefrith that she wanted such windows when they built their chapel. She often occupied herself with making and revising her plans for her chapel, for the idea delighted her. Any common peasant might go to the church, but a true lady had her own chapel and went to Mass at home.
She took a few steps forward and then stopped again, angry at herself. She had been so busy thinking of her chapel that she had not taken the time to ask herself why there was a light in the nursery.
The children were all in the tower room with Alred and Edris and Brede and Brede’s sisters. There was no reason why anyone should be in the nursery, and if it were only a servant, she should not have dared light the candles on the wall, but taken a rush or taper to light her work. This was unusual indeed, and worth investigating.
Given the ruddy light in the room and the deep tint of the glass panes, Ragnhild calculated that the darkness of the corridor in which she stood would permit her to stand even directly before the window without her silhouette appearing to the person or persons within.
Thus she pressed her face close to the glass and peered through one of the more transparent panes. There was definitely movement inside. A person… a tall, bulky person… Oh, but no! Two people embracing!
Ragnhild began to pant in excitement. The man, whose back was to her, was dressed as a knight. It could be only Brede, Aengus, her father-in-law, or her husband. She had only just left Brede, and she thought she could count on it not being her husband. She did not think Aengus had yet arrived, for he had not come to greet the Princess, and the tall, broad-shouldered man did look more like Leofric than any of the others…
But who was the woman? She was quite hidden behind the man. It didn’t matter though—she knew that Leila was not here, for her littlest baby was ill with the summer fever. It didn’t matter who it was! Ragnhild squirmed in delight. Leofric was kissing a woman who wasn’t one of his wives, and Eadie was here to see it! She would have to find her at once.
She trotted off as fast as her belly permitted, and nearly stumbled against Estrid as she came around a corner.
“Darling!” she gasped. “Where’s Eadie?”
“I don’t know,” Estrid shrugged. “I was looking for Brede.”
“Brede! He’s in with the children, but listen—we must find Eadie right away.”
“Why?”
“Her father is in the nursery kissing someone—I don’t know whom, but it can’t be Leila.”
“Oh!”
“You look up here and I shall go downstairs and see whether she’s there.”
“I don’t know, Hilda…”
“What? Won’t it be a fine joke! I only wish I knew who it was—but that’s not the important thing. Good Lord!” she laughed breathlessly. “If only I could see her face when she sees him!”
“But, Hilda—”
“Shut up and look for her, Estrid, or I shall never help you meet Brede again.”
“But what shall I tell her?”
“I don’t know—anything. Simply get her to come up to the nursery. Hurry! Go! Go!”
