[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
squire do?
hated the way some of the nobles began to leer at obviously seeing her now
as a different sort of If it were not for the more important target he had
other pairs of eyes watched the proceedings am- pair belonged to Ranulf, who
had awakened in t! :teilt in time to hear the last portion of the physician
and 'a COnversation. He had struggled to dress himself.
near faint' the t it to himself from his tent to the edge of the crowd. As
yet the king and Aldyth had not taken note of him.
Another pair of eyes belonged to one who had everything to lose if the king
gave Aldyth back to Turold.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Aldyth's color rose at the king's accusation, but she nodded.
"Yes, we became lovers, your grace. I... I have loved him since we were
children together, and I am not ashamed."
Turold went purple with rage.
"Do you hear the bold strumpet, your grace? She admits her sin with her own
mouth I" "Yes, and I marvel that you would have her back," Rufus said
ironically, and behind him his barons and knights guffawed.
"She is mine, your grace, and I want her. I will know how to lesson her onto
the path of virtue," Turold insisted stubbornly.
"Nay, I am no longer his, for Lord Ranulf had the betrothal annulled,"
Aldyth said proudly, holding out the rolled parchment document that she had
been clutching at her side for the king's inspection.
"An annulment?
"Tis not possible! I heard of no such thing!" shouted urold. He would
have lunged for the document, but Urse prevented him.
Rufus handed it without a word to Lanfranc, who peered at it closely.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
'"TIS just as she said, your grace," he stated after a moment. '"Tis signed
by the Bishop of Rouen." The buT,Jng rose again while Turold went white,
then purple with rage.
Godric waited to see if Aidyth would add that she and Ranulf were married,
thus saving her good name. He knew it was dangerous that they had not gotten
the king's permission.
Aldyth was silent, however, allowing them to think her merely Ranulf's
mistress. How brave she was.
"Aye, perhaps she has a writ from some bishop, purchased by her lover, no
doubt, but you'll give her back to me after you hear what I have to tell you
about your precious Lord Ranulf, your grace," shouted Turold. He stopped,
staring over his right shoulder, but a tree branch blocked Godric's view of
what Turold saw.
"And here he is, just in time to hear his death warrant!" Turold crowed,
pointing.
Godtic saw Aldyth whirl around and gasp,
"Ranulf!" Heedless of her audience, she dashed in the direction that Cnglri
had pointed and returned, slowly, a moment later, her arm around Ranulf's
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
waist, helping to support him.
Godri whistled soundlessly through his teeth. The man had been at death's
door but hours ago, and yet now he had maaal to stagger the short distance
from the king's tent tohia trial.
"Twas an amazing feat of strength and will. No ioadr Aldyth loved him.
"Cmod morrow, my lord," the king said, acknowledging you be up from your
sickbed? "
a flash of movemntltieYxt/e Of of vsion. A woman, ill-dressed and poorly
forward through the throng ofEnglish of the camp followers probably, trying
to in men into leaving the spectacle before him i in a more private spectacle
with her. Godric get any customers--at least not until the trial eyes went
back to the scene below.
your grace," Ranulf said, the effort to with Aldyth's and Urse's
help--obhimgreatly, but I would hear the lies this lia about to speak, that I
may counter them with " Very well, my lord. You will swear to tell the
truth on the holy relics. " When Ranulf had done so, the king gestured at
Turold.
"Turold of Swanlea, say on."
Just then the woman Godtic had glimpsed at some distance came beneath the
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
tree, her movements furtive as she drew closer to Turold. But one of the
archbishop's clerks noticed.
"Here now, woman," he said, going out to intercept her. "You have no
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]