Where had he heard this?
I knew. I knew almost as soon as I thought the words and my heart sank.
Henry would know almost everything.
‘The countess stood close by Mevanou’s window last night. She dismissed her attending woman so she could do this alone. Did she pass Mevanou a key? Most probably, for Mevanou let herself out this morning, and —’
‘Let me speak to the guard at her door,’ Edmond said, and we waited in stiff silence until the man was fetched.
He was pale and sweaty, as he thought he had every right to be.
Everyone else in the hall knew differently. The guard would not be carrying the blame for this.
‘Soldier,’ said Edmond. ‘What happened at the Lady Mevanou’s door this morning? How did she manage to leave her chamber?’
‘I went to the kitchens to bring her food so she could break her fast,’ the soldier said. ‘When I left the door was locked and there was no one else about. When shortly I returned, the door was standing open and the lady had fled.’
‘Can the door be unlocked from the inside?’ Edmond asked.
‘Yes, my lord,’ said the soldier.
Next Edmond called for the two guards who had stood at the gateway between the inner and outer baileys last night.
They confirmed what Henry had said, that Evelyn and I had walked about the inner bailey together, then I had sent her to the porch, while I walked over to stand close by Mevanou’s window.
‘My lady,’ Edmond said to me, ‘had you anything to do with the Lady Mevanou’s escape?’
I stood. ‘No, my lord king. I did visit Mevanou once, as you know, out of obligation because I had said to Madog that I would seek her out and pass to her his love and concern. But I did not linger, for Mevanou found my visit unwelcome, and she was most impolite to me.
‘I did not return a second time. As for last night, I rose to walk as I was sleepless, and my limbs and back were cramped and achy. I thought a soft walk in the night air might make me sleep. So I went outside with my woman Evelyn, and we walked. But Evelyn did not like the cold, thus I said she could wait for me under the porch leading to our chambers. Then, as I walked once more about the inner bailey, I thought I heard a noise at one of Mevanou’s windows, and I thought I saw a face, so I thought it only courteous of me to wish her a good night. When I reached the window no one was there, so I returned, with Evelyn, to our chambers.’
Edmond looked to Henry, giving a slight shrug. ‘Who is right?’
‘It is not the first time the countess has been too close to death,’ Henry said. ‘Her husband, the earl, lost his entire family to plague, most of them at Pengraic. While no one disputes that his children caught the plague, there is dispute and rumour that some of them — Stephen, Rosamund and John — died, not by the plague, but by the countess’ hand.’
‘By God, Henry,’ Edmond said, ‘this is a most terrible accusation. If all you rely on is rumour, then this is a truly blackhearted thing you do.’
Henry held his father’s gaze. ‘Not just rumour, my lord father. I have a witness who states that the countess, or Mistress Maeb as she was then, confessed to her that she smothered the earl’s two youngest children, as well as his eldest, Stephen. Within weeks she was betrothed to their father. Madam,’ now he looked direct to me, ‘how say you in this matter?’
‘My conscience is clear.’
Henry’s lip curled, then he looked to his father. ‘My lord king, I have a credible witness to these murders — she will stand forth if needed — and no one can deny that the countess stands ill-placed for the Lady Mevanou’s escape and subsequent death —’
‘I did not push her over the parapets!’ I said.
‘So you admit aiding her escape?’ Henry shot back at me. He gave me no time to reply, switching his attention to Edmond again. ‘My lord king, according to the Westminster assizes, the law of the land requires that anyone who shall be found to be accused or notoriously suspect of having committed murder must be taken and put to the ordeal of fire.’
‘No!’ shouted Raife, but his voice was drowned out in the tumult that ensued.
Chapter Four
The hall was in an uproar. Many people were shouting. I know my husband, the king, Henry, Saint-Valery, and even the Templar, Fulke d’Ecouis, were doing so.
Eventually, Edmond managed to restore some order.
‘I stand forth as witness for this woman,’ said Alianor, literally taking a step forward. ‘I attest to her good character and to her innocence.’
I was amazed. I had not thought it of Alianor, and her public support brought a film of tears to my eyes. She was a truer friend than I’d thought.
‘And I,’ said Saint-Valery, also stepping forward, and again I was somewhat taken aback at his support.
Another friend, truer than I’d ever given him credit.
There was more uproar.
I held up my hand. ‘I am willing to take the ordeal of fire,’ I said.
‘No!’ Raife said and, grabbing my elbow again, pulled me a little way distant so he could speak to me privately.
‘Maeb, for mercy’s sakes! You are with child … we can easily appeal to have any ordeal or even further questioning put off until you have given birth, and by then …’
‘By then the rumours shall have grown larger,’ I said, ‘and more potent, and will be viewed as truth by most of England. This is an attack on you, my dear lord, and I shall not allow it. I know you have always feared that marrying me might somehow undo you, and —’
‘This is not what I meant!’
‘But what else, my lord? Do not fear for me. These accusations are false.’ I pulled my arm free, and turned back to the crowd.
‘I am innocent,’ I said. ‘My conscience stands bare and unstained before God. I shall take this ordeal of fire. Now. Before my Lord Henry can spread further false rumour to besmirch the Pengraic name.’
I met Henry’s eyes boldly as I said this, and I was pleased to see a little uncertainty flower in his.
‘My lady,’ Edmond said, ‘you do not have to do this.’
There was sadness and pain in his eyes, and I dipped before him, in acknowledgement of it.
‘I do, my lord king,’ I said. ‘I have no fear.’
‘Edmond,’ Raife said, ‘for Jesu’s sake, stop this!’
‘Do you fear your wife’s guilt, Pengraic?’ Henry said, the certainty back in his face now. ‘Do you fear her … burning?’
‘Enough, Henry!’ Edmond said. ‘Enough!’
‘The lady consents to the ordeal,’ Henry said. ‘I suggest for her peace we get this over as quickly as possible. D’Ecouis, will you administer the —’
‘No,’ I said, ‘not him. I wish the Bishop of Wincestre to administer the ordeal, if you please.’
Henry shrugged. ‘Wincestre then. Will someone send for the blacksmith? And a brazier?’
‘And I would ask that all the court who are close by attend this ordeal,’ I said. ‘I want to demonstrate my innocence in front of as many people as possible.’
Edmond nodded, and sent several squires scrambling to spread word.
Raife took me to one side again as Wincestre sent someone to fetch his book of rituals, someone fetched the blacksmith, and several guards set up a brazier, fetching hot coals from the fire.
‘Mae …’ Raife said.
His voice was agonised, and I took both his hands in mine. ‘Raife,’ I said quietly, ‘I will be safe. Trust me in this.’
‘This is nothing but —’
‘This is a chance for me to put a stop once and for all to the rumours. Henry has undoubtedly been voicing them far and wide. I have to do this, Raife. I must. I will be safe.’
He pulled his hands from mine and took my shoulders, so tightly he came close to hurting me. ‘Maeb,’ he said, almost hissing in his intensity, ‘listen to me and let me finish. I can put a stop to this here and now. You have no idea of the power I can unleash if I have to. I will give
up everything, Mae, for you. Everything. I cannot see you suffer. I cannot. I will throw away my dreams and all they mean to me to keep you safe!’
‘No,’ I said calmly. ‘I cannot let that happen, and I will not.’
‘Maeb, I can stop this. We can walk away from this. I have estates in Normandy. We can go there.’
I was horrified. Ruin everything, for me? No. No. This was what he had always feared I would do to him, and I would not allow it.
‘I will not see you ruined,’ I said, pulling myself away from him. ‘Please, sweet Jesu, trust me!’
Wincestre came over. ‘My lady countess,’ he said, ‘I offer you the choice of the boiling water, the hot iron, or the burning gauntlet.’
‘The burning gauntlet,’ I said.
Raife hissed. ‘Maeb!’
‘Will you say a prayer with me, countess?’ Wincestre said. ‘Surely, my lord,’ I said, and I bowed my head as he made the sign of the cross before me, and began a prayer.
At that moment I prayed more fervently than I have ever prayed before in my life.
But I did not pray to God, nor to his crucified son, nor to any of the saints in their heavenly court.
I prayed to my companion knight, and prayed that he had truly meant it when he’d said to me that he would always protect me.
‘This has to stop!’ Raife said, once Wincestre and I had finished our prayers. ‘This has to stop!’
He moved away, seeking support from among the crowd, but Edmond grabbed him by the upper arm and pulled him back.
‘No,’ Edmond said, ‘now this must go ahead. Your wife has consented. It must go ahead. God help me, Pengraic, I do not want this either, but even I cannot prevent it.’
Alianor came over and gave me a hug. ‘God be with you,’ she whispered.
I kissed her cheek. ‘And with you, Alianor. Thank you.’
The ordeal was set up within the hour. Wincestre was already garbed in his clerical robes from the dawn ceremony, and needed only his ritual book. Two soldiers placed a brazier in the centre of the great hall and filled it brimful of coals from the fireplace, one of them fanning the heat with a small pair of bellows. The blacksmith arrived with several pairs of tongs and leather grab patches.
‘My lady has chosen the burning gauntlet,’ said Wincestre. ‘Does anyone have —’
‘Take mine.’ Fulke d’Ecouis stepped forward. He held out a maille gauntlet, its upper surface covered in metal plates cunningly attached to the maille. ‘I have large hands,’ he said. ‘The countess’ delicate hand shall easily slide inside.’
Wincestre took the gauntlet, showed it to me and, at my nod, handed the gauntlet to the blacksmith who plunged it into the coals using a pair of tongs.
We waited. I looked to Raife, and tried to smile for him, but I could not quite manage it.
He looked agonised.
I looked also to Edmond.
His face was not much better.
The number of people in the hall continued to grow until it was full. Eventually Edmond had to command the guards at the doors to close them against latecomers.
Apart from the hiss of the coals, it was almost silent in the hall.
Up to now my anger had been sustaining my confidence.
Now doubts crept in and I felt nerves flutter in my belly. What if I was not right? What if the knight could not protect against this?
I looked about and caught Henry standing with d’Ecouis, both men regarding me with confident smiles on their faces, happy that at the very least they would be causing me agony, even if my wounds healed enough that Wincestre could declare my innocence.
To one side a man carried a bowl of water, salve and bandages to a small table. My hand would be bound at the end of the ordeal and, if the wounds had healed within three days, then innocence was mine.
If they weren’t …
But I hoped that the bandages and salve would not be needed. I hoped …
‘Madam?’ Wincestre said, and I took a deep breath and nodded.
The bishop began the ritual, blessing those present, blessing the brazier and the now glowing gauntlet, and finally blessing me. He began a long rambling prayer, and, as he did so, I lowered my head and closed my eyes and prayed to the knight.
Help me, help me, help me now.
‘Madam?’
I opened my eyes.
Wincestre stood before me, his prayers done.
There was utter silence.
I nodded, then stepped forward as the blacksmith used two pair of tongs to lift the glowing gauntlet from its bed of coals and hold the maille open about its wrist, so that I might slip my hand into it.
The blacksmith stepped forward, the gauntlet held out before him.
It glowed a dull red.
He was three paces away, but I could feel its heat even from here.
I closed my eyes again, praying now quite desperately.
A pause, then I lifted my head and opened my eyes.
There, at the very top of the hall, standing on the dais so I could easily see him over the heads of the crowd, was the knight on his magnificent courser.
Again I could not distinguish his features, for the light streamed through the archways from the windows in the gallery bathing the knight in an ethereal light, but I could make out the slight nod of his head.
I walked over to the blacksmith and, without any hesitation, slid my right hand into the gauntlet.
The top of the gauntlet came halfway up my forearm and I smelled the burning of the sleeve of my kirtle.
There was a collective gasp about the hall.
The knight led me down to the shores of a viridescent sea, the hoof-falls of his courser muffled in the packed, damp sand. I held on to his stirrup, that I might not fall nor lose my way.
The sea mist swirled about us, and I could not see the knight’s face.
How damp and cool it is, the knight said, and I nodded, breathing in deeply of the salty air.
‘Who are you?’ I said, and I sensed a smile, but could not see it.
He did not answer.
The waves crashed and pounded, and the sea’s spray wet my face and hair and soaked the hand and arm that held on to the knight’s stirrup.
Eventually he sighed.
You must return.
Sweat poured down my face and body, sticking my clothes to my flesh. I could smell the stink of burning, hear the sizzling heat of the gauntlet.
‘Enough!’ cried Edmond, and I pulled my hand from the glove.
I hugged it to me for a moment, then held it out for all to see, palm outward.
My flesh was unmarked, my skin as white as when it had entered the gauntlet. My sleeve hung ruined from my arm, but my flesh was untainted.
Murmurs began, then cries of disbelief, and soon the hall was in as great a tumult as when Henry had first demanded the ordeal.
My whole body was shaking, but still I moved slowly forward, showing the unblemished hand and arm to any who would see it. Raife came to me, put his hands on my shoulders, begged me to come sit, but I shook my head and kept moving through the crowd.
I returned to Wincestre, and he inspected my hand, raising his face to mine in utter astonishment.
‘Innocent!’ he declared, and the hall once more erupted. I could see Alianor crying with relief, but there was one man I truly needed to face.
I walked to Henry.
‘See,’ I said, holding my hand up before him as Edmond shushed the crowd. ‘See. I am unblemished. Where lies the guilt now, Henry?’
Then I pulled back my shoulder and delivered the mightiest open-palmed blow I could to Henry’s face.
He staggered back, then gave a sharp cry, clutching at his cheek.
Steam rose from between his fingers, and blood seeped down.
D’Ecouis grabbed at Henry’s hands and pulled them away and, yet once more, the crowd gasped and moved.
The distinctive weave pattern of maille was burned deep into Henry’s cheek.
‘God
has spoken,’ I said, and turned away.
Chapter Five
Raife hugged me to him so tightly he squeezed my breath away. ‘Thank God,’ he muttered over and over. ‘Thank God.’
Edmond came over, resting a hand on Raife’s arm to make him release me, if only slightly, and looked me direct in the eye.
‘Are you well, Maeb?’ he asked quietly.
‘I am, my lord, if my husband can be persuaded not to crush my ribs.’
He gave a slight smile, then turned to the crowd.
‘Hear me now,’ he said, and his voice was angry and austere. ‘Today God has judged the Countess of Pengraic of her guilt or innocence, and he has found her innocent. On that authority, should I ever hear another man or woman of this court spread vile rumour about either the Earl or Countess of Pengraic, then I shall hand them over to God’s judgment by the same means as was forced on the countess here today. The slightest rumour, the slightest blackening of her name, and this gauntlet awaits.
‘Blacksmith, cause a bracket to be made, and hang that gauntlet above the central fireplace to remind all who inhabit this hall, and enjoy my cheer, of my intent.
‘D’Ecouis, you were glad enough to hand that gauntlet over for the ordeal. I can only assume you will be glad enough to lose it completely to this just cause.’
Edmond walked over to Henry, his anger evident in his stiff gait and upright body. ‘You are a fool!’ he hissed, grabbing at his son’s chin so he could the more easily inspect the brand on his cheek. ‘That mark shall never leave you now, even your beard will not grow over it. You have shamed my name this day, boy. Get you gone from my sight until I can find it within my ability to stand your presence again.’
He gave Henry’s chin a wrench, making Henry stagger to keep his balance.
Henry shot me a glance full of hatred. ‘Witch!’ he hissed as he straightened.
Edmond took a single step forward and dealt Henry such a blow that the prince was catapulted several paces across the floor.
Then Edmond whipped about to Wincestre. ‘Bishop,’ he said, ‘can that accusation stand?’
‘No, my lord king,’ Wincestre said. ‘No witch could have endured both the prayers and the ordeal conducted under God’s name. By God’s grace and judgment, the Countess of Pengraic is a woman true and innocent.’