Sinful Folk by Ned Hayes

Author:Ned Hayes [Hayes, Ned]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Great Britain, History, 14th century, Fiction, Historical fiction, Suspense fiction
ISBN: 9780985239312
Publisher: Campanile Books via Indie Author Project
Published: 2013-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

I never spoke with him again. Two months later, my progress grew quite near. The Abbess commanded me to flush the child from my womb. But I would not do it.

Then the Earl of Hereford tried to intervene, having heard of the child from Edward on campaign. Always, the Earl schemed and poisoned. He worked with devious purpose and hidden hands.

But from the Earl’s efforts, at least I knew that Edward thought of me, far away in France. That in itself, gave me hope. And I would not be swayed by others’ words.

Finally, one day in June, I saw a thunder of riders on the road to the abbey. The snows and rains had gone, so a dust cloud rose around them as they came.

They rumbled out of the dust, garbed in the colors of Edward’s house. A troupe of armored men, a herald going before. And in the midst of that crowd was Edward’s tousled head, a panoply above. They were far away from my upper window, and so in my sight were as small as dolls upon the open road. But I was certain it was Edward, come at last for me, his love.

I watched from the window as they came to a sudden skirling halt. The center figure dismounted. Then I saw the Earl of Hereford beside Edward, and all the armored men who rode with these two great figures. As they came to the front gate, they waited, bowing low before the cross and gate.

The Abbess, a small figure far away in her white habit, came out to greet them and give them welcome to the abbey hall. The men entered in, and I waited to hear the call that would bid me from my cell to the central hall, where I would be reunited with Edward once again.

I brushed and combed my auburn hair. I rubbed that aromatic unguent of lavender across my skin, and put on my best tunic before I donned the red and royal habit only worn on feast days and on Easter dawn. Edward had come for me, just as he said he would.

I was clothed as a bride, and as the psalmist writes, I trembled like a virgin for her bridegroom, my soul overflowing with joy. I took the rich and golden signet ring that Edward had deigned to grant me—the token of his house—and I hung it on a slim silver chain. It was too large for my hand, but it was the highest sign of my honor in his eyes, and so I wore it around my neck.

I looked down at myself after I was garbed. By this time, I was great with child. The change had added new layers of luxury and weight to my long hair and to my body too. My face was thick and full as well, rounded and glowing in the evening light. I ran a finger across the smooth skin of my belly. Edward would be amazed to see the changes wrought upon me by the child.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.