The Winter Crown by Elizabeth Chadwick

Author:Elizabeth Chadwick [Elizabeth Chadwick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Brown
Published: 2014-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

27

Castle Acre, Norfolk, June 1165

Hamelin checked the baggage chest waiting to be taken from his chamber to the cart in the bailey, and made sure he had packed his favourite hunting dagger. He knew very well that it was in there, but being certain helped to take the edge off his tension.

Outside it was the high morning of a perfect summer’s day and he should have been riding to join his brother on campaign. War had broken out along the Welsh borders and Henry had planned a summer campaign intended to bring the troublesome Prince of Gwynedd to heel once and for all.

Hamelin had intended to leave at dawn, but Isabel had begun her labour in the small hours, and since it did not matter to a day when he joined Henry, he had chosen to wait. Now time was passing like the slow drip from a leaky spigot. The birthing chamber was barred to him and although Isabel’s women constantly brought him news and told him everything was progressing well, he remained agitated. His own mother had died bearing him; he dared not think about losing Isabel like that. She had become as dear to him as his own life.

Puffing out his cheeks, he took himself to the stables. Carbonel turned his head and nickered. Hamelin stroked the palfrey’s soft taupe muzzle. ‘Well, my beauty,’ he said, ‘surely it cannot be much longer.’

Carbonel butted him and lipped his hand. As a child, jealous of Henry, hurting, Hamelin had once lamed a horse that had been passed down to him after Henry had finished with it. He hadn’t wanted yet another of his golden brother’s cast-offs. Their father had never realised what Hamelin had done and had given him a replacement – a well-upholstered plush white creature suitable for a staid matron and worse than the first horse because Hamelin had become a laughing stock. At the time he had raged at the unfairness of it all, but as he matured, he had come to be deeply ashamed of the deed committed by a foolish, resentful boy. The guilt still burdened him although he had confessed the sin long ago and been absolved. He would never tell anyone beyond the priest, especially not Isabel, who trusted him. One of the reasons he had no bastards was because of his childhood, even if he was the brother of a king. His new family was his sustenance, and he would work himself to the bone to see it become illustrious, without taint or tarnish.

‘Sire.’ Thomas, one of the lads who worked in the hall, hastened up to him and bent the knee. ‘Sire, you are sought by the midwife.’

Hamelin’s stomach wallowed. He started to ask a question and then shook his head. ‘Never mind, boy, tell her I am coming.’ He gave the horse a last pat on the neck and returned to the hall, trying not to run. Conscious of his dignity he took measured steps and walked as if he was unconcerned.

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.