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Read Online [Roger the Chapman 06] - The Wicked Winter by Kate Sedley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kate Sedley
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giggled again.
Brother Simeon rapped his knuckles on the table.
'Enough of this!' he exclaimed harshly. 'Things temporal are of no importance when God's work is waiting to be done.
As for you, my child -' he glared fiercely at the little kitchenmaid '- you would do well to contemplate the state of your immortal soul rather than consider ways of adorning your body.' He turned to the housekeeper. 'You may send to inform Lady Cederwell that I am here.'
Phillipa Talke hesitated, unwilling to disoblige a holy man, but even more afraid of defying her mistress's orders.
'You must seek her out for yourself, Father,' she answered, but with a hint of apology in her voice. 'When Lady Cederwell is at her devotions no one is allowed to disturb her. Anyone who did so would be severely punished. You, however, would suffer no such fate.'
Friar Simeon inclined his head.
'Your mistress sounds as if she is a woman after my own heart. What a truly fortunate lot yours must be -' he included all those present, except myself, in a comprehensive sweep of his arm '- to be in the employ of such a one.' He did not appear to notice the lack of enthusiasm and almost audible murmur of disagreement which his statement provoked, but continued, 'Where may I find your mistress?' The youngest of the women, if you discounted the kitchenmaid, which it was easy enough to do, now stepped forward, determined to establish her superiority over the others.
'I,' she announced grandly, 'am Adela Empryngham, the wife of Lady Cederwell's brother. Of course it goes without saying that I should not be punished were I to show you the way, but,' she added hurriedly, 'it is snowing again and I suffer from delicate health, so you will understand, Brother, why I cannot accompany you. You will find Jeanette in the tower which you may have noticed as you arrived on manor lands. It stands clear of the outbuildings, south-west by about the length of a furrow.'
I thought her estimate of the distance over-generous, but was willing to concede that my own first glimpse of the tower had been a cursory one, and it might well be further off than I had imagined. I had no time to pursue the thought, however, for at that moment there was an interruption. A man who could only be Sir Hugh Cederwell strode into the kitchen.
He had seen, I guessed, some forty or more summers, a handsome, florid man with brown eyes and an abundance of dark brown hair which clustered in thick waves and curls across the nape of his neck and around his ears, but which was starting to thin a little on the crown. He was heavily built, barrel-chested, but not short of stature due to long, tapering flanks and a surprising length of leg from knee to ankle. The whole effect was one of power but with a curious top-heaviness. His voice, when he spoke, was deep and resonant.
'What is going on here? Why all the noise? Where's Lady Cederwell?' He caught sight of the friar and myself. 'Who are these people?'
It was my companion who answered, silencing the women with an upraised hand.
'I am Brother Simeon of the Dominican Order, and I have been summoned here by your wife, for what reason I have yet to discover. I demand to be allowed to speak to her forthwith.'
The knight's forehead puckered. 'Brother Simeon? The same friar who has been preaching hell and damnation in these parts for the past two weeks?' When Simeon nodded, I thought I saw a sudden apprehension flicker at the back of the dark brown eyes, but it was too momentary for me to be certain. Sir Hugh gave a blustering laugh and continued, 'I might have guessed that my wife would wish to meet a man with such a pious reputation. She is a very devout woman.' The last words were spoken with what could have been a sneer. The friar certainly chose to imerpret it as such, and iris eyes sparked with fury.
'Never mock at the godly, Sir Hugh! It would be as well for you if all the females of your household were to follow the example of your lady. Our acquaintance has
Brother Simeon rapped his knuckles on the table.
'Enough of this!' he exclaimed harshly. 'Things temporal are of no importance when God's work is waiting to be done.
As for you, my child -' he glared fiercely at the little kitchenmaid '- you would do well to contemplate the state of your immortal soul rather than consider ways of adorning your body.' He turned to the housekeeper. 'You may send to inform Lady Cederwell that I am here.'
Phillipa Talke hesitated, unwilling to disoblige a holy man, but even more afraid of defying her mistress's orders.
'You must seek her out for yourself, Father,' she answered, but with a hint of apology in her voice. 'When Lady Cederwell is at her devotions no one is allowed to disturb her. Anyone who did so would be severely punished. You, however, would suffer no such fate.'
Friar Simeon inclined his head.
'Your mistress sounds as if she is a woman after my own heart. What a truly fortunate lot yours must be -' he included all those present, except myself, in a comprehensive sweep of his arm '- to be in the employ of such a one.' He did not appear to notice the lack of enthusiasm and almost audible murmur of disagreement which his statement provoked, but continued, 'Where may I find your mistress?' The youngest of the women, if you discounted the kitchenmaid, which it was easy enough to do, now stepped forward, determined to establish her superiority over the others.
'I,' she announced grandly, 'am Adela Empryngham, the wife of Lady Cederwell's brother. Of course it goes without saying that I should not be punished were I to show you the way, but,' she added hurriedly, 'it is snowing again and I suffer from delicate health, so you will understand, Brother, why I cannot accompany you. You will find Jeanette in the tower which you may have noticed as you arrived on manor lands. It stands clear of the outbuildings, south-west by about the length of a furrow.'
I thought her estimate of the distance over-generous, but was willing to concede that my own first glimpse of the tower had been a cursory one, and it might well be further off than I had imagined. I had no time to pursue the thought, however, for at that moment there was an interruption. A man who could only be Sir Hugh Cederwell strode into the kitchen.
He had seen, I guessed, some forty or more summers, a handsome, florid man with brown eyes and an abundance of dark brown hair which clustered in thick waves and curls across the nape of his neck and around his ears, but which was starting to thin a little on the crown. He was heavily built, barrel-chested, but not short of stature due to long, tapering flanks and a surprising length of leg from knee to ankle. The whole effect was one of power but with a curious top-heaviness. His voice, when he spoke, was deep and resonant.
'What is going on here? Why all the noise? Where's Lady Cederwell?' He caught sight of the friar and myself. 'Who are these people?'
It was my companion who answered, silencing the women with an upraised hand.
'I am Brother Simeon of the Dominican Order, and I have been summoned here by your wife, for what reason I have yet to discover. I demand to be allowed to speak to her forthwith.'
The knight's forehead puckered. 'Brother Simeon? The same friar who has been preaching hell and damnation in these parts for the past two weeks?' When Simeon nodded, I thought I saw a sudden apprehension flicker at the back of the dark brown eyes, but it was too momentary for me to be certain. Sir Hugh gave a blustering laugh and continued, 'I might have guessed that my wife would wish to meet a man with such a pious reputation. She is a very devout woman.' The last words were spoken with what could have been a sneer. The friar certainly chose to imerpret it as such, and iris eyes sparked with fury.
'Never mock at the godly, Sir Hugh! It would be as well for you if all the females of your household were to follow the example of your lady. Our acquaintance has
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