Read Online The Summer of the Danes by Ellis Peters - Free Book Online Page B

timber buildings, as if he expected some kind of epilogue to round off the
night’s entertainment.
    Into
the oblong of dim light at the head of the steps came the girl Heledd,
unmistakable even in silhouette by the impetuous grace of her carriage and her
tall slenderness. Even at the end of an evening of serving the bishop’s guests
and the retainers of his household she moved like a fawn. And if Cadfael
observed her appearance with impersonal pleasure, so did Bledri ap Rhys, from
where he stood just aside from the foot of the steps, with a startled
appreciation somewhat less impersonal, having no monastic restraints to hold it
in check. He had just confirmed that he was now, willing or otherwise, a member
of the prince’s retinue at least as far as Aber, and in all probability he
already knew, since he was lodged in the bishop’s own house, that this
promising girl was the one who would be riding with the party at dawn. The
prospect offered a hope of mild pleasure along the way, to pass the time
agreeably. At the very least, here was this moment, to round off an eventful
and enjoyable evening. She was descending, with one of the embroidered drapings
of the high table rolled up in her arms, on her way to the canonical dwellings
across the precinct. Perhaps wine had been spilled on the cloth, or some of the
gilt threads been snagged by a belt buckle or the rough setting of a dagger
hilt or a bracelet, and she was charged with its repair. He had been about to
ascend, but waited aside instead, for the pleasure of watching her at ever
closer view as she came down, eyes lowered to be sure of stepping securely. He
was so still and she so preoccupied that she had not observed him. And when she
had reached the third step from the ground he suddenly reached out and took her
by the waist between his hands, very neatly, and swung her round in a
half-circle, and so held her suspended, face to face with him and close, for a
long moment before he set her quite gently on her feet. He did not, however,
relinquish his hold of her.
    It
was done quite lightly and playfully, and for all Cadfael could see, which was
merely a shadow play, Heledd received it without much trace of displeasure, and
certainly none of alarm, once the surprise was past. She had uttered one small,
startled gasp as he plucked her aloft, but that was all, and once set down she
stood looking up at him eye to eye, and made no move to break away. It is not
unpleasant to any woman to be admired by a handsome man. She said something to
him, the words indistinguishable but the tone light and tolerant to Cadfael’s
ear, if not downright encouraging. And something he said in return to her, at
the very least with no sign of discouragement. No doubt Bledri ap Rhys had a
very good opinion of himself and his attractions, but it was in Cadfael’s mind
that Heledd, for all she might enjoy his attentions, was also quite capable of
keeping them within decorous bounds. Doubtful if she was considering letting
him get very far. But from this pleasurable brush with him she could extricate
herself whenever she chose. They were neither of them taking it seriously. In
the event she was not to be given the opportunity to conclude it in her own
fashion. For the light from the open doorway above was suddenly darkened by the
bulk of a big man’s body, and the abrupt eclipse cast the linked pair below
into relative obscurity. Canon Meirion paused for a moment to adjust his vision
to the night, and began to descend the steps with his usual selfconscious
dignity. With the dwindling of his massive shadow renewed light fell upon
Heledd’s glossy hair and the pale oval of her face, and the broad shoulders and
arrogant head of Bledri ap Rhys, the pair of them closely linked in what fell
little short of an embrace.
    It
seemed to Brother Cadfael, watching with unashamed interest from his dark
corner, that both of them were very well aware of the