Read Online The Traitor's Daughter by April Munday - Free Book Online

must break her. Nobody could be strong
enough to bear this, certainly not this small young woman suddenly left alone
so far from home.
    Hugh was aware of nothing but the sound of her sobs and
the shaking of her body against his. He stroked her back gently, waiting for
her to regain her calm.
    Alais’ grief was more violent than he had expected, but
more dignified. He wished he could take some of her grief on himself, but it
was not possible. He could only support her and comfort her. Eventually, she
pulled away from him.
    “Thank you.” Her voice shook, but she had regained her
composure. Hugh held out an arm in case she should need it to steady herself,
but she ignored it and stood calmly beside him. She pulled a hand across her
eyes to wipe away the tears and then looked him in the eye.
    “I shall be pleased to tell your father of your
kindness.”
    Her words went through him like a sword and he knew that
that had been her intention. For a moment he had forgotten who she was. He
would have to watch that over the next few days. Afraid that she could see into
his soul, he tore his eyes away.
    “It is of no matter.” Even to his own ears his voice was
dead and flat. “Come, the family are upstairs.”
     

Chapter Four
    This time Hugh led her up some narrow stairs into the
bedroom at the front of the house. A middle-aged man stood and a woman,
doubtless Dame Margaret, sat on one side of a large bed, on which a young man
lay, looking lost in its huge expanse. He was very pale, but breathing
steadily. He seemed to be asleep rather than unconscious and Alais could tell
that he should make a good recovery. She smiled encouragingly at the parents.
The man crossed the room to her and gathered her hands up in his own. “I am
sorry about your mother.” He was sincere in his sympathy.
    “Thank you,” she said, simply. “And I shall pray for your
son.” The man said nothing, then swallowed. “There is much grief in this town
today,” he said.
    “Yes,” agreed Alais.
    “But many of the Frenchies will not be going home again,
either,” said the woman angrily, although Alais could tell that she took no comfort
from that thought.
    “You took good care of my mother and I shall not forget.
I shall send a message to my steward and he will send you some things that may
be difficult to obtain here for a while.” She looked at Hugh and he nodded his
agreement to send a messenger. She would have control of her estate for only a
short time, but she could at least try to repay this family for what they had
done for her.
    “You do not need to pay us, my lady.”
     The man looked towards his wife, who shook her head.
    “No, it is only given in thanks. Much was destroyed here
and I think you will find it hard this winter.”
    “Then I thank you for your kindness, my lady.”
    Hugh stepped forward and took her arm as she took her
leave. They walked out to the street and Hugh gave instructions to the carter
who had now returned from the hospital.
     
    “My Lord,” began Alais, hesitantly, as he led her
towards her horse. “I should like to return to the house of Roger and
Margaret.” When she saw him about to refuse she added, “I should like to bury
my mother properly, with her own things and I will need another dress. This one
is not fit to wear.”
    He considered for a moment, his expression sombre. “I
doubt there is much left, Lady Alais, but we will see what we can find.” She
was glad that he understood her need to do things properly for her mother.
    He helped her mount again and then led her confidently
through the maze of streets. It was only when he indicated that they had
arrived that she recognised the street. Some of the houses had been razed to
the ground; those that remained were still smoking. They entered the remains of
Roger’s house. There was little there. The roof and the first floor had been
burned away. Alais had been afraid that they would see the bodies of her
friends, but there was no one there,