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

Hugh gave Alais parchment and pen
and ink and she wrote to Martin, her own steward at Leigh, explaining what had
happened and asking him to send some provisions that she listed to Cuckoo Lane.
She also wrote a brief letter to her uncle, which contained more details about
her mother’s death and her own intention to carry on to Liss. Once she had
written the letters, Hugh gave them to one of the servants, giving him directions
to Leigh.
    By the time the carter had arrived a trestle table had
been set up in the screened off room and Lady Eleanor’s body was laid to rest
there. Hugh brought out a plain linen shift and a richly embroidered dress.
“These were my mother’s,” he explained, “I hope they will do.”
    Alais was astounded at his generosity. “You are too
good, my lord. I have no right to expect this.”
    “Your mother died in my protection,” he raised his hand
to stop her protest. “This is the least I can do.”
    He had also brought coins to be put in Lady Eleanor’s
mouth as well as a shroud.
    “How many servants will you need?”
    “Just one.” At his enquiring glance she added, “I have
done this many times before. All of my brothers and sisters are dead. I helped
prepare many of them for burial.” Hugh looked relieved. “If it is possible, I
should like Sarah to help me.” Alais was sure that Sarah would have done this
before and would assist quietly and respectfully. She wondered if Hugh guessed
that she wanted to steal Sarah away from him and his wife and have her come to
Liss. It was obvious to her that Hugh’s wife did not make any use of Sarah’s
skills as a lady’s maid. It was possible that she had brought her own maid with
her on her marriage. She turned her attention back to Hugh; this was not the
time to be thinking about domestic arrangements at Liss.
    Hugh nodded, “Yes, I intended that she should aid you.
She has some experience and will not chatter or be disrespectful.”
    Alais went behind the screen and began to undress her
mother’s body. She wept freely as she saw the many wounds and understood a part
of what her mother must have suffered. She was joined shortly by Sarah, who
carried water and herbs and cloths for washing the body. Alais noted that Sarah
took almost as much care as she herself did and soon she admitted that her
mother was well-prepared for her final journey.
    They placed the coins in Lady Eleanor’s mouth and sweet
smelling herbs on her body, then dressed her in the clothes Hugh had provided.
Then they wrapped her in the shroud. Alais thanked Sarah and stepped around the
screen. Hugh was sitting in his chair and stood as soon as he saw her. She
wondered briefly how long he had been there. He had changed into clean clothes
and, although he had not had time to bathe, his face and hands were clean.
    “All is done,” she said.
    “Not quite.” He held out a small object. It was a small,
gold bracelet with tiny pieces of amber dotted on it. “Unless you bury her with
your book, she will have nothing of her own to go with her.”
    “I had thought to bury the book with her, although it is
precious to me because of my father.”
    “Then take this and bury it with her. It will serve to
show her station in the resurrection.”
    Alais recognised the power of the amber bracelet, but
its value troubled her.
    “My lord, you know that I cannot repay you for this.”
    “My lady, I do not expect payment. It is no more than my
duty to care for two women under my protection, although I was no protection
for Lady Eleanor.”
    “My lord!” she exclaimed, “There can be no blame for you
in this. You were not then our protector. We were to meet you at midday. The
raid started some hours before that.”
    “My lady, I know the measure of my responsibility and
guilt in this and you do not. There is nothing that you can do or say to make
it any less.”
    He could not look at her. Even in the short time of
their acquaintance, Alais had learned that that meant he was