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“I was not speaking of theromanzor of what the Church may or may not do about it. I was speaking ofyour deeds, Tristram. I need your vow you will never again put yourself in any peril for my sake!”
“You know well it is a vow I cannot ever make or keep,” Tristram told her steadily.
Judith sighed deeply, because she’d come to know her husband. He was and would always be not only her husband but also a knight, who felt bound to protect her at all costs.
“Fine then,Ishall make you a vow. One I’d rather die than ever break. I vow to also protectyouat all costs,” she said, suddenly brightening and knowing that from now on she would strive to do everything in her power to prevent her beloved Tristram from coming to any harm.
He scowled at her.
“That is not a vow a lady should ever make to her lord!”
“Why ever not?” Judith countered with an arched eyebrow.
“Because it ismyduty to protect you!”
“Mine also, from now on. I shall protect you in return,” Judith countered, content she’d found the right way of it and knowing she would forever keep this vow.
Tristram looked downright flustered for a moment. He however began to smile after a while, and cocked an eyebrow at her, telling her in a teasing voice, “In truth,yourduty is to mind whateverIsay, my lady. And be soundly spanked if you do not.”
Judith rolled her eyes at her husband, knowing full well this might earn her a new spanking from him.
“My bottom’s sore already!” she complained, however letting Tristram hear that her complaint was half feigned.
“Not sore enough, since you still dare to roll your eyes at me,” Tristram countered with a wicked grin on his lips.
“A heartless man you are!” Judith tossed at him, not resisting to goad him even further and already feeling her heart thump in anticipation at the further game they were going to play.
Chapter 23
The next day seemed like the most wonderful day in Judith’s life, although the sky was grey and cloudy. Yet her happiness was soon disturbed when the serving women brought Judith the news that Lady Fenice was no longer in her chambers. It soon turned out that Judith’s mother had indeed left the castle, in secrecy, with only a couple of retainers to accompany her. Judith’s heart simply skipped with fear because she was aware her mother had not left her chambers in several years. And it was perchance more than ten years since Lady Fenice had stepped out of the castle.
“She went in the night. In secrecy!” Judith wrung her hands in distress. “What if something happens to her? She’s not known the world outside in so long. I do so fear for her!”
Tristram put his arm around her shoulders.
“Do you know where she might have gone?” he asked.
Judith nodded, recalling only too well her mother’s wish to be with her sister, and she told Tristram of the letter her mother had received.
“We shall send word to Severborough at once. Let us hope she will reach it safely,” Tristram said, before striding to call upon one of his men.
It was with sheer relief that, several days later, Judith received the news her mother had indeed reached the priory, and the men Tristram had sent to make inquiries returned with a letter which bore Lady Fenice’s seal. It was a short letter, which plainly stated that Judith’s mother was at present happy where she was and had no further wish to return upon the dark home which had been her prison for so many years.
“I did not know your mother was so unhappy here,” Tristram mused when Judith let him read the letter. “I knew she was ailing, but I always assumed it was only due to her frail health. Perchance Severborough may indeed prove a place of solace to her!”
“It is a convent! How can anyone find any measure of solace in such a place?” Judith asked with an anguished shake of her head.
Tristram shook his head.
“Some people do. Those who have a calling for that kind of life. And you’re wrong to think this priory a bleak place. As you know, a large part of my family is in the Church. My second cousin is now prioress there. She joined the priory by her own choice and she concerns herself with the welfare of those who reside there. She’s always told me she seeks to make Severborough into a safe haven for women who wish to spend their time away from this world. You would certainly not be suited for convent life, but you are wrong to think your mother may be so unhappy there. It seems to me she’s already put aside the world outside.”
Tristram’s words were meant to be soothing, and it was true her mother had long parted from the world outside the walls of her chamber. Yet Judith had to see for herself. So Tristram accompanied her to Severborough. It was a three-day journey, but not arduous. Nevertheless Judith wondered how it was that her mother, so used to spending time only in her chambers, had managed to make this trip. At last, they came upon the priory, and soon Judith had occasion to see that Tristram’s cousin was a kindly woman, who welcomed them with a serene smile upon her face. The pleasant gardens and the content faces of the women there, some dressed in nun’s garb, yet others in lay clothes, made Judith breathe a sigh of sheer relief. However, the solace she felt upon perceiving this was not a bleak place was soon disturbed when she set eyes on her aunt Edith. Unlike the faces of the other women here, Edith’s face was pinched and full of malice.
Tristram’s cousin had already told Judith her mother was presently in her cell and was ready to welcome her. However Edith seemed to have already learnt Judith was on her way to see Lady Fenice.
“So,” Judith’s aunt said, drawing her aside, “I hear Lord Tristram has decided to keep you on as his wife. Word goes he even took a flogging foryoursake,” she went on in mocking tones.
Judith pretended not to hear her.
