if he settled his business the nightmares would leave him to rest in peace.
Rosamunde was mending a tunic. It was her second best and she had torn it while out gathering herbs and berries for her cures. Her stitches were neat and she could not afford cloth to make a new one, because she would not ask her father for money. He had none to give her and would merely be distressed that she was in need.
Sir Randolph had almost beggared himself entertaining the King and his knights before they had gone on the third crusade. Since then he had contributed generously by sending young men from his manor to join Richard in the Holy Land, and he had recently given three-hundred gold talents towards paying the huge ransom demanded for Richard’s release.
When Sir Randolph had finally discovered that his debts were too deep to allow for a decent life for his daughter, he had decided that she must enter her cousin Angelina’s service. So Rosamunde had been sent to her uncle, Count Torrs, only to discover that he was leaving England for the Low Countries. The count had accepted his late sister’s daughter and Angelina had taken her into her service. Angelina was to stay with her uncle in Normandy until such time as her father returned from his travels, and so Rosamunde had travelled to France with her cousin.
At first, Rosamunde’s life had not been too bad, but as time passed Angelina seemed to dislike Rosamunde and gave her all the tedious tasks to perform. Rosamunde knew that her father had hoped she would make a life for herself in her kinswoman’s service, because there was little for her at home. She had no dowry to give to a husband and it was unlikely that anyone would offer for her without at least a small portion. Since coming to France, she had tried very hard to please her cousin, but Angelina was selfish and uncaring, and Rosamunde found it more and more difficult to accept her life. If she had not believed that her father would find her a burden to support, she would have returned home months ago.
Her only hope lay in King Richard’s return. If he were restored to his throne, he might find it in his heart to reward her father for past loyalty. A small pension would make all the difference and then perhaps Rosamunde could return to her home.
Sighing, she placed the tunic she’d been mending in her coffer and then went to look out of the narrow window. Since Rosamunde had no further work to occupy her, she might as well go in search of their hostess, Lady Saxenburg, and enquire if she could be of assistance to her.
About to leave on her errand, she was surprised when the door of her chamber opened and Angelina entered. Rosamunde felt a prickling sensation at the nape of her neck. It was not often that her cousin came to find Rosamunde; she was normally sent for by one of the other serving women.
‘Cousin, may I do something for you? I was looking for work since I have finished all the mending.’
‘You will be pleased to know we are to journey to England,’ Angelina said. ‘You should pack your things, Rosamunde, and then come to help me. I have set my other ladies to packing my things but only Margaret is to accompany us. Sir Thomas, who is a family friend, and his men will be our escorts.’
‘England?’ Rosamunde’s spirits lifted. ‘I am so glad, cousin. Perhaps I shall find time to visit my father. Do we go to your father’s home? Has his mission in the Low Countries been successful?’
‘We go on my father’s behalf,’ Angelina said. ‘It may be that you will have time to visit your father, but we shall speak of this when we reach England.’
‘I cannot thank you enough. Your uncle and aunt have made us welcome here in Normandy, but I prefer England. You must be glad to be going home too?’
‘I have no choice in the matter.’ Angelina’s gaze went over her. ‘That tunic is shabby, Rosamunde. Have you no others?’
‘This is the tunic I use for every day but I have two others.’
Angelina’s eyes narrowed. ‘You have grown shabbier; I had not noticed. I shall make you a gift of three tunics and a surcoat. You cannot attend me looking as you do, cousin. You will have time on the ship to make any adjustments you need.’
‘Cousin …’ Rosamunde’s cheeks stung. Angelina’s gift was generous but made in such a way that it humiliated her. ‘I … You are generous.’
Why was her cousin being so generous to her? Angelina had made it plain from the start that she did not like her cousin or wish to have her as one of her ladies—so why this sudden kindness? Something was not quite right.
‘I wish you to look well, cousin. We shall pass your home on our journey. You may visit your father, but remember your loyalty is to me. Perhaps if you serve me as I wish a marriage might be arranged for you. I dare say a knight might be found to wed you for fifty gold talents.’
‘I do not have even ten gold talents, cousin.’
‘No, but I may have.’ Angelina’s eyes glittered. ‘I cannot tell you just yet, but soon I shall ask a service of you and, if you please me, I may arrange something for you.’
‘What kind of a service, cousin?’
‘I cannot tell you yet—but it is important to me and my father.’
‘I am always willing to serve you and my uncle if I can, Angelina.’
Rosamunde could not help but be suspicious. Angelina always had a reason for what she did. If she was giving Rosamunde such a costly gift it must mean she wanted something from her in return.
‘Yes, perhaps. See to your packing. We leave within the hour.’
Rosamunde took her leave of the lord and lady of Saxenburg, thanking them for their hospitality, and then went up the twisting stair to her cousin’s chamber at the top of the tower. The door was open and as she paused she heard voices—Angelina and Sir Thomas. Without meaning to eavesdrop, she heard their words clearly.
‘What are we to do? My father is a prisoner of his enemy, Lord Mornay, and he demands one thousand gold pieces as a ransom to release him …’
‘It is an iniquitous sum. But the ransom must be paid or Mornay will not release his hostage. I have heard of this man, and I fear for Count Torrs if Mornay’s demands are not met.’
‘But you do not know it all,’ Angelina cried in a wailing tone. ‘He is not content with ruining my father by demanding this huge sum—he also wants me to take him the ransom myself.’
‘You cannot. I shall not allow it. You are promised to me, Angelina. Had your father not been captured in England we should have been wed before this,’ the man responded.
‘My uncle says that I must go to England and take the ransom, for if my father is not released his lands will be forfeit and he will have nothing left—and that means we cannot marry, Thomas, unless our plan works,’ Angelina said.
‘Your cousin suspects nothing?’
‘She is a fool and will do as I tell her,’ Angelina said scornfully. ‘But I still do not see how sending Rosamunde in my place will help us to recover my dowry.’
‘Listen and I shall explain once more …’
Shocked to the core at what she had heard, Rosamunde turned away, sick to the stomach and unwilling to hear more. Now she understood the reasons for the new gowns: her cousin meant to send her to this Lord Mornay in Angelina’s place.
Trembling, she ran back down to her own chamber.
What was she to do? She had no money of her own and there was no way that she could return to England without her cousin.
How could Angelina plan such a terrible thing? She had always known her cousin was selfish but this was beyond anything. Rosamunde was distressed and angry. She would not go to this man in her cousin’s place—but for the moment she had no choice but to hold her peace. Perhaps when she was in England she could go to her father and ask for his protection.
It was some