Part 8 (1/2)
[14] Pavia.
”Why, why,” Ethelbert broke in, ”I miss my ring of onyx!”
”Was it loose upon thy finger?” said Queen Cynerith. ”Often in unhooding a hawk----”
”Nay,” said he, smiling, ”I do think it is where the Lady Ethelfrith's sweet charity would have it be!”
Cynerith bit her lip.
”Have ye indeed bestowed your ring upon the beggars?” Ethelfrith whispered.
”Surely, aye,” answered he. ”The sad, sorry souls! These do fear lest they be besmirched by fellows.h.i.+p with the mean and ailing. But I think that a king, before all men in the earth ought to be lowly.” Bending towards her, he said softly, ”Tell me now, are all things truly to thy liking?”
”Oh, my lord....” said she. Here, amongst all these people--before all her kindred!
”'High and mighty' I greeted thee,” he pursued. ”Dearest, I knew not then to whom I spake. 'Soft and lovely lady' hail I thee now!”
He handed her down the slope and together they wandered slowly through the fields.
The royal party followed immediately, and they proceeded, mostly on foot, along the path which leads through the lush meadow-land.
Presently Cynerith called the King of East Anglia to her, and they in their turn headed the company.
”May-tide is G.o.d's gift to lovers,” she said. ”The Queen's words are sooth,” was his rejoinder.
”Hearken to the live things, and to the birds,” said Cynerith, and her eyes were languis.h.i.+ng. ”Ethelbert, a woman's heart blooms blithe and tender in this month of May!”
Eadburh looked her sister from head to foot.
”Art not a fine woman,” she remarked. ”Belike thou wilt yet grow.”
”Think ye I must needs become a fine woman?” said the other, smiling.
”Men like them,” replied Eadburh. ”All men,” she added, with a meaning glance towards Ethelbert.
”What wouldst thou hint?” cried Ethelfrith; but Queen Eadburh was gone from her side.
The younger sister was not easy in heart or mind. Lately she had become aware of circ.u.mstances which she did not care to think on; and now, her sister's words! She was used to the moods of her mother; but there was also s.e.xwolf, the young lord who had been the Queen's constant companion for two years--he was full of smouldering fury, it was evident, and would speak to no one. Her brother was near at hand, but he always snubbed her when she talked inquisitively; he would be no help. There was thane Edric, the honest old man, seneschal of the court; she was certain he would tell her plainly anything he thought she ought to know. Why should she not take her perplexities to him?
Alack! here was Eadburh again! Her she could not question. She would consult old Edric later on.
”Is a woman ever too old to love?” said Cynerith the Queen.
Ethelbert looked up quickly, surprised and a little amused. They were walking along the edge of a springing cornfield.
”Look, the bonny blossoms!” cried she.
She stooped over a patch of poppies, whose bowls seemed to burn with liquid scarlet fire. As she did so, her hand brushed against Ethelbert's as though by accident.
”Bonny, for sure,” answered the young man.