Part 11 (2/2)
Lady Desdea's voice rose in pitch. ”I am at my wit's end! She does not even trouble to defy me; she simply pays me no heed. I might as well be talking out the window!”
”I will reprimand the child later this afternoon,” said Queen Sollace. ”Or perhaps tomorrow, if I decide to beat her. At the moment, I have a dozen other matters on my mind.”
Father Umphred cleared his throat. ”Perhaps Your Highness will allow me a suggestion.”
”Of course! I value your counsel!”
Father Umphred placed the tips of his fingers together. ”Lady Desdea alluded to the possibility of an alien influence. All taken with all, I think this unlikely-but not beyond the realm of imagination, and the Holy Church recognizes such afflictions. As a precaution I would suggest that the Princess Madouc be baptized into the Christian faith and thereupon be instructed in the tenets of orthodoxy. The routines of devotion, meditation and prayer will gently but surely persuade her to those virtues of obedience and humility which we so long to inculcate in her.”
Queen Sollace put aside the empty bowl. ”The idea has merit, but I wonder if the Princess Madouc would find such a program appealing.”
Father Umphred smiled. ”A child is the last to appreciate what is pure and good. If Princess Madouc finds the environment of Haidion too stimulating, we can send her to the convent at Bulmer Skeme. The Mother Superior is both thorough and rigorous when the need exists.”
Queen Sollace sank back into the cus.h.i.+ons of the couch. ”I will discuss the matter with the king.”
Sollace waited until King Casmir had taken his supper, and had become somewhat mellow with wine; then, as if casually, she brought Madouc's name into the conversation. ”Have you heard the latest? Madouc is not behaving as I might hope.”
”Ah bah,” growled King Casmir. ”It is no great matter. I am bored with this constant recital.”
”It is a subject not to be dismissed lightly. With full and insolent purpose she defied the instructions of Lady Desdea! Father Umphred is convinced that Madouc should be baptized and trained in Christian doctrine.”
”Eh? What nonsense is this?”
”It is scarcely nonsense,” said Sollace. ”Lady Desdea is beside herself with anxiety; she suspects that Madouc is moonstruck or possibly possessed by a familiar.”
”Absurd! The girl is full of nervous energy.” For a variety of reasons, Casmir had never informed Sollace of Madouc's provenance, nor the fact of her fairy blood. He said gruffly: ”She is a bit odd, perhaps, but no doubt she will grow out of it.”
”Father Umphred believes that Madouc is definitely in need of religious guidance and I agree.”
Casmir's voice took on an edge: ”You are far too amiable with that fat priest! I will send him away if he does not keep his opinions to himself!”
Sollace said stiffly: ”We are concerned only for the salvation of Madouc's eternal soul!”
”She is a clever little creature; let her worry about her own soul.”
”Hmf,” said Sollace. ”Whoever marries Madouc will be getting far more than he bargained for.”
King Casmir gave a frosty chuckle. ”You are correct on this account, for more reasons than one! In any event we will be off to Sarris in a week's time and everything will be changed.”
”Lady Desdea will have more difficulty than ever,” said Sollace with a sniff. ”Madouc will run wild as a hare.”
”Lady Desdea must then give chase, if she is truly in earnest.''
”You minimize the difficulties,” said Sollace. ”As for me, I find Sarris tiresome enough, without added exasperation.”
”The country air will do you a benefit,” said Casmir. ”We shall all enjoy Sarris.”
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