Star of Mercia Part 8

[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.

"Pity they have no smell--as it were, no soul. They are rank, too, I think. O lady mother, this morning I heard Ethelfrith singing to herself...."

"Why, Leofgythe, whither away?" said Ethelfrith.

Said the waiting-maid: "Lady, there is great mirth afoot to-night for us of the household. The Queen hath given us leave that we may go to the dancing at Aegelstane the Thane's. I beseech you, my lady, that ye forget not to comb your locks right thoroughly; they must s.h.i.+ne like gold for King Ethelbert."

"Good luck go with thee, Leofgythe," cried the Lady gaily. "I would we might have dancing too. But I fear me we shall be too few." And she pa.s.sed on up the staircase.

In the palace hall King Ethelbert and Queen Cynerith sat facing one another across a little table, playing at chess. All was not well between them. The Queen leant very far over the board, and her lips were pouting. Her fingers rested lightly upon the head of a chessman.

Suddenly she withdrew her hand, and launched a side-long look at her opponent from beneath drooping lashes. Ethelbert's brow was black, and for an instant there appeared in his eyes a glint of loathing.

Then Cynerith surveyed the board once more and played her piece.

It was checkmate.

As by a common impulse, they both rose, making no comment upon the game. The Queen was flushed and quivering. Ethelbert bowed to her and strode hurriedly from the hall.

Cynerith went then to King Offa's private chamber. The King was there alone: he smiled at sight of her, and greeted her lovingly. Cynerith stood before him, rapping one foot upon the earthen floor.

"My lord," she burst forth at last, "what will ye do if things fall out even so as your dearest wishes be undermined?"

Offa spread wide his hands.

"How now, sweetheart?" he queried, laughing.

"It were well to be ready. If East Anglia become our foe--if Ethelbert will not wed with Ethelfrith----?"

"Not wed with Ethelfrith! Not wed my little maid! How, wife, what meanest thou?"

"I understand not, for my life," said Cynerith, "which way things are faring between them twain! It is my belief that Ethelbert is here to pick a quarrel with thee, Offa."

"Tush, woman, woman! I have marked nought of this."

"Thou wilt own that my woman's wit is ever quicker than thine own, husband. I think he beareth little love to our daughter, and none to thee or me, or any of us. For all he is so mild, and his tongue so smooth, he is a man to scheme deep undertakings. Why hath he brought with him so great an armed train--greater far than a wedding warranteth? Offa, I tell thee this youth will some day spread his sway in England, even so far as thou hast spread thine!"

"If I thought he truly scorned my daughter...."

"Shall we let him go forth, husband, wed or unwed? Thou shouldst set him straightway in ward, the wheedling knave! or there are other ways, maybe!"

"Lady wife," said Offa, "do thou bear in mind that this man is our guest!"

"My lord, Ethelbert is young, and as for thee, thou hast looked thy last upon the height of thy manhood. And Egbert our son will never be the man that thou art. I say, beware! Come tell me now, if so be that Ethelbert of East Anglia wriggle from out of this pact he is come to make with us--if he make of us laughing-stocks from Iceland unto Caisar Charles's court--aye, and beyond--say ye will strike, O Offa of Mercia, so that your kingly dignity be upheld in the land!"

"G.o.d knoweth I will strike, and right heavily!" cried Offa. "I give my word I will not fail thee. But, lady, I hold thee mistaken--all this can scarcely be."

And as he was in gleeful humour, he put the matter from his mind, and began contentedly to examine and polish his boar-spears. He had suffered one or two envious pangs through Ethelbert's youth and vigour.

Moreover, strong man though he was, he had never been able to bridle Cynerith.