The Elephants Of Norwich Part 1

THE.

ELEPHANTS OF.

NORWICH.

Edward Marston.

To Conrad and Gaynor, beloved son and daughter-in-law, as a belated wedding present.

King William caused all England to be surveyed: how much each of his barons possessed; and how many enfeoffed knights; and how many ploughs, villeins, animals, and livestock, each one possessed in all his kingdom from the greatest to the least; and what dues each estate was able to render. And as a consequence the land was vexed with much violence.

Florence of Worcester.

DOMESDAY NORFOLK.

Prologue.

*Elephants?' she said in astonishment. *You brought elephants back to England?'

*Yes, my lady. Two of them.'

*Where did you find them?'

*That*s a secret,' said the other with a quiet smile.

*But I thought that you were visiting your estates in Normandy.'

*My search took me further afield.'

*Search?'

*For the two elephants,' he explained. *When I set my heart on something, I'll move heaven and earth until I possess it. That's why I hunted them down with such patience. You'll not see two such beasts in the entire kingdom. Those elephants will make a perfect wedding gift to my bride.'

Richard de Fontenel gave a confident grin. He was a big man in his forties with the build and rugged features of a soldier. Time had thickened his waist, thinned his hair and lent him a florid complexion but he could still be accounted a moderately handsome man. Ten years younger, the lady Adelaide had retained the beauty and poise that made her such a desirable prospect as a wife. The great wealth she had inherited from her late husband only served to intensify desire.

*Nothing has been agreed, my lord,' she reminded him.

*Until today.'

*I'm in no rush to make a decision.'

*Wait until you see the elephants.'

*Why should they make any difference?'

*Because I got them for you, Adelaide.'

*It's a curious way to court a lady,' she teased. *Tracking down two monsters in the hope that they may further your suit. To be honest, my lord, I had grave doubts that such things as elephants even existed. I've heard the tales, naturally, but I never met anyone who had actually laid eyes on the creatures. Since you have brought two of them to Norfolk, I shall be interested to see them, but I cannot promise that they'll win me over.'

*Why not?'

*Elephants are, by report, large and dangerous. I'm more likely to be frightened by them than enamoured.'

His grin widened. *There's no chance of that.'

*How can you be so sure?'

*Because I would never dream of doing anything to upset you,' he said with rough courtesy. *I seek only to delight your senses. That's why I went to such trouble to secure the elephants for you.' He moved to the door. *I'll have them brought in at once.'

*Here?' she gasped, suddenly afraid. *Are they not tethered and penned?'

*No, my lady. They are tame enough to handle.'

Richard de Fontenel opened the door of the parlour and barked an order. When he turned round, he saw that his guest had withdrawn for safety to a corner of the room. Torn between curiosity and apprehension, the lady Adelaide waited in silence. Her host ran covetous eyes over the shapely body beneath the long blue gown. She looked even more entrancing than when he had taken s.h.i.+p for Normandy. Absence had increased his fondness for her and, he suspected, melted away some of her reservations about him. She was finally within his reach. The wedding gift would remove any lingering doubts she might have.

There was a tap on the door, then Hermer, the steward, came in with a wooden platter in his hands. Silken cloth covered some objects on the dish. A short, stout individual in his thirties, Hermer had the cautious look of a man who walked in fear of his master. He stood beside de Fontenel.

The guest was mystified. *Where are the elephants?' she asked.

*Waiting for you,' said her host, indicating the platter.

*Is this some kind of jest, my lord?'

*Far from it. Lift the cloth and see for yourself.'

*I expected two vast animals.'

*These are not live elephants, my lady.'

*But you led me to believe that they were.'

*I did nothing of the kind,' he said, beckoning her over with a crooked finger. *I would never offer a fragrant lady like you such foulsmelling pets as a pair of elephants. These creatures are designed to excite and allure.'

The lady Adelaide crossed slowly towards him and looked down at the platter. Taking the edge of the cloth between thumb and forefinger, she pulled it tentatively away to reveal two objects that made her gape in wonderment. They were miniature elephants, made from solid gold and standing four inches in height. Affixed to the top of each head was a small crucifix. Richard de Fontenel picked one of the gleaming animals up and handed it to her. She was entranced. Its sheer weight gave her some idea of its value but it was the craftsmans.h.i.+p that really appealed to her and she ran her fingers gently over the smooth contours. Never having seen an elephant in the flesh, she could not tell how accurate a representation the miniature was, but the large head, long trunk and curved tusks held a thrilling novelty for her. And she was not just being offered a piece of treasure. The crucifix gave each object a religious significance.

It was impossible not to be touched. She looked up at de Fontenel.

*You brought these back for me, my lord?' she said with grat.i.tude.

He gave a nod, took the elephant from her and put it back on the platter. When the two animals were covered once more with the cloth, Hermer went out of the room, but not before he shot a sly glance of admiration at the lady Adelaide. She was sad to see the miniature animals go. The tips of her fingers were still tingling from the touch of the gold. The very sight of the objects had stirred something akin to l.u.s.t in her, but possession came at a price.

*Well?' said de Fontenel, searching her eyes.

*They're exquisite, my lord.'

*An exquisite gift for an exquisite lady.'

*That remains to be seen.'

*Did you not like them?'

*I adored them,' she confessed, *but then you knew that I would.'

*I'm well aware of your tastes,' he said softly. *I've studied them long enough. I seek to please you in every way, Adelaide. Precious as they are, those elephants are only a means to an end that is far more precious to me. I've offered you my hand already but I do so again now,' he continued, extending a palm towards her. *I think that I'm ent.i.tled to an answer from you.'

*You'll get one, my lord,' she said, politely ignoring his hand.

*When?'

*In due course.'

*You've been saying that for months.'

*Marriage is not something into which I'll enter lightly.'

*You were swift enough to wed Geoffrey Molyneux.'

*That was different,' she said with a note of reprimand in her voice. *I was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. I was also very much in love with my husband. I still grieve over Geoffrey's untimely death.'

*So do I, Adelaide,' he a.s.sured her. *So do I.'

*Were he still alive, you could not buy me with a hundred gold elephants.'

He feigned indignation. *There is no sense of purchase here, I swear it. No amount of money could attract such a wife. I offer you love and devotion, not riches and finery. You already have those in abundance. What you don't have a" and what you need a" is a husband who will cherish you.'

*The lord Mauger said the selfsame words.'

*Mauger is a fool!' he retorted.

*He offers me everything that you do, my lord.'

*Including two gold elephants?'

*No,' she conceded. *He lacks the imagination to find such a gift.'

*That's not all that he lacks,' said the other, still bristling. *Let's put Mauger aside for the moment. He has no place in this discussion. Unless, that is,' he added, arching an inquisitive eyebrow, *some promise was given during my absence?'

*Not by me, my lord.'

*Mauger has been rejected?'

*Neither rejected nor accepted. I've still to make up my mind.'

*Does my wedding gift carry no weight at all?'

*Considerable weight.'

*Then why do you hesitate?'

*Because it's my privilege to do so.'

Bestowing a warm smile on him, she turned away and moved across to gaze out of the window. She pondered. Richard de Fontenel had much to recommend him as a husband. He had wealth, position and power. His manor house was one of the largest in the county, his estates scattered across Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincoln and Ess.e.x. In Normandy, too, he had substantial holdings. The lady Adelaide was tempted by his proposal but two things held her back. The first was the fact that her beloved husband, Geoffrey, had been killed in a hunting accident while riding out with de Fontenel and that memory still festered. The second obstacle concerned her host's relations.h.i.+p with his two previous wives. One had died in childbirth and the other had been carried off by a fever, but it was rumoured that he treated both with a harshness unbecoming in a devoted husband.

Richard de Fontenel was a hard man in a world that punished softness. He was ruthless, ambitious and acquisitive. The lady Adelaide's fear was that she would be one more prize to be added to his collection. Though he was wooing her gently now, his manner might change sharply once she had succ.u.mbed. There was the additional problem of providing an heir for a childless husband. That phase of her life, she hoped, was over. Having already brought two children into the world, she did not wish to go through the ordeal again. Her hesitation shaded into reluctance.

Watching her carefully, he moved across to stand behind her shoulder. *What are you thinking?'

*How fine your garden is,' she said, pointing at the avenue of trees.

*Fine enough to make you yearn to share it with me?'

*Perhaps, my lord.'

*And perhaps not?'

She turned to face him. *It's not an easy decision.'

*What's making it so difficult?'

*Memories,' she whispered. *And the presence of a rival.'

*Mauger is no rival,' he snarled. *He's a grasping rogue. While I was away on my travels, he had the temerity to claim land that is rightfully mine. Fortunately, when they compiled their returns for this county, the commissioners did not believe him. Even as we speak, a second team of commissioners is on its way to Norfolk to settle the dispute between us.' He became earnest. *Settle the more important dispute between us, Adelaide. Mauger is no fit husband for you. Discard him and choose me.'

*Why must I accept either of you?'

*Because it's my destiny!'

There was anger as well as exasperation in his voice. The lady Adelaide was too composed to let her feelings show but he sensed her disapproval. Making an effort to control his temper, he showered her with apologies, then conducted her to a chair.

*You must do as you wish, Adelaide,' he said.

*I intend to, my lord.'

*All I ask is that you hear me out.'

*That's the least you deserve.'

Her smile encouraged him to show his hand more clearly. Richard de Fontenel had admired her from afar for years. He spoke of his continuing affection and of the deep sympathy he felt for her at the tragic death of her husband. Honest about his faults, he was profuse in his vows. The lady Adelaide listened attentively, enjoying the flattery without being taken in by it and making an occasional mention of her other suitor in order to p.r.i.c.k him into a response. Courts.h.i.+p was preferable to marriage. While she had two suitors paying their attentions to her, she could play them off against each other in order to secure advantages for herself. Eventually, however, the game would have to end.