* * * * *
‘Well, you certainly made a scene of yourself this morning,’ said Elmund angrily, the instant he had shut the door to their chamber. Godiva turned to him, hurt.
He had been quiet all day, avoiding her when the hunt was on, paying attention only to the conversation of the court on the way back to Gumley. But now the festivities were at an end, they had retired to their current apartments near Gumley Hall.
‘What do you mean?’ she asked. ‘When I spilt the drink? It was rank!’
‘Never did I think a daughter of mine would prove so troublesome,’ he growled. ‘I should have brought your sister with me instead. Even Ediva has some idea of how to conduct herself in public!’
‘Father, you know I can’t talk to you when you’re in this sort of mood,’ Godiva snapped. ‘I’m going to my bower. If you have anything to say to me that’s worth hearing, you can say it when you’ve regained your temper.’ She swept out, and went to her room.
Sitting on the bed, she started to brush her hair, listening to her father’s distant cursing. It wasn’t fair to treat him like that, she knew; he had always had problems getting his own way with her, and it did nothing for his self-esteem. But if he was just going to make vain comparisons between her and her goody-two-shoes sister, she could see no point in prolonging the conversation.
She looked up. Her father had gone suddenly silent. Good for him, she told herself. Language like that wouldn’t get him to heaven. She continued brushing her hair, glad that he had seen sense at last. Perhaps he would be coming to apologise.
She heard a pad from the doorway, and she turned. But her face fell as she recognised her visitor; not her father, as she’d been expecting, but…
‘My lady?’ She stared in amazement at Queen Cynethryth and the goblet she held in her hands.
‘Grimbert tells me the effects of the poisonous leaf with which I struck down your father are only temporary,’ she murmured. ‘I wouldn’t want my husband to lose such a valued servant - yet. But as for you, my dear, I have something else in store.’ She lunged for Godiva, who rolled back across the bed, and leapt to her feet.
‘My lady, what’s the matter?’ she asked desperately. ‘You look unwell - feverish, I’d say. Now…’ She dodged to one side as the queen made a grab at her. But she was hemmed in on all sides now - cornered.
‘Stay still, you little bitch,’ snarled the queen. ‘I’m not going to kill you. I want you alive and in my power after all the trouble and expense I’ve gone to, to prepare this for you.’
Godiva had once seen a rook trapped in a tenant’s cottage. It had flapped wildly round the walls, vainly seeking a way out, and as she struggled to escape the remorselessly advancing queen, she found herself inevitably reminded of the event.
Suddenly, Cynethryth’s hand flashed out, and caught her by the chin. She forced Godiva’s head back.
‘No… no…’ Godiva moaned. She spluttered as Cynethryth forced the goblet to her lips. The foul tasting liquid spilled from her mouth.
‘Swallow it, you cow!’ the queen snarled like a fishwife. She clamped Godiva’s mouth shut. Involuntarily, Godiva gulped, then tore free. She spat the rest of the contents in the queen’s face.
‘Slut!’ Cynethryth shrieked, slapping her so hard that she fell back across the bed. ‘How dare you! Just you do as you’re told, you little bitch! If the queen tells you to drink, you drink! Is that clear?’
‘Yes, my lady,’ said Godiva dully, lying flat out and staring at the ceiling.
‘If I…’ Cynethryth broke off. ‘What did you say? Stand up when I’m talking to you!’
‘Yes, my lady,’ replied Godiva in a submissive monotone, obeying.
Cynethryth stared at her a second, then smiled cruelly.
‘Under my spell…’ she said. ‘Or Grimbert’s, that is.’ Out loud, she said; ‘So, do you still not want to become a nun?’
‘I… don’t know,’ said Godiva slowly.
‘Well, let me tell you,’ the queen replied. ‘You have changed your mind. You shall go to a nunnery, and nothing your father or anyone else says will dissuade you. And one last thing,’ she added, beckoning Godiva closer. ‘You will forget about Oswald. Is that clear? Oswald is evil. Oswald tried to violate me. In fact, he tried to violate you, too…’