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nodded, rising and starting for the door, my mind whirling with everything I had heard.
    ‘Maeb.’
    It was Pengraic, and I turned back to the group.
    ‘Remember your oath that you should not speak of what you have heard in this room. If fear spreads, then you endanger your lady’s life.’
    ‘I shall remember, my lord. I will not speak of it.’
    With that, I left the solar and sought out Mistress Yvette. Of what they spoke when I had gone I do not know.

Chapter Six
    I found Yvette and she went to Lady Adelie.
    I stood for a little time in the courtyard where I had found Yvette in yet another deep conversation with William, and watched the bustle about me. It was clear that Pengraic had not waited for his wife’s approval before ordering preparations for departure. Men loaded carts with provisions, as also with chests from the house. I wondered if I were to go with the Lady Adelie, or if I should find myself homeless again.
    My question was answered as soon as I returned to the children’s chamber. Evelyn was fussing about, packing linens into a deep chest.
    ‘We are to leave!’ she said to me as I entered. ‘William sent a man to tell us to pack. Ah, to Pengraic at this time of year. I am sure my lady is none too pleased. Maeb, what has happened? What did you hear?’
    ‘I may not speak of it, Evelyn. I am sorry.’
    ‘But we are to leave for Pengraic?’
    ‘If you have heard it, then, yes, we are.’ There was no point denying this.
    ‘But why? My lady is with child, and not well. It is a long and arduous journey and … ah, you may not speak of it. I know.’
    Evelyn stopped, and sighed. ‘Well, at least we shall dine with the king tonight. A small reward for all this mayhem. Maeb, you have yet to witness such an event, yes? Then you shall enjoy yourself this evening. Whatever else awaits, you may say that at least you dined with the king. Now, come help me with these linens … and do you know where lie Alice’s and Emmette’s mantles? I cannot find them anywhere.’
    England might be gripped by plague, and the Pengraic house might be in turmoil, but even so, it seemed nothing would stop the steward and Lady Adelie entertaining the king as they believed fitting. The great hall on the ground floor had been opened up, benches and trestle tables moved in, the great banners and tapestries rehung from beams and on walls, the fires lit, and I was, indeed, to dine with the king.
    Nothing in Lady Adelie’s household had prepared me for this. As the evening drew in, Evelyn and I left the two youngest children in the care of their nurse while she and I, together with Alice, Emmette and the twin boys, washed and prepared ourselves for the evening’s feast. I had nothing suitable to wear, but Mistress Yvette, in a moment she spared us from her dressing of Lady Adelie, generously offered me one of her kirtles, a lovely spring-green linen garment, adorned with crimson ribbons and embroideries.
    ‘It is so beautiful!’ I said as I smoothed it down over my hips.
    ‘And it suits your black hair,’ said Evelyn, ‘and reflects the green of your eyes.’
    Despite everything I had heard this day, and the upheaval of the entire household, I shall admit I was more than a little excited at this evening’s entertainments. I had never worn such a rich gown, nor thought I would ever attend a court where a king should be present.
    There would not be many women attending — Lady Adelie, Mistress Yvette, and Evelyn only; myself, and the two elder Pengraic girls still at home. There would be no gaggle of painted court beauties, or a bevy of titled ladies. All courtly attention would be on our small group.
    I wondered if I would attract any admiring eyes. I fingered one of my heavy braids, shifting it this way and that across my breasts, pleased with the effect of my black hair against the green and scarlet.
    Evelyn came over, and I remarked that she had not veiled her head as she was wont to do.
    ‘There will be no veils