So, yes, despite everything Eleanor was proud of her achievements as The Fox and she must never forget that...
‘We shall stop for a while by the river, Eleanor.’
Hugh’s voice broke through her musings but she didn’t respond, having missed what he had said. He rode alongside her and took her reins, slowly bringing her horse to a halt.
‘I think we could all do with a respite, my lady, don’t you? Come, you must stretch your legs and partake in some food and ale.’
He dismounted and came to help her, clasping her waist with two big, strong hands, lowering her to the ground. They stood facing each other, eyes locked, before Hugh looked away and broke the contact.
He stepped to one side and escorted her to the side of the riverbank where Will, who would be accompanying Hugh to meet with the Scots, and some of their men, were tethering the horses to a tree. They were joined by Eleanor’s women, who helped lay out and prepare a meal of cold meats, bread, cheeses and fruit.
Eleanor sat on the mats that had been laid on the ground and helped pass around trenchers of food and pour mugs of ale from the flagons they had brought with them.
Hugh ate with the men while she sat and nibbled some dried fruit with a handful of nuts and watched him, contemplating her situation, or rather her relationship with her husband, as she always did when her mind wandered.
Hugh was once again being courteous, and showing her every consideration on their journey back, but he kept his distance from her, as before. This time, though, Eleanor knew the reason why. And this time she didn’t blame him.
‘You have wounded me more than you’ll ever know...’
How many times were these words going to spin round and round in her head, compounding her guilt? And yet Hugh had never revealed to King John that she was the one who conspired with the outlaws. For that alone she was indebted to him, even though he wanted nothing more to do with her.
Eleanor had wanted to tell him the rest. About her dissembling as Le Renard. About everything...
But she couldn’t do it. If Eleanor had thought Hugh’s reaction had been bad when he’d learnt of her betrayal, God only knew what he would do if he learnt the truth about The Fox.
But it did not sit well with her, hiding this—another secret—from him. There was no point, anyway, now that she had all but retired her alter ego. And with everything that had happened it might now have to be an indefinite retirement.
‘Eleanor, may I talk with you? Mayhap we could walk along the river for a moment...if you would honour me?’ Hugh said, standing over her.
‘Of course.’
They walked along the bank, taking in the winding expanse of river that disappeared into the thickets and hills beyond. Hugh strolled beside her with his hands behind his back as she picked a leaf and twirled it between her fingers.
‘You must be happy that we’re almost back in Tallany, Eleanor?’
‘I am, yes.’
As well as relieved and thankful to be away from the nightmare at court.
‘Good, good... And, as you know, once you’re safely back I will be leaving for Scotland immediately.’
She did know—but not that he had to go straight away. ‘I see. And how long will you be gone?’
‘I’m not entirely sure. However long my mission will take with the Scots and their newly anointed King,’ he said with a sigh. ‘I will make sure that everything is in place before I leave. You will have a few of my best men to stand in my stead, as well as the new steward of Tallany, of course.’
Eleanor looked away and bit her bottom lip at this reminder of having had Gilbert Claymore replaced by someone Hugh could trust.
He regarded her. ‘I also want to say that what happened in Winchester with King John was terrible.’ He exhaled slowly before adding, ‘I have been thinking it over and I hold myself responsible for what almost happened.’
Eleanor touched his sleeve. ‘But it didn’t, and I have you to thank for that.’
‘Even so, I should not have brought you into that environment in the first place.’
‘From what I have heard, I am not the first woman the King has tried and succeeded in using in that way to get through to good, honourable men...like you,’ she said, flicking her eyes in his direction. ‘As well as many of the Rebel Barons. They must act with heavy hearts for what they believe. Their decisions cannot be taken lightly.’
Hugh copied Eleanor and picked a leaf off a nearby shrub. ‘Yes, these are very difficult times.’
She nodded. ‘With many honourable men on both sides in this bitter conflict.’
And a terrible king who was at the centre of it...
‘Indeed.’
‘I hope that the differences between King John and the Barons will soon be resolved,’ she said.
‘I do too. It would be good for the sake of the kingdom if matters were finally resolved and the country would come together again as one.’
As it would be good if they could come together again... Ah, if only that was a possibility...
Hugh ran his fingers through his hair. ‘However, that is not what I wish to talk about. Let me say again that I’m sorry I put you in that hostile situation with John.’
She turned to face him. ‘But you didn’t, Hugh. The “hostile situation” that we both faced was because of the outlaws and the silver they stole from the King.’
‘At least you realise that.’
‘I’m not stupid.’
‘Oh, I know, my lady. But tell me something: would you have ever stopped your secret assignations with them? With the outlaws?’
She shook her head slowly. ‘No, I don’t believe I would.’
He regarded her for a moment with the ghost of a smile on his lips. ‘I’m glad, at least, of your honesty. And that’s what I believed too. Which
