Chetwynd knew it was the custom to hear the exploits of warriors after a meal. The Song of Roland, a heroic tale about Charlemagne’s most famous knight, was often recited. But Chetwynd was not one to indulge in boasting of his military accomplishments, and after his experience at court, he was even less inclined to talk about himself. His success on the battlefield had not kept him from disaster at court. Flattered by the attentions of Queen Judith, he had acted in a manner of which he was not proud. King Louis was an old man who spent most of his time on religious retreats, while the young queen was lonely and in need of someone to confide in. Or so he had thought.
Chetwynd’s growing involvement with Queen Judith had shocked Justin, who accused him of being ruled by his loins rather than his head. It was true, of course. It hadn’t taken him long to realize that the beautiful queen was using his reputation and influence for her own purposes. When gossip started to circulate, Justin had proven his friendship by arranging for Chetwynd to be assigned a tour of duty on the Spanish March. The assignment at the southernmost boundary of the empire had given Chetwynd some much-needed time away from court.
Chetwynd had no intention of entertaining his host with stories of his service to the king. When Theodoric realized he was serious about not reciting tales, his face lost its eager expression. Theodoric shrugged his shoulders and turned to the small but imposing woman seated on his other side. She, too, was elegantly clad in flowing robes of silky green and white, her head covering rising above her head like a crown.
“May I present my mother, Lady Winifred. Lord Chetwynd knows our Justin and is well-known for his service to King Louis, my lady.”
“I have heard all about Lord Chetwynd,” she replied, a sly smile on her face.
Her words gave Chetwynd a jolt, and he prayed they weren’t true. Though advanced in years, Lady Winifred had alert eyes that examined him closely. As though coming to a decision, she left her seat and moved toward Chetwynd, impatiently waving for the person beside him to make room for her.
“It’s about time we finally met, Lord Chetwynd. I’m eager to hear the latest news of my grandson.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Lady Winifred,” Chetwynd replied, standing to help her settle in her new seat. “It has been a while since I last saw Justin, so my news will not be timely.”
Lady Winifred waved away the servant who carried her trencher, indicating she was finished with her meal. However, she did accept a goblet of wine.
“When exactly did you last see him, Lord Chetwynd?” she insisted.
“During the Spring Assembly at the king’s palace in Aachen. We spent some time together there.”
The king held many assemblies throughout the year, and the Spring Assembly was devoted to planning military operations for the summer months. The widespread empire was in constant threat from encroaching tribes that did not share the Christian faith of the Franks. Chetwynd’s army was only one of many armies employed by King Louis to protect his kingdom against the heathen aggressors.
“Justin has mentioned you many times. I know he regards you as the brother he never had. He does have a sister. Perhaps he mentioned Lady Isabel.”
In fact, they had had a long discussion about the lady, Chetwynd recalled. Justin believed Isabel was unhappy at Narbonne. Chetwynd had hoped to do him a good turn by bringing Isabel to court, a plan that now seemed to be ill-conceived. He had no intention of mentioning it to Lady Winifred until he decided how he should proceed.
“It’s true Justin is like a brother to me, my lady. As pages in the household of Count Jonas we ate, slept, and trained together. Natural brothers could not be closer. But at court we have taken different paths. Justin has made a reputation for himself as a minister to King Louis. I admire Justin’s skill as advisor to the king.”
Chetwynd’s words were meant to please Justin’s grandmother, but that didn’t mean they weren’t true. There were many times when he envied Justin’s diplomatic skills. Lately he had discovered how valuable they were in keeping peace at court.
“Oh yes, Justin is talented in that way. I believe he takes after me. We are both skilled at reading people.”
To keep the twitch at the corner of his mouth from betraying his amusement at her words, Chetwynd looked down at the tray of fruit being passed along the table. He could only hope she wasn’t as good at reading people as she thought she was.
Although the noise in the hall made it unnecessary, Lady Winifred leaned closer to speak in confidence. “Do tell me the latest news from the palace. I fear Queen Judith courts disaster with her demands for the infant Charles. I support her ambitions for her son, of course, but she must be more cautious. I was a second wife myself and know the problems involved when there are children from a previous marriage. The king’s three grown sons seem unwilling to give up any of the territory they rule. Tell me your opinion. Does the queen have a chance to prevail?”
Chetwynd wasn’t surprised by the lady’s knowledge of court politics. The queen’s struggles to establish a substantial inheritance for her son were widely known and discussed. But he didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking. Although he was in a position to know a great deal about the queen’s maneuvers, he wasn’t eager to talk about them.
“Queen Judith has many supporters,” he stated in a clipped manner, hoping to end the discussion.
Lady Winifred ignored his obvious unwillingness to speak of the matter. “She must be careful of the clergy, Lord Chetwynd. The church fathers were instrumental in dividing the empire so that each of the king’s three sons rules a portion. Making his oldest son, Lothar,
