– But she will never know that, will she? Her own father never said a word to me about this lickspittle boy wanting to marry her.
– Sir Guise knows nothing! William's father did not write to him, he wrote to our father! I begged our father for a generous dowry for my poor Brigid, and Sir Tury was pleased! And here you are…
– Ah, Philip, you must have pleased your sister by now with the news of our engagement? – suddenly the Nortons heard Brigid's voice, and it made them stop their heated argument, turn to Miss Guise and hide their feelings behind smiles.
– 'Yes, he told me… But, Brigid, you must kno…-' Alienor cast an inquiring glance at her brother, as if asking: "Do you love her?" to which his gaze, full of pain and hope, replied, "More than life! And you will plunge a knife into my heart if you tell her the truth!"
– To know what? – Brigid smiled as she approached the Nortons.
– That your wedding day will be the most joyous occasion this huge old castle has ever seen! – Swallowing the lump lodged in her throat, Alienor exclaimed with fake joy. Feeling unable to stay here any longer, and not wanting the tears of bitterness pressing in her bosom to burst out and upset her friend, she added hastily: – I will find Mother and tell her! – She hugged Brigid tightly, in her thoughts begging her forgiveness for her deception, and then gracefully raised the hem of her dress and left the garden.
***
Lady Gilda did not yet know of her son's return, so when Alienor found her mother in her chamber embroidering a tapestry, she was so delighted that she dropped both tapestry and needle to the floor. The poor woman's eyes filled with tears of happiness: her son, her firstborn son, Christ's warrior, and defender of England had returned to her! After years of separation, filled with prayers for Philip's health and life, she would at last be able to press him to her motherly heart and tell him how much she had missed him, how much she loved him, her son! And even if he came back crippled, she would care for him tirelessly, still with the same love and patience.
– Mother, he's safe and sound! Stop crying, or your eyes will turn red. Men love our tears, but I think Philip has had enough of women's tears, for he has left so many women of France as widows. Our dear Philip needs cheering and dancing! – said Alienor affectionately, stroking her mother's narrow back.