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.” He grinned suddenly.“Do you want to attend it?” Einshere asked; he sounded worn to the bone, and he dismounted as if his bones were made of iron.Anshelm chuckled.“It’s been a long, hard ride, even with the days at Lecco.I would like to go out onto the street for a while, after dark.”“So would I,” said Theubert.“I’ve heard about these occasions, but I have never seen one for myself.The monks at Sant’ Cyricus didn’t have such celebrations.”“And I suppose the rest of you would like to, as well?” Einshere seemed faintly disgusted.“If you must go, go together, and return before Vigil is over, or face reprimands and a beating.” Belatedly he glanced at Rakoczy.“If you don’t mind, Magnatus.”“You are leader of these men.It is for you to decide,” Rakoczy answered as he prepared to help Gynethe Mehaut get out of the plausterum.“But I will not allow you to beat them—not for such an infraction.” Any response this might have aroused was stopped by Gynethe Mehaut’s emergence from the plausterum.The mansionarius gasped at the sight of her and made a sign of protection.He could not bring himself to speak, but the panic in his eyes was apparent.All the slaves in the courtyard had gone still, waiting to see what the mansionarius would do; two of them turned away and refused to look at her once they realized what she was; the others watched in amazement.“Yes,” said Rakoczy calmly.“Well may you stare.This is a most remarkable woman, summoned by the Pope himself to Roma.” He regarded the mansionarius with a steady gaze.“She must be taken to her rooms at once, and a woman sent to attend upon her.She is an honored lay-Sorra, known for her piety; you are fortunate to have her stop here.”The mansionarius goggled, nodded, and clapped his hands fussily to keep the slaves working.“On this day, of all days, to have a tertiary nun in this house,” he muttered, and reverenced Gynethe Mehaut.“If you, and the Magnatus, will come with me?”Gynethe Mehaut had donned a wide-brimmed hat made of straw that Rakoczy had given her at Lecco, and so the sunlight did not fall directly on her pale skin, but it could not stop the relentless heat; sweat stood out on her face, its shine making her look even paler than she was.“I would be glad of a glass of lemon-water,” she said, her voice low.“Lemon-water for the lady,” the mansionarius shouted, then said to Rakoczy in a lower voice, “Our master took his wife and her servants with him to Roma.I can ask only one attire-woman to look after her.”“That will suffice,” said Rakoczy.“So long as you quarter her as she deserves.”“In the eldest daughter’s apartments,” said the mansionarius.“I didn’t understand who would use it, but the daughter married two years ago and the chambers are empty, but as suitable as any in the house.” His nervous chatter was louder as he led Rakoczy and Gynethe Mehaut into the main hall.“We will take the stairs, and I’ll show you the way.Your quarters are next to hers, if this is satisfactory?” He gave Rakoczy no opportunity to speak as he began his climb up the stairs.“I didn’t know what to expect, you see.I had your name and a copy of your sigil—well, Enzius, the buticularius, did, but he showed it to me—but I hadn’t been told about the lady.This can be hard, because of the festival.” He tried to keep his voice low, resorting to a dramatic whisper.“If anyone should find out about her…”“The slaves know, and so I will assume all of Bobbio will by sunset,” said Rakoczy, no ire in his tone.“It is, as you say, unfortunate that you keep festival today, but so long as we remain within doors, I can see no reason for her to encounter any—”“Misfortune,” said the mansionarius.“Yes.But many will be out, including your soldiers, and it may be difficult to keep—”Rakoczy reached up and laid his hand on the mansionarius’ shoulder.“It is an easy matter to have everyone come and go through the rear door, and keep the front bolted.Also, I will order one of the soldiers to remain here to stand guard.”“A sensible plan,” said the mansionarius in a skeptical voice.“It may be enough.If it isn’t, you cannot put the responsibility on me.”“No; the responsibility is mine,” Rakoczy soothed him.“You know your town better than I, but certainly a guard will help.”“I must ask Enzius when he returns,” said the mansionarius, babbling on in an effort to conceal his nervousness.“But if he is willing to have it so, I am content.It is fitting that your lady be kept safe.” He pointed across the corridor.“That door opens on the lady’s rooms.She will find all in order, I believe, and may repose her confidence in the slaves and servants; Tullius has us trained and maintains us handsomely, each with a cubiculum of our own and two new camisae a year, and brod-equins every two years.We are fed from his table, and we are allowed to take food to our families on Sunday.He even gives us coins at the Nativity, to put by for our families.I, myself, have three brothers and two sisters to—” He paused, abashed at having said so much.“Well.Enough of that.Why should you want to know about Tullius’ household? I will send the attire-woman up to her shortly.” He moved quickly, as if to get beyond any influence that Gynethe Mehaut might have about her person.“Your door is the next one along, Magnatus.I am going down to supervise prandium.Your soldiers must surely be hungry, and you will want—”Rakoczy held up his hand.“Thank you, but I dine alone and will fend for myself; if you will send food up to Gynethe Mehaut, she need not disturb the household again, and those who are permitted to join the festivities may do so without a thought to our arrival.”The mansionarius nodded repeatedly.“Just as well.Yes.Just as well.They wouldn’t like having to remain indoors tonight, I will tell you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]