Page 73 of The Forsaken
“Emmett comes once every fortnight and brings a cartload of hay. Aileen always made sure to find her way to the barn when Emmett arrived. That’s where she lay with him.”
“Would this Emmett have married her, had he known about the child?”
Walter raised an eyebrow, reminding Kate that she was awfully naïve for a woman of her station. “No serf can marry without his lord’s permission. I don’t think the master would have refused had Emmett asked, but he’s already married. He was wed a year ago and his wife just birthed twins in November.”
“Did Aileen know that?”
Walter shook his head. “Aileen never goes to the village, and being nearly deaf she isn’t one for gossip. She had no idea.”
“I see. Did you not warn her?”
“I didn’t know he was wed until it was too late. I don’t go into the village much, and I sit with the family in church, so I never paid him any mind. Besides, it seems his wife was laid up for months during her pregnancy. She was very ill, so she never came to church. Aileen never saw them together. She was devastated when she found out. She was in love with him.”
“Did she confide in you?”
Walter nodded. “Aye, she told me. She was frightened and didn’t know what do to. I told her to speak to Mistress Joan. She’d have advised her. She knows about such things.”
“How do you mean?”
“She has sway over the master,” Walter explained. “She’d have asked him to go easy on Aileen. Master Hugh would not have turned her out.”
“I’ll have to tell Hugh,” Kate said. “He might wish to speak to you about this matter.”
“Do what you must. I don’t care a jot what happens to Walsh,” Walter replied brutally. “I hope he burns in Hell.”
Kate sighed and left the stables, heading back inside to find Hugh. She had no wish to speak to him, but he needed to know.
Hugh was still in the hall, drinking ale. He looked murderous, and the drink wasn’t helping matters. Guy was standing by the narrow window, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked pale and tired, and upset. He’d been the one to break the news to Jed while Hugh saw to the body. The boy was now in the kitchen, being comforted by Joan and Alf.
“Walter says that Aileen was spending time with Emmett Walsh,” Kate said, getting straight to the point. She had no wish to draw this conversation out.
“Who the devil is Emmett Walsh?” Hugh drawled.
“He brings the hay,” Guy replied. He was a lot more familiar with the tenants on the estate. Hugh only collected tithes and gave the occasional blessing to a marriage or a child, following the example of William, who’d been a benevolent lord.
“I want him brought to me,” Hugh ordered as his fist thundered on the wooden table. “I’ll show him the meaning of de Rosel justice.”
“He’s newly married and has two-month-old twins,” Kate said quietly. “Hugh, please be merciful. He didn’t force her.”
“Be quiet! I’m master here and I will punish him as I see fit.”
“What will you do to him?” Guy asked, turning from the window.
“Aileen was our property. And her child would have been our property as well. This worthless maggot robbed us of two serfs. He will pay for taking what’s not his.”
“What will you do to him?” Guy repeated. He hadn’t raised his voice, but Kate could sense his anger.
“I’ll have him gelded. He’s already produced two pups. He’ll not enjoy his wife’s favors again, or anyone else’s.”
“That’s not justice; that’s cruelty,” Guy retorted. “I won’t permit you to do that.”
“I’m not asking for your permission. No man’s died from having his balls snipped. He’ll still be able to work and pay his tithes.”
Guy rounded on him. “Hugh, I will not allow you to torture a man. He’s not the first or the last to lie with a woman that’s not his wife. Aileen chose to take her own life. He didn’t murder her. She could have come to us. We’d have looked after her. She knew that.”
“So, how would you have me punish him?” Hugh asked, his voice suddenly low and silky. “Or do you suggest I simply let him use what’s mine whenever his feels like it?”
“Have him flogged, but don’t take his manhood,” Guy said quietly.
