Page 280 of The Evening and the Morning
“Go away and think of a different solution.” Ethelred turned away dismissively.
Wynstan and Gytha bowed and left the house.
As soon as they were out of earshot Wynstan said: “So one troublemaking Norman bitch supports the other!”
Gytha said nothing. Wynstan glanced at his mother. She was deep in thought.
They went to Gytha’s house, and she poured a cup of wine for him.
He took a long draught and said. “I don’t know what to do now.”
“I have a suggestion,” said Gytha.
Wynstan came to Ragna’s house and said: “We need to have a serious talk.”
She looked at him with suspicion. He wanted something, of course. “Don’t ask me to marry your brother,” she said.
“I don’t think you understand your situation.”
He was his usual arrogant self, except that he touched his pectoral cross. She thought that was a sign of a hidden lack of confidence, which was unusual in Wynstan. She said: “Enlighten me.”
“You can leave here any time you like.”
“The king said so.”
“And you can take Wilwulf’s children.”
It took a moment for her to see the implication, but when she did she was horrified. “I will takeallmy children!” she said. “Including Alain.”
“You’re not being offered that option.” Wynstan touched the cross again. “You can leave Shiring, but you can’t take the ealdorman’s only son with you.”
“He’s my baby!”
“He is, and naturally you want to raise him yourself. That’s why you have to marry Wigelm.”
“Never.”
“Then you must leave your baby here. There is no third choice.”
A cold weight settled in the pit of Ragna’s stomach. Involuntarily she looked over at the cradle, as if to make sure Alain was still there. He was sleeping soundly.
Wynstan put on a treacly voice. “He’s a beautiful baby. Even I can see that.”
There was something so malign in the insincere compliment that Ragna felt nauseated.
“I have to raise him,” Ragna said. “I’m his mother.”
“There’s no shortage of mothers. Gytha, my own mother, is longing to take charge of her first grandchild.”
That infuriated Ragna. “So that she can raise him the way sheraised you and Wigelm?” she said. “To be cruel and selfish and violent!”
To her surprise, Wynstan stood up. “Take your time,” he said. “Think about it. Let us know your decision in due course.” He went out.
Ragna knew she had to resist immediately and fiercely. “Cat,” she said. “Please go and ask if Queen Emma can see me as soon as possible.”
Cat left, and Ragna brooded. Had she been granted a false liberation? To be allowed to go only if she left her baby behind was no freedom at all. Surely Ethelred could not have meant that?
Ragna expected Cat to come back with a message saying when she could see Queen Emma, but when Cat returned she said breathlessly: “My lady, the queen is here.”
