SIX

 

William insisted on riding into the bailey before Julia, with Thibault grumbling in the rear. On the outside, Veluwe looked like any timber castle, with a sheer ring wall broken only by the open gate, beckoning them to enter. But when she accepted her new home's invitation, Julia could not help but gasp. This was no ordinary castle.

The walls were thicker than she expected, and it wasn't until she stood in the middle of the bailey that she saw why. They weren't just fortifications, but actually parts of the house, enclosed rooms that went right the way around the bailey, until they merged into the main keep, a structure that towered over her.

Julia was vaguely aware of William explaining why they were there to the hastily assembled staff, but she did not want to wait.

"Show me everything," she said to the grey-haired woman, whose hands clutched at the ring of keys tied to her girdle, marking her as the castle chatelaine.

The woman looked startled, then bobbed a quick curtsey. "Yes, milady."

Julia dismounted, and a boy darted forward to take her horse from her. Julia felt a twinge of guilt at not taking care of the mare herself – while pretending to be William's page, she'd had to tend to the horses for much of the journey, a duty she had not minded – but things would be different now. Things would be expected of her, as the Lady of Veluwe.

"What's your name?" she asked the woman.

"Mistress Amma is the housekeeper, Julia," William said. "I'm sure she has other duties. Perhaps one of the maids..."

Father had often said that one must begin as one meant to continue. Usually, that meant harsh treatment of those who crossed him, but even Julia could see that he was right about making a good first impression – once they'd seen Father's justice, none believed they would ever see mercy from the man.

And Julia was the ruler here, not William. "Mistress Amma, please show me everything," she commanded. "This castle is to be my home now, and I wish to see the extent of my domain."

Amma ducked her head, but not before Julia glimpsed a proud smile. "Yes, milady. The best view is from the top of the keep..." She led the way inside.

Julia puffed a little as she reached the top of the stairs, but the housekeeper showed no signs of distress. She crossed the chamber at the top and flung open the door. "Behold, my lady. The lands of Veluwe."

Julia stepped out onto a balcony that ran right the way around the keep. From here, she could see for miles...why, she'd had no idea the sea was so close!

But from here, she could see far more water than land, reflecting the clouds as clearly as a mirror. "This is not how my mother described it. She said the lands where she grew up were green, green as far as the eye could see..."

Amma bowed her head. "And so it was when Lady Lia lived here, but the floods have swept away everything. When the waters recede, perhaps the fields will be fertile again. But that is not your concern, my lady, but a matter for the Count. The lands of Veluwe are above the floodwaters, and it is only Gelderland under the water." She leaned over the railing and pointed. "Those are the fields of Veluwe, all harvested and ready for whatever snows the winter might bring. Your flocks are grazing among the stubble, before they return to their usual pastures. Veluwe is the richest part of the lowlands, and the Count of Gelderland surely rues the day your mother refused him, and married your father instead."

Mother must have had her reasons, or perhaps her father had. That was all so long ago.

"But we must hold these lands against the Count, or so my father says. Can we hold?" Julia asked.

Amma hesitated. "As long as the Count keeps to his borders, and we keep to ours, there has been peace. But should one of his men...or worse, one of ours, trespass...all our men are loyal to your father, milady, and the Count's men, misguided as they are, cleave to him, so when the twain meet, there have been...hostilities..."

"She means fights, cousin," Thibault said, striding out onto the balcony. "One of the village cockfights was between the Count and the Bishop, or at least that's what they called the birds, and it had the largest prize purse of all the bouts put together. Some of the villagers said it was like putting a Bishop's man and a Gelderlander into the ring together – none could predict the outcome, but they would fight to the death for their lord's honour. Of course, they had never seen me fight, or they would know your father's man would win, every time." He flexed his sword arm, making the muscles stand out.

Julia shuddered at the sight of such unsightly bulges. She wished she could order the men not to fight so, but men were hotheaded creatures, driven by their passions far more than reason, and they would fight from when they drew their first breath until they gasped their last, Thibault included.

Thank the heavens Father had chosen to send her here to rule Mother's lands instead of marrying her off to some sword-waving bull of a man with nothing between his ears but an echo of her father's orders.

"Enough talk of men. I wish to see the rest of the castle, Mistress Amma," Julia said.

"And I wish to find the bottom of a wine jug. I think I'll go find the kitchens, or maybe a wine cellar, and leave you women to your housekeeping," Thibault said, disappearing down the steps as quickly as he'd arrived.

"Will your cousin be staying at Veluwe long, my lady?" Amma asked.

Julia shuddered. "God, I hope not. If I have to put up with him another week, I'll push him into the river myself."

Amma made no effort to hide her smile. "Very good, my lady. I have several stout sons who would only be too happy to be of assistance."

Julia couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. She suspected she was really going to like living in Veluwe.