The Bastard King by Jean Plaidy Page A

for such a confrontation left him bewildered. He had dreamed of this man whose name was a byword. Grown up people and children lived in terror of being taken into his dungeons and submitted to the most nauseating and obscene torture.
    What had his father said? ‘If you fear look straight into the face of your fear. Then perhaps you will be less afraid.’
    That was all he could do now.
    For several seconds the man and the child looked into each other’s faces; it was the man who dropped his eyes. He turned away, muttering to himself: ‘A curse on you. You and yours will destroy my house.’ He was clearly afraid to look into William’s face.
    Thorold was astounded.
    â€˜What happened to you?’ he said.
    â€˜I merely looked at him and, Thorold, I was not afraid. It was he who feared me.’
    It was astounding. It was like a miracle. What power had this child to subdue such a man?
    When Arlette heard an account of what had happened, she said: ‘It was the innocent goodness of the child against the wickedness of the man. It is a sign. Once before I had a sign when I dreamed that a great tree came from my body and covered the whole of Normandy and beyond. This is another sign. My son will soon be proclaimed a Duke of Normandy and he will be the greatest Duke that Normandy ever knew.’
    Duke Robert sent for his son and when William arrived he drew him to the stone window-seat which was cut out of the thick wall of the castle, and putting his arm around him bade him look down on the land.
    â€˜Normandy,’ said Robert. ‘Our land, my son. Our dear, dear land.’
    â€˜Yes, Father.’
    â€˜You are nearly seven years old, William, but as I have told you before, you are old for your years. You are as advanced as any boy of ten in my dominions.’
    William glowed with pride and his father went on: ‘This pleases me, for I have something of great importance to say to you. I am going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.’
    â€˜Shall I go with you?’ asked William seeing himself smiting the Saracens, planting the Christian cross on lands where it had never been before.
    â€˜Nay, William. You will stay here and guard your mother and Normandy.’
    â€˜Can I do that?’
    â€˜You will do it because before I go I am going to name you my successor. You will be a Duke of Normandy and the knights and barons will swear fealty to you.’
    â€˜Would they do this?’
    â€˜They would do it if I commanded them.’
    â€˜Perhaps they would say I was over young.’
    â€˜They may say what they will as long as they obey.’
    â€˜Father, what must I do to be a Duke?’
    â€˜You must learn your lessons; you must become strong, ready to be a leader of men.’
    â€˜It seems no different from what I do now.’
    â€˜First you must be educated; you must learn with a new zest.’
    â€˜So it is to be still learning.’
    â€˜I want you to understand the importance of this. I shall be far away. I had promised myself that I would be here to watch over your upbringing, but it cannot be. Now, my son, you will understand that a boy of seven cannot alone govern a great domain. My good friend, Alain of Brittany, will be Regent in your absence.’
    â€˜
My
absence, Father?’
    â€˜You are to finish your education at the French Court and have as your guardian none other than the King.’
    William was filled with dismay. ‘Do you mean I am going away?’
    â€˜Only for the time that I am on my pilgrimage.’
    â€˜What of my mother?’
    â€˜She will be safe and happy here.’
    â€˜Safe and happy. Without you . . . without me.’
    Robert smiled. How could he tell this boy how he feared for
his
safety when he was not there to protect him. How could he tell Arlette that his journey was a dangerous one and it might well be that he would never come back to them?
    He feared for them both; but his guilt was greater