The Bastard King by Jean Plaidy Page B

than his fear. He could not rest until he had expiated his sin and the only way he could do this was through this pilgrimage.
    He would make every possible arrangement for his loved ones. He trusted Henry of France. Had he not been responsible for placing him back on the throne? Henry must needs respect his vows of friendship; he must have gratitude for the one who had been of such great use to him. He would care for the boy; he would recognize him as Duke; William would be safer at the Court of France than anywhere else in the world.
    As for Arlette he had plans for her. She would need a man to care for her and he had already instructed Herlwin of Conteville, one of his most trusted knights, to marry her and care for her for the rest of her life if death should overtake him.
    â€˜Tomorrow we shall leave for Rouen and there the knights and barons will swear fealty to you. They will give their solemn oaths that they will accept you as their Duke. When this is done I shall go away content that all is well.’
    To ride to Rouen beside his father, to see lying before him that great city of Normandy – this was an experience he would never forget.
    There flowed the River Seine, silver in sunlight. The city was like an enormous castle shut in by its walls and the moat, its spires and roofs dominated by the square tower of the Cathedral and the keep-like edifice known as Rollo’s Tower.
    The Castle itself was bigger than that of Falaise and this was their destination. Never had he felt so proud as he did riding into Rouen with his father. The people came out of their cottages to see him pass and raise a cheer for him.
    The Duke smiled his approval.
    â€˜Look, William,’ he said, ‘the people love you already. Always must a ruler cherish the love of his people.’
    William was thinking: To go away, far from my mother, far from home. To the French Court. He tried to remember what the French King had looked like when he had ridden out to do battle for his throne; he could remember nothing of him. He thought: I shall have to leave my dogs, my horses, my falcon. I want to stay here.
    He could have wept, but how could a Norman weep, especially one who had been told he had no time to dally in childhood?
    His mother was subdued and sad; she did not wish his father to go to the Holy Land and her son to go to France.
    In the great hall the knights and barons were assembled. His father led him to the throne which he alone used and bade him sit upon it.
    Robert then addressed the assembly.
    â€˜Behold your Duke.’
    There was a silence that seemed to go on for a long time. Then there broke out a murmuring. William’s sharp ears caught the whisper: ‘Bastard.’
    It was like a dream such as those he had had of Domfront Castle and almost as frightening. He had noticed since he had come to Rouen that people looked at him strangely. They whispered and stopped when he approached. ‘He is young.’ they said, ‘and a bastard.’
    His cousin Guy, boasting of his legitimacy, had used the word as though it were something unpleasant; and now he had discovered that he was one.
    His father’s face was angry suddenly and when he looked so he had the power to silence any of his vassals; they were quiet as he explained that he was going on a pilgrimage and that hewas leaving them their Duke – his own son William. He might have seen but seven winters but from this moment he was their Duke and they were all to swear fealty to him.
    Again there arose that titter and once more William heard the ominous whisper: ‘Bastard.’
    â€˜He is my son.’ The words were like a clap of thunder. There stood Robert the Magnificent, Robert the Devil; and his words were a warning. ‘It is my will that you accept this boy. He is my chosen successor. Bastard he may be, but he is mine. You will all swear fealty to him.’
    Another silence then someone – it was Osbern de Crépon – cried: