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were in Hereford, you refused to touch my ale. You’re a true Norman. Wine is all that you’ll drink.’
    ‘I’m glad you mention Hereford, my love.’
    ‘Why is that?’
    ‘Do you recall your ill-fated earl?’
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘Well, this is where he sacrificed his earldom,’ said Ralph, pointing to the castle ahead of them. ‘My namesake, Ralph Guader, was earl of Norfolk, a man of mixed parentage and uncertain temper. He decided to marry Emma, sister of Roger, earl of Hereford.’
    ‘You don’t need to remind me of that. It was the talk of the town. We could not understand why the wedding was not held in Hereford cathedral. Had the ceremony occurred there, I might have been engaged to provide ale for the table. Not all the guests were as fond of wine as you are.’
    ‘It was not only drink that flowed at the wedding, Golde. Blood was up and passions ran high. The noble earl of Hereford conspired with Ralph Guader and with Waltheof, earl of Northumberland, to overthrow the King with the help of Danish invaders. A doomed enterprise from the start,’ he said with contempt. ‘It robbed Waltheof of his life and both Norfolk and Herefordshire of an earldom. This is where the plot was first hatched. Norwich has much to answer for.’
    ‘That was well over ten years ago, Ralph.’
    ‘You still see the effects, my love. Look around you. Much of the destruction here came as a result of Earl Ralph’s forfeitures. His supporters quit the city in fear. Houses that were not burned to the ground still stand empty.’
    Golde gazed around her. ‘I’d certainly prefer to live in Hereford.’
    ‘Are you not happy in our home?’
    ‘On the few occasions when we actually spend time there,’ she said with a teasing smile. ‘But at this moment, after a long day in the saddle, I have to confess that I am delighted to be here in Norwich.’
    ‘So am I.’
    ‘What kind of welcome may we expect?’
    ‘A cordial one, I hope.’
    No sooner had he spoken than a man came riding out of the castle at a reckless speed, heedless of what lay ahead and jabbing his spurs hard into his horse’s flanks. Richard de Fontenel was in no mood to bid the commissioners welcome. Face dark and teeth gritted, he rode straight at the cavalcade, scattering it uncaringly as he headed for the city gate. Ralph had grabbed the reins of Golde’s palfrey to pull it out of the way of the galloping stranger who missed others in the party by a matter of inches and went hurtling on to send the townspeople scurrying for safety. There was great commotion in his wake. Everyone turned to look in bewilderment after the furious rider.
    It was left to Ralph Delchard to put their thoughts into words.
    ‘Who the devil was that! ’ he exclaimed.

Chapter Two
    Mauger Livarot arrived at her manor house with an escort of six knights. When he was admitted to the parlour, the lady Adelaide could not resist teasing him.
    ‘Have you come to arrest me, my lord?’ she said, feigning apprehension.
    ‘In a manner of speaking.’
    ‘Does it take seven men to overpower one woman?’
    ‘We’ve been hunting,’ he explained, indicating the mounted riders who could be seen through the open shutters. ‘Since our way home led directly past your house, I felt it only courteous to call on you.’
    ‘You are always welcome here.’
    ‘More welcome than Richard de Fontenel?’
    Her smile was calculated. ‘Both of you are equally welcome.’
    ‘How long will you keep us on the same footing?’
    ‘Only time will tell.’
    ‘You’re as evasive as ever, my lady.’
    ‘Would you be interested in a woman who submitted without any delay?’
    Livarot grinned. ‘There’s only one woman who excites my interest.’
    She waved him to a seat, then lowered herself on