The Sanctity of Hate Read Online Free PDF

rubbed his hand over his bristled cheeks and turned back to the innkeeper. “Yet you gave safe haven to the Jews on their way to Norwich. Why not tell them to pass on, that there was no room in your inn?”
    Signy did not reply and turned instead to gesture to a boy who was carefully transporting a jug through the crowd. The child nodded in acknowledgement, delivered his burden, and quickly wove through the groups of men to her side.
    “Bring our crowner a half jug of the best ale, Nute,” she said and smiled at her foster child.
    “I would be most grateful.” Ralf added a comradely wink. Blushing with happiness, the boy disappeared.
    Ralf looked back at Signy and waited to see if she would reply to his question or continue to avoid the subject.
    She was studying him with amusement. “It is time you mar- ried again and had a son of your own, Crowner.”
    He was not ready for this. Turning scarlet, Ralf croaked a protest. “Shush.” She swatted at him as if waving aside a fly. “Do not prove yourself more of a fool than I know you are. If you do not soon take Mistress Gytha to wife, she will wed a merchant who will thumb his nose at you as he takes her far away. You have
     
    delayed unreasonably, and the maiden is too worthy to remain unwed much longer.”
    The crowner’s mouth became too dry for speech.
    Signy held his gaze for a long moment, then she twisted around to watch Nute at the far side of the inn. When she looked back, her eyes had softened. “That boy and his sister are my joys,” she murmured. “He is eager to learn the business of inn-keeping. I have just set him the work of collecting empty pitchers for cleaning and bringing the occasional order of small jugs.”
    “A good’un you have.” Ralf said and waited for his answer.
    Signy had delayed long enough to consider her reply.
    “You asked why I housed Jews when the village would have praised me for telling them to sleep in the outlaw-infested woodland instead.”
    Ralf knew Signy had meant no harm with that sharp jab about Gytha, but he also suspected she was uneasy over the question about the Jews. The concern for her friend may have come from the heart, but it had also succeeded in putting him off-balance and less able to pry when she did answer his question. He quietly forgave the stratagem and nodded.
    Signy tilted her head and let silence again fall between them. After a quick glance to see who might be seated nearby, she leaned closer to reply. “They asked only for shelter from the bitter wind and dry straw on which to sleep one night.” She studied the palm of her hand. “God has blessed me with prosperity, and I had just bought much of the land surrounding this inn, before their exodus to Norwich, but could do little with it because of the winter season.”
    Nute suddenly appeared at Ralf’s side, his expression grave as he lifted the jug as high as he could. The crowner quickly relieved him of his burden and whispered thanks in the lad’s ear, taking the opportunity to slip a shiny object into the small fist. Nute grinned and rushed off, carefully avoiding Signy’s eyes.
    “That coin was unnecessary, Crowner, but any gift from you is cherished. He’ll save it, not spend.” Pressing a finger into the corner of one eye, she smiled. “He worships you.”
     
    For all the sins he had committed against this woman in the past, cruelties she had reasons never to forgive, he knew he would always be bonded to Signy in ways undefined by any known word. Nute had certainly earned a place in his heart, but any kindness he showed the lad was meant for this woman as well. She blinked, as if a dust mote had stung her eyes, and then stiffened her back. “In brief, Crowner, I saw something to gain from their need and charged them for each service. I hired a guard to keep them safe, their animals were cared for, and I offered wine to banish the cold. For all this, I found profit in land that would be otherwise useless until spring. To anyone