The Song of the Nightingale Read Online Free PDF Page A

officially under the king’s control and he dictated how much of their own produce and goods they were allowed to keep. In Hawkenlye’s case, the amount was pitifully small.
    And, Josse thought miserably, above and beyond all these anxieties and problems – as if they were not enough – there was the ongoing, overriding hurt that each member of the household suffered: Ninian’s absence. He was so far away, somewhere in that war-torn land in the south, and neither Josse nor anyone else had the least idea when he might be back. It was safe now for him to return, but how on earth were they to get that message to him when nobody knew exactly where he was?
    Josse had been marching through the woods with little thought as to where he was going, and it was with faint surprise that he looked up now, as a different quality of light permeated his faraway thoughts, to find himself once more approaching his own house. He paused for a moment to simply stand and look, for the sight of his home always gladdened his heart.
    Stone steps led up from the cobbled courtyard to the stout door, and beneath the main hall was an undercroft, its two tiny windows looking out like narrowed eyes. The roof swept down low, giving the impression of sheltering arms, and the house stood firm and solid on its stone foundations. To the left, still within the circle of the trees that protected the house, was the stable block, where, from the sense of activity and the sound of voices that Josse could hear floating out towards him, it appeared visitors were even now leaving their horses.
    Shaking off the last of his depressing reflections, Josse hurried to see who they might be.
    â€˜. . . couldn’t say when he’ll be back, sir,’ Gus was saying as Josse strode inside the stable building. Gus, turning, gave him a relieved smile. ‘Here he is!’ he exclaimed, standing aside to reveal a tall, slim, well-dressed man who wore a sword at his side, a young woman in a heavy and costly riding cloak, and a second man, clearly an attendant, who was powerful-looking and armed with a cudgel and a long knife.
    Josse hurried forward and took hold of the tall man by the shoulders. ‘Leofgar, dear man, it’s too long since we’ve seen you!’ he said happily, embracing him. ‘And Little Helewise!’ He hugged the girl to him, for he was very fond of her. He had noticed in one quick glance that she was pale, and his heart went out to her in her sorrow; she must miss Ninian all the time. ‘Your grandmother will be delighted to see you, as indeed will we all,’ he added, trying to raise a smile from her.
    Valiantly, she did her best, returning Josse’s hug warmly. ‘I’d rather hoped you would say that,’ she murmured, disengaging herself and looking up into his face. ‘May I stay for a while?’
    Taken aback, Josse shot a swift look at Leofgar. ‘Well, I—’ he began. But, realizing that did not sound very welcoming, he started again. ‘I should like nothing better, nor, I imagine, would the rest of my household, for time drags heavily and it seems winter will never end. But can your own family spare you?’ Again, he met Leofgar’s eyes, and the younger man gave a swift nod.
    â€˜My daughter could do with a change of scene, Josse, if you’re willing to put her up,’ Leofgar said. ‘As you say,’ he added, ‘we’re all sick and tired of being cooped up within our own four walls, and it is hardest for our womenfolk.’ There was no need for him to elaborate. Josse, glancing across to the silent, burly attendant, reflected that Leofgar hadn’t even trusted that he himself would be sufficient guard for his daughter.
What times we live in
, he thought sadly.
    â€˜Dear girl,’ he said, taking Little Helewise’s hand, ‘you may stay as long as you like, as I hope you know without my telling you. Come in, both of you