The Sword and The Swan Read Online Free PDF

spending his blood and substance for property that was not even his own.
    Worse was the possibility that the vassals would not accept a young man who favored the king as their earl. Again, and to even less purpose, Rannulf would be involved in war. If it were necessary to fight those men, he could at least do it for his own profit if he married Catherine.
    For his part, Rannulf, who never forgot a favor, even if unintentional, had one factor to consider that never crossed Maud's mind because it was so tenuous and so far in the past. When the civil war first broke out in 1137, Catherine's uncle had been earl of Soke. He had considered the generalized hostilities a fine moment to swallow Sleaford, which Rannulf, then twenty-six, had just inherited. Under the pretext that Rannulf had declared for the rebels, Soke had enlisted Stephen's aid. The combined forces overwhelmed Rannulf's army, but not until Soke himself had been dispatched to his final reward.
    After that, Rannulf had been unhorsed and beaten to his knees by Stephen, but that gentle man, with characteristic generosity, had exacted no retribution. Reversing his sword so that the hilt made a cross, the king demanded only that Rannulf swear to renounce the rebels and be his faithful man. Rannulf had, until Soke attacked him, been neutral. He felt no animosity toward Stephen, and life is sweet at twenty-six. He gave sword-oath gladly.
    Unfortunately, Soke's brother, Catherine's father, who had become earl at the moment of his childless brother's death, had become a rebel at the moment Stephen pardoned Rannulf. To Rannulf's mind, he owed the loyalty of the vassals of Soke to Stephen because he had been the cause of their disaffection. There had been no occasion in the past to repay that debt, but he realized now that he must marry Soke's heiress. It would not be pleasant for him, but it was the best solution.
    "There are other matters that you should consider, my lord," Maud prodded gently when her experienced eyes told her that Rannulf had followed the proper line of reasoning to its logical conclusion. "Remember there are no heirs to Soke except this girl. If you marry her, the king will grant you the lands and title whether she bears you a child or not. If she does not please you, you may set her aside and, without wrong, still keep the property."
    Rannulf made no reply, but his face suddenly seemed to have turned to stone. Somehow, Maud knew, she had lost her advantage and she hurried on. "No doubt you are wondering why I press you so to take what would benefit us to keep in our own hand. Perhaps if you had come quietly with your objections, I would have besought you to name a bridegroom for her more pleasing to you than yourself. You know why I cannot do that now."
    Maud did not like to remind Rannulf of his obligation to Stephen, because such reminders, used too often, breed resentment; but she was determined to get Rannulf married to Catherine and she went on. "Rannulf, Stephen has ever loved you and ever showed you kindness. What made you bespeak him so ill in open hall before all the court? You gave him sword-oath. It is your duty, even above others who have done homage, to uphold his honor. Naught now can save his honor but your yielding."
    Rannulf was silent still, for he was torn between the need to know how Soke had become conveniently free to be given to him and the fear that, once he knew, he would never be able to look Catherine or Maud in the eyes. Although he was very fond of Maud, he knew her to be capable of really evil acts in the defense of her husband and family.
    "I know that Lady Catherine was married and that she had an infant son," he burst out at last. "I see that you have somehow disposed of the father and the husband. Did you destroy the child, too? Knowing this, am I to take the poor woman to wife? Have I been overhasty in my anger?"
    "Merciful heavens!" Maud gasped, "It is no wonder you were in a rage. But you are unjust. Soke died of his