Page 85 of The Evening and the Morning

Gytha had probably expected a frightened young foreign girl who could be pushed around. Now, Ragna guessed, she was anxiously revising her opinion.

“We’ll see,” Ragna said tersely.

Gytha tried again. “What will you say to Wilf about your accommodation?”

“We’ll see,” Ragna repeated.

It must have been obvious that Ragna wanted Gytha to leave, but Gytha was ignoring her hints. She had been the senior female here for years, and perhaps she did not believe she could be given orders by another woman. Ragna had to be more forceful. “I have no further need for you at present, stepmother-in-law,” she said; and when Gytha still did not go out she raised her voice and added: “You may go.”

Gytha flushed with embarrassment and anger, but she went out at last.

Cat returned with the others, the men toting chests and bags. They stacked the luggage up against the wall. Cat said: “This place is crowded, with all of us in here.”

“The men must sleep elsewhere.”

“Where?”

“Somewhere in the town. But don’t unpack. Just what we need for one night.”

Bishop Wynstan came through the open door. “Well, well,” he said, looking around. “So this is your new house.”

“So it seems,” Ragna said.

“Is it not satisfactory?”

“I’ll discuss it with Wilf.”

“Good idea. He wishes for nothing more than your happiness.”

“I’m glad.”

“I’ve come for your dowry.”

“Really?”

Wynstan frowned severely. “You did bring it?”

“Of course.”

“Twenty pounds of silver. That was what I agreed with your father.”

“Yes.”

“Then perhaps you would let me have it.”

Ragna did not trust Wynstan, and this request sharpened her misgivings. “I shall give it to Wilf when we are married.Thatwas what you agreed with my father.”

“But I must count it.”

Ragna did not want Wynstan to know even which box it was in. “You may count it on the morning of the wedding. Then, after the vows have been taken, it will be handed over—to my husband.”

Wynstan gave her a look that mingled dislike with respect. “As you wish, of course,” he said, and he went out.

Ragna got up before dawn the next day.

She thought carefully about what to wear. Yesterday she had arrived in a fawn dress and a red cloak, a fetching outfit, but the clothes had been damp and muddy, and she had not looked her best. Today she wanted to be like a flower that had bloomed at daybreak. She chose a yellow silk dress with embroidery at the neck, cuffs, and hem. Cat washed the corners of her eyes and brushed her thick red hair, then tied a green scarf over her head.

While it was still dark, Ragna ate some bread dipped in weak ale and concentrated on what she was about to do. She had spent much of the night thinking over her strategy. Wigelm must be punished, but that was a secondary matter. Her big task was to prove that she, not Gytha, was now in charge of Wilf’s home life. Ragna did notwant a quarrel, but she could not let Gytha’s rule continue even for a day, because every moment that she seemed to accept it left her weaker. She had to take immediate action.