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“He is. But he and Lady Morwenna don’t get along. There’s a long story there, but she fancies him and he doesn’t care for her, no matter how much she tries. So now they’re at odds. If she sees you two together, well… She might try to make your life miserable,” Lady Susanna said.

“Why? I haven’t done anything to her.”

“Lady Morwenna has fancied Theobold for the past three years. She even got her family to patronize him as he trained as a page and then a squire, to Sir Robert of Gloucester. Sir Robert is a trusted knight of the empress, and ever so bold. Lady Morwenna’s family paid a lot for Sir Robert to take him on. ”

“Why doesn’t his own family pay for his position?” Bronwyn asked.

“Don’t you know? They aren’t well liked, considering the family profession.

He was sent to be a squire and bring prestige to their name.

” She giggled. “I shouldn’t be telling you all this.

Lady Morwenna wouldn’t want you to know.

But… she has hoped that they would wed. Although it doesn’t seem like that now. ”

“No?”

Lady Susanna shook her head, her auburn hair shining in the sunlight.

“Since arriving at camp, Theobold has been stepping out with all the young women. He charms them and takes them on horseback rides, maybe steals a kiss or two, then he loses interest and breaks their hearts. Don’t let it happen to you, is all I’d say. ”

Bronwyn nodded, taking this information in. Had Theobold been trying to slowly seduce her, or had he just been being kind, by taking her to see her family’s bakery? She didn’t know.

Bronwyn made rolls. There was no precious white flour to be had, but they did have some salt, so she prepared an ordinary brown flour roll with rosemary and a touch of salt. it wasn’t a sweet bread roll, but she hoped it would be tasty.

Normally, she would’ve asked why, but she had an idea. The empress wished to speak with her, and she had information to share. But she did not know at that moment where her loyalties lay.

She didn’t know if she was allied with King Stephen and Queen Matilda or Empress Maud.

The king had imprisoned her father for a crime he had not committed, and if Bronwyn had not found the killer, and the battle had not thrown their world into chaos, he would have been hanged on a feast day and died an innocent man.

Could she really pledge allegiance to such a cold-hearted ruler?

So why did she feel a sense of loyalty to the queen, his wife? She wasn’t sure.

Bronwyn saw the weary and wary glances of the other cooks and kitchen hands and one of the older cooks bid her go. Bronwyn swallowed and followed the page, brushing her hands down on her plain work apron.

He led her through the camp, past groups of men training, some wrestling and play fighting.

Other groups of men and women, non-combatants, sat around cooking fires and talking.

The people looked exhausted. Their clothes were dirty and worn, their faces pale and drawn.

Some were walking injured, and there was little help to be had until they reached Gloucester.

She was led to a grand tent, where they were let in by a pair of guards with spears. The light clink of cups and women’s muted laughter filtered outward from inside, and Bronwyn tugged at the top of her dress, trying to loosen it from her collarbone.

A page ushered her inside, and her eyes drifted to the floor. She glanced up at the people in the tent as the voices quieted. The women appraised her, taking in the sight of her floury work apron, her hair tied back in a kerchief, and the light dotting of sweat across her brow.

Flanked by two guards, and with two more standing behind her, she felt almost like a prisoner. At the opposite end of the room sat the empress on a round, wooden chair laid with furs. Tables and chests were behind her.

Near the empress in a half-circle sat Lady Morwenna, Lady Susanna, and Lady Alice, who looked at Bronwyn with recognition, but no hint of warmth. Instead, she cast a bored gaze and examined her nails.

She sat beside Lady Susanna and a lady-in-waiting with soft-brown hair and a pert nose who idly ate an apple whilst whispering to Lady Morwenna.

The young woman smiled and whispered again, making the empress laugh.

“Susanna, Morwenna, you young ladies are too much.” The empress giggled.

Fastening her gaze on Bronwyn, she said, “Well, Mistress Blakenhale. So good of you to join us. Tell me, what are these?” She gestured to the pile of rolls set aside on a plate.

“They are rolls of rosemary and salt, Your Grace,” she said.

“And why did you not prepare sweet white rolls with honey? Alice tells me they are something of a specialty of yours.” She tapped her foot.

Bronwyn bowed her head, then met the empress’s eyes. “There is no white flour or honey to be had, Your Grace.”

“I see. Such is life on the road, I suppose. I will tolerate that for now, but once we reach Gloucester, I will expect you to prepare some of these rolls I keep hearing about. I gather Stephen’s little wife is fond of them.

” She smirked and motioned to Lady Susanna.

“Hand those here. They will do, for now.” Her voice held a note of idle warning.

Bronwyn swallowed. The empress may have seemed sulky at the idea of there being no fresh, white flour for fine bread rolls, but she was also the leader of the invading army. Bronwyn realized she would be wise not to get on Empress Maud’s bad side. The rolls were plain but good enough, she hoped.

The empress took one and bit into it. “Good, but not as good as what we would have at court. Be sure to have the cooks teach you how to make the sweet white rolls with honey, and other delicacies.”

Bronwyn nodded.

“I have heard a rumor that you entered the city. Don’t you know it is dangerous?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Her pulse began to race. The fact that the empress knew about her and Theobold’s trip to the city made her nervous. Who had watched and informed the empress about their movements?

“Why did you go?”

“To see my family. I wanted to know if they were still alive.” Her heart began to pound in her chest, loudly, like a drum.

“And? Are they?”

Bronwyn bowed her head. “I do not know, Your Grace.”

“What do you mean?”

“They were not there. The bakery was empty.” She did not mention the refugees and hungry people there. Somehow, she felt that would not be welcome information to receive.

“A pity. Then you could have gone home. I’m sure your family would be looking for you,” Lady Morwenna said with false sweetness.

“A very kind thought, Lady Morwenna,” Empress Maud said, bestowing a smile on her.

Lady Morwenna practically preened from the attention, shooting Bronwyn a self-satisfied smile.

“How did you get to the city?” the empress asked.

“Oh, a squire gave me a ride on his horse.”

The ladies grew interested.

“Who?” Lady Alice asked.

Bronwyn swallowed. If she were to lie and name Rupert, Lady Alice would get jealous. If she named Theobold, she would incur Lady Morwenna’s ire. What to say?

Lady Susanna tapped her chin with a dainty finger and shot her a warning look.

“Um, I cannot remember,” Bronwyn lied. “It was a young man who was kind and took me there, then back again. He must have been on an errand for Your Grace.”

The ladies nodded. Lady Susanna said, “Very kind.”

“Your Grace, I should get back. Pardonnez-moi .”

“Go.” Empress Maud waved a hand in dismissal. “Oh, Bronwyn. Be sure to gather your things. We leave for Gloucester in the next few days.”

Bronwyn left the plate of bread rolls, curtsied, and left, thinking, What things? She had nothing but the clothes on her back, and even those she suspected would be stolen if she were not careful.

Word quickly passed through the camp about the upcoming travels. Gloucester. So it was finally happening. They would soon be on the move.

After luncheon, which for the staff, was a thin potage made of whatever they could find, scavenge, and buy from the city of Lincoln, having raided its stores, she spent the day cooking, cleaning, washing linens and dishes, using her fingers and bits of smelly soap to clean the trenchers and serving plates.

“Psst.” Lady Susanna stood at her elbow.

“Hullo. What are you doing here? Did you need something?” Bronwyn asked.

“No. Only to say that was very smart of you to stay vague about who took you into the city. I was worried for you for a minute there.”

“Thanks. I don’t like to lie.”

Lady Susanna agreed. “So what are you doing?”

Bronwyn was currently up to her elbows in dirty dishwater and was scrubbing clean a used serving dish. “Cleaning.”

“Oh. That’s less exciting than I thought. I figured you would be fishing or hunting. Something more interesting than needlepoint.”

Bronwyn smiled. “Not really. Is that what the ladies do?”

“Often. Or we play music, sing, or read.”

Bronwyn let out a quiet sigh. “I wish I could read.”

“I know a little. My mama always said I didn’t need to, but my father says I’d need to learn how to run a household someday, so he taught me a little about figures. I’d like to learn more, though.”

“Lady Susanna. What are you doing here? Associating with the servants?” Lady Morwenna strolled by and saw them. “Don’t you look like a little pair of thieves.”

Lady Susanna flushed. “I…”

“Not to worry,” said Bronwyn, improvising. “I’ll bring some more rolls as quick as I can. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Uh, of course. Don’t forget.” Lady Susanna turned and walked away with Lady Morwenna, chatting.

Bronwyn watched them go. She felt she had a slight friend in Lady Susanna, but at the same time, she was a servant and Lady Susanna was a lady. Bronwyn felt slighted, but not surprised that Lady Susanna would want to keep their budding friendship a secret. If that was even what it was.

Bronwyn worked until nightfall, helping the cooks and servants pack up the serving pots and dishes, but only some, as they’d still need to feed the camp before leaving the area soon.

That night, she was delivering a plate of rolls to the ladies-in-waiting, as the empress had expressed a wish for some, and was holding the platter, when Lady Alice accosted her.

“Lady Alice? What is it?” Bronwyn asked.

“Um, I need your help. Can those wait?”

“Well, they’re for the empress. I should deliver them right away.”

Lady Alice pulled her arm. “Come here.” She turned to a page and said, “You. Come here.”

The youth approached. Lady Alice took the platter of bread rolls and pressed it into his hands. “These are for the empress. Deliver them now. I’ll know if you steal one.”

The page’s eyes widened and he turned and hurried in the direction of the empress’s tent. Once he had disappeared, Lady Alice said, “Come with me.”

Bronwyn let Lady Alice pull her away, to another tent, smaller, which she apparently shared with another few women. She pulled her inside and closed the flap, looking behind them.

“What are we doing here?” Bronwyn asked. “This is your tent?”

“Yes.” Lady Alice’s movements were flighty, nervous. Like a bird darting or a crow hopping. She pushed a black tendril of hair behind her ear. “I was in here, when I saw something odd.”

“What?”

“I was looking for a shawl when I found this.” She pointed toward a blanket and pillow, stuffed with hay. “Look.”

“What am I looking for?”

“You’ll see. Just look.”

Bronwyn took a hesitant step toward the grey, woolen blanket that was swaddled up messily. She pulled it back. Nothing. She peeked beneath the pillow. There, sat beneath it, lay a golden crown.