“I … I couldn’t sleep, and it seems neither can you. We could comfort each other.” Her voice broke at the last word, as if she was holding back tears.
Ranulf swallowed past the lump in his throat. If she knew how unwelcome this offer was, she’d certainly never have made it. He tried to wrestle his tone into something akin to compassion, remembering that she was mourning her father.
“I’m sorry, but that would not be my wish. You must go before someone discovers you here.”
“Must I?” She sniffed dramatically. “But I could —”
“You must go.” He made his words loud and firm, well aware that he was helpless to prevent the girl from putting him in an embarrassing situation.
He had no choice but to awaken Mistress Eustacia. He grabbed his chausses and jerked them on as he came out from behind the screen. The servant girl stood two feet away, hugging herself, her head bent. At least she had on clothing, though it looked like only a thin nightdress.
“Mistress Eustacia will take you down to the undercroft.” He stepped toward Eustacia’s sleeping area, but the girl caught his arm.
“Nay,” she whispered. “Don’t wake the mistress.” She grabbed his other arm and pulled toward his bed.
Ranulf twisted out of her grasp, clenching his fists. “Mistress Eustacia!” Must he, in his own home, be forced to put up with this nonsense, this disobedience, this impropriety?
A shadowy form rose from Sir Clement’s bed against the wall.
“Lord Ranulf?” Eustacia’s sleepy voice croaked. Her bed rustled as she moved to sit up.
“I need your help.” Help me, woman, and hurry.
Eustacia came shuffling over. “Who is it? I can’t see a thing in this dim light. Lord Ranulf, is everything well?”
“Please walk Maud back down to the undercroft.”
Maud began to cry short, shuddering sobs, with her hands over her face.
“Maud?” Eustacia’s voice sounded confused, though less groggy. “Whatever is the matter?”
Maud ripped her hands from her face. “Him.” She pointed a finger at Ranulf. “He was trying to take advantage of me, just as he did before my father’s attack. Now he wants no part of me.”
Heat rushed into Ranulf’s face as he understood her meaning. “That is a lie. How dare you tell such a thing to Mistress Eustacia.” And to Sir Clement. Ranulf watched the man scratch his head.
“I shall tell it everywhere, to everyone. You will be sorry for not — “ She stopped herself. “You will be sorry.”
“For not accepting your offer, you mean. What you are claiming is a complete falsehood. Sir Clement, you are also a witness.”
“So I am.” Sir Clement stepped forward into the faint light.
Eustacia hurried to light a candle and carried it back to the small group of people, moving close to Maud, studying her face.
All eyes on her, Maud glared at each person then settled on Sir Clement. “You must force him to marry me. He has ruined me.”
“Sir Clement, I’ve never touched this girl.”
“What proof do you have of this claim?” Sir Clement asked Maud.
“My word. Isn’t that proof enough?”
“I’m afraid it isn’t. What happened tonight carries weight as well.”
“Have you no interest in justice? Why are you here, then?”
“I am here to find out what happened to your father.”
“You should ask our lord, for he is the one who found the body, isn’t he? Should he not be under suspicion?”
“Everyone in Glynval is under suspicion, I assure you. Now I suggest you obey your lord and leave this room at once.”
Eustacia placed her hand on Maud’s arm, but Maud snatched it away.
“I won’t be so easily silenced,” Maud hissed. Pure hatred shone on her face. She spun around and stomped to the door, slamming it behind her.
What to do now? If he passionately protested his innocence to Sir Clement, he’d only seem guilty.
“Sir, if you will allow me to speak.” Eustacia placed her hand on her chest, staring in Sir Clement’s direction.
“You may.” It was fine for Sir Clement to sound so calm. He wasn’t being accused of bedding a servant he’d never thought of touching.
“The girl’s overwrought from her father’s injuries. The thing is impossible — I’m here with Lord Ranulf every night. If our lord had crept out to take advantage of her, don’t you think I would have known it? My word must surely convince you of Lord Ranulf’s innocence.”
“Indeed, madam, it does not convince me.”
Her eyes flew wide as alarm registered on her face. Ranulf hoped she wouldn’t start to cry.
Patting his jaw with a finger, Sir Clement shook his head. “No, you are a hard sleeper, Mistress Eustacia. You did not hear when your lord moaned in his sleep, apparently from a bad dream. And when Maud boldly opened the door and came into the room, you slept on. But no one blames you for any this.” He murmured the last statement as he waved his hand.
“I am innocent of these claims, Sir Clement.” Ranulf forced himself to breathe evenly.
Sir Clement looked him full in the face, though it was hard to discern the coroner’s expression in the dim light. “Yes, I know.”