“No,” he responded honestly. “She was a simpleminded child. It has long been a fault of mine that I cannot bear stupidity—in a man or a horse or a woman.” He chuckled at some private thought. “Once I made a boast that I would lay my heart before a woman who could play a good game of chess. Do you know, I even once played a game with Queen Elizabeth?”
“And did she win?”
“No,” he said in disgust. “She couldn’t keep her mind on the game. I tried to teach Gavin and his brothers the game, but they are worse than some women. Only their father gave me a challenge.”
Helen looked at him seriously. “I know the game. At least I know the moves.”
“You?”
“Yes. I taught Judith to play, though she could never beat me. She was as the queen, always worrying about another problem. She couldn’t give the proper concentration the game deserved.”
John hesitated.
“If we are to spend some time here, perhaps you can give me lessons. I would appreciate any help.”
John sighed. Maybe it was a good idea at that. At least it would help pass the time.
Chapter Seventeen
JUDITH’S CHAMBER WAS AS QUIET AS THE REST OF THE Demari castle when she began her preparations to go to Gavin in the pit.
“Give the guard this,” Judith said as she handed Joan a skin of wine, “and he will sleep through the night. We could set barrels of oil on fire next to him, and he won’t wake.”
“Which is what will happen when Lord Gavin sees you,” Joan muttered.
“I thought you believed him to be nearly dead. Now don’t talk any more, but do as I say. Is everything ready?”
“It is. Are you feeling better?” Joan asked concerned.
Judith nodded, swallowing hard in memory of her recent nausea.
“If you have kept anything down, you will lose it when you step into that vile pit.”
Judith ignored her comment. “Go now and give the man his wine. I will wait a short time, then follow you.”
Joan slipped silently from the room, an art she’d learned through long years of practice. Judith waited nervously for nearly an hour. She strapped the iron box about her stomach, then slipped the rough wool garment over her head. Had anyone noticed the serf walking quietly amid the sleeping knights, they would have seen a heavily pregnant woman, her hands at her lower back, supporting the burdensome weight of her belly. Judith had some difficulty managing the railless stone stairs that led to the cellar.
“My lady?” Joan called in a loud whisper.
“Yes.” Judith made her way toward the single candle flame that Joan held. “Is he asleep?”
“Yes. Can’t you hear him snoring?”
“I can hear nothing over my pounding heart. Set the candle down and help me unstrap this box.”
Joan sank to her knees as Judith lifted her skirts to her waist. “Why did you need the box?” Joan asked.
“To store the food. To keep the…rats from it.”
Joan shivered as her cold hands worked at the knots of rawhide. “There are more than rats down there. My lady, please—it isn’t too late to change your mind.”
“Are you saying you will go in my place?”
Joan’s gasp of horror was her answer.
“Quiet, then. Think of Gavin who has to live there.”
As the two women pulled the trapdoor back from the pit, the foul air made them turn their heads away. “Gavin!” Judith called. “Are you there?”