Follow The Master? - Episode 10

There was an uneasy silence between them as Gwladys and Aefelthrith stared down at the couple, who were locked in a passionate embrace, in the tavern bar.

“I’m going down there” Aefelthrith announced, eventually.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, lovey” Gwladys shook her head.

“Why not?  He is betrothed to me!  What is he doing with her?”

“Well, I think I’ve got a good idea of what ‘e’s been a’doin’ with ‘er!” Gwladys smirked, “As fer bein’ betrothed, well…it were a long time ago now, weren’t it?”

“How does the passage of time change things?” Aefelthrith seethed, “If you’re betrothed, you’re betrothed.  That’s it!  Just because you’re separated for a while, doesn’t mean that all goes for naught, now does it?”

“I can see why you’re all fired up an’ so on but I reckon you’d be best sleepin’ on it, if you’ll take my advice?” Gwladys looked at her companion with concern.

“Sleep on it?  I might not see him again!  No, I need to confront him about this or it will haunt me for ever”

“Alright, alright, if yer must!  But just wait a minute or two”

“Why?”

“Well, ladies what are expectin’, they usually ‘ave to go to the erm…’little girl’s room’ quite a bit.  I reckon she’s due any time, so yer should be able to catch ‘im on ‘is own”

Sure enough, the plumed hat’s companion took her leave a few moments later.

“Right, let’s see what he’s got to say for himself!”  Aefelthrith gathered up her skirts and pounded down the stairs, with Gwladys in hot pursuit.

Finding the man with the plumed hat was not so easy once they were in the midst of the crowd.  Aefelthrith was just about to give up in despair, when the crowd parted and there was her betrothed, holding court with a number of men who seemed to be hanging on his every word.  She took a deep breath and marched up to him, tapping him on his shoulder.  He spun around to look at her.

“Yes?”  He said, sharply.

“Remember me?”  Aefelthrith arched an eyebrow.

“I’m afraid, madam, you have the advantage of me” The plumed hat began, with a smile.

“Perhaps the dowdy work clothes are confusing you?  How about if I pull my hair back, like this?”

“I’m so sorry, gentlemen, I seem to hold a fatal attraction for the ladies!  I’m often accosted in this manner” The plumed hat chuckled with his companions, “my dear lady, you are entirely mistaken, I really do not…”  He looked at her more closely, frowned and then said, “Aefelthrith?”

“So, you do recall, then?” Aefelthrith snorted.

“Excuse me, for one moment, gentlemen.  This poor creature is confused.  I will give her a little charity and be back with you in a trice!” He beamed at his companions and then turned to his accuser, “what do you think you’re doing?” He hissed.

“What do I think I’M doing?”

“Come over here” He grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her to the side of the room.  “I thought you were dead!”  He said, when they were out of earshot of his companions.

“Obviously!” Aefelthrith snapped, “I thought the same of you, but do you see me cavorting with other men?  Am I great with child, perchance?”

“I cannot have this conversation with you, now.  My…my wife will be back any moment.  Meet me tomorrow, on the jetty, at noon.  I’ll explain all then”

And then, he was gone.  Swallowed up once more by the crowd.  Aeflethrith stood and blinked.  She had the impression she was in the midst of a bad dream and that she would wake up in a minute.

“Are yer alright, lovey?”  Gwladys appeared at her side.

“He didn’t…he didn’t recognise me, Gwladys” She started to sob, “why would he, what with me in these dowdy rags!  And that…woman, is his wife!”

“Ah, I did wonder.  Well, at least ‘e’s done the right thing by ‘er” Gwladys said, reasonably.  Aefelthrith scowled at her.

“He wants me to meet him, tomorrow at noon”

“Then I’m comin’ with yer”

“Oh no, I don’t think that would be appropriate, Gwladys” Aefelthrith shook her head.

“Appropriate be buggered, yer not safe to be let out on yer own, I’ve said it afore an’ I’ll say it again.  I’m comin’ an’ that’s final”

Aefelthrith had a fitful night’s sleep and found it difficult to focus on her cleaning duties in the morning.  Even though she was busy, the time seemed to drag terribly.  Eventually, the hour arrived and she and Gwladys scurried to the harbour.  She half-expected that he would not be there, but he was, still in the fine clothes and plumed hat.

She approached him, cautiously.  He looked up and smiled.

“My dear Aefelthrith!” He began, “I am so sorry about yesterday evening.  You took me unawares”

“I think, sir, you owe me an explanation” Aefelthrith replied, frostily.

“Indeed, you are quite correct.”  He nodded, “you have a companion?”

“You remember my maid, Gwladys?”

Gwladys nodded to her former employer.

“Not in all truthfulness, no.” The plumed hat said, honestly, “ However, I am heartened that you are not alone.  I honestly thought you were dead.  I was told that all at the castle had been put to the sword”

“And that would have been my fate, had not Gwladys come to my aid and helped me to escape” A tear made its solitary journey down Aeflethrith’s cheek.  “How do you come to be here?”  She asked, eventually, in a small voice.

“Me?  I have become a sea captain!” He smiled broadly,  “My ship, ‘The Golden Fleece’ is currently in dry dock in London for repairs and refit.  I am here whilst I await the completion of that work, but also to discuss business with those who might invest in my journey and reap the rewards from the fine silks, spices and other valuable items I shall bring back with me from the Indies”

“’Golden Fleece’ is it?”  Gwladys observed, wryly.

“That is correct.  My name, now, is Captain D’Arbanville.” He bowed, “It was necessary to amend my identity in case the barbarians who stole my castle and estate should seek me out”

“What know you of the sea?  You never strayed from your place of birth!” Aefelthrith sniffed.

“People change, Aefelthrith.  A good deal of time has passed by.  And what of you?  Are you well cared for?”

“I clean, that is what I do now, Captain.” She held her head up and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, “I clean the houses of rich folk so that I may keep a roof over my head and food on my table.”  She looked down at her working clothes, blushing with shame, “Hence my dowdy appearance”

“Oh, my dear Aefelthrith.  I am so sorry!  I feel I have let you down, badly”

“Yep” Observed Gwladys.

“We are the victims of circumstance, my Lord.” Aefelthrith said, miserably.

“Captain, please, my dear.”  The Captain prompted.

“For that matter, I’m Ethel these days.” Aefelthrith produced a hankerchief and dabbed a tear away,  “And now, I gather, you are married and you expect a child?” She observed with a forced smile.

“That is so.  I met my good lady in another port, further up the coast.  I honestly thought you were no more, hence I felt free to marry.  Had I known…” He shook his head, sadly.

“This other port.  Were you seein’ investors there, an’ all?” Gwladys queried.

“Yes, that’s right.  My voyage has attracted a good deal of interest” The Captain nodded.

“Hmmm” Gwladys folded her arms and looked at him, quizzically.

“I fear, my Captain, that there is little else for us to say!  We have each made a life for ourselves, you have your wife, your ship and soon, your child.  I have my cleaning and Gwladys.  I will take my leave of you and wish you well and godspeed!” Aefelthrith turned to go.

“My dear, I am distressed to leave you thus.  Please, if there is anything, anything at all, I can do to help…”

“A few bob wouldn’t go amiss” Gwladys pointed out, cheerfully.

“Gwladys!” Aefelthrith snapped.

“Ah, how I wish I could change your fortunes!” The Captain shook his head, sadly, “but, regrettably, all of my capital is tied up in my ship.  I have just enough to meet my day-to-day needs”

“That right?” Gwladys asked, with an amused smile.

“We are NOT here to beg, Gwladys!  The Captain has had the good grace to explain himself and now we should depart.  Good day to you, Captain” Aefelthrith curtsied, slightly, and set off back down the jetty.

“Aefelthrith!” The Captain called out.

“It’s Ethel, now!” Aefelthrith said, firmly, and marched away.

“See yer sailor” Gwladys winked at him and hurried after her.

You can catch up with the rest of this story in the rest of the collection, here on ABCtales:

The Chronicles of a Lady (and her Maid)