Free The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd Page A

landholders of the area well and Adela found it hard to believe that she did not have some idea of their affairs. Evidently, however, she did not believe it was her role to admit to such knowledge. She has decided what she wants to be and what she ought to think, Adela realised. She does so because she believes it’s to her advantage. No doubt, behind her mincing little smile, she thinks me a fool if I don’t play the same game. She also noticed that as she quietly stitched, the Lady Maud asked her almost nothing about herself – although whether it was because she was not interested or because she did not wish to embarrass Walter’s obviously poor relation, it was impossible to tell.
    In the afternoon they all went for a ride round the estate. With its huge fields, its neatly kept orchards, its well-stocked fish ponds, it was the perfect model of what such a manor should be. There could be no doubt that Hugh de Martell knew his business well. When they came to a long slope that led upto the crest of the ridge, the two men cantered up it and Adela would have liked to follow at the same pace.
    But the Lady Maud was firm: “I think we should walk the horses. Let the men canter.” So Adela was obliged to keep her company and they only got halfway up the ridge before the return of the men caused them to turn round again.
    “Fine view,” Walter remarked as they did so.
    On their return from the ride they found that the servants had set out trestle tables in the hall, spread them with cloths and soon afterwards they were seated for a meal. Since they had not eaten yet that day a full dinner was now served. Everything was quietly but handsomely done. A small procession brought bread and broth, salmon and trout, three meats. Hugh de Martell carved himself; the Lady Maud served Walter from her own plate. The wine – this was rare indeed – was clear and good, lightly spiced. Fresh fruits, cheeses and nuts rounded off their meal. Tyrrell politely complimented the Lady Maud upon each course and Martell took the trouble to amuse Adela by telling her a funny story about a merchant from Normandy who spoke no English. And perhaps she drank just a little too much.
    Yet how could she possibly have known she was making a mistake when she mentioned the Forest? Since, in Walter’s eyes, she had made such a fool of herself there, he might have assumed she would not bring up the subject of the deer drift. It was hard to know. All she did at first, in any case, was to ask her hostess if she ever ventured into the New Forest.
    “The New Forest?” The Lady Maud looked faintly startled. “I don’t think I’d want to go there.” She gave Walter one of her little smiles, as if Adela had said something socially inappropriate. “The people who live there are very strange. Have you been there, Walter?”
    “Only once or twice. With the royal hunt.”
    “Ah. Well that’s rather different.”
    Adela saw that Walter had just given her a disapproving frown. Obviously he wanted her to change the subject. But it also irritated her. Why should she be treated like an idiot all the time? He was going to despise her anyway. “I ride in the Forest alone,” she said blithely. “I’ve even hunted there.” She paused to let that sink in. “With your husband.” And she gave Walter a smile of cheerful defiance.
    But whatever reaction she might have expected, it was not the one she got.
    “Hugh?” The Lady Maud frowned, then went a little pale. “Went hunting in the Forest?” She looked at him questioningly. “Did you, my dear?” she asked in a strangely small voice.
    “Yes, yes,” he said quickly, with a frown. “With Walter here. And Cola. Back in the spring.”
    “I don’t think I knew that.” She was looking at him with a silent reproach.
    “I’m sure you did,” he said in a firm tone.
    “Oh. Well,” she replied softly, “I do now.” And she gave Adela her twisted smile before adding with a forced playfulness: “Men will