Free The Winter Love by April Munday Page B

his brother’s eyes, but Eleanor had seen enough sickness recently to know that it took the strong and the weak equally and she had no doubts as to which was the stronger brother.
    Henry led Solomon up the street to the stable and Edward indicated that Eleanor should go with his servant. As she passed him he stroked her arm lightly and Eleanor hoped that Henry would never leave her alone with his brother.
     
    Edward’s house was not large; it was barely wider than the open shop front. Eleanor followed the servant into the passageway beside the shop. The floor was beaten earth and it was slightly lower than the street outside. The passage seemed to run the length of the house, but it was too dark inside for her to see clearly. The hall was behind the shop and Edward’s business room was behind that. Eleanor suspected that the kitchen lay beyond that or was outside, but they had arrived at the stairs before they got that far and Edward’s servant, John, led her up them to the bedchamber at the front of the house. The hall took up two floors and the two bedchambers were connected by a gallery that ran along one wall of the upper storey. She looked out onto the busy street below. She had never seen so many people in one day as she had today. Whatever was it that they all were doing? Why were they all here? Did they live here? The variety of languages she had heard made her suspect that this was not the case. This place was both exciting and overwhelming. Edward’s house was no different. She could still hear the noise from the streets and the conversation that was taking place in the shop was clearly audibly in the house. Edward’s wealth was displayed on the walls of his house and the furnishings which were rich and brightly coloured. It was overpowering. This was the place in which Edward would leave his wife alone. Eleanor shuddered at the thought.
    The bedchamber was comfortable and clean enough , although the bed was large for one person alone. John brought her hot water and she washed, then went to find Henry. He was washing in Edward’s bedchamber at the back of the house. He answered her knock, but did not open the door and told her to wait in the hall until the food was ready. He added that he would hurry, but that he was enjoying the luxury of a wash after several days at sea, so she sat in the hall where they were to eat later. Already the smell of food was coming to her from the kitchen. Edward’s servants looked well-fed, so she expected much from this meal. Then she reproved herself for her gluttony. They ate simply in the convent and she should not look forward to more. A few moments contemplation told her that it was not gluttony, but the variety that interested her; she longed to see and to taste what was eaten outside the convent. She realised that what they ate here would not be what was eaten in most of the houses in this town, for Edward was wealthy, but she was fascinated by yet another new experience.
    John came into the hall and offered to show her over the house. Eleanor hesitated, but Henry might be some time, so she accepted his offer. It did not take long for her to see all the rooms. She was most impressed by the counting room where John proudly showed her Edward’s books. He took a key from those hanging at his waist and unlocked a small chest that stood on the table. Inside were three books. Eleanor wondered if she dared take them and look at them properly, but John took one out and put it proudly into her hands.
    “Edward must be very wealthy,” she said as she turned the pages. It was a book about falconry and the illustrations were very detailed and accurate.
    “Yes, he is, and he lives in accordance with his wealth.”
    Eleanor smiled at him. “These are indeed treasures.”
    “He takes a great deal of care of them.”
    “I’m sure.” Eleanor ran her finger down the spine as she put it gently on the table, then took out the next one. After she had inspected all three, John