“He could ravage Shiring. That’s what he did to Rochester about fifteen years ago, in a quarrel with Bishop Elfstan, but it’s a bit extreme, and Ethelred later regretted it.”
“So a nobleman can just defy the king and get away with it?”
“Not indefinitely,” said Aldred. “It reminds me of the famous case of Thane Wulfbald. He repeatedly ignored the rulings of the royal court and refused to pay fines and got away with it. Eventually his lands passed into the possession of the king, but not until Wulfbald was dead.”
“I had no idea my husband was so badly at odds with his king—no one told me!”
“I assumed you knew but did not want to talk about it. Wynstan would have told Wilf’s family not to say anything to you. The servants probably don’t even know about it, although they seem to find these things out eventually.”
“Am I even married to Wilf?”
“Yes, you are. Inge was set aside, and Wilf married you. The church disapproves of the setting aside and of the marriage, but English law does not forbid either.”
“What am I to do?”
“Fight back.”
“It’s not just Inge, it’s Wynstan and Gytha and Wigelm and Milly and even Garulf.”
“I know. They form a powerful faction. But you have a magic weapon that will overcome them all.”
She wondered if he was going to turn pious on her. “Do you mean God?”
“No, though it’s always wise to ask for His help.”
“So what is my special weapon?”
“Wilf’s love.”
Ragna gave him a skeptical look. What did he know about love?
Aldred read her mind. “Oh, I realize everyone thinks monks are ignorant of love and marriage, but it’s not quite true. Besides, anyone with eyes can see how much Wilf loves you. It’s frankly embarrassing. He stares at you all the time. His hands are itching to touch you.”
Ragna nodded. After they were married, she somehow stopped feeling embarrassed by this.
“He adores you, he worships you,” Aldred went on. “That makes you stronger than all the others put together.”
“I don’t see what good it does me. Wilf has still brought his first wife to live next door to me.”
“That’s not the end, it’s the beginning.”
“I just don’t understand what you want me to do.”
“First, don’t lose his love. I can’t tell you how to keep it, but I’m sure you know.”
I do, Ragna thought.
“Impose your will,” Aldred went on. “Pick small fights with Gytha and Wynstan and Inge, and win small victories, then larger. Let everyone know that in a conflict, Wilf’s first instinct will always be to support you.”
Like the argument about Wigelm’s house, she thought, or the one about Dunnere the carpenter.
“And build up your strength. Develop allies. You’ve got me, but you need more—all you can get. Men of power.”
“Such as Sheriff Den.”
“Very good. And Bishop Elfheah of Winchester: he hates Wynstan, so make Elfheah your friend.”
“You sound as if you’re talking about war, not marriage.”
