Ma said: “Someone has to help Cwenburg raise the baby, Dreng. And there are only two possibilities. She can stay here with you, and you can help her raise the grandchild.”
“A child needs its father.” Dreng was being unusually decent. Edgar had noticed that he softened when Cwenburg was around.
Ma said: “The alternative is that Erman and Eadbald will marry Cwenburg and they will raise the child together. And if that happens, Edgar must come here to live, and be paid half a penny a day on top of his food.”
“I don’t like either choice.”
“Then suggest another.”
Dreng opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Leaf said: “What do you think, Cwenburg? Do you want to marry Erman and Eadbald?”
“Yes,” Cwenburg said. “I like them both.”
Leaf said: “When shall we have the wedding?”
“Tomorrow,” Ma said. “At noon.”
“Where? Here?”
“Everyone in the hamlet will show up.”
Dreng said grumpily: “I don’t want to give them all free beer.”
Ma said: “And I don’t want to explain the marriage ten times over to every fool in Dreng’s Ferry.”
Edgar said: “At the farm, then. They can all find out about it later.”
Leaf said: “I’ll provide a small barrel of ale.”
Ma looked inquiringly at Ethel, who had not spoken.
Ethel said: “I’ll make honey cakes.”
“Oh, good,” said Cwenburg. “I love honey cakes.”
Edgar stared at her in disbelief. She had just agreed to marry two men, and she was able to get excited about cakes.
Ma said: “Well, Dreng?”
“I’ll pay Edgar a farthing a day.”
“Done,” said Ma. She stood up. “We’ll expect you all tomorrow at noon, then.”
Her three sons stood and followed her as she walked away from the alehouse.
Edgar thought: I’m not a farmer anymore.
CHAPTER 7
Late August 997
agna was not pregnant.
She had suffered agonies of apprehension for two weeks after Wilwulf left Cherbourg. To be impregnated and deserted was the ultimate humiliation, especially for a noble maiden. A peasant’s daughter who suffered the same fate would be equally mocked and scorned, but might eventually find someone to marry her and take on the raising of another man’s child. A lady would be shunned by every man of her class.
However, she had escaped that fate. The arrival of the monthly blood had been as welcome as sunrise.
