by all the deaths in her family to see the changes taking place in her home, or to wonder why Quintinâs vassals did not return, or why Hugh had gone back to the south coast. Mavis tried to tell her that she had to notice the changes, particularly the change in Druoda. But it was not until Brigitte found Wolff penned up with the other dogs that she began to understand.
Brigitte confronted Druoda. It was then she realized for the first time that Druoda was not the woman Brigitte had assumed she knew.
âDo not bother me with trifles, girl! I have important matters on my mind,â Druoda said imperiously.
Brigitteâs temper rose. âBy what rightâ?â
âBy every right!â Druoda cut her off. âAs your brotherâs only kin, as your only kin, I have every right to assume authority here. You are still a maiden and must have a guardian. Naturally, Walafrid and I shall be appointed.â
âNo!â Brigitte retorted. âCount Arnulf will be my guardian. He will see to my interests.â
Druoda was six inches taller than Brigitte, and she moved closer to tower over her. âMy girl, you will hardly have a say in the matter. Maidens do not choose their guardians. Now, if you were without kin, then Count Arnulf, as your brotherâs seignior, would be your guardian. But you are not alone, Brigitte,â Druoda smiled and added smugly. âYou have me and Walafrid. Count Arnulf will make us your guardians.â
âI will speak to him,â Brigitte replied confidently.
âHow? You cannot leave Louroux without an escort, and I can see that I will have to deny you one. And Count Arnulf will not come here, for he does not know yet that Quintin is dead.â
Brigitte gasped. âWhy was he not told?â
âI thought it best to wait,â Druoda said carelessly. âUntil you are betrothed. No need to bother such a busy man with finding you a suitable husband, when I am perfectly able to do so without his help.â
âYou choose? Never!â Brigitteâs voice rose indignantly. âI will choose my own husband. My father promised me my choice, and Quintin agreed. Count Arnulf knows this.â
âDo not be absurd. A girl your age is too young to make such an important decision. The idea!â
âI will not marry at all then!â Brigitte said impulsively. âI will enter a nunnery!â
Druoda smiled and began pacing, thinking as she spoke. âWill you indeed? A lady who has not labored at anything more difficult than a spinning wheel? Well then, if you wish to be a novice, you can begin your training immediately.â Druoda smiled again. âYou did not know a novice labors day and night like a common servant?â
Brigitte raised her chin defiantly, but she did not reply.
âYou can begin your training here and now. Yes, it might do much to improve your attitude.â
Brigitte stubbornly agreed. She would show Druoda that she would make a fine novice. Nor did she back down a few days later when she returned to her chamber to find her possessions gone and Druoda waiting to tell her that novices were notallowed fine lodgings and that she would henceforth live in one of the servantsâ huts across the courtyard.
Still, Brigitte never considered leaving. Not even when she asked Sir Stephen to take a message to Count Arnulf and he refused did she think of going to the Count alone. But when Mavis was turned out with only the clothes on her back, Brigitte had to be locked up to be stopped from going with her. After three days, Brigitte was released.
The time lost did not stop Brigitte. She went directly to the stable, unmindful of the consequences of leaving the manor alone. The dangers were pointed out explicitly by Leandor, the Louroux bailiff, when he found her readying her mount.
âLeave and risk rape and murder,â Leandor had said, angry at Brigitteâs foolishness. âLady, I cannot let you go