Princes of Ireland - Edward Rutherfurd [238]
When the Palmer and his wife returned soon after noon, however, it was clear that he was in no mood to talk; for as she went up to him he smiled sadly and saying, “Not now, my child,” he went past her into his quarters, accompanied by his wife. Two hours passed and neither of them came out again. The girls could only wonder what was amiss.
Fionnuala was in the yard when she saw the figure coming through the gate. The sky had cleared somewhat, but the March breeze was making a cross, hissing sound in the thatch and caused the gate to bang as the figure entered. Una appeared from the women’s dormitory at just that moment and Fionnuala was conscious of her eyes upon them both. She realised that Una probably didn’t know who the figure was. Fionnuala stared at him.
Peter FitzDavid looked at her. His face was grave. If he felt embarrassment under her stony gaze, he was being careful not to show it.
“Your brother Gilpatrick asked me to fetch you,” he said quietly. “I’m to take you home. I met him at the king’s camp,” he added, to explain his presence.
Fionnuala felt a little stab of fear. Was one of her parents hurt? Una was at her side now.
“Why?” she asked.
“You have not heard? The Palmer has not told you?” He looked surprised, then nodded slowly. “It’s King Henry,” he explained. “He’s finished his business in Ireland. He’s ready to leave. There are just the affairs of Dublin to put in order and that’s what he’s doing now. I’m afraid, Fionnuala,” he paused a moment, “that this has not been good for your father; although he has been treated with special consideration,” he added. “He keeps the southern part of his lands, down where your brother is. Those, of course, he will hold directly from the king as his vassal. But all the northern part of his land, near Dublin, has been granted away to a man called Baggot. Your father is very upset.” He stopped. “I’m afraid,” he added, “these sort of grants and regrants are quite normal in the circumstances.”
The two girls stared at him, stunned. It was Una who was the first to recover.
“Is that what has happened to the Palmer?”
“He has fared worse, you might say. The king has taken all his lands in Fingal for his knights. He’s left the Palmer with his land near Dublin, which is just enough to support himself and the hospital. The king is mindful, of course, that the Palmer hasn’t any heirs. It’s only the hospital he really cares about.”
Una was silent. After such a blow as this, how could she trouble the Palmer with her own poor family’s difficulties?
“There have been charters floating down upon the fortunate like leaves in autumn,” said Peter. “For the houses inside the city, too.”
“And what are you getting out of it?” Fionnuala asked coldly.
“I?” Peter shrugged. “I am getting nothing, Fionnuala. Strongbow has his own relations to think of, and once King Henry came, Strongbow’s power to give was greatly reduced. King Henry scarcely knows me. I’ve received nothing in Ireland. I’m probably leaving when King Henry does. Strongbow persuaded him to take me on, so perhaps I’ll make my fortune in some other land.”
Fionnuala took this information in. Then she gave a sad smile.
“We shan’t be seeing you again then, Welshman,” she said more gently.
“No.”
“Well, I hope you enjoyed your time here.”
“I did. Very much.”
They looked at each other silently for a moment. Then Fionnuala sighed. “You’ve no need to escort me to my home, Welshman. I’ve a few things to do here and then I’ll be on my way.”
During this little exchange, which she thought rather pointless, Una’s mind had focussed on one thing Peter had just said.
“I wonder what has happened to my father’s house,” she murmured to Fionnuala.
“Welshman,” Fionnuala said. “This is Una MacGowan whose