The Silent Touch of Shadows (32 page)

‘It is?’

‘Yes. This is a Viking ring, exquisitely crafted, as you can see. They were masters at creating jewellery of all kinds, but this is one of the finest examples I have ever seen, incredibly detailed. It’s impossible to date it exactly, but I would guess ninth or tenth century. It may have been made here in England, or it may have come from Scandinavia. Their designs were similar and the dragon is, of course, a typical motif.’

‘A Viking ring?’ Melissa had to try really hard to keep the disappointment out of her voice. Then it couldn’t have anything to do with Roger. Or could it? She remembered the words she’d heard in her mind when she first put it on.

‘Now as to the inscription, I’m afraid I can’t tell you what it means. I am, unfortunately, not an expert on runes. But I think I know of someone who might be able to help us. Let me just copy the inscription down on a piece of paper and I’ll let you know what I can find out.’

‘Thank you, I’d really appreciate it.’

He studied the runic characters and copied them down carefully. ‘Of course, I have no idea which ones come first,’ he laughed, ‘but it looks like there is a slightly larger gap between these two here,’ he pointed, ‘so I’ve started with the second one of those.’

‘I’m very grateful for your help.’

‘Not at all, it was a pleasure to see such a fine example of Viking craftsmanship. If you should ever wish to sell it, do come and see me again. You would be able to charge quite a large sum for such a rare piece of jewellery.’

‘Thank you, but I don’t think so. I want to keep it forever.’ As she said the words, Melissa knew they were true. She could never sell the ring. It belonged in her family, she was sure of that.

As Mr Smythson ushered her out of his office, he said, ‘I’ll give you a call when I hear from my friend regarding the inscription.’

He was as good as his word and rang the next day. Melissa had been on her way out of the house and grabbed the phone in passing.

‘Hello?’ She was slightly out of breath.

‘Ms Grantham? It’s Michael Smythson here. My friend has come up trumps about the inscription I faxed him yesterday, so I thought I’d ring you straight away.’

‘Oh, thank you. That was quick! And very nice of him. So what does it mean?’ She found it hard to stand still, excitement and anticipation buzzing through her.

‘Well, as to that, I’m afraid he can’t say for sure. It seems to be a lot of runes chosen at random which don’t really mean anything specific.’ He paused and Melissa drew in a breath of disappointment, which she let out on a long sigh.

‘What a shame. I had so hoped it would say something important. Never mind, I’ll
 
…’

‘Hold on a minute, Ms Grantham, that wasn’t quite all he said. Apparently runes weren’t just used for writing with. I don’t know if you’ve heard this – I hadn’t – but they were also used for divination and fortune-telling. My friend thought that in this case these runes were put together in a particular way for some magical purpose. In other words, the inscription on your ring is either a spell or a curse.’

‘Really?’ Melissa was astonished and looked at the dragon on her finger. The tiny eyes twinkled up at her. ‘I see. Well, thank you very much, Mr Smythson. You have been extremely helpful.’

‘Not at all. Don’t hesitate to call on me again if you should find anything else of interest under that floor of yours.’

‘Oh, I will.’

A magic spell or curse.
Melissa stared at the ring. Was that the clue Roger had been talking about? But how could it be? There was no such thing as magic.
But then I didn’t believe in ghosts until recently either
 
…

She sighed again in frustration. ‘Oh, Roger, why can’t you just give me a straight answer?’ she grumbled. ‘I’m no good at guessing games.’ The hallway stayed eerily silent. Roger obviously wasn’t going to reply.

‘Okay, fine. Maybe it’s time for some more concrete evidence then.’ With renewed determination, Melissa dialled the number of the Kent History Centre and asked for Jenny.

‘Melissa, hi, how are you? Sorry, I haven’t got back to you before, but it’s been really hectic round here. Everyone went down with some kind of flu.’

‘No problem. I don’t want to hassle you, I just wondered if there was any progress with that manor court roll yet? Have they managed to unravel it any further?’

‘Not yet no, sorry. I checked with them yesterday, and as it’s not really on their official work schedule, they haven’t had time to look at it.’ Jenny giggled and confided, ‘But I think one of them has a crush on me and he’s promised to do it soon. I sort of hinted that I might consider a date if he did
 
…’

‘You wicked woman, you.’ Melissa joined in her friend’s laughter, but inside the frustration was building up again. ‘You will let me know as soon as you hear though, won’t you?’

‘Of course, I promise.’

Melissa hung up and looked round the hall, trying to find some inspiration. What next? What had she not investigated yet? ‘Oh, yes, Idenhurst.’

It was time to call Colin again.

Chapter Twenty-Five

‘Here I take thee Roger to my husband, to have and to hold, until the end of my life and to this I plight thee my troth.’

The heavy ring slipped easily onto Sibell’s finger and fit perfectly. Roger kissed her and old Ingirith wiped a tear from her eye. It was done. Happiness welled up inside Sibell and Roger’s fingers tightened their grip around her own.

‘Congratulations, Mistress Sibell.’ Ingirith hugged her fiercely. She’d told Sibell how pleased she was that there was someone at last who could protect her from her brute of a father. ‘And you sir, I wish you both well.’

‘Thank you.’ Roger clasped the older woman’s hand. ‘I shall be forever grateful for your support this day.’

‘It was nothing, sir. I’m happy to help Mistress Elinor’s daughter in any way I can. Such a kind, gentle lady she was.’

It remained only for them all to sign the marriage contract, wrap it in oilskin and hide it inside the trunk of the old oak tree. ‘It will be safer there for now,’ Roger said, ‘that way it can’t be found until we are ready to face the world as man and wife.’ Sibell agreed and bent to sign her name.

As she finished with a flourish, however, she heard Roger swear under his breath. She looked up quickly, fear tearing through her gut. Had her brothers arrived after all to ruin everything? Surely, they were too late?

But it was neither Simon nor Godwin who emerged from the shadow of the trees, but Lady Maude and her daughter, Katherine. As they approached, the wedding party waited in tense silence, the only sound to be heard that of the swiftly flowing river and the birds singing in the branches of the oak tree. When at last they came to a halt before the wedded couple, Roger bowed and Sibell swept a curtsey, and to their immense relief Lady Maude smiled and then clasped them both to her bosom.

‘So you’re married?’ she asked. Sibell nodded. ‘Excellent. I thought something was afoot when Sir Roger came asking for parchment and quills. I said to myself, this one bears watching and so I set Katherine to spy on you. I hope you’ll forgive me? I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.’

Sibell felt light-headed and unable to do anything but laugh with joy. Roger was more practical. ‘You mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone, my lady. Please? It’s too soon.’

Lady Maude nodded. ‘I know, but I can make sure there’s no doubt as to the validity of the marriage. Hand me that parchment and we will sign it, too. Come, daughter, do your duty by your brother. He deserves no less.’

Roger drew in a sharp breath and blinked. ‘What did you say?’

‘Oh, it’s there for anyone to see who has eyes in his head. My pig-headed husband might not want to acknowledge you yet, but I’ll find a way to make him, see if I don’t.’

‘But
 
… but how do you know he is the one? He said he had four brothers.’

‘Pah! That has nothing to do with the matter. They would have been too young at the time of your conception; Gilbert is the eldest by far. And the moment I saw you with Katherine in the stillroom, I knew why you had come.’ She patted Roger’s arm. ‘Just give him time, he’ll come round.’

‘And you don’t mind?’

‘No, from your age I would guess you came along before I even met Gilbert. I never set eyes on him until our wedding day, you know. And I married him because I was told to; affection grew between us later. If he’d loved someone else first, that was his business, as long as he treated me well, which he did. So why should I mind? We lost one son, but if he will see sense, Gilbert can now regain another. If he is happy, I’m happy. Now enough of this, we’ll speak more later. We must make haste.’

From a small leather pouch she extracted a quill and a container of ink, which she handed to her daughter. They took turns to sign their names at the bottom of the document, taking great care not to soil it. Finally, when the package was safely hidden away, the group dispersed, except for Ingirith, who held out a key to them.

‘Here you are. I’ve prepared a little hideaway where you can spend the afternoon without fear of discovery. It’s only my humble cottage, but at least it’s indoors and clean.’ She looked towards the sky where the clouds had turned a dull grey. ‘And if I’m not mistaken, you’ll be thankful to be somewhere dry.’

‘Thank you, your kindness is much appreciated.’ Sibell hugged the old lady. ‘Will you go back to Ashleigh for now?’

‘Yes, and if anyone asks for you, I’ll tell them I sent you out to gather herbs. I have some in a hidden basket, should it be necessary to produce proof, and I can fetch you in a hurry if your brothers return betimes. Now go, enjoy your brief time together.’

They didn’t hesitate and soon Sibell was alone with her husband at last. He still looked slightly dazed at Lady Maude’s revelations, so she decided to change the subject.

‘Where did you find this ring?’ She slid it off her finger and twisted it to have a closer look. She inspected the perfectly formed shape of the little dragon biting his own tail. The tiny emerald eyes gleamed, shooting sparks of green fire at them. ‘It is exquisite.’

‘It was my mother’s. She told me it has been in our family for generations, perhaps since the Norsemen came to these shores.’ He pointed at a runic inscription along the inside of the ring. ‘See the writing? It’s from their time. I don’t know what it means, but Mother said each owner can make one wish and the dragon will make it come true.’

The ring was warm to the touch and she could almost feel it pulsating with a life of its own. It was truly magical. ‘Then I had better think carefully before I make mine.’ She looked at her new husband and felt love flowing through her. ‘Besides, I have all I could wish for right here.’

When he gave her a lingering kiss, she decided the time had come to tell him her news. She was certain now.

‘Come, let us not waste our precious time together. I have something to show you.’

‘Oh, and what’s that?’ He smiled as she began to pull off her clothing. ‘Ah, I see,’ he murmured.

‘No, I don’t think you do.’ It was her turn to smile as she stood before him, wearing nothing but her long, unbound hair. She took his hand and placed it gently on the swell of her stomach. ‘Here, this is what I meant.’

His blue eyes opened wide, then darkened with emotion. ‘You’re telling me that
 
…? Truly?’ She nodded, awaiting his reaction anxiously, but his huge grin laid all her fears to rest. ‘Oh, sweeting, that has made this day even more complete.’ He pulled her close.

‘So you’re pleased?’ She searched his gaze one more time.

‘Beyond ecstatic, my lovely wife. Thank you for this wedding gift, it’s better than anything I could have hoped for.’

‘That nice Mr Parsons rang, dear,’ Dorothy told Melissa when she returned from a research expedition a few days later.

‘Oh, it’s about time, I’ve been trying to get hold of him for days.’

Melissa was exhausted, however, and couldn’t summon up much enthusiasm for Colin at that moment. She’d put aside the Presseilles and her search for Roger in order to concentrate on her other clients for a while. But it had been a long, hard day and she didn’t have much information to show for it. That, she supposed, was part of the charm of genealogy. Sometimes you found nothing for ages, then suddenly, when you least expected it, you’d discover that elusive missing piece of the puzzle. The joy of such a discovery and the thrill of the search were addictive, at least if the growing number of amateur genealogists flocking to the record offices was anything to go by. When it was your day job though, it wasn’t always as much fun.