The seamstress Agnes was equally fond of the twins. She had married an Englishman, Offa, the reeve of Mudeford, but they had no children, and all her frustrated maternal feelings were focused on Ragna’s babies.

Ragna left the twins for the first time when she heard what had happened to Odo and Adelaide.

She was terribly worried. The couriers had come to England on a mission for Ragna’s benefit, and she felt responsible. The fact that they were Normans, as she was, made her sympathy sharper. She had to see them and find out how badly they were hurt and whether she could do anything for them.

She put Cat in charge of the children, with two wet nurses to make sure they did not go hungry. She took Agnes as her maid and Bern as her bodyguard. She packed clothes for Odo and Adelaide, having been told that they had been left naked. She rode out of the compound with a heavy heart: how could she leave her little ones behind? But she had her duty.

She missed them every minute of the two-day journey to Dreng’s Ferry.

She arrived late in the afternoon and immediately took the ferry to Leper Island, leaving Bern at the alehouse. Mother Agatha welcomed her with a kiss and a bony hug.

Without preamble Ragna said: “How is Adelaide?”

“Recovering fast,” Agatha said. “She’s going to be fine.”

Ragna slumped with relief. “Thank God.”

“Amen.”

“What injuries does she have?”

“She suffered a nasty blow to the head, but she’s young and strong, and it seems there are no long-term effects.”

“I’d like to speak to her.”

“Of course.”

Adelaide was in the dormitory. She had a clean rag tied over her blond head, and she was dressed in a drab nun’s shift, but she was sitting upright in bed, and she smiled happily when she saw Ragna. “My lady! You shouldn’t have troubled to come all this way.”

“I had to be sure you were recovering.”

“But your babies!”

“I’ll hurry back to them now that I’ve seen you’re all right. But who else would have brought you fresh clothes?”

“You’re so kind.”

“Nonsense. How is Odo? They told me he wasn’t hurt as badly as you.”

“Apparently he’s fine, but I haven’t seen him—men aren’t allowed here.”

“I’m going to have Bern the Giant escort you to Combe, whenever you both feel well enough to go.”

“I can go tomorrow. I don’t even feel ill.”

“All the same I’m going to lend you a horse.”

“Thank you.”

“You can ride Bern’s mount, and he can ride it back to Shiring after he’s seen you off on a ship to Cherbourg.”

Ragna gave Adelaide money and a few feminine necessities: a comb, a small jar of oil for cleaning her hands, and a linen loincloth. Then she took her leave—with another kiss from Agatha—and returned to the mainland.

Odo was at the priory with Aldred. His face was bruised, and he favored his left leg when he stood up and bowed to her, but he looked cheerful. She handed him the men’s clothes she had brought from Shiring. “Adelaide wants to leave tomorrow,” Ragna told him. “How do you feel?”