Here Be Dragons - 1 Sharon Penman (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📖

itself significant to Richard, told him that de Braose was in much deeper disgrace than he'd realized.There could be only one logical explanation for this surprising rupture of a relationship that had endured for fully half of Richard's lifetime, an explanation to be found within the shadowed silence of Rouen Castle. Richard was sure that Arthur was the key to the mystery of de Braose's downfall. Just as de Braose was the key to Arthur's disappearance.Richard was, even at eighteen, a realist. He loved his father, but it had been more than four years since any man had laid eyes upon Arthur. Now he hesitated, but the temptation was irresistible. "Isabelle, have you never asked Papa about Arthur?""Jesu, no!" She was looking at him as if he were mad. "Indeed I have not!""But are you not curious? Do you never wonder, never want to know the truth of it?""No," she said flatly. "I do not wonder. I do not ask." The blue eyes were guarded, almost hostile. "I do not want to know."

22ABER, NORTH WALESMarch uoBILN Llewelyn's absence, Joanna had presided over the evening meal in the great hall. Now servants had dismantled the trestle tables, and she'd seated herself upon the dais, was making a request that Llywarch sing for them. Her haltingWelsh grated unbearably against Gruffydd's ear. He hated how she mangled his language, hated her alien French accent, hated the way her clumsy efforts won his father's uncritical praise.Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Gruffydd looked down, saw his little sisterMarared holding out a thick strip of leather. "My dog's collar," she explained. "Make it fit tighter, Gruffydd." He obligingly cut another hole with his eating knife, and she went off, content. Gruffydd waited a few moments, and then moved casually in the direction of the hearth, stopping before the cradle. Seeing that no one was watching him, he leaned over, stared down at his baby sister.He'd expected to hate her as he hated her mother. But each time he looked at her, he felt only relief, only an intense, abiding thankfulness that Joanna had not given birth to a son. For nine years he had been Llewelyn's only son and heir; the birth, three years ago, of his brother Tegwared had been a severe shock to Gruffydd. But Tegwared did not live at Llewelyn's court, was born of a concubine, and Gruffydd na gradually come around to a grudging acceptance of Cristyn's son. J anna's son would be a far greater threat, a far more dangerous nv although Welsh law did not distinguish between legitimate and u'e& mate offspring, Holy Church did, would have to favor a child born wedlock. If that woman ever bore Papa a son, he might lose all, ev Papa's love. ueGruffydd drew an uneven breath, tried to fight back his fear- ^ knew she would poison Papa's mind against him if she could- °

263have more faith in Papa He had to Suddenly warned by a ha sense awareness, he raised his head For the span of several hostile tbeats, his eyes held Joanna's, and then she looked away Hot color ded Gruffydd's face He'd seen her look at him that way before v time he came within two feet of Elen Damn her, did she think6V d ever hurt a baby7 He reached defiantly for the rattle, held it within pi n's range of vision Elen was his sister, was not to blame for her{rnan blood, and he would somehow see that she was raised right, ed Welsh He'd not let that foreign woman win"Take care, Gruffydd Yours is too easy a face to read," a voice cautioned behind him, and he spun around to face two of Ednyved's sons, Hvwel and TudurTudur was the same age as Gruffydd, they'd both celebrated their twelfth birthdays within the past week Hywel was two vears older, was the one who'd spoken"So7 As long as I am not rude to her, what right has she to cornplain7 She cannot fault me for what I m thinking at least not yet " Across the hall, Joanna was thanking Llywarch, and as Gruffydd listened, his mouth twisted scornfully "Did you ever hear anyone sound so peculiar7 She makes a mockery of our tongue every time she opens her mouth1"Tudur gave a sympathetic nod, but Hywel shrugged "I seem to remember you blaming her last year because she insisted upon speaking only French "Gruffydd's eyes narrowed "Elen was named after one of the most celebrated ofWelsh heroines, the Elen of the Hosts acclaimed in the Triads But do you think she knows that7 That she even knows what the Triads are7 She asked Papa one question only, what Elen meant in Norman-French1""I do not deny that she is ignorant of our history, of our ways," Hywel conceded, then jerked his head in the direction of the Lady Gwenlhan "But I'd still trade our stepmother for yours any day1"'That shows how little you know, does it not7" Gruffydd snapped, and Hywel's good humor vanished For a moment the two boys glared at °ne another, although Hywel had the advantage in years, Gruffydd*as only an inch shorter than he, and in their one brawl a few months ack' they'd fought to a bloody draw Now Hywel was the first to lookHave it your own way Why should I care7"few turned on his heel, but his brother caught up with him after a m h^8'S31C* Placatlngly, "Do not be angry, Hywel Gruffydd's been ou ad,mood these past days Lord Llewelyn did forget his birthday, i see' Hywel paused, willing to be mollified, and Tudur lowered his voice,

264said in confidential tones, "All Friday Gruffydd did expect a courier come, and when none did, he was sorely hurt. He sought to hide it, j, all could see it plain in his face, and the Lady Joanna . . . well, sheJust made things worse. She tried to make excuses for Lord Llewelyn, t0ij Gruffydd how busy his father