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

and made an ostentatious departure for his own chambers.The gardens were deserted. Although early April, it was as if spring were being held in abeyance that year; the trees were barren, the grass still browned and sere. John hesitated, stepped off the path.She was waiting for him in the arbor, came quickly into his arms. He slid his hands under her mantle, kissed her mouth, her throat, and she sighed, pressed close against him."I heard you'd come, but did not believe it. What devious game are you playing now, John? Why are you here?""To see you again, why else?" John said, in part because he thought Jt was expected of him, and in part because he was curious to see if she was naive enough to believe him.She laughed softly. "How gallant! But have you forgotten how well know you, my love? Have you some specific troublemaking in mind, or are you merely seeking to muddy the waters?"

98"The latter," John admitted; he, too, was laughing now. "Philip could find conspiracy in a convent of Cistercian nuns, and his favored pastime is jumping to conclusions. Need I tell you what dire plots he'll read into my visit toArthur's court? And whilst Philip is convincing himself that Arthur and I must be up to no good, Arthur's advisers are unable to sleep for worrying over whatI've got in mind. It's not often I've been able to sow so much discord with so little effort!""I cannot blame you for wanting to give Philip some grief. My husband told me about the good turn he tried to do you. There were more than a few here inRennes who were right disappointed that Philip's ploy came to naught.""That I do not doubt, sweetheart. It's lucky, in truth, that Richard and Ihave such pure and perfect trust between us ... is it not?" John began to kiss her again. "I hear your husband is in Nantes; how long will he be gone?""A fortnight, at least. How long can you stay?""Till the week's end. Richard's been besieging some godforsaken castle nearLimoges; one of his vassals found a Roman treasure on his lands and was then idiotic enough to refuse when Richard claimed it all as his liege lord.Richard expects to need just a week to wreak utter havoc upon the poor fool's lands, told me to meet him and our lady mother at Fontevrault Abbey forEaster. But ere I do, I want to pass some time in Rouen; I've a lass there most eager for the sight of me.""Indeed?" Feigning anger, she dug her nails into the back of his hand. "If you think I came out into the cold to listen to you boast about your other bedmates . . .""She's my daughter, darling. I do not have her with me as often as I ought, but I do try. With my sons, it is different. Save for Richard, they're old enough to fend for themselves. And, bastard or no, many would envy Richard.He's highborn, after all; his mother is a Warenne But Joanna is just seven, has no one but me. And now that I've satisfied you, when can you do the same for me? Can you come to me tonight?""John, it's so risky ..." But after he devoted some moments to increasingly intimate persuasion, she sighed again, murmured, "Yes ... yes, I will. But we dare not tarry here any longer; we might be seen." She pulled away, set about rearranging her clothing, and then turned back, gave him one last kiss, biting his lip and taking his breath.John waited, giving her time to depart unseen. But as he emerged onto the garden path, a shrouded figure detached itself from the shadows, barred his way. The man was garbed all in black, his face hidden by a deep cowled hood.He was no apparition to encounter on a moonless nighta stark, spectral embodiment of the most irrational and elemental of mortal fearsand John recoiled violently.

99"My l°rd'l must talk with you//John took a second look, recognized the habit and mantle of a Bene-rine monk, and swore, fluently and with considerable feeling.The monk listened in stolid silence, and when John had exhausted ry abusive possibility in an uncommonly extensive vocabulary, he6 neated stubbornly, "We must talk, my lord."But as the monk moved closer, John happened to glance down, saw the dusty boots protruding from the hem of the monk's habit. For a moment he froze, and then jerked his sword free of its scabbard."Indeed, we'll talk. We'll begin by you telling me who you are, in whose pay, and just why you went to so much trouble to find me alone like this. AndChrist save you if I do not like your answers."The man burst out laughing. "And I thought I made a truly admirable monk! What gave me away?" He reached up, pulled back his hood, and John swore again."De Braose!" Slowly he lowered his sword. Suspicions were coming too fast for him to take them all in. "I thought you were at Chalus with my brotherRichard.""I was." De Braose was fumbling at his belt. "Your mother the Queen bade me give you this, so you'd not doubt I came at her behest."John stared down at the ring de Braose had pressed into his hand; it was indeed his mother's. Sheathing his sword, he followed de Braose off the path."My lord, you do not know how very lucky you are. Word has not gotten out yet.If it had, you'd not live to see the morrow."John caught his breath. "Do you mean what I think you do?"William de Braose nodded. "I do ... my liege.""Richard . . . he's dead?"De Braose nodded again. "He was near death when your lady mother commanded me to get to you, to warn you away from Rennes ere Arthur learns the crown is up for the taking. Too many of his men know my face, hence this monk's cowl. I've men and horses waiting; they are at your disposal, my lord.""I