The Shattered Rose Page 0,71

still-grubby clothes with a grin. "The clean bits are courtesy of a few buckets of well water. Am I clean enough to kiss?"

Aline stepped back. "Of course not!"

"I feared as much. If you're not going to kiss me, sweeting, I had better go back and tend my more appreciative sword." And he did just that, leaving Aline feeling abandoned and intensely dissatisfied.

She soon lacked time to fret about such things, however, for Jehanne needed her help to prepare for the journey.

"Aline," said Jehanne the next day as they went through chests selecting suitable clothes. "There's actually no need for you to come with us. You could return to Burstock, or even to St. Radegund's."

Alarmed, Aline looked up from a pile of shifts. "But I've never been south, and I've always wanted to." It was as good an excuse as any.

"It will be a long, arduous journey, with possible danger at the end. After all, Duke Robert could invade."

"I don't mind the journey, and surely with Lord William and Galeran to protect us, we'll be in little danger. And Raoul de Jouray as well," she added, praying that her interest didn't show. "I suppose he will be with the party."

"I believe so. Galeran said something about him wanting to find grapes. He must be missing his home in the south of France."

Aline hid her red face in the depth of a chest, alarmed at how determined she was not to be left behind.

* * * * * In a small, cozy parlor in the Bishop's Palace in Durham, Ranulph Flambard unwrapped a package, peeling off layers of leather and cloth until he revealed a small white skull.

A stocky man of middle years, with a heavily jowled face and sallow skin, he was intelligent and shrewd, and both qualities showed in his features. He was also ruthlessly avaricious, which was well known by his actions.

The letter that accompanied the gift had told him what to expect, but he was still considering the implications. Coming hard on the news of King William Rufus's death, the strange gift was especially disturbing.

Rufus's death was a serious blow, but Flambard was not one to worry over what could not be changed. His only concern now was how to maintain his wealth, power, and influence.

He'd prefer to continue undisturbed under Henry Beau-clerk, but the new king had never been well disposed toward him. To be sure, Henry - like Rufus - was going to need money, and Ranulph Flambard was very good at squeezing out money, but he still couldn't depend on that to maintain his place.

Which left Henry's brother, Robert of Normandy, who was a less clever man, and thus a more likely tool. If Robert was to win England, however, it would be through war, which meant he'd favor men with military power over those with administrative skills. Flambard could not have true power in the north unless he destroyed William of Brome.

He contemplated the skull, then sent for Raymond of Lowick.

The man who arrived not long afterward almost had to duck beneath the stone lintel, and his muscular breadth took up too much of the room.

Flambard found Lowick an annoying mix of ambition and scruples, but with his blond hair, massive chest, and proud bearing, he was generally considered appealing, especially by women. And it was a woman who was at the heart of this matter.

"My lord bishop, you have news for me?"

He stood, hand on sword hilt, as if ready at this unlikely moment for battle.

Bishop Flambard sighed, wondering why tools always came in such inadequate form. He recounted Brother Forthred's adventures at Heywood and Brome.

Raymond frowned. "How could such a simple matter be so miscarried?"

"Lord Galeran is rather more clever than you gave me reason to think, Sir Raymond."

"What has cleverness to do with it? You said I had a right to my daughter."

"But mother and child cannot be separated - a fact we counted on - and Lord Galeran claims a right to his wife's attentions."

Raymond's well-shaped mouth tightened. "It can be little better than a rape, my lord bishop. Jehanne has always loved me. She never wanted her marriage. Her father had to whip her to the altar to say her vows to that runt."

Flambard had heard that story from other sources, so it could be true. It was not, however, supported by recent facts. "Yet she did not leave the castle with you when she had the chance."

"She felt her marriage vows too strongly." Lowick stood even straighten "I