Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,115

and my

dear Joan s are both in danger!"

"They will be if you flee," said Jervis, grimly. He took her by the shoulders and shook her, gently. "Running away is always taken as an admission of guilt. Staying will look more like innocence. No-one will suspect you of anything. They will all feel pity for you, BOSON BOOKS

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and never think that you had any knowledge of Sir Roger s true loyalties, as long as you keep it to yourself."

"I want no pity!" said Madeleine, with a flash of her old spirit.

"Jervis is right, Madeleine," said Joan behind them. She came and stood beside them, and Jervis dropped his hands from Madeleine s shoulders, suddenly self-conscious.

"You have acted in many of our Christmas and Easter revels," she went on. "Now act this part, for all our sakes. Droop and sigh as much as you wish, but do not let fear show in your face for an instant. As for Jervis, he will be your comforter for the time being, and I shall be your obedient servant."

"You cannot change that much everyone would

notice

and

question it," said Jervis,

and was rewarded by a weak smile from Madeleine.

"Very well, Jervis, I will stay and play the part as you suggest," she said. "But," she caught at his arm and gazed up at him, "Promise you will tell me if you have reason to fear for my safety. Meanwhile, find out, if you can, who killed my husband."

Jervis took the hand that held his sleeve, and bowed over it, brushing it with his lips.

"Your safety is very important to me, my dear Madeleine," he said, looking into her eyes.

Turning from her, he nodded to Joan, who gave him an odd look, and then he left the chamber. Running back down the stairs, he gave a wry smile. Now there were two people asking him to track down Sir Roger s killer, he thought. The King s reasons he knew, but did Madeleine want to know, in order to feel safe, or to wreak revenge on someone who, presumably, had been carrying out orders? And which side did the murderer come from in the first place? The King, knowing of de Tourney s treachery, may have ordered his death; but if Earl Simon had no more need of his information, might he not equally have ordered that the man should be permanently silenced?

Four hours later, still wrestling with the problem, Jervis was on horseback and leaving Battle Abbey with the rest of John de Warenne s household. He rode just behind de Warenne and his wife, the Lady Alice. Madeleine de Tourney rode with them, and Joan, rode beside him, where she could keep a tender and watchful eye on her mistress.

Madeleine was looking suitably sombre, but there was no sign of the fear that he had seen earlier. Either she was acting a part, or she was truly less fearful, now that they were leaving the Abbey.

The sudden departure had been precipitated by a messenger, who had brought news to the King of Simon de Montfort s latest moves. Aaron Yechiel, sent by Gregory Rokesly, had been admitted to the King s presence immediately, and had told of de Montfort s invitation to all Londoners to meet on the King s Green, prepared to join in battle with the King, if they would free themselves from his ’tyranny’. Aaron stumbled over this word, and looked anxiously at the King s face, as he uttered such treasonable accusations, but the King, though frowning blackly, waved his hand for the young man to continue.

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When Aaron had finished speaking, there was silence for a long moment, then the King spoke.

"Where is de Montfort planning on meeting us and joining in this battle?" he said, ominously.

"Sire, I know only that he has left London and is on his way south with his followers,"

said Aaron.

Henry snorted.

"Followers?" he said. "There are few of his trained men left most of them

will be the

London rabble, eager for any excuse to fight."

There was a murmur of agreement from those around the King. He struck the arm of the chair on which he sat, and stood up.

"Well," he said. "If Simon wants a fight, a fight he shall have! We will crush him and his rabble, and show England that she has a King who rules well and strongly, and by divine right!"

There was a cheer from the back of the room, quickly taken up by everyone else. Amid the noise, Henry bent to Aaron,