Chapter Seven #3
Douglass laughed softly as she reached over into a small satchel on the bed and pulled forth what looked like two big, iron pins.
She also pulled forth a neat roll of silk thread, although it was thicker than the thread used to sew.
It was a beautiful, red color and Tiberius could see that, on the other end of the thread, some kind of weaving was taking place.
He watched with interest as Douglass used the two big pins to continue weaving the silk thread into some manner of finely woven material.
“The lady of Codnor Castle, Lady Peverel, discovered this wonderful way of weaving when she and her husband traveled to Italy last year,” she said, holding up the woven square she was constructing.
“One knits the thread into this fabric. I have made a pair of gloves already. This will be a pillow cover for Papa’s bed.
I have been passing the time doing this since we have been on our journey but, of course, you would not know that since you have not seen much of me. ”
Tiberius’ eyes glimmered with humor. “I would like to see much more of you from now on.”
He let his eyes trail down her body when he said it and Douglass opened her mouth with some outrage. “That is a bold and lascivious statement, my lord,” she pointed out. “You are seeing as much of me as I will allow.”
She was indicating her state of dress, awkwardly trying to cover up her bosom with her arms, and Tiberius burst out laughing.
“I did not mean see that part of you,” he said. “I simply meant in general. I hope to see more of you in general, my lady. I meant nothing lascivious in the least.”
Douglass fought off a grin as she resumed her knitting. “Then I apologize,” she said. “I thought you were being most improper.”
“For once in my life, I am not.”
Douglass was prevented from replying when something heavy and powerful hit the chamber door.
Tiberius leapt up, putting himself in front of Douglass, as the door suddenly exploded and Garran stood there, his massive broadsword in hand.
Tiberius could see, by the look on the man’s face, that this was not a social call.
Garran had come to kill.
*
“Leaving Tiberius to spend time alone with Lady Douglass is not the best or brightest thing we have ever done,” Maximus said as he and Gallus opened the entry door to the tavern, spying the livery across the street.
“You know how he is with women. I cannot believe we are trusting him not to do something unsavory to de Moray’s daughter. ”
Gallus stepped out into the avenue, kicking aside a drunkard who wandered too close to him, begging for coins for more drink.
“Our baby brother has promised he does not want another conquest,” Gallus said. “He swears that his intentions are honorable.”
Maximus was torn. He knew what Tiberius was capable of when it came to women yet he wanted to believe that his younger brother truly wanted to mend his wicked ways. He truly wanted to believe that Tiberius had met the woman that would tame him. He grunted unhappily.
“I know what he said,” he replied. “I heard him. I want to believe him. But is it truly wise to do so? With Garran’s sister, no less?”
Gallus didn’t reply. He was thinking the same thing. He did not want to doubt Tiberius but the man’s reputation spoke volumes. “Quiet, now,” he told Maximus. “De Moray is up ahead. Careful he does not hear us.”
Maximus didn’t say another word as they slugged through the mucky livery yard, full of animal dung, approaching Bose from behind. The older knight was bent over Garran’s big, brown steed with Garran holding the animal’s head. Garran was the first to see the de Shera brothers approach.
“My lords,” he greeted.
Gallus forced a pleasant smile as Bose stood up and faced him. The elder de Moray wiped a bit of sweat off his brow with the back of his hand.
“Lord Gallus,” Bose greeted. “What are you doing out here? It is much more pleasant, I am sure, inside with drink and food.”
Gallus shrugged. “It is very loud and very smelly in there,” he said.
“In truth, Maximus and I have come to speak with you on a matter of great importance and I fear if we do not do it now, we will not have another opportunity before tomorrow morning. You are continuing on to London tomorrow, are you not?”
Bose nodded. “Indeed we are,” he said. “Henry is expecting us.”
“Business with the king?”
Bose regarded the man for a moment. “Are you asking for de Montfort or simply making conversation?”
Gallus’ pleasant expression faded, mildly insulted that de Moray would not have more faith in him than that.
“If I were asking on de Montfort’s behalf, I would certainly not ask you to your face,” he said.
“Moreover, I have a horde of spies in my employ who would tell me when you met with Henry, what you spoke of, and what you drank. And you would know absolutely nothing about it.”
Bose could see that he had offended the man. “My apologies,” he said. “It was a foolish question. Forgive me, please.”
Gallus waved him off. “Suspicions are what keep us alive during this troubling time,” he said.
Then, he cast de Moray a long glance. “As we have said before, sometimes blood or friendship is stronger than loyalties to a king or to a rebel. This is one of those cases, as I am about to tell you something that no one outside of de Montfort’s inner circle knows.
You must not tell anyone, not even Henry. ”
Bose grew serious. “Why not tell the king?”
Gallus lifted an eyebrow. “Because he would want to know where you heard it and you could not tell him the truth,” he said. “To do so would be to jeopardize your position with the crown. What I tell you must be kept in confidence but it is information I must tell you for your own good.”
Both Bose and Garran, who was listening closely, looked around to make sure there was no one within earshot. Gallus did as well, going so far as to send Maximus to prowl around and chase any servants or nosy soldiers away. With Maximus off stalking in the warm summer night, Bose spoke quietly.
“I am listening,” he said to Gallus. “What is it?”
Gallus’ voice was soft. “I have received word from de Montfort that Prince Edward has joined his cause,” he whispered.
“I am not sure if Henry knows this yet so it would be prudent not to tell him. It might throw you into a world of suspicion with the king because he will want to know how you knew. It is better to keep it to yourself for now, but in case you have future dealings with Edward, know that he has joined de Montfort against his father. Protect yourself.”
Bose’s black eyes glittered in the moonlight as his mind mulled over all of the possibilities that bit of information entailed.
“I will say that I am not shocked by the news,” he finally said.
“Edward has been rumored to have been unhappy with his father for quite some time. I do not believe Henry wants to believe it, but if what you say is true, he will have to.”
Gallus folded his arms across his broad chest as he considered the situation.
“De Montfort might be happy to have Edward but I am not,” he said.
“There is something strange going on here, something I cannot quite put my finger on to say it is the definitive cause. Edward is siding with de Montfort because he wants the French out of England as we all do, but there is something more to it. I can feel it.”
Bose knew that. “Whatever it is, take your own advice,” he said. “Protect yourself. Do not trust Edward, at least until you know and understand his motives.”
Gallus thought of the missive he had received, asking him to come to Kenilworth. “De Montfort is expecting me at Kenilworth very soon,” he said. “I am assuming Edward is there with him but I do not know that for certain. When the morrow comes, we will be heading there.”
Bose sighed heavily, leaning against the hitching post. He didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking, none of them did.
It was convoluting an already complex situation because the stakes were changing.
If Prince Edward sided against his father, then that would give de Montfort a tactical edge. With Edward came power.