Read Online Dispensation of Death: (Knights Templar 23) by Michael Jecks - Free Book Online Page A

her to make such an improper suggestion was not credible. She hated him – as well she might.
    ‘And yet all who hold love for our realm must wish to support our territories against our enemies,’ said Edmund.
    The Bishop eyed him. ‘The realm is the King’s, and the territories belong to him and the Crown. We are only subjects.’
    ‘But we must still try to protect his lands.’
    ‘And how could we achieve this?’
    ‘There is one way: we must have an ambassador go to the French King. Someone whom he will trust, someone who can speak for our King.’
    ‘I believe I understand your aims now,’ Drokensford muttered.
    It was not new. In the last day the Earl had visited several Bishops and senior peers of the realm to try to put Piers’s suggestion into action, and each of them had listened and then studied him as though wondering whether he had more information he could impart. No one trusted another in this court. The King’s household was wrapped in a miasma of fear. Nobody dared to think for himself, and certainly nobody would think of thwarting Sir Hugh le Despenser.
    ‘What else?’ he said. ‘We must have the Queen go toFrance. Who else can achieve anything? If only Earl Pembroke had not died last year, he could have been sent. Stratford has achieved much – but he is not capable of miracles. The only person who can be expected to win over the French is our Queen.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘You know as well as I do that the Despenser would not have her sent. He wishes her here. He has never trusted her, and trusts her less than ever now. I’ll wager you that he fights to prevent her being sent.’
    ‘Come now! He and she appear to be happy in each other’s company.’
    ‘You think so? Then why …’ He paused.
    ‘Why what? There is nothing more to be said. Sir Hugh le Despenser is perfectly happy with her, I am sure. They are amiable before each other, after all.’
    ‘I do know that, my Lord Bishop. In public, I agree, they seem perfectly content. But there is some news which I have heard recently. It concerns me, directly. But I must ask that you keep this to yourself.’
    ‘What would that be?’
    ‘What if I were to tell you that Despenser has already sworn to kill me? He cannot bear to think that the truth should ever come out about his malodorous handling of French relationships. The murderous bastard wants me out of the way. Anyway, he’s always been jealous of my Earldom. Despenser has always wanted it for himself.’
    Drokensford was looking at him with a cynical twist to his face. The man wanted more. Edmund returned his stare with resolution. There was little else he could say to persuade the man. Grasping at the nearest straw, heblurted, ‘You know what sort of man he is:
ruthless.’
    ‘That is a measure of many a knight,’ Drokensford said.
    ‘Not many are in his league. If he dares to harm me, to kill me, who would be next? A Bishop? Would there be any who would be safe?’
    The Bishop hesitated, his goblet at his lips. ‘You have given me much to consider, my Lord.’
    ‘No one is safe from him.’
    ‘And you think the Queen could make a good fist of negotiations in France?’
    ‘Of course. Ha! She would be grateful too, to be safe from Despenser’s clutches.’
    ‘Why do you say that? How could it benefit him, were the Queen to die?’
    The Earl had not considered this. His words had only been intended to mean that she would be safer from him were she abroad. Now he grew pensive. ‘If she were to die,
he
would be the King’s sole companion.’
    The Bishop looked across at him. ‘You should be more careful with your language, my friend. Such talk could be considered irreverent, even treacherous.’
    ‘My Lord, you have heard the same rumours as me. It is said that the Queen was evicted from his bedchamber some while ago. While the Despenser …’
    ‘I do not deal in gossip,’ the Bishop snapped harshly.
    ‘Neither do I. Very well. There is another reason for him to wish