Read Online Longsword by Veronica Heley - Free Book Online Page B

Henry and his son would agree.”
    â€œAnd there is an objection to your plan. Would not Lord Crispin dismiss anyone Lord Henry appoints?”
    â€œCrispin is young,” said Hamo, and very wilful Swaun you …” He seemed about to say more on the subject. Then, abruptly, he dozed off. He was doing this frequently nowadays. Gervase made up the fire, and waited. Presently the old man opened his eyes again and resumed the conversation as if there had been no pause in it. “Crispin. The lad must always seek to test the limits of authority. He will test you, be sure of that. I do not think he will find you wanting. If you bend before his wrath, then he will despise you, and treat you accordingly, though I do not think you are the type to bend easily. …” The old man chuckled. “No, we are all three agreed on it – Varons, Telfer and I – you are the man for Mailing. You look at the land, and turn over in your mind what acreage can be sown next year; you look at the sheep, and consider discounts and costs; you inspect barns, and give orders for their repair before they need rebuilding. You are a careful man with other men’s money, you are ambitious, and you will work hard in the hope of retiring with a manor of your own eventually.”
    â€œHow can you know me so well?”
    Hamo made an impatient gesture. “Fool! Do you think Lord Henry would ally his daughter to a man of whom he knew nothing? I made exhaustive enquiries at Ware when it was thought you would wed the Lady Elaine, and I was pleased with what I discovered.”
    â€œIf you know so much, then you know why I left Ware. …”
    â€œYou should have left earlier! Could you not see which way the wind was blowing? You were as foolishly fond of your uncle as he is of his new wife … don’t interrupt! Of course I didn’t believe that stupid tale about a stolen ring. I doubt if anyone in his senses did. I’ll tell you another tale I didn’t believe … that you were found making love to your new aunt, just before you ‘stole’ the ring!”
    Gervase’s face turned a dark red. With an obvious effort he swallowed a hasty retort.
    Hamo laughed until he coughed, and had to be given some wine. “If you could see your face! Eh, but it makes me laugh to think … did she try it on, the other way round? Eh? Is that why she’s so vicious in speaking of you? Is that why you had to be not only disgraced, but also driven away?”
    Gervase set his teeth.
    â€œNo-one ever believes that the woman can make advances, sometimes. …” Hamo settled himself deeper in his pillows. “So that was it … I did wonder. You can’t go back, you know. No matter how your uncle pines for you … yes, he does talk of you now and then, mourning your loss … but then his lady wife gives him a kiss, and he forgets all about you.”
    â€œIf I could only clear my name. …”
    â€œWell, you can’t. Put it out of your mind. Mud sticks, and without proof – and who can obtain that sort of proof? – you are without redress. No, you must continue to be Master William of Leys, and to hide that dark red hair of yours under a cap. Keep your beard, guard your tongue, forget about your sword, and entrench yourself as chief clerk here before Sir Bertrand comes. …”
    â€œSir Bertrand! Sir Bertrand de Bors? My aunt’s cousin, the man who brought the charge of theft against me, and who. …”
    â€œWho engineered your downfall, no doubt. Not that you can prove it, of course. Yes, he will be coming here, sooner or later. What, man! Do you ache to be at his throat? And what good would that do you, or Mailing? The man comes as prospective husband for the Lady Elaine, and you had better forget all about being Sir Gervase Escot of Ware, and sink yourself in the personality of Master William of Leys. When the time is ripe, you can tell your