Read Online Spectre of the Sword by Kathryn Le Veque - Free Book Online Page B

Brunswick, the Holy Roman Emperor.”
    So now the prince had a
name.  Rhys somehow felt as if the seriousness of his mission had just
multiplied tenfold.  So much was depending on his ability to keep the lady
alive, which he’d done admirably so far.  But it was as if now, with the
revelation of a name, he felt the weight of the world riding on his
considerable shoulders.  The situation now had a name, a history, a future. 
Much was depending on his talents as a knight.
    He sighed heavily; he
couldn’t help it. “So you think it wise to keep the lady hidden from the prince
rather than trust her to the protection of a castle?”
    De Lohr’s sky-blue eyes
glittered with cold calculation. “I believe that we must keep her someplace
that John will never look. You will therefore take her to you mother’s home in
Wales and keep her there for three weeks time.”
    Rhys did something out
of character at that moment; he lifted his dark eyebrows in genuine surprise.
“But… my lord, my mother lives at a fortified manor. In truth, it is little
more than a farm. If the king discovers the lady and lays siege to the house,
there is very little by way of defense. They will easily breach the place.”
    “Understood,” de Lohr
said patiently. “But, as I explained, we believe at this point that it will be
a safer place for her.  John’s spies are spreading out all over England.  To
find her in a small town in Wales is more than likely the last place they will
look.”
    Elizabeau, silent
through the exchange, spoke up. “His grandfather is Steward of Bronllys Castle.
Perhaps I should go there. At least there will be walls for protection. I
cannot say that I am entirely comfortable leaving my protection to chickens and
farm implements.”
    Christopher looked at
her. “I understand your concern, but you must believe me when I say that
keeping you someplace they will never look is our best hope. Even now, we have
sent out several decoys to the north, hoping John’s assassins will pursue. I
believe that the men at Courtenay’s manor had no knowledge of your tracks once
you left the area.  Moreover, whatever evidence there was has washed away.” He
looked back to Rhys. “After three weeks time, you will take the lady to Ogmore
Castle where she will rendezvous with the prince.  They will be married there
and more than likely sent back to the prince’s homeland for safety’s sake.  We
must be fully prepared to seize the throne before the lady and her husband can
return to assume their destiny.”
    So that was the
brilliant plan; marriage, escaping the country, and then returning on the heels
of a civil war. Apprehensive, Elizabeau sat back in her chair and lowered her
gaze; last night, she had been belligerent and loud.  But this morning, her
attitude had changed a great deal.  These men were trying very hard to keep her
alive until she could marry her prince.  She was coming to respect what they
were attempting to accomplish and arguing with them had only made her feel
ungrateful and foolish.  So in a reversal of behavior, she decided to keep her
mouth shut. Perhaps they did know more than she did when it came to outsmarting
her Uncle John.
    Christopher watched her
lovely face for a moment, surprised she had not argued with him. In fact, she
had given in easily.  His brother ordered a meal while Christopher relaxed in
his chair, feeling his fatigue for the first time in days.  He continued to eye
the lady now and again, waiting for her to contest his judgment. But still, she
sat silent.  He scratched his head and turned to his brother.
    “I think I will return
home for a few days,” he said to him. “I haven’t seen Dustin in weeks and
she’ll have my head if I don’t show my face for a short while.”
    “Do you live close by,
my lord?”
    The polite question came
from Elizabeau.  She was focused on the earl and he answered.  “My keep is
outside of Hereford,” he replied. “A few days ride from