Read Online The Penwyth Curse by Catherine Coulter - Free Book Online Page A

they can still think and give me good counsel. They are still healthy, and fit enough.”
    One of the old men coughed into his hand. Without a word, a servant took him a goblet of ale.
    â€œAnd what did your men think when at four different times in the past four years, landless knights have come to lay claim to Penwyth?”
    Lord Vellan said, “They thought it absurd to fight. They thought it efficient to let the curse deal all the blows for them. And so it happened as we all prayed it would. All of them, dead by the curse, and all of us still here.”
    Bishop said slowly, “So you allowed all the invaders into the keep? You offered no resistance at all?”
    â€œNo, I did not. I opened the gates, welcomed them, warned them. None of them went to his death without due warning. I read each of them the curse to be certain they understood. I entreated them to leave and take their men with them. When they refused, I provided them fine hospitality. I wanted none of our people hurt as many are in the rage of battle. I wanted no siege.” Lord Vellan shrugged. “It is unfortunate, but none of them believed me.”
    Merryn said, “I believe my fourth bridegroom—a Sir Basil of Ware, did believe my grandfather, but you see he had fifty men at his back, and he’d promised them riches and a home, and thus he could not back down. I could see that he had heard stories and that he was afraid.” She sighed. “He told us that the king had sent him. It was a lie, and the curse knew it. He didn’t seem too greedy a man, but it didn’t matter. The curse said he would die and so he did.”
    Lord Vellan said, “He refused to eat at his own wedding feast, claimed he wasn’t hungry, but it was obviousto all that he was afraid of poison. He claimed he simply wanted to take his new bride to the marriage bed.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Bishop couldn’t help himself, he sat forward, nearly knocking over his goblet.
    â€œHe took my hand,” Merryn said, “and forced me to rise with him. He kissed me in front of all the company. He told me to drink his wine. I drank it. Then he lifted the goblet and drank himself.
    â€œHe kissed me again and again. Then he drank more wine. He was laughing and laughing when suddenly he fell, dragging me down with him. He whimpered as blood spurted from his mouth and nose. It took him a long time to die. All believe it was because he lied about being sent by the king.
    â€œHis men were terrified. They were gone before I could even drink a toast to Sir Basil’s untimely death.”
    â€œNone of your four husbands ever bedded you, Lady Merryn?”
    â€œThat, Sir Bishop, is something I share only with God at my evening prayers.”
    Lord Vellan said, “The king writes that you are to relieve Penwyth of its curse, that you are a man versed in dark and ancient lore, that you have powers many do not comprehend, and that if anyone can succeed in cleansing Penwyth, it is you. This is what the king commands.”
    â€œAye, it is.”
    â€œIf you do succeed, then you will leave me open to the next man who wishes to steal Penwyth. It is a bad thing, Sir Bishop.”
    â€œThe king, wisely, does not wish to have long-dead curses plaguing his lands, killing his people. This is what the king wishes. I am his emissary. I hope that the purveyors of this curse, be they spirits or mortals, realize that if I am killed, the king will simply take Penwyth and you will all be dispossessed, likely slain.”
    â€œIt is a terrible thing,” Merryn said. “The king punishes us. It makes no sense. My grandfather’s grandfather was given these lands by King Henry II in 1174. You wouldgive us to the next greedy landless knight who comes along.”
    He shrugged, said nothing at all. He watched her face turn nearly as red as her hair. Let her explode with rage. Let sweat trickle down her face. He looked at Lord Vellan.