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

The old man had no expression whatsoever on his seamed face. Then, quite suddenly, he smiled, a ferocious smile that was filled with enmity and guile.
    Bishop knew in that instant that he had to tread very carefully around the old man. If the king had asked him at that moment, he would have sworn the old man had poisoned all four husbands, that no curse was at work here at Penwyth. But he could do no more. He’d already done the best he could to protect himself.

6
    M ERRYN RAISED HER FACE to the sky. “Did I feel a raindrop on my nose?” She wiggled her nose, batted at it, and said, “Oh, my, no, no rain. I do believe it was just more blowing dust. So where is this rain you predicted, Sir Bishop?”
    Bishop turned at the sound of her voice. He was standing atop the ramparts, near one of the four circular towers, looking out over his future lands. He was congratulating himself on still being alive. He leaned back against the thick stone wall. A guard stood some twenty feet away from him, his gray hair blowing in the hot wind. Another old man. Did Penwyth breed old warriors or perhaps old warriors from other places congregated here for their final years? He didn’t mind them at all. Once Penwyth was his, he would find out.
    He crossed his arms over his chest. He saw that Merryn’s sneer was back in full force, and said with as much control as we could muster, “I do not believe the rain will come today. Perhaps by tomorrow evening. How long has it been dry here?”
    The sneer fell away as she said, “Nearly six monthswithout rain. People hereabouts believe it has something to do with the curse.”
    â€œAh, I see. They believe the curse to be both a blessing and a blight.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œSo you believe that witches control the weather, with ancient Druid priests chanting at their backs, adding their power?”
    â€œNo, I would not say that, but it is what some people believe.”
    â€œThe drought started four years ago when the first husband came?”
    â€œIt’s hard to remember. I think the weather began to change about that time. This last dry period started with husband number four, Sir Basil of Ware. There hasn’t been a drop of rain since.”
    â€œIt sounds like Sir Basil cursed you.”
    She nodded. “Oh no, he was merely a man. It’s difficult to accept that the Druid priests are behind it, because truly I want to believe that God controls all things, including men’s fortunes.”
    She was standing beside him now, looking toward Land’s End and the sea. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun was high and hot, the wind harsh and gritty against her face. “Truth is, I don’t really know what to believe anymore.”
    â€œI told you that it will rain, which means that when it does, the people will believe that the ancient sprits have got their grit and strength back.”
    She shrugged, then said without turning, “You are the first comely young man to arrive at Penwyth.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI was only fourteen years old when Sir Arlan came to wed me and steal Penwyth. After that, no man who came here was young, comely, or up to any good. Once, about three years ago, there was a merchant whom we allowed inside because he had goods to trade and sell. What he had, really, was a wagon covering ten men, and they wereout to take Penwyth. It wasn’t the curse that time, it was our own men who slew them.” She shook her head again. “We lost Rupert, one of Grandfather’s oldest friends. Grandfather decided after that to allow the curse to work its will.”
    â€œI can see that. But about this comeliness, why do you say that about me?”
    â€œYou are excellent to look at. Surely you must know that. Are you blind?”
    â€œNo, I am not blind. Are there no young men hereabouts?”
    She paused a moment, pushed hair out of her eyes. “So you want