Free Rosamund by Bertrice Small Page B

admitted. “He told me he had a highly placed friend, and he would make a will placing Rosamund into the care of his friend. He said with her beauty and the Friarsgate inheritance, his friend would probably make an excellent marriage for our niece. That such a marriage would add luster to our name. I had no idea that his friend was the king. When he realized that he would probably not recover, he sent a message south. I think he meant to tell me, but he died so unexpectedly.”
    “You did not expect him to die?” Richard was puzzled.
    “Yes! Yes! But not quite when he died,” Edmund answered. “Rosamund believes there was foul play, but I could find no real evidence of it. Still, the coincidence of Henry’s arrival and Hugh’s death is to be considered.Henry came to get Hugh to place Rosamund back into his tender care. I do not think he was pleased to find Rosamund so outspoken. He would have blamed Hugh.”
    “Do you think our half-brother had a hand in Hugh Cabot’s death, Edmund?” the priest asked his eldest brother.
    Edmund sighed. “I do not like to believe it, but I cannot say I believe him entirely innocent. Nothing can be proved of him, however, no matter what I think, or what Rosamund thinks.”
    Richard nodded, understanding. “Should we be content to allow our niece to go to court?” he wondered aloud.
    “Hugh wanted what was right and good for his wife. She is becoming a woman, Richard. Maybel tells me the lass’ courses are now upon her. She is a virgin. Her next marriage will be consummated, and she will birth heirs for Friarsgate. Henry’s son is just a bairn. Our niece would be into her twenties and the boy barely old enough, if she were forced to wait for him. Better she go south to court, and when she returns with a husband, she will bring new blood to strengthen the Boltons of Friarsgate. Besides, it is past time that our half-brother ceased to lust after these lands. They belong to Rosamund.”
    “Once she leaves, once she sees the world beyond Friarsgate, she may not be satisfied to remain here,” the priest said thoughtfully.
    “Nay, Rosamund will return, and she will remain. She gains her strength from Friarsgate, brother,” Edmund told him.
    “I will depart for St. Cuthbert’s tomorrow,” Richard said. “After I have seen Henry off.” He chuckled. “Henry will awake on the morrow with a sore head, I predict. He drank more tonight than he usually does. He will wake hoping it was all a dream and that Rosamund were still in his clutches. I should not get such enjoyment out of his discomfort. It is hardly Christian of me, yet I do get enjoyment from his discomfort,” Richard admitted. “You will let me know when Rosamund is leaving so I may come and bid my niece a proper farewell.”
    “I will,” Edmund said.
    “Then I will bid you good night, brother Edmund,” the priest said, and he stood up. “Sleep well and dream of angels.” He walked from the hall,his black robes showing no indication of motion so smooth was Richard Bolton’s gait. The white robe belt about his midsection stood out in stark contrast to the dark fabric of his robe.
    Maybel came from her place by the fire and joined her husband. “You should have told me,” she said, rebuking him.
    “You were not sitting so far from the table that you did not hear me tell Richard that I knew little. Hugh kept his plan close, and he was right to do so. Henry may cry to the heavens, but he cannot claim any collusion between Hugh Cabot and me.”
    “He will claim it, but if you are being candid with me, husband, then he cannot prove collusion just as we cannot prove he had a hand in Hugh’s death,” Maybel returned.
    “You must go with her to court,” Edmund said.
    “I know,” Maybel returned, “though it does not please me to leave you, Edmund. Still, it will not be forever, and you are a man more concerned with his duties than a well-turned ankle,” she said, chuckling. “I can trust you, Edmund Bolton,