Free The queen's man : a medieval mystery by Sharon Kay Penman

toothache. He cheered up, though, when Justin paid for their ale, and was quite willing to tell all he knew about the goldsmith's son and his zeal to become a Black Monk.
    "Thomas never made a secret of his belief that God had called him to serve. He has been set upon the religious life since he was sixteen, but his father balked and would not give his consent. A baron's family can afford to spare a younger son for the Church, not a craftsman with but one son and heir. Master Gervase hoped that it was a youthful whim, one Thomas would outgrow in time. He never understood that Thomas truly believes he is one of The Chosen and it would be a mortal sin not to obey God's Holy Word."
    When Edwin paused to drink, Justin did, too, needing some-

    Sharon Kay Penman
    thing to dispel a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. Could love of God have led to murder? It was such an unholy thought that he wanted to reject it out of hand. It was not that easy, though. Thomas's strident voice was echoing in his ears. What is Papa's wish when compared with God's Will?
    Making an effort, he banished his suspicions back into the shadows, to be scrutinized in the reassuring light of day. "You said that Gervase and Guy were often at odds. What did they fight about, Edwin—money?"
    "Yes." Edwin's smile was curious. "How did you guess?"
    "Guy objected to putting up a large marriage portion for Jonet. So it only makes sense that he'd have objected, too, to Gervase's openhanded spending."
    "That he did, loudly and often. It availed him naught, of course. In Gervase's eyes, he was still the little brother. Where Master Gervase saw opportunity, Master Guy saw risks, and so they could not help but clash. Especially since the more successful Master Gervase became, the bigger his dreams got. Master Guy even accused him once of aping his betters and trying to live like a lord!"
    "That sounds like more than a mere squabble. Did they often quarrel that hotly?"
    "No . . . not often. Just whenever Master Gervase would do something truly extravagant—like when he bought Quicksilver and gave the cottage to Aldith and sought to buy Jonet a highborn husband. Now, those quarrels were hotter than a baker's oven!"
    "Who is Aldith and why was he giving her a cottage?"
    Edwin winked. "Now, why do you think?"
    Justin sat up straight on the bench. "He kept a whore?"
    "It depends on who you ask. I'd call her a concubine, a paramour, mayhap even a leman, for Master Gervase was right fond of her. Thomas did call her a whore, and his father backhanded him across the face for it. I saw it all, there in the stable. Blood spurting from Thomas's nose and Master Gervase sorry afterward, almost apologizing, but Thomas having none of it, just one more grievance to hold fast."

    THE QUEEN'S MAN
    "Did Gervase's wife know?"
    "You think Thomas did not make sure of that? She knew. She'd have had to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to know, for it lasted nigh on ten years. Master Gervase did not flaunt Aldith, but neither did he make a secret of her. It was not unusual for him to dispatch me on an errand for her, and whenever she was taken ill, he'd have Berta cook a special soup that Aldith fancied. She was part of his life, you see. The priest could rail against adultery in his Sunday sermons, but I'd wager Master Gervase still saw it as a venial sin, one hardly worth bothering the Almighty with!"
    "It could not have been easy, though, for Mistress Ella." This had been a day of surprises, for certes. "What is she like, Gervase's concubine?"
    "Remember what Scriptures say about Eve tempting Adam with that fruit? Well, if Adam had been in Eden with Aldith instead of Eve, he would not have minded being cast out of Paradise, not as long as she went with him!"
    Justin grinned. "Edwin, you sound downright smitten."
    Edwin grinned back. "You'd be just as besotted if you ever laid eyes on her!"
    "Can you tell me how to find her cottage?"
    "Yes ... but why?"
    Justin could not think of a