Free The Baron's Quest by Elizabeth Rose Page A

the cargo that had come in on ships and should be taxed. Then he looked at the tallies from his Collector of Customs. He did the numbers quickly in his head, and he could see that something didn’t add up.
    “Paul, are you sure there hasn’t been any smuggling aboard the foreign boats?” he asked.
    “Nay, my lord,” said Paul with a shake of his head. “Every piece of cargo has been accounted for.”
    “And Richard, are you sure the imports and exports have all been taxed accordingly?”
    “I have watched as both halves of the seal are placed on the document tallies by both the Collector and Controller of Customs themselves.”
    “I see.” He just nodded and put the parchments into his pocket. “You are free to go. Just keep a close eye on what goes on at the docks.”
    “Aye, my lord,” they both said, and bowed and made their way across the crowded wharf. The creaking of winches filled the air, as barrels and boxes were lifted in the loading and unloading of the trade ships. Merchants from town mingled with the merchants from overseas and from up and down the English coastline.
    “Shoes and leather goods for sale or trade,” called out a man walking by, holding a shoe above his head.
    “Spices from the far east, get them now before they’re gone,” came another shout from a man with a heavy accent.
    Gulls swooped overhead as a vendor walked by with a large flat tray of freshly baked bread. The man swished one hand in the air and growled at the pesky birds as they tried to snitch a beak full of food as he walked by. The air was crisp this morning since the sun was hidden behind the clouds. The waves slapped against the sides of the ships all lined up and docked in the harbor, making a rhythm all its own.
    Nicholas knew there was a discrepancy somewhere, and he would have to find it before King Edward returned to England. As baron of the port, he was responsible for the dozen main men who assured that trade and taxes were being carried out properly. If things didn’t add up, it was his name and reputation that would be brought before his liege lord. If he wasn’t sharp at controlling the ports as well as the ships that were in service to the king, than his position would be replaced by someone who could do the job better.
    He couldn’t have that. He had to find who and how they were cheating the king out of taxes if it was the last thing he ever did.
    “My lord, my lord!” Roger ran through the crowd, dodging fishermen with nets slung over their shoulders, and women with small children who’d accompanied their merchant husbands here today.
    “Roger, what is it?” he asked, thinking the boy tended to get too excited about things and he needed to keep a calm composure if he planned on keeping his position as his squire.
    “Thank the heavens I finally found you. It is terrible, I tell you. I just can’t believe it is so.”
    “Squire, calm yourself and regain your composure. The fishermen and merchants are starting to stare. Now not another word until I tell you to speak.”
    Nicholas headed down the wharf, nodding as he was acknowledged by the bows of his knights and the curtsies of the whores who were hoping to get into his bed. A ship’s whistle split the air in the harbor as another ship lined up to wait its turn to dock. Finally, when he got to the end of the wharf, he turned back toward his squire, hooked his thumbs in his belt and looked out over the sea.
    “All right, Roger. Now you can tell me – in a calm voice – what is so important that you have to hunt me down on the docks yelling like a wild banshee?”
    “Your steward asked me to find you. He said you would want to know. He discovered it this morning after the servants cleaned up the meal. He said he’s not sure how it happened, but he had an eyewitness in town so he knows it’s true.”
    “God’s breath, you are exasperating, squire. You ramble on worse than the gossiping alewives. Now out with it. What the hell are you