Free Bond of Blood by Roberta Gellis Page B

the passionate attachment that Radnor was developing for his daughter. "I have heard also," he continued as if no interruption had taken place, "that Stephen gives a great tourney. Are you entered in the lists, Radnor?"
    The Earl of Gaunt's head lifted sharply and Cain stared fixedly at Pembroke. "You above all should not ask," he replied. "You, I hear, suggested my name as king's champion for that tourney."
    Pembroke shrugged. "He put it upon me because he desires to make bad blood between us. You may believe I suggested no such task for my son-by-marriage. You should have had sufficient sense to refuse to go to London at all. What if Stephen should hope to take this simple way to be rid of you?"
    Leah gave a small gasp which Pembroke ignored, but Cain's eyes flew to her. "Much hope he has of that," he replied with assurance. "I have spent fifteen years under arms. Am I likely to be overset by a dulled jousting lance? There will be little enough to fear on Stephen's score. I take a full complement of well-tried fighting men with me, and I am no babe in arms. Also, my father remains behind as a free agent. While he holds Painscastle and our lands, it would be madness for the king to attack me."
    "Openly! Which is why I beg you to beware the tourney."
    "Nonsense. If I have not been killed in war, no man will kill me in a game of war."
    Gaunt lowered his head over his food and did not lift it again, but his eyes were at once wary and blind-looking.
    Cain continued speaking. "I am truly concerned about matters other than Stephen's like or dislike. This business of Henry's coming, if it be true, is like to throw all into disorder again. The new Earl of Hereford is solidly behind him and is a hotheaded youth. Gloucester is always willing to spite Stephen, and might contrive, although I know him to be drained dry by these years of war, to send the boy some help. If Chester should again change sides, the whole bloody war will be in full force and with as little hope of success this time as last."
    "True enough, but I cannot see what good can come of meddling. Sit firm on your own lands. As you yourself said, you have enough to do there."
    "Ay, if I could, mayhap I would, but with each change of fortune in England, the Welsh seek to be free of us. If I could but see some hope of success with Henry, I might close my eyes and let happen what will, but Stephen is still too strong. Many feel still as you said you felt last night—that Stephen's yoke is lighter than Henry's may be. If Henry comes, the land will be bled white again; crops will rot in the fields because there will be none to harvest them and famine will stalk us all. And all for nothing!"
    "But you cannot prevent him from coming."
    "Alas, I cannot, but mayhap I can convince him to go home again—I and others—until the time is more ripe. If Stephen can be made to renew his promise to make Henry his heir and speak the boy fair, I think it can be done. His disposition, as I remember it, did not seem unyielding like his mother's. He seemed a reasonable lad."
    "But in this melee of policy, is it well to bring an untried girl?"
    Radnor's face darkened alarmingly, but his voice did not change. "I hope she may listen and hold her tongue. To be silent at her time of life is meet and fitting, and by listening with closed mouth one may hear much. It would be well for me to know what is said in the women's quarters."
    "Radnor," Pembroke said scornfully, "a girl of fifteen?"
    "I think, Pembroke, it would be better not to discuss this matter further. I count on your training to enforce silence on her and your assurance that she is not simple to enable her to repeat what she hears."
    "Who can trust a woman among women?"
    Radnor's eyes kindled, showing red lights in the brown, but Gaunt veiled his and began to laugh. He swallowed a huge chunk of venison from the blade of his knife and raised his harsh voice into the tense silence. "You will never convince him, Gilbert. Can you not see