A Rose for Lancaster (The Tudor Rose Novella series) by Christine Elaine Black Read Free Book Online Page B

even as winter settled over us with a light touch, invigorated our senses and strengthened our tenuous marriage.
    Blanche and my sister made quick friends, and I joined them often, along with Robert, and we enjoyed the short days and long winter nights keeping good company together. Food and drink flowed in the weeks leading up to Christmas as the fragrant boughs of pine trees decorated the walls and tables, and our talk turned to planning the coming festivities. Anne took me aside to offer her opinion on the gift I should give my wife but I had the perfect presents. An expensive wool cloak lined with the finest ermine lay hidden in my rooms, along with a diamond set in a ring of gold. I waited to give these gifts to Blanche, imagining her surprise and eagerness to wear them.
    Murdo stayed in the shadows, my eyes and ears, diligently playing watchdog with unquestioning loyalty. As the night wore on he appeared at my side and I took this as a sign of his need to speak. At my signal he bowed low to reach my ear.
    “A message from the parish priest.” His voice, deep and serious, gave me pause. “Father Dominic is dead.”
    Blanche’s goblet fell from her hand to hit the stone floor with a ringing thud. The room went quiet.
    “Father Dominic, dead?” Blanche uttered the words; her bright eyes round with shock. The room hummed with a hundred voices concerned over Murdo’s message.
    “I’m afraid so, milady.”
    “When? How?”
    The depth of her interest and apparent shock surprised my liegeman into a reply. “They say he never fully recovered after an attack on the road from London.”
    Blanche pressed further. “Who attacked him?”
    “We cannot know for sure, but if we find out they will suffer. Father Dominic was a good man and well liked in these parts.”
    It saddened me to hear the priest died after a senseless attack.
    “Thieving bastards,” Murdo grumbled.
    “Surely he did not carry much coin?” Anne asked.
    “They took his robe and shoes, leaving him all but naked on the side of the road. If not for a farmer’s wife finding him and calling for help…” Murdo shook his head and reached for a drink. “And such a feeble old man at that.”
    “I will notify the sheriff. Mayhap, someone has knowledge. Robert and I will ride out tomorrow to the surrounding villages and ask questions.”
    Blanche reached for my arm, her face white as milk. “I must lie down, milord. I feel quite unwell.” She swooned and I swept her up, taking her to our rooms. Anne hurried along after us leaving Robert and Murdo to talk amongst our retainers.
    Blanche wept in my arms giving me cause for alarm. I worried for her and our unborn child. Anne soothed her, helping her into bed, providing the gentle care only a woman can offer.
    “Do you wish me to leave?” Anne asked. Blanche nodded after a moment’s hesitation.
    “But Giles must stay.”
    After the door closed and we were alone she stared at me with the look of a frightened animal.
    “Father Dominic came to see me a few weeks ago.”
    I took her hand to offer her comfort. “I did not know.”
    “It was not truly Father Dominic, but I swear to you I knew nothing of the attack.”
    “Who came to see you?” My wife’s body trembled and my mind to raced at her hesitation. A spy from London had been in my home, a murderer, a traitor to the crown. Our lives were at risk if this reached the king’s ear. “Blanche, I do not blame you. Tell me his name.”
    Her fingers shook even with my reassurance and for a moment she held my gaze. I raised her hands to my lips. “Trust me with this.”
    “Edmund de la Pole.”
    It took all my effort not to throw the furniture across the room. The Pole family posed the biggest threat to Henry’s rule. As contenders for the throne their patriarch, the Earl of Lincoln, held a claim but reconciled after Bosworth and swore his oath to Henry.
    “What did he offer you?” I was no fool. A York man meeting in secret with my wife, both