Lords of the White Castle by Elizabeth Chadwick Read Free Book Online Page B

nodded. 'That remains to be seen.' He folded his arms. 'Tell me this: would you die for your lord?'
    'No, sir,' said Jean without hesitation.
    'No?' Le Brun's brows disappeared into his thick fall of hair.
    'He wouldn't let me. He would put himself in the way first.'
    Fulke's father gave a grunt of amusement at the quick response. 'A regular paragon.' He turned again to his son. 'It seems I should be thanking God on my bended knees for your change of circumstance.'
    Fulke reddened at the hint of sarcasm. 'I am pleased to have joined his retinue, Papa, but it is only one of the reasons I've been given leave to visit, and not even the main one at that.'
    'Indeed?' Le Brun signalled his squire, Baldwin, to replenish his cup.
    Fulke cleared his throat. 'As soon as the winter storms abate, we're going to Ireland.'
    'Ireland!' His mother stared at him in consternation. 'Why? What for?'
    'King Henry has given John its lordship,' Fulke said. 'He's to go there and take oaths of fealty from the Irish clansmen and the Norman settlers.' He knew what everyone thought of Ireland: a back-of-beyond place across a dangerous expanse of cold, dark water. It always rained and it was infested with bogs and quarrelsome barelegged warriors who were less civilised than beasts. They were half ruled by a group of Norman colonists whose reputation was little better than the savages they were supposed to be governing.
    'It was either that or the Holy Land,' said Jean. 'King Henry has been offered the throne of Jerusalem since their King's rotting to death from leprosy and they need a new ruler desperately. He didn't accept it, but Prince John was like a dog who spots a marrow bone just out of reach on a butcher's block.'
    'John, King of Jerusalem!' Fulke le Brun choked on the notion and Hawise had to thump his back.
    'Henry said that he was too young and inexperienced for the responsibility but that if he wanted a taste of ruling, he could try his hand at Ireland.'
    'So he's going to be King there instead, and they're making him a crown of peacock's feathers and gold,' said Fulke expressionlessly. 'Lord Walter is to go with him as part of his household.'
    Fulke le Brun took a long drink of wine and wiped his watering eyes. 'I doubt that Prince John is fit to be King of anywhere,' he croaked, 'but it will be good experience for you.'
    'You approve then?'
    'I do. The Welsh and Irish have many similarities. Their lands are impenetrable to vast armies; their wealth is of the hoofed and horned variety; and their allegiance is to small and petty chieftains. If you are to inherit and exploit our border fiefs when you are grown, Ireland will do you nothing but good.'
    'Why does he have to go to Ireland to learn about the Welsh?' Hawise demanded fretfully.
    Le Brun gently covered her hand with his and squeezed. 'Because, as you said to me, all hawks fly the nest. If they cannot test and strengthen their wings first, then how will they manage to soar and hunt?'
    Hawise looked down at her platter and broke a wastel roll in two, but made no attempt to eat it.
    'Don't you want Fulke to go to Ireland, Mama?' demanded William, their second-born son. He was thirteen years old and neither tact nor understanding were facets of his nature.
    Hawise was silent for a moment. Then, raising her head, she gazed directly at Fulke and gave him the blind semblance of a smile. 'Of course he must go,' she said. 'Your father is right.'
    Fulke eyed his mother curiously. Her reply had been an evasion. Clearly, she did not wish him to go to Ireland. 'Mama?'
    'You'll need some more warm tunics before you leave.' Her voice was breathless. 'I'll measure you later this morn. You've grown at least a finger length since I made the one you're wearing. 'The catch in her breathing verged on tears. Excusing herself, she fled the trestle.
    Fulke looked to his father for explanation, but le Brun spread his hands and shook his head. 'Do not ask me to unravel the mind of a woman,' he said. 'She warns