Silverhawk by Barbara Bettis Read Free Book Online

rich blue, her hair covered by a white wimple. Sparkling eyes the blue-green color of her brother’s turned toward Giles as she listened, then nodded. He could see the mischievous dimples flash in a smile.
    Then Henry motioned him to some low rocks a short distance away. Once settled, Giles outlined his mission and what had happened earlier in the day. He tugged a cord from around his neck, freeing a small, flat packet. A jab of pain in his right arm made him wince.
    Henry took the leather, frowning at the wounds on Giles’ face, the scrapes and cuts visible beneath the torn sleeve of his shirt.
    “You should have traveled in full mail,” Henry observed.
    Giles snorted. “Yes. What better way to announce I’m on an important journey, than to travel alone in battle dress.”
    “Still, you need those injuries treated. Return with me to Langley, see a healer.”
    Giles scowled. The last thing he needed was someone to fuss over him. “I can take care of myself. I’ll rest tonight, while I wait for your answer.”
    Henry shrugged, examined the simple, private seal, and unfolded the parchment. A deep line bisected his forehead as he read. Then he pinned Giles with a sharp look.
    “Do you know what this says?”
    “Some of it,” Giles admitted. “The king suspects a problem here in England that he wants you to investigate. And he plans to demand more knights for the fight against King Philip. Hubert Walter is to present the order to the barons later in the year.”
    A muscle in Henry’s jaw twitched, his lips thinned. “Isn’t the truce with France in effect?”
    Giles shrugged a “yes.”
    “Then Richard doesn’t trust Philip.” It wasn’t a question. Henry lifted the parchment. “You’re correct. The king has heard of a plot in England, although he’s not sure where the traitors will strike. His instinct says in the North, but I’ll keep my eyes open here.”
    Giles nodded. So that’s why he was attacked. Someone disapproved of any interference in a plot against the king. His healed lips lifted in a sardonic curve. No wonder they wanted the message to disappear.
    But that knowledge didn’t explain how anyone knew he carried word from the king.
    Refolding the parchment, Henry said, “Tell me again what happened to you. Leave nothing out.”
    Giles settled into a more comfortable position, then related the attack, rescue, and his subsequent journey from Langley to Chauvere.
    At one point, Henry waved over his squire with a wineskin and a napkin-wrapped wedge of cheese. Giles ate while he finished the tale.
    Henry listened in silence. Finally he asked, “Do you think they followed you from the king?”
    “No. I’m certain. I was told only three knew of the message—King Richard, Mercadier, and me. Obviously, that was wrong.”
    Henry rose to pace. “Whoever ordered this may not have known what the message said.” He turned. “Six?”
    “Yes. Three escaped, three died. Their bodies had disappeared when I passed the spot earlier.”
    “The others returned for them.” Henry rubbed his jaw as he stared at the brush behind the rocks. “I must notify my brother-in-law,” he said at last. “He lives at Windom—not far. Oh, one more thing.” He rounded on Giles.
    Giles stiffened. He didn’t like the spark in the other man’s eyes, the grim set to his mouth.
    “King Richard recommends that Sir Giles of Cambrai help in the investigation. He said you’ve planned a personal project in England, so you won’t mind to remain.” Before Giles could speak, Henry waved the parchment again. “If you’d care to read his orders for you?”
    Giles’ glared, then jerked his head “no.” He’d never learned to read more than his own name.
    Henry nodded, no hint of disdain at the refusal. “I’ll dispatch a message to my brother-in-law, Lord Roark. You must join us for Langley.” When Giles hesitated, he added in a dry-as-dust tone, “Unless you’ve somewhere else to be?”
    If he only knew. Langley