The Bard's Daughter (A Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery) by Sarah Woodbury Read Free Book Online Page A

introduce herself, but how? Hello, my name is Gwen and my father is accused of murdering your husband?
    “ I—I’m Gwen,” she said.
    Eva smiled. “I know.” She put out a hand to Gwen. “I don’t blame you for what your father has done.”
    Gwen knew all the color had drained from her face. “Th—thank you, but I don’t believe my father would have killed Collen. He was his friend.”
    Eva canted her head and her eyes flicked to Denis, who stood. “I don’t think this is a good time to talk.” He took Gwen’s arm and before she knew it, he had glided her away from Eva and towards the front door of the hall. She allowed him to urge her through the doorway and down the steps to the courtyard.
    Then he pulled her off the steps and to one side before turning on her. “What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see that Eva is grieving?”
    “ I am sorry I bothered her,” Gwen said, trying not to let him intimidate her. In truth, she did feel bad that Eva had lost her husband, even if they were estranged. “But my father didn’t kill Collen.”
    “ Of course, he did,” Denis said. “They had a falling out yesterday. I heard all about it.”
    “ From whom did you hear it? Ifan?”
    “ From Ifan?” Denis’ face contracted as he dismissed the servant. “Of course not. I heard it from Collen himself.”
    “ Why did Collen say he and my father fought?” Gwen said.
    A wary expression crossed Denis’ face. “Collen asked Meilyr if he would introduce him to Prince Cadwaladr of Ceredigion. Your father refused.”
    Gwen swallowed down her disbelieving laughter. Could this conversation be any more strange?
    In the face of her silence, Denis gazed towards Collen’s cart. Gwen could just make out Ifan’s shape in the darkness. As she studied Denis’ profile, Gwen realized that there was something about Denis that didn’t sit right with her. His demeanor, his diction, and the way he dressed, spoke to her of a man whose station was far above the one he was actually living. He presented himself more like a nobleman than a merchant.
    “ What did Ifan tell you?” Denis said.
    Gwen hesitated, unsure if it was her place to say, but then decided that if Ifan was going to tell Gruffydd anyway, Denis would know soon enough. “He said that my father helped Collen with Lord Cadfael, and then Collen refused to acknowledge the favor.”
    Denis looked away, his jaw working. “That’s not what Collen said to me.”
    “ I’ve heard three different stories so far about the conversation between my father and Collen,” Gwen said. “Many lies have been told of late.”
    Denis jerked his eyes back to Gwen’s face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “ If my father didn’t kill Collen,” Gwen said, “someone else did and arranged things so the blame would fall on him. Who could have done that? And why?”
    Denis snorted. “Meilyr was found beside the body with a harp string at his feet and blood on his hands. He is the murderer. You’re wasting your time. He should pay Eva the galanas he owes her and let it go.”
    “ If my father is found guilty, there won’t be any galanas ,” Gwen said.
    Denis had been looking around the courtyard, not really listening, but Gwen’s words brought his attention back to her. “What did you say?”
    “ Sir Gruffydd told me that Lord Cadfael plans to hang my father,” Gwen said.
    Denis moved closer, his face only a hand’s span from hers. “He wouldn’t!”
    “ Apparently, he would,” Gwen said. “In that event, Eva would receive no payment.”
    Denis’ throat worked, but he didn’t answer. Gwen smiled inwardly. Eva was beautiful, but Gwen’s brief encounter with Denis told her that he admired money more than beauty. And if Eva didn’t receive the galanas , she might not be worth his time.
    “ There has to be someone else with motive,” Gwen said. “Please think! You were Collen’s partner. Who might want him dead?” Besides you, yourself , which Gwen