The Order of the Lily by Catherine A. Wilson Read Free Book Online

of our friendship by your own hand. You, alone, knew what she meant to me.’
    Edward stood to full height and glared down. ‘Count yourself fortunate you will not decorate the courtyard! You are to depart as soon as your injuries permit. I spare you only because when you returned to my service you told me, “Give me not the matters of the crown to carry. They weigh too heavily in my pack.” Your honour is enviable, Ghillebert d’Albret, but it may also one day be your downfall.’ The Prince moved to the door and rapped against the timber. He turned back to look at his prisoner. ‘With all the matters of the kingdom that have lain between us, who would have thought we would lose our friendship over a woman?’
    As the Prince departed, Gillet leaned back and closed his eyes. His body was burning on the inside with the heat of a smithy’s den but waves of shivering rippled his skin with gooseflesh. Edward had not taken Cécile d’Armagnac from him, not really. This time it had been his own stupid fault. She would never forgive him for deceiving her about being an Albret. Curling himself into a ball of pain, he prayed for oblivion.

    Edward returned upstairs, brushing aside any regret he felt for the loss of an old friend. Instead he concentrated upon his gain but he could not ignore that Gillet de Bellegarde was a real threat. Given enough encouragement he could have the man executed instead of exiled. At least that way Bellegarde would never be a problem again, only a distant childhood memory. Cécile d’Armagnac was another matter. In order to rekindle his relationship with her, he would have to take a chance and release his erstwhile companion, lest she never forgive him the alternative.
    His thoughts turned to the beautiful woman he held captive in his rooms above and the chill from the dungeon was quickly replaced by burning desire. He needed to bed her quickly and erase Gillet from her heart once and for all.
    A bloodcurdling scream tore him from his fantasy.
    â€˜In God’s name, what is going on here?’
    Edward pushed his way through the crowd milling at the foot of the stairs. A woman lay upon the tiled floor, Salisbury beside her. The Prince’s eyes were drawn to the deep gash on Catherine’s exposed shoulder. ‘Someone get the physician. Get the physician! ’ He knelt down.
    Catherine clung to Edward’s solid form as she tried to sit up.
    Vertigo and nausea engulfed her and groaning, she rested her head upon his shoulder. She heard the scurried footsteps of slippered feet and a man of dark persuasion appeared in her vision, his pupils widening as he gazed upon her face.
    â€˜Come, little one. You must accompany me.’
    Edward watched, helpless, as she limped away, the ribbon in her hair falling to the floor as she leant against the physician.
    â€˜What happened here?’ he roared. The crowd slunk back into the shadows.
    â€˜I was escorting her, as directed, M’lord,’ mumbled Salisbury, ‘when she slipped and fell down the stairs.’
    â€˜She slipped?’ Edward’s eyes narrowed. ‘Or you pushed her?’
    â€˜M’lord! Are you suggesting that I would deliberately—’
    â€˜For months I have listened to your petty grievances,’ interjected the Black Prince. ‘Over and over again we hear you bleat about the temptress who stole your fortune and good name. Perhaps you saw this as your opportunity to take revenge.’
    â€˜But. Sire, things are not what they appear.’
    â€˜I gave you a simple task – escort the Lady d’Armagnac to the hall – and instead I find her lying injured at the foot of the stairs.’ The Prince raised his fist and struck the knight in the face. ‘Get out, you fool!’
    Salisbury reeled, wiping the blood from his lip. ‘Will you not hear me out?’ he spluttered.
    â€˜I cannot trust myself to keep my blade