The Outcast Dove: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery by Sharan Newman Read Free Book Online Page B

Berengar. “But they should buy the two of you a bed for the night and food. Come back tomorrow and we’ll give you twenty moneta decena of Count Alphonse. That should be enough for supplies and to show our good faith.”
    “Twenty deniers of Toulouse.” Jehan pursed his lips. “Your faith will have to be stronger than that. If I return alive from this, I expect no less than twenty gold marbottins .”
    “But this is an act of charity!” Brother Victor protested. “Wouldn’t you want us to do the same for you?”
    Jehan rubbed at a flea crawling up his arm. “Yes, I would. If not, I would have insisted on a hundred.”
    James laughed. “A man who knows his own worth! But just in case you don’t succeed, where should we send your wages?”
    “In that case”—Jehan’s hard face grew almost wistful; but it was only a momentary change—“give the money to the Knights of the Temple, to keep the road to Jerusalem safe. And send to the canons of Paris enough for ten masses to be said for my soul. Come, young Berengar. Let’s see what kind of bed these few sous will get us.”
    After they had left, Victor turned to James. “I’m sure you’re right that this Jehan will be an asset to our party. He’s rough but battle hardened. He’ll not shrink from a foe. It saddens me, though, that he is so alone in the world. Everyone needs a family to care if they live or die.”
    “No they don’t,” James said sharply. “All anyone needs is Our Lord Christ and his Virgin Mother. Beside them all other relations are meaningless.”
    Victor rested his hand on James’s shoulder, waiting until he grew calm. He smiled gently at his friend.
    “You are right to chide me,” he said. “I am blessed with all my brothers here and the love of Our Lord, especially since my parents in the flesh have died. But I suspect that this Jehan of Blois hasn’t found such a happy replacement. He seems a very sad and lonely man. I shall pray for him.”
    James shook his head. “Victor, you shame me. Sometimes I think you are almost with the angels already. Of course, when you explain it like that, I shall certainly pray for him, too.”
     
     
    It was a good evening. Solomon’s stomach was full; his wine cup was as well. Muppim and Huppim had provided uproarious entertainment, often at the expense of Samuel, Belide’s befuddled suitor. But once the sweets had been served, Josta took pity on the young man and sent the twins off to bed in the care of a stern nursemaid.
    “The nights are growing milder,” Josta said. “Soon we’ll be able to take all of our meals in the courtyard again.”
    “I’m amazed to see fresh greens on the table,” Solomon said. “In Paris the first shoots have barely appeared.”
    “Why you live in that cold, damp place, I’ll never understand.” Bonysach shivered at the thought. “I dread making the trip to the fair at Troyes each year. I always return with the grippe.”
    “You need a son-in-law to take over the traveling for you, as I did for my uncles,” Solomon said, with a glance at Samuel. “Do you enjoy travel, Samuel?”
    “I? Well, Toulouse is the farthest I’ve ever been from home.” A bright blush started up the young man’s neck. “But I would like to see more of the world.”
    “Samuel is a fine scholar,” Bonysach said. “His teacher is the great Rabbi Abraham, head of the Bet Din of Narbonne. It would be a waste of his talent to send him on errands.”
    “Oh, no, Mar Bonysach,” Samuel began. “That is…however, I fear I don’t have the skill to be a successful trader.”
    “Nor need you,” Solomon said, taking pity on him. “I have more than enough competition. And the way we all argue about our contracts we need more wise judges well versed in the Law to keep us from doing each other violence.”
    “Oh, yes!” Samuel nodded. “I mean, I’m sure you wouldn’t…”
    Josta intervened. “Stop teasing him, both of you. Belide, why don’t you and Samuel take a