The Rebel Princess by Judith Koll Healey Read Free Book Online Page A

conference.” The king paused and cast a look upward at me. “It was William’s request that I meet with Raymond in Blois. And his direction that I not tell you the purpose of my journey. You must ask him why.” He spoke with finality, as if disposing of a troublesome diplomatic situation by delegating responsibility to someone else, which of course he was.
    When he turned to make his way down the remaining steps, I was grateful that my brother could not see the dismay that spread over my face at his words and guess at my deep consternation. It was not William’s habit to keep secrets from me, and that alone was disquieting. It seemed our relationship was changing, that the distance between us in miles was reflected in our spirits. How would this affect my son, who was so attached to William?
    We fell silent for a few moments, though the echo of our voices continued to bounce off the rocks of the tower stairwell. Each of us was occupied with our own thoughts.
    At last we reached the bottom of the winding stairs, and the broad white-stone expanse that led to the oak doors of the Great Hall. The porticos were empty now, except for the occasional page leaning over the balustrade to watch the melee in the courtyard below. To one side we could see what appeared to be the entire palace population milling about in the courtyard below us, noisy with the preparations and excitement of welcoming the grand train of visitors.
    We stood in front of two arched openings in the wall facing the west, and I saw that the sun was racing toward the horizon. The busy courtyard below would soon lie in shadows, perhaps even before William’s party arrived. Philippe put his hands on my shoulders andturned me to him.
    “It was William who told me about the treachery in my own court. When we met at Blois, we had private conversation, as well. He had information from the Templar network that John knows every move my armies make in advance. John’s captain recently set up an ambush west of the Vexin that lost me threescore men, key archers from the Berry region.” Philippe ran his hand through his black hair, a habit of distress since he was a child. “The devil of it is, I am not certain who is involved in leaking this information, nor how widespread this treason is among my courtiers.”
    Before I could reply, my brother moved closer to me. He looked around before speaking. “Have you thought further on our conversation of mid-week? About Constance? What is your plan?”
    I looked past his shoulder, speaking in a low voice to match his. “I am waiting for the right time to speak with her. I have not seen her in these days, and I did not want to seek her out.” I could feel his breath falling on my cheek in measured waves as he leaned closer, now his voice nearly a whisper.
    “There will no doubt be opportunity enough in the next days. Two state dinners, a tourney, important guests.” He gripped my shoulder. “She has to appear sometime!”
    It was not a request, it was a command. “Yes, you are right,” I said. “These days will provide the opportunity.” Then, just as suddenly, his mood changed.
    As he released my shoulder, he gently tapped my chin with his knuckle, in a teasing gesture only a brother would make. “Meanwhile, you will want to prepare yourself for William. If we tarry here in the corridor our guests are in danger of descending upon us as we are. They are nearly at our gates as we stand here chattering.”
    After a swift touch of his cheek to both of mine, a gesture he rarely made, we turned in opposite directions. In truth I was eager to ready myself for William’s arrival, feeling suddenly disheveled and un-washed. But I was not ten steps away when Philippe called out to me. I retraced my path.
    “Sister,” he said, his voice dropping as he looked around for listening ears. “Study our monastic guests well tonight. I shall be keenly interested in your observations.”
    I nodded, puzzled. What was I to watch