The Unconventional Maiden by June Francis Read Free Book Online Page A

said Sam.
    Gawain shot a glance at the burly figure of Beth’s servant. ‘Are you sure? Think, man.’
    Sam screwed up his lined face. ‘Perhaps it was in some nobleman’s house when I was out delivering books on the master’s orders. Couldn’t see any of our other customers owning such a blade.’
    ‘I presume there’ll be a list of Master Llewellyn’s customers back in London,’ said Gawain.
    Sam nodded. ‘Mistress Beth will be able to put her hand on the book straight away.’
    Gawain looked thoughtful. ‘But she didn’t recognise the dagger.’
    ‘She don’t go delivering, has too much else to do.’
    Gawain placed the dagger in its cloth inside his doublet. ‘I’d best return to Mistress Llewellyn and inform her that we’ve found the weapon. Sam, if you would, pack your master’s possessions and bring them to my tent. Tom, you can come with me and cook us something hot for supper. You, Sam and Michael will share this tent tonight.’
    The three of them nodded.
    When Gawain arrived back at his tent it was to find it deserted. Where could Beth and her maid have vanished to? He was filled with unease, hoping they had not been followed earlier. Then he remembered what Beth had said about visiting the church in the villageand decided to go and look for her there. He told Tom what he was about and then set off in the direction of Balinghem.
    ‘It is a sobering thought, Jane,’ said Beth in hushed tones as they left the church, ‘that my father’s bones will lie here in France. A country that he long regarded as the enemy.’
    Jane glanced over her shoulder as they hurried past the churchyard. ‘You can’t trust the Frenchies. Their king might be all smiles now, but give him another month and he’ll be making up to someone else. The Scotties, mebbe, or even the Holy Roman Emperor Charles, himself.’
    ‘The Emperor is Queen Katherine’s nephew, so it is more likely that he and Henry might yet come to some agreement against the French,’ said Beth. ‘But these matters are for statesmen and royalty to sort out. We have enough problems of our own to deal with when we return home.’
    ‘Do you think Sir Gawain will move us from Pater Noster Row?’
    ‘I imagine that he has that in mind,’ said Beth. ‘With a murderer on the loose, no doubt he would consider it a sensible move.’ Even as she spoke, Beth caught sight of Gawain coming towards them. She frowned, her emotions in a tangle, and thought how strange it was that in such a short time she was able to recognise his form and his stride from a distance. She determined not to dwell on the kiss he had forced on her or how much she had liked it.
    She waited until he drew closer before calling, ‘Good even, Sir Gawain. Did you find anything?’
    ‘Aye. Tom found the dagger. Somehow it must have been knocked from the table and landed in a patch of tall grass in a corner.’ Gawain gazed down at her and wondered if she was still angry inside because he had kissed her. ‘Your man, Sam, thinks he might have seen it in some nobleman’s house whilst delivering books. He can’t remember his name. He suggested that you look through the account book and read the names out to him, so that hopefully it will jog his memory.’
    Beth felt a stir of excitement. ‘And if it can be proved that person was also here at the time of my father’s murder, then we have our killer.’
    ‘That is certainly a strong possibility,’ agreed Gawain. ‘In the meantime I must speak with Monsieur Le Brun and intend visiting Calais early tomorrow morning. I will return in time for your father’s burial.’
    ‘May I come with you?’ asked Beth. ‘I would like to see him.’
    Gawain hesitated, then agreed.
    The rest of the evening passed without further incident and although Beth slept only fitfully, towards the dawn she finally fell into a deep sleep.
    When at last she did wake, Jane told her that Sir Gawain had given orders that she was not to be disturbed and had set