To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jean Plaidy
loaf.
    “There it is, Father,” he said. “All waiting for you. Don’t stand there like a zany, Lambert. Wrap it for his lordship.”
    Richard watched Lambert wrap the loaf. Then he turned to the baker.
    “I would like to have a word with you. Is there somewhere where we could go in private?”
    The baker looked alarmed. He immediately began to search his mind, wondering if he had said or done something which could be brought against him. The priest had seemed very interested in his shop for some time.
    “Oh yes . . . yes . . .,”he said. “Come this way. Take charge of the shop, Lambert. And call me if I’m wanted.”
    Richard followed him into a dark little room at the back in which were two stools. Richard took one and the baker the other.
    “This is good news for you, my friend,” said the priest. “It concerns your boy.”
    “Lambert? Why so, Father? What has he done?”
    “He has done nothing for which he can be reproached. He is an unusual boy.”
    “He’s not so bad, you know. Not as bright as some you might say but he’ll improve, I shouldn’t wonder. He is getting quite good in the shop.”
    “He is amazingly handsome.”
    “Oh yes, a good-looking boy. He takes after his mother. ’Tis a pity she went. . . .”
    “Went?”
    The baker raised his eyes. “She was took to Heaven seven years since. It was when our other boy was born.”
    “So you have another son.”
    “Bright he is . . . brighter than Lambert. . . . He’ll be coming along.”
    “I’m glad to hear it because I am going to ask you to let me take Lambert into my service.”
    “Into your service . . . but for what purpose?”
    “He has an air of dignity, which is appealing. I think he might be trained for the Church.”
    “Trained for the Church? My Lambert? Why he’s not . . . well . . . you don’t know it, Father, because why should you . . . but Lambert is what we say here, one groat short.”
    “You mean he is different from the rest of you. I perceived that.”
    The baker tapped his forehead. “A good boy, mind you . . . but well, shall we say somewhat simple.”
    “Nothing that a little learning wouldn’t put right, I’d say. In any case, if you are willing I will take the boy into my household and have him taught. I am traveling to Ireland very soon and should like the boy to be one of my party. There will be little duties for him to perform but if he shows the slightest aptitude he could go far.”
    The baker was bewildered. If the man had been any but a priest he would have been highly suspicious. Of course it had been known for some young apprentice to catch the eye of a nobleman and be taken into his service. Why shouldn’t this happen to Lambert?
    “Send for the boy,” said the priest.
    The baker hesitated.
    “On second thoughts,” went on Richard, “let us discuss this matter first. Let us work out a plan. Then it can be presented to the boy and if he agrees we will go ahead.”
    “Lambert will do as I say.”
    “So much the better for I see that you are a wise man. You will know what is best for the boy and let me remind you this is an opportunity such as will never come his way or yours again for as long as you live. I promise this boy a good future if he is ready to learn.”
    “I think if he had opportunities to learn, he would.”
    “That is well. He would have a good future. He could become affluent, a comfort to his father in his old age.”
    “Tell me more of this.”
    “I should like to take him on trial. He will come away with me and soon we will sail for Ireland. He will be taught to read and write and speak like a gentleman. Then he will be ready to study for his profession.”
    “You choose Lambert for this? Lambert who is a little . . . simple, you must understand. My other boy . . .”
    “No, it is Lambert or no one.”
    “I admit the boy has a way with him. I sometimes wonder how I and his mother got him. . . .”The baker laughed sheepishly. “Though she was a good-looking

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