White Boar and the Red Dragon, The by Margaret W Price Read Free Book Online Page B

“Images From the Saracens’ Harems!” Now that’s more like it!’ He slammed shut Richard’s great book and thrust the book of pictures under the boy’s nose. It showed a naked couple sexually entwined in various positions, most looking very uncomfortable. Richard pushed it away, disinterested.
    ‘You’re just not natural, boy! Are you of the other persuasion, like the Greek men and boys we’ve been studying?’ George bantered.
    ‘Don’t needle him. He’s just a bit young yet, that’s all! You’re three years older than him, remember! He’ll get interested eventually!’ laughed Francis Lovell.
    ‘Well, he’s a slow starter then. You’re only a few months older than him, and you find them fascinating like Rob and I! I hope he wakes up soon, or he’s going to be such a bore to drag around!’ retorted George scowling.
    ‘Leave him alone, George! Just because what he’s reading is boring to you! Richard has the best mind of us all. Master Gardner has said so more than once!’
    Richard quietly opened his great book of law again and recommenced reading, completely unruffled by the banter going on about him. He was used to it and did not even bother to answer George’s remarks. In fact, he had not opened his mouth at all. The look on his face gave the impression to George that he was above it all, and that infuriated his elder brother. Little prig! Thought his superior intelligence set him above other mere mortals, did he? He needed teaching a lesson! He would think of some way to bring him down a peg or two!
    Richard had learnt long ago that the best way to deal with George when he was in that kind of mood was to ignore him. He knew that it made his elder brother angry, but he didn’t care. His best defence was silence, as, all his life, comments had been made, directly or indirectly, about his inadequacies, physical and otherwise. He just didn’t respond, and it amused him to see that this attitude could drive those making the remarks into a fury of frustration when he didn’t rise to their bait.
    ‘I asked you a question, Dickon! Have I got a queer for a brother then?’
    Richard deliberately pretended not to understand and feinted the question. He was bored with George’s stupid remarks.
    ‘If it’s queer to want to get on with the work I’ve been set, then I suppose I am. Now go away and get on with your own work!’ He understood perfectly what George had meant about the Greeks; he just did not choose to answer; that was all.
    ‘George has got a point you know, Dickon! That book does look rather heavy for you to take so deep an interest in at your age!’ commented Francis, ‘And why this particular part of the law? It looks like you’re learning it by heart!’
    Richard looked up, meeting his enquiring gaze with a smile. Francis was his best friend, and he loved him like a brother—more than a brother—certainly more than the irritating George. He must be honest with him.
    ‘It’s been on my mind ever since New Year that Lord Hastings could get away with no punishment at all after such an evil deed.’
    ‘Oh, you mean the pregnant twelve-year-old girl, I suppose?’ interrupted George.
    ‘But Edward dealt with the situation fairly—he gave her father a lot of gold!’
    ‘But that wasn’t justice! That just wasn’t enough! He should have had Hastings arrested, tried, and punished! And he got away scot-free, as Edward has done nothing about it, because William is his friend! What Hastings did would have been bad enough with a woman—but to do it to an innocent child!’
    ‘Forget it, Richard! Edward told you to at the time! He’s the king, so he’s the one who dispenses justice and decides whether to punish offenders—not you! Why should it concern you so?’ George sneered, yawning. ‘Get your mind on something worthwhile!’
    ‘It is worthwhile! What could be more worthwhile than a proper system of unbiased justice for all men, rich or poor, without fear or favour? That