Page 38 of Feathers in the Wind
‘Another man’s wife, or soon to be.’
Rupert raised a questioning eyebrow as pastry crumbs fell to the table in a shower. ‘Who is the fortunate man?’ he asked with his mouth full.
‘Simon Clifford. This is his house.’
Rupert brushed the crumbs from his jacket. ‘Ah yes. I have met the man. One of Northampton’s officer. Not a soldier.’ Rupert regarded him for a long moment. ‘To business. So your brother wants to see you hanged?’
‘Apparently.’
He waited while Rupert quaffed the jack of ale. He set it down as he wiped his mouth. ‘Surely my uncle would not concern himself with a mere captain of horse?’
‘I do not need to tell you that my brother’s wife has some powerful friends among the king's advisors. I have no doubt they would see my death warrant signed for the chance of a few nights in bed with her.’
A smile lit Rupert’s dark features and he laughed, throwing back his head. ‘Ah, Coulter,’ he said. ‘I would probably arrange it myself for that pleasure.’ The smile faded. ‘Now, what is it you think I can do?’
‘Release me from my parole.’
Rupert stared at him thoughtfully. ‘That is a big thing you ask of me.’
‘I wouldn’t ask it unless I knew it was within your power, your Highness.’
Rupert’s eyes narrowed. ‘Well I have already given you one option. You won’t reconsider and join with me?’
Adam met his former commander’s gaze. It would be so easy to say yes and join Rupert once more, but what was at stake here was greater than the fate of a small German palatinate. He fought for his country, for his beliefs.
‘No, your Highness. My word is given.’
‘So be it.’ The prince brushed the last of the crumbs from his clothes, stood up and strode to the door in two strides. He stopped and turned once more. ‘Your brother is with the queen, only a day’s ride from Stratford. I plan to meet them there tomorrow. If I encounter him, I will intervene directly with him and tell him that you are a free man.’
‘Thank you.’
Rupert shrugged. ‘In case I am distracted. Have you paper? I will sign a pass for you.’ He scrawled a few lines and signed it with a flourish, sealing the document with his own ring. He folded it and handed it to Adam. ‘I would advise you to depart this place as soon as possible. I cannot answer for your brother’s next actions.’
Adam rose to his feet and inclined his head as he thanked the prince once again.
At the door, Rupert glanced back. ‘The debt is paid, Coulter. If it is our misfortune to meet on the field of battle, there will be no quarter.’
‘And none expected.’
The door slammed shut behind Rupert and within ten minutes all was quiet. Adam leaned against the window casement watching the prince and his companions ride away. He blew out a breath. He had forgotten that the Prince could be an exhausting companion.
Robin peered around the door, anger tempered with confusion on his face.
‘Why didn’t tell me you knew the prince?’ he demanded as Adam gestured for him to enter.
Adam limped back to the table and handed his brother Rupert’s safe pass. ‘I didn’t want Denzil removing me to some godforsaken part of the country if he knew that I was not entirely without friends in influential places.’
Robin broke the seal, scanned the paper and paled. ‘Denzil will have apoplexy, and as for Louise, there will be hell to pay for this. Why didn’t you tell me this was what you planned.’
‘Because you wouldn’t have gone.’ Adam sank into his chair and ran a hand across his eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Rob. I’ve probably brought a world of trouble down on your head.’
Robin met his eyes. ‘I can manage Denzil,’ he said, ‘but Louise…’ He shuddered and threw the paper back on the table. ‘I do know one thing. You need to get back to Warwick as soon as you can before Denzil finds out that Rupert has released you from your parole.’
‘I know.’ Adam glanced at the window where rain lashed the diamond panes. ‘If I leave now I can probably make Warwick by nightfall.’
Robin shook his head. ‘I’m not going to try and dissuade you,’ he said. ‘I’ll see what can be done about a horse.’
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