Page 37 of Feathers in the Wind
Rupert smiled. ‘I would have been killed,’ he said, ‘had it not been for the intervention of my friend here who informed them who I was in no uncertain terms and took a musket butt on the skull for his pains.’ He looked at Adam with narrowed eyes. ‘You know, Coulter, there were many times in Leipzig when I wondered about the nature of the debt I owed you for my life. Sometimes death seemed preferable.’ He shrugged. ‘But as uncomfortable as my confinement may have been, I imagine I had it easier than you.’
The two men looked at each other with the deep understanding of men who have shared a common suffering. Perdita wondered how it would have been for a young man such as Rupert to have endured such close confinement at a time when he should have been enjoying the full fruits of his youth. If it had been hard for Adam it must have been hell on earth for Rupert.
Rupert clapped Adam on the shoulder again with a force that made Adam stagger.
‘Come my friend. We must talk. You,’ Rupert snapped his fingers at Perdita, ‘perhaps you will bring me some lunch. I could eat a horse.’
* * *
Rupert of the Rhine,as he was known by all, flung himself down on a chair at the table, waiting while Adam resumed his own seat.
‘So, Coulter, you have got yourself in a little trouble,’ Rupert said.
‘It would seem so.’
‘I have heard the stories. That business with your brother. Zounds, Coulter, what were you thinking when you swived Marchant’s wife?’
Adam shrugged. ‘My thoughts, if I had any, were those of any young man when presented with a willing and beautiful woman.’And I never actually got to do any swiving, he almost added. Instead he shrugged. ‘It was seven years ago and I’m not the same person. Leipzig saw to that.’
‘Well, the lady hasn’t forgotten you.’ Rupert picked up another of the chess pieces, the queen. ‘She is lovely that lady, but dangerous.’ He glanced up at Adam with a rueful smile. ‘I doubt I would have done much different, but that doesn’t explain why, in God's name, you have taken up arms against my uncle?’ The chess piece fell back on to the board and Rupert’s fierce gaze met Adam’s, challenging the old loyalty they had to each other. The loyalty Adam had betrayed.
Adam took a breath. He didn’t need to antagonise Rupert, not now when he needed his help. ‘Because I don’t believe that your uncle can rule without the consent of the people. His decision to do so has inflicted suffering and misery on his people in untold measure.’
‘You think you know him?’ Rupert’s eyes narrowed in challenge.
‘I think he doesn’t understand his countrymen,’ Adam said carefully.
‘Coulter, the king will win this war and where will that leave you?’
Adam shrugged. ‘Much the same place I am now, I suspect.’
Rupert threw himself back in the chair and regarded him, his finger resting on his unshaven upper lip. ‘You would not consider joining me? I need men of your calibre and experience.’
Adam thought carefully before replying. ‘Your Highness, I hold you in the highest regard but I cannot turn my coat. I fight for what I believe in, not for the honour or the glory or indeed, in this matter, the money.’
Rupert shrugged. ‘A man must live with his conscience, and I will respect you for that, but I am saddened that we must find each other in opposite camps.’
‘And I, your Highness,’ Adam said with genuine feeling. Once, a long time ago, he would have followed Rupert into the pits of hell.
Rupert spread his hands. ‘Here and now, we are at truce. Old friends and comrades. What is it that you wish me to do?’
Before Adam could answer there was a gentle knock at the door and Perdita entered bearing a tray.
‘Zounds, that smells good.’ Rupert looked appreciatively at the tray laden with pasties and fruit.
His gaze ran equally appreciatively up and down Perdita and a protective pang jolted Adam. No man had the right to look at Perdita in such a way, prince or not.
‘Your Highness, may I present Mistress Gray.’
Perdita curtsied.
‘Mistress Gray is a most able nurse, your Highness. I believe I owe her my life.’
Rupert raised an eyebrow. ‘Ah well, I would that when I am so unfortunate as to be wounded in battle that I may have so attractive a nurse.’ He smiled. ‘Thank you, Mistress Gray.’
Recognising she had been dismissed, Perdita shot Adam a quick, questioning glance, before leaving the room.
Rupert devoured one of the pasties in a couple of mouthfuls. ‘A most attractive woman, Coulter,’ he said as he reached for a second.
