Here Be Dragons - 1 by Sharon Penman (best inspirational books txt) 📕

knew his candor was a delibera challenge, but how could the boy not blame her father for the dovvnw

313f his House7 "You know, of course, that I am King John's daughter I ^e it you do not believe, then, in blood guilt7""Now you are mocking me," he said composedly "But yes, I do believe in blood guilt for men, for sons Not for a woman, though, at least not a woman who looks like you do1" There was in his grin both jnpudence and a certain cocky charm, and Joanna had to laugh"For your sake, Will de Braose, I hope you do learn to curb your tongue, you cannot trade upon being fourteen forever1" She turned to g0, paused again "You remind me of someone, and I've just realized who I think my husband must have been much like you at fourteen "Will looked pleased "If I can win as much with my sword as Llewelyn ab lorwerth has won with his, I'd be well content " He backed away from the stairs, stood looking up at Joanna "I shall remember you, my lady And to proveI am generous as well as gallant, I do have some free advice for you Talk to your lord husband about his son "JOANNA knew Will was right, but she knew, too, that now was not the time Her relationship with Llewelyn was strained enough this summer, needed no more pressures brought to bear upon itPushing open the door of her chamber, she came to an abrupt halt at sight ofWilliam de Braose That Llewelyn should have brought de Braose here, to their private chamber, was more than she could forgive, and when de Braose moved toward her, kissed her hand, she was hard put not to snatch it from his graspShe managed a grudging nod, but no moreAs soon as they were alone, Llewelyn said curtly, "When I make a man welcome at my hearth, I expect my wife to treat him with courtesy Is that clear, Joanna7""Yes " But the mutinous set of her mouth belied the dutiful submissionCrossing to her clothes coffer, she jerked the hd up, let it drop with a slam"How can you allow that man at your table7 You know what he ]s, a traitor, a fugitive from the King's justice Why must you do this7 Why must you antagonize my father to no purpose7""Joanna, I cannot shape my life around what will or will not please your father Even if I were willing to do that, to turn myself into hisPuPpet, it would avail me naught For some months now, John has been°oking for excuses to find fault, to curtail my authority in Gwynedd "That is not fair1 Nor is it true'" Branwen had hung a gown on the oodert wall pole, Joanna pulled it down, began to fumble with the n8s of her bhaut The knots defied her fingers, and she was finally rced to ask Llewelyn's help He had no more luck with the ties than' )erked impatiently until one of the laces broke off in his hand "TK 'lank you so much, that I could have done myself" Joanna man-

324aged to get the bliaut over her head, flung it to the floor. She started to remove the gown, but then she paused, glared at him, and retreated around the curtained bed to strip off the dress."Joanna, just what secrets do you think you could have from me after nigh on four years of sharing my bed?" Llewelyn sounded both amused and exasperated.But when she reemerged, he said, quite seriously, "I am bone-weary of these constant quarrels, bone-weary of having to defend to you every decision Imake. You are my wife as well as John's daughter, but there are times when you seem to forget that.""That is so unjust, Llewelyn! You know I do love you. But 1 love my father, too. What would you have me do, choose between you?"He did not give her the reassurance she expected. "I would hope it will never come to that, Joanna," he said quietly, and she stared at him in dismay, at a loss for words.There was a sharp rapping on the door and Ednyved entered. "Llewelyn, a messenger has just ridden in from the south. John landed at Fishguard, inSouth Wales, three days ago. And he brought with him Maude de Braose."WILL swallowed. "My parents?" he said. "My little sister? Were they taken, too?"William de Braose seemed not to hear. It was Llewelyn who reassured the boy, said, "No, lad, they were not.""How . . . how was my grandmother taken? I thought they'd gotten safely intoScotland.""They did, but at Galloway a Scots lord took them prisoner, held them forJohn. Your parents escaped; so did your Aunt Margaret and her husband, deLacy. But Maude was taken, and so was her daughter Annora, her son Will, and his four young sons. They were sent under guard back to Ireland, to John atCarreckfergus." Llewelyn looked from the boy to the still silent de Braose."What will you do?" he asked, and de Braose bestirred himself with an obvious effort, shrugged."What can I do? You said John is heading for Bristol. I shall have to go toBristol, too, try to come to terms with him."The Welsh murmured among themselves at that, looked at the Norman lord with the first glimmerings of respect. Even Llewelyn was somewhat impressed. "Iwish you well," he said, and meant it, thanwu that he would never be facing deBraose's dilemma, that his own wi'e had nothing whatsoever to fear from John.De Braose seemed to have aged years in a matter of hours. He ran hand roughly through greying blond hair, said heavily, "My lord Llew lyn, I do have a favor to ask of you. I know we are not far from the p°

325, p^rjjheli Can you provide a guide for my grandson, get the lad safely ugre7"And when Llewelyn nodded, he turned to Will, said, "At Pwll-heh y°u can ta^e S'11P ^or one