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

rearing at the time of her betrothal in May. Isabelle was moving restlessly about the chamber. When Richard appeared in the doorway, she held out her hand, beckoned him toward the settle."I'm so glad you've come. John is much in need of cheer." Richard had noted his stepmother's pallor, the sleepless nights etched in the shadows smudged under her eyes, and he said, "I suspect that you are, too. Tell me aboutJoanna. The de Lusignans will not give her up?""No, of course not. They mean to honor the betrothal, Richard She's their hostage, you see. As long as they have her, John cannot move against them, cannot punish them as they deserve."Richard swore with unusual savagery. "Misbegotten, treacherous hellspawn, may the curse of God be upon them all."Isabelle's lashes flickered. "Hugh's son was not at Roche-au-Moine It may be that he was not privy to their plans, did not know what they meant to do."Richard's surprise was considerable. He might have expected such naivete fromEleanor, but never from Isabelle, Isabelle of all women. "Have you been well?When is the babe due?""Not for months yet, not till December." Isabelle nodded to her son's nursemaid, who rose to take the youngster off to bed. Eleanor at once rose, too, offered to take him herself."You've been kind enough to read to Dickon all evening, Nell, need not act as his nursemaid, too."Eleanor smiled at the child, who grinned back. "Oh, but 1 enjoy it, Madame,"she said, and did in fact look regretful when the nurse led the little boy from the solar. She seemed about to join Isabelle and Richard on the settle, but drew back into the shadowed window seat as John entered the chamber.Isabelle at once became solicitous, finding a cushion for him, acting as his cupbearer. John accepted her ministrations without comment. Richard was startled by how much he had aged in the six months they d been apart; the jet-black hair was rapidly going very grey.Giving Isabelle an oblique look that Richard could not quite interpret, John said, "I expect Isabelle has been telling you about the de Lusignans and ourJoanna."Richard nodded. "You must not blame yourself, Papa. Many blood feud has been reconciled in the marriage bed. How could V know what would happen?" a"I should have, though, for this was not the first time I gave awa> ^ Joanna.And did marriage to my daughter bind Llewelyn to me. v ake of him an ally? I gained nothing, and lost a daughter. No, Richard, j should have known ..."Neither Richard nor Isabelle knew how to answer, how to comfort. Isabelle slid closer, began to massage the taut muscles in John's neck nd shoulders, but after only a few moments, he impatiently signaled for her to stop. "Did you tell Isabelle, Richard, of the news you brought me? This past May I instructedPembroke to levy a scutage tax of three marks per knight's fee upon all those who'd balked at taking part in this campaign- Scutage has always been paid in lieu of military service, since the days of my great-grandfather. Yet Richard tells me that many are now refusing to pay it, claiming they owe no service for wars fought on foreign soil." John paused, before adding bitterly, "And for this I can thank my great and good friend the Pope. Had he not insisted Ipardon de Vesci and Fitz Walter"Breaking off as the door opened, John turned, saw the Earl of Chester standing in the doorway. "Come in, my lord. We were just discussing the benefits of being the Pope's anointed. Since I became reconciled with God and the Church,

nothing has gone right for me. What conclusion might I draw from that?"But his sarcasm stirred no rejoinder. Chester had not yet moved from the doorway. He stood in shadow, saying nothing, and there was something about his stance, his utter stillness, that alarmed them all."Well?" John's voice was suddenly husky, full of foreboding. "What is it?""I've news, Your Grace. News from Flanders.""Tell me," John said, and Chester came forward, knelt before the settle. "Your nephew Otto finally joined his army with that of your brother Salisbury. They were at Valenciennes, preparing to march on Paris, when their scouts reported that Philip had circled around, was now behind them. They swung about, and the two armies met on Sunday last near the village of Bouvines."John's hand jerked; wine splashed upon his sleeve. "And the victory?""It went to Philip, Your Grace. The victory was Philip's." John closed his eyes, gave himself up to the dark. But Chester's ,°lce droned on relentlessly."It was bloody work, my liege. Philip ^ed the bridge over the River Marque, so his men could not retreat. tk att'e's end, the dead numbered in the thousands. Your nephew fled e 'eld when it became clear all was lost. But your brother and Damel^11 Scorned fli§nt' fought to the last. Your brother led a desperate con across the field to reach Dammartin's men. It was an act of great §e/ Your Grace, and almost carried the day."

436VChester's loyalties were not personal, were pledged to the monarch, not to the man. But as he looked now at John's face, his dark eyes softened, and he said, with some pity, "At least I can tell you that your brother still lives. He andDammartin were both taken, are Philip's prisoners."Isabelle reached over, gently pried the wine cup from John's fist "Beloved, I'm sorry, so sorry . . ." When he did not respond, she tried to put her arms around him, but he pulled away, rose to his feet."It's over," he said, almost inaudibly. "It's all over.""For now, yes. But there'll be other chances, Papa, other""No, Richard. It's done."John moved to the table, picked up an hourglass, put it down again. "Find out what Philip wants to ransom Will and Dammartin. Whatever it is, I'll pay it.Whatever it is . . .""I'll be honest with Your Grace. Philip may not be willing to free themfor any price. That's