A Dangerous Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

and the Jews are the world’s bankers. Therefore Avram does business in Goldsmith’s Lane even while England’s laws prohibit   Jews from taking up residence here. I will put Adair’s little fortune to him, and the receipt will be with my own household treasurer. You are free to draw upon the monies for the child’s care when you need it, but it cannot be stolen from her by any in the queen’s household.
    And should you ever need the aid of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, mistress, you have but to ask.
    “I was yet a boy when King Edward took Adair’s mother for his leman. Once when my brother George was bullying me she stepped in to protect me from a beating. As you can see,” he said, “I am not like either of my older brothers, who are sturdy of frame. I am slender and slight.” He smiled. “George was practically a man, but delicate Jane Radcliffe stepped between us and said in her gentle voice, ‘It does not behoove your reputation, my lord of Clarence, to abuse your younger sibling, who has really done you no offense.’ I remember the look on George’s face. It was pure outrage that this beautiful young woman had reprimanded him.
    “My brother George is overweening proud, as you will eventually see. But she was Edward’s current mistress, and greatly in his favor. Certainly more so than George. He turned on his heel without a word and left us. Then Lady Jane took a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped the blood from my cheek where George’s ring had cut it when he struck me. ‘You must get that attended to, my lord,’ she told me. And then she left me. And another time, when George took all the candied violets from the dish so there were none left for me, Lady Jane gave me some from her own plate. She was always doing kind things like that, mistress. I think I fell in love with her for a short time, and was even jealous of the king. And then she was gone from the court.”
    Elsbeth’s eyes were filled with tears. “She was a very good woman, and a good wife to my lord earl, God assoil both their poor souls.” And Elsbeth crossed herself, as did Richard of Gloucester. “But you are a good man too, my lord. It is not my place to thank you for your  kindness to my little lady, but I do.” Elsbeth caught up the duke’s hand and kissed it.
    “Thank you,” he said. “I recognize Adair as my blood kin, and I will always be there for her as I am for my brother Edward’s children. The princesses Elizabeth and Mary will be her playmates. Little Cicely is not even three yet, and little Prince Edward will be a year next month.”
    “The queen’s nursery is a busy one then. But Adair will be no trouble, for I will look after her,” Elsbeth said.
    “The queen has little to do with her children,” the duke responded. “The royal nursery is the province of Lady Margaret Beaufort, whose son, Henry Tudor, is considered the new heir to Lancaster. She is a strong-minded woman, and ambitious for her son. But she is also fair and devout. Adair will be safe under her guid-ance, and you safe in her service.” He stood up, Adair still sleeping in his arms. “Show me the child’s cot, and I will put her there. I will come to see her before you depart on the morrow. Midmorning will be soon enough for you to reach Westminster the same day. I shall have two of my men escort you.” He followed Elsbeth into another room, Beiste by his side, and, laying Adair down where Elsbeth indicated, drew the coverlet over her as he placed a kiss on her brow. “Sleep well, my lady Countess of Stanton,” he said. And then with a brief nod of his head to Elsbeth he left them.
    When he had gone Elsbeth sat down upon the pallet cot next to Adair’s. Reaching out, she patted the wolfhound’s head while reveling in the warmth coming from the wood brazier. God was obviously watching over them, if today was any indication. To have been rescued from their long and miserable travels by the king’s brother was more than