A King's Betrayal

A King's Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: A King's Betrayal Read Online Free PDF
Author: Linda Sole
Brecon, which Richard took from him.  He has begun his campaign in the north and already he holds a strong position.  We should have come home sooner, before Bolingbroke could gain such strength, but Richard would not listen. He always believes in his right to rule and will take no advice from anyone, even his trusted friends.’
                  Beatrice shuddered, coldness sweeping over her.  It was as if a dark cloud had obscured the sun and she was afraid of something – something dark and hidden that would bring great grief into her life.  She wanted to scream and shout, to protest that this must not happen, but she held her peace.
    ‘Why did no one tell me?’
                  ‘We none of us expected this, sister,’ Sir Hugh said and frowned at her.  ‘Besides, Tomas did not wish to distress you in your condition.’
                  ‘I wish you had told me sooner,’ she said, though she knew that she could do nothing.  War was for men.  Women waited and wept while their men went off to fight and die.  ‘What did you mean when you said we must prepare for war?  Shall we be attacked?’
                  ‘It is possible,’ Hugh said.  ‘I came here to see you and bring you a letter from Richard.  I shall stay but one night, then I must meet the King in Wales, taking with me all the men I can muster from my own estates.’
                  ‘What of Tomas?’  Beatrice looked at her husband anxiously.  ‘Shall you go to Wales and fight with Richard?’
                  ‘He bade me stay here and protect the castle and you,’ Tomas said, giving her a look filled with meaning.  ‘I would have left the men under your command and gone to him, but he forbade it.  He said that in your vulnerable condition you needed me here.’
                  Tears stung her throat.  Richard had thought of her in this time of danger.  He had ordered Tomas to protect her and his children – perhaps he did mean to acknowledge them one day.  Ambition soared once more.  Only when she was dead would she release her hopes of seeing Elspeth take her father’s place on the throne of England one day. She looked at the letter her brother had given her and saw that it bore the royal seal.  Her heart quickened with excitement.  Was it the document she had always wanted?
                  ‘You must do as Richard asks,’ she said and lifted her head proudly.  Turning to her brother, she smiled.  ‘I am proud of you, Hugh.  I know that when Richard is victorious he will honour you for your loyalty.’
                  ‘If he is victorious.’  Sir Hugh looked uncertain.  ‘Do not underestimate Henry Bolingbroke, sister.  He did not come here merely to win back his lands.  He wants the crown of England and he will wrest it from Richard’s head with his bare hands if need be.’
                  ‘Surely you do not think he will win?’
                  Beatrice was horrified.  It had never occurred to her that Richard could lose his throne – and perhaps his life.  She shuddered, feeling icy prickles all over her body.                ‘Tomas, tell me Hugh is wrong.  Richard cannot lose – can he?’
                  Tomas hesitated, then, ‘I shall not lie to you, Beatrice.  Richard has upset the barons.  Too many of them are against him and bear grievances for various harm they claim he has done them.  He passes laws that many feel too harsh and rides roughshod over his enemies.  Some say his rages are the sign of madness and they talk of a change – of a new king who will rule fairly.’
                  ‘Richard is their anointed King.  How can they betray him?  They will be traitors, their lives forfeit when he is victorious.’
                  ‘Yes, that is why many will sit on the fence and wait,’ Tomas said. 
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

Falling Into You

Maureen Smith

BAD Beginnings

Shelley Wall

By Force

Sara Hubbard

Cherub Black Friday

Robert Muchamore

Just Another Day

Isaac Hooke

Sharky's Machine

William Diehl