In Honor Bound Read Online Free PDF Page B

beyond bearing.
    He could hear the priests now on the other side of the door intoning an ave, muffled and indistinct, and knew his mother was making confession. Soon she would be absolved and her spirit would be put into the hands of God, then the priests would be silent.
    The silence came. The princes crossed themselves and waited for word to be brought. Finally the door swung open, and Robert came out of the chamber, pale and trembling, the bloody stamp of Elaine's wounds still on his white doublet. The brothers were startled at his expression. He looked furious, not grieved.
    "You," he snapped, pointing at John. "I will have you from my sight and from my court. You are not to stay even the burying." He took rough hold of John's wrist and stripped the Chastelayne ring from his finger. "Go where it pleases you to go, but go now. Do not let me see your face again."
    John flinched as if he had been struck, and Robert turned on Philip and Tom and Richard.
    "I will not have a word from the three of you. Keep silent, or before God Himself, you go with him!"
    He stalked into the room opposite the one where their mother's broken body lay and slammed the door.
    Philip started after his father.
    "No." John was pale and shaken. "I will go if he wishes me to."
    "You'll not!" Richard said and, swearing a terrible oath, he flung open the door his father had just slammed and slammed it again behind him. Immediately the sounds of quarreling filtered out, the words unintelligible but the tone unmistakable.
    "He is hurting, John," Tom said. "I am sorry he has hurt you."
    "How could he say such a thing?" Philip fumed, pained by the shattered expression on his youngest brother's face. "He cannot mean really for you to go. By my life, John, you've always loved him better than any of us have!"
    The three of them stood silent, listening to Richard's voice battling his father's, back and forth, louder and more vicious, until the door flew open again and Richard stormed out with the king close behind him.
    "Richard!"
    Richard halted and turned back to his father.
    "Rumor is a strong tool in the right hands, my lord king," he warned. "Take care what you speak before the court. Once told, it cannot be again unsaid."
    Robert considered for a moment then, looking at John, his eyes turned steely.
    "Very well. I will say nothing to my nobles of this, but he is banished. I'll not be swayed from that."
    John had not wept at the news of his mother's death, but now he did, the quiet tears slipping down cheeks that had not quite lost their childish roundness.
    "If you banish him, banish me as well," Richard swore. "I'll not stay at your court if you do this to him."
    "I'll not be threatened by you or anyone," Robert returned. "He is banished and you may do as pleases you."
    Richard looked at him, fury coloring his face, then he grabbed John by the arm.
    "Come on."
    "I have sons yet to do my bidding, my lord of Bradford !" Robert shouted after him. "Your loss will not be keenly felt!"
    "Stop them, Father," Philip insisted. "Mercy and grace, what has John done?"
    "This does not concern you."
    "Does it not? John is–"
    "Father, please–" Tom began at the same time.
    "Enough, Philip. Tom, not another word. Will you both rebel against me, too?"
    "No, Father." Tom put a restraining hand on his brother's arm. "Come, Philip, I think we all of us would do well to consider for a moment before we say anything more."
    "As you say," Philip agreed, and with a taut bow he left the room.
    ***
    Robert sat down abruptly. The light from the window above him was unkind to his haggard face and made the wounded rage in his eyes all the clearer to see.
    "May I get something for you, Father?" Tom asked.
    "Bring me some wine, then leave me."
    Tom overlooked the sharpness of his tone. "Shall I have Dunois tell the court of the queen's passing? They will be waiting."
    Robert drew a harsh breath, as if he were going to swear, then he checked himself. "Tell him. And tell Richard he is