Mary Gillgannon Read Online Free PDF

tensed, and a wave of grim weariness washed over him. It was always this same battle.
    Four feet away Richard gave a delighted laugh. The conversation had turned from weapons to women, and on that subject the Black Leopard was truly an expert.
    Will glanced toward the door, planning his escape. From the look in Faucomberg’s eyes, there was going to be trouble, and Will didn’t want Richard drawn into the unpleasant business. He stood. Richard looked up, regarding him with curiosity.
    Will schooled his face to a calm, unconcerned expression and tried to slow his racing pulse. Then he began to walk toward the door, pushing his way through the mass of sweaty, drunken soldiers who blocked his way.
    “Fleeing again, de Lacy? Too much of a coward to face me?”
    Will paused and turned stiffly toward his challenger. Faucomberg stood about ten paces away, his orange-colored hair bristling above his high forehead, his sneering mouth a red slash in his pale face.
    “If you have something to say to me, Faucomberg, I suggest you join me outside.” Will turned back toward the door and edged carefully past the men in his way. They took note of his rich velvet tunic and the heavy gold chain at his neck and moved aside.
    “Oh, aye, you unnatural bastard. Go outside where your men can defend you.”
    The harsh loathing in Faucomberg’s voice carried remarkably well in the suddenly quiet tavern. Will heard the indrawn breaths and excited whispers behind him. The confrontation was becoming a public event. Two barons facing off in a grubby Tudbury alehouse—it was a thing not to be missed.
    A third voice rose above the hush: “What’s that, Faucomberg? Did you say something to Baron de Lacy? I thought you called my friend a coward, but I must have misunderstood.”
    Will turned in dismay. Of course Richard would come to his defense, damn him. It was just like him to risk his neck in a hopeless cause. Didn’t he realize there was no fighting Faucomberg? The gist of his words was true, and getting into a brawl over them would only fan the flames of the man’s hatred all the higher.
    “No misunderstanding, Reivers. I did call de Lacy a coward. I hadn’t realized you would be fool enough to defend him. Can it be that you have forsaken your whoring ways and become a lily lover like him?”
    There was a collective gasp from the bystanders. Faucomberg enjoyed some protection because of his wealth and title, but everyone knew the Black Leopard was a vengeful man and one who feared nothing. All eyes turned to Reivers. He looked exactly like his animal namesake—tense and deadly, ready to spring upon his opponent with unbridled savagery.
    Will thought he saw a flicker of fear in Faucomberg’s eyes, but it was nothing compared to what he felt. He couldn’t stand by and watch Richard throw away his career and perhaps his life.
    “Stop them!” he called out. “If they fight and someone is killed, Lord Darley will cancel the tournament.”
    The hard-eyed, half-drunk men around him muttered knowingly. Tournaments were already denounced by the Church. If blood was shed here, there would be even more reason to outlaw their favorite entertainment. The crowd watched the two combatants uneasily. Richard had drawn his knife, and no one appeared brave enough to take it away from him.
    The knife flashed, shimmering like a silver fish in the dim tavern light. Faucomberg jumped back, fear making his white skin grow whiter still. He gave a slight, imperceptible nod, and the group of men behind him surged forward like a menacing tide. Richard was surrounded.
    The Black Leopard eyed his assailants disdainfully and then fixed his cold, pitiless glance on Faucomberg.
    “Cowardice? I give you cowardice—ten men against one.”
    A murmur passed among the spectators, unfriendly, mocking. Faucomberg gained color rapidly, his face flushing almost as red as his hair. “Seize him!” he hissed.
    Will pushed forward, only to see Richard disappear in the midst