The Canterbury Murders Read Online Free PDF

past them all, flinging his cloak to a servant and calling for a flagon of wine as he made his way to one of the corner towers. At the top of the winding staircase, he led Nicolaa and Marshal into a room of moderate size, furnished, as was the hall, with only the bare necessities. On one side was a narrow bed and on the other a small table set about with two chairs, a wooden settle and some stools.
    Bidding them both to take a seat, John paced the length of the room before sitting down himself and waving a hand dismissively at their surroundings. “I apologise, Nicolaa, for bringing you to such a comfortless chamber, but ladies do not often come inside the ward, so none of the rooms are kept suitable for their reception.”
    Nicolaa glanced at Marshal. The earl had been correct when he said that John had changed. The king’s habitual smooth urbanity was gone, replaced by a nervous energy, and in the depths of the dark flashing eyes he had inherited from his beautiful mother was a haunted look. Around his neck were gold chains strung with religious medals, and an image of the Virgin Mary was pinned to his fur-lined hat, almost as though he needed to reinforce heaven’s protection.
    At that moment, there was a knock at the door and a servant appeared with a flagon of wine. Once they had all been served with a cup, and the servant departed, the king began to explain his purpose in requesting Nicolaa’s presence.
    â€œI am sure you are aware, lady, through my summons to your husband, that due to the perilous situation in Normandy I have been forced to summon a convocation of the Great Council at Oxford.”
    At Nicolaa’s confirming nod, he went on. “It is because of this meeting that I have sent for you. My purpose was twofold, and both parts concern the queen. Firstly, I fear for her safety. Earlier this year, in Normandy, minions of Philip tried to take her hostage at Chinon, and I am concerned this may happen again, here in England.”
    John’s trepidation was not without foundation. There were those amongst his English barons who were in agreement with Marshal, especially those who held fiefs in other lands across the Narrow Sea directly from Philip, and felt that the king should cede Normandy to French rule. If, unlike the earl, they were unscrupulous, it was not impossible that they would stoop to seizing Isabella and use the threat of harming her to force the king to their will.
    â€œWhile the council at Oxford is in session,” John continued, “I would have the queen in the safekeeping of a person I can trust. I want you, Nicolaa, under the protection of Marshal, to take Isabella to Lincoln and keep her there until it is ended.”
    â€œOf course, sire,” Nicolaa willingly agreed, grateful that the task John required of her, although heavy with responsibility, was not to be an onerous one. “Do you wish us to depart immediately?”
    John shook his head. “No, and that brings me to the other reason that I asked you to journey here. My original plan was for myself and Isabella to stay in Canterbury, and you with us, until after we had attended the celebration of Our Lord’s nativity at the cathedral. It would have been of great benefit for Isabella to have a woman of the English nobility at her side when she meets with the many nobles, and their wives, who will travel here for Christ’s Mass, especially one who is known and liked by all. Isabella brought only two companions with her from Normandy—one no more than a young girl and the other, although mature, only recently come to her service. Neither is of noble birth and neither is suitable to attend her on the many social occasions that will take place before the end of December.”
    As the king paused, Nicolaa’s heart sank. If she complied with John’s request—and she really had no choice other than to do so—this would be the first