The Green Man Read Online Free PDF Page B

friend.’ I was about to remind him furiously that he was drinking my ale, even if he had brought his own victuals, but he gave me no chance, hurrying on, ‘That’s just the sort of mindless violence we want to avoid. The chances are that no one amongst his household is trying to kill Albany, but if it should prove that one of them is, then we want the right man brought to justice.’
    â€˜I see.’ I recharged my own beaker and took a long, hard swig. I could foresee a rather nasty snag. ‘And if there is such a man, and if he succeeds in his object, but I fail to stop him, where does that leave me?’
    Our companion swilled the ale thoughtfully around his mouth. ‘It could affect your popularity,’ he admitted cautiously, after a pause.
    â€˜Oh, undoubtedly,’ I snapped back viciously. ‘I’d probably have to flee the country and offer my services to King James for having rid him, albeit unwittingly, of this Clarence of the north.’
    Timothy gave another spontaneous bark of laughter and once more advised me to watch what I said.
    â€˜But seriously, Roger,’ he added, ‘Duke Richard firmly believes that there is no such danger threatening Albany. He holds it as nothing but a nervous disorder of the mind. Nevertheless, he is ready and willing to pander to the duke’s wishes, and if it will make him feel any safer to have you along as his personal protector, then Duke Richard has no intention of gainsaying him. I’m sorry, my friend, but however little you may relish the prospect, on this occasion you have no choice but to obey. It’s an order this time, Roger, not a request. You must be ready to accompany me to London tomorrow – a mount has already been provided for you – and from thence to Fotheringay Castle for an assembly of all the commanders and their levies on the eleventh of June, Saint Barnabas’s Day.’
    â€˜And if I refuse?’ I knew it was only bluster, but I was desperate and there was no harm in trying.
    â€˜Then you will come under armed escort, as my prisoner.’
    I glanced at Adela. She was looking sick and white with the thought of my going so far from her and the children and with the fear that I might never come back again. I stretched out a hand and squeezed one of hers, trying to speak bravely for her sake.
    â€˜I shall be all right, sweetheart. I’ll be home again well before Christmas, you’ll see.’ I grinned feebly. ‘The months will fly by without me to distract you. You know you always say that it’s like having four children to look after when I’m around.’
    â€˜He’ll be safe enough,’ Timothy endorsed heartily. ‘And both Duke Richard and my lord Albany have sent purses of money so that you’ll want for nothing, Mistress, in Roger’s absence.’
    â€˜Men!’ my wife exclaimed scornfully. ‘You all think money makes up for everything. Well, it doesn’t make up for a cold, empty bed or for someone to fetch wood and bring in water. It doesn’t make up for someone to talk to after a day of talking to no one but the children.’
    I knew this latter statement was something of an exaggeration. If two days passed without Margaret Walker – my former mother-in-law and Adela’s cousin – visiting our house, or my wife visiting hers, I knew nothing of the matter! But I made no comment, merely turning my own reproachful gaze on our guest, even though I knew it was in vain.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ Timothy said; and to do him justice, he did manage to sound genuinely regretful. ‘But there’s no help for it. Roger must go to Scotland, and that’s an end to it, I’m afraid.’

Three
    M y first sight of Fotheringay Castle filled me with foreboding.
    A great, grim pile rising out of the flat Northamptonshire landscape, it looked like some prehistoric creature crouched to spring and devour the unwary