The Lion of Justice Read Online Free PDF

not a coward; he had always known that; but he was not a fighter either.
    There was one thing that was certain. Edgar had not come to England to claim the crown. How could he? He had no army. All the same it would not be a bad idea to keep him occupied.
    He decided he would send for Edgar Atheling.
    Edgar came in answer to his summons.
    They took stock of each other. He has grown coarser, thought Edgar. But he had always been coarse with his red face, thick form, his rather stuttering speech and his manner which could change from bantering friendship to haughtiness in the space of minutes. Edgar had always been more in tune with Robert.
    Very handsome, these Saxons, thought Rufus. Some of them are good fighters though. I remember Harold’s coming to my father’s court, when he was made to swear away hiskingdom over the bones of dead saints. There was a handsome man, but a fighter too. Edgar was not that, but no coward. A dreamer, more like. Another such as Robert.
    â€˜So, Edgar, you have brought your sister’s brood here.’
    â€˜And grateful we are for your hospitality.’
    â€˜Well, if I denied it where else would you have gone? To Normandy?’
    â€˜I had wondered whether I should throw myself on Robert’s mercy.’
    â€˜Robert is not my friend at this time, Edgar. You know he fancied he would like my crown . . . or rather his barons did. Robert is too indolent to fancy much but extravagant living.’
    â€˜You wrong him, William.’
    â€˜You were always his special friend. But they were good times we had together, eh, Edgar? The trouble with my brothers and myself is that we’re a fighting brood. Robert wants what I have. I confess I should not mind having what Robert has and Henry would like what we both have. What can you expect, with a father such as ours?’
    â€˜He was one of the greatest men the world has known.’
    â€˜Ay to that, but an uncomfortable one, Edgar. Though in the latter years he and I grew close. After Richard died he took me into his confidence. He was determined to make a king of me and as I was determined to be one – and to remain one – that worked well. But, Edgar, I have not brought you here to talk of the past but of the future. What of these nephews and nieces of yours?’
    â€˜As you know, William, Donald Bane has snatched the crown of Scotland.’
    â€˜And the poor little rightful king is too young to make an attempt to regain it.’
    â€˜Too young and too poor.’
    â€˜Well, he has an uncle who is not so young.’
    â€˜But poor, William.’
    Rufus burst into loud laughter.
    â€˜Well, we shall see, we shall see. There are girls, I believe, of marriageable age?’
    â€˜They are over-young as yet. Edith, the eldest, is not yet sixteen.’
    â€˜What do you propose to do with them?’
    â€˜I had hoped you would give your consent for them to be educated in an abbey with the nuns.’
    â€˜You don’t propose they should take the veil?’
    Edgar shrugged his shoulders helplessly. ‘Who would wish to marry dowerless princesses?’
    â€˜Their coffers may be empty, Edgar, but their veins are furnished with good royal Saxon blood.’
    â€˜â€™Tis true. Their parents dead, though, their brother dispossessed, themselves penniless . . .’
    â€˜You tell a doleful tale. Is not their aunt the Abbess of Rumsey?’
    â€˜That is so.’
    â€˜Well then, Edgar, that takes care of the girls. Let them go to their aunt and when the time comes we shall see whether it will be the marriage bed or the nun’s veil for them.’
    â€˜William, I was certain I could rely on your friendship.’
    â€˜The younger ones may go to Rumsey, too, until plans are made for them. But it is your Edgar of whom we must think. There is a young King without a crown. This Donald Bane is a man who holds a high opinion of himself, I am told. He has displaced a