Cursed in the Blood by Sharan Newman

Author:Sharan Newman [Newman, Sharan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General
ISBN: 9781405526357
Google: SwGbCB0ZSrcC
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2013-04-24T13:00:00+00:00

They decided to go the following morning, reasoning that two men wandering about the cathedral would be less remarkable by day. That night Edgar ate his fish stew with more appetite than he had since coming to Britain. At last he was doing something, not letting himself be blown about on his father’s whim.

The man he sat next to seemed vaguely familiar. Edgar had seen him among his father’s retainers.

“I don’t remember you from when I lived at Wedderlie,” he admitted. “What’s your name?”

“Algar,” the man answered. “I remember you, though. I’m Alfred’s grandson. When I was little, I used to run errands to the keep. Once, you gave me a honey cake.”

“You remember that?” Edgar was astounded.

“It was an act of fellowship, not charity.” Algar smiled. “You confessed that you’d stolen them from the kitchen.”

“I probably had.” Edgar thought back. “There were never any left after the men had eaten, although sometimes my stepmother managed to save me a few. Are we … uh … related?”

Algar grinned. “Your uncle asked me the same question. My mother says not and I believe her.”

“She should know.” Edgar offered his hand. “I’m glad to meet you again, Algar. It is nice to know there’s one man in my father’s company who isn’t my brother or nephew.”

Edgar studied the face before him. Algar must be five or six years younger than he. The incident he remembered must have occurred on Edgar’s last visit home before he left for France. Fifteen years ago and yet that small act had remained in this man’s mind. This was someone he should pay attention to.

He woke the next morning with his head full of plans about how to reach Brother Lawrence with the message he had been charged to convey. He didn’t pay much attention to the commotion in the outer bailey. Then he heard someone call his name.

“Edgar, come quickly.” It was Æthelræd, looking unusually grim. “There’s news from Wedderlie!”

Edgar rushed out to find a crowd of men gathered around a rider who hadn’t had time even to dismount. He then recognized Oswin, who had been left in charge of the guards at Wedderlie. His heart began pounding.

“Where is Lord Waldeve?” Oswin shouted. “Lord Edgar, where is your father? He must know at once. Two nights ago we were attacked. We drove the invaders back but most of the men were killed and the keep has been burnt to the ground.”

Edgar felt all the blood drain from his head. He only stayed upright because of his uncle’s strong arm around him.

“My wife?” he yelled across the tumult. “Where is she?”

Oswin’s face was still blackened by smoke and there was a bandage around his head that was oozing blood.

“I don’t know, Lord,” he said miserably. “We fear they were all trapped inside.”

Edgar stared at him, uncomprehending. This wasn’t happening. The man was mistaken. Catherine must have escaped. He had left her there so that nothing could harm her and James. Oswin couldn’t have meant that they had been hurt.

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