Lady of Sherwood by Jennifer Roberson

Author:Jennifer Roberson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2013-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Robin knew they would come. He had seen it in their eyes, the careful examination of his words, tone, and intent. But he had expected all three to descend upon him, not merely one strolling casually up the path.

And they had chosen well.

He sat in idle reflection upon a bench within the walled kitchen gardens. He had emptied his mind of such things as earls and kings and countries, thinking instead of sons, of daughters, and the legacies of fathers looking along the years from infancy to the child’s adulthood. When the shadow fell across the pathway before his feet, he nodded acknowledgment but did not look up.

The Earl of Essex said, “I helped crown Richard.”

Inwardly, Robin winced.

“I helped Richard protect the laws of this land.”

He made no reply.

“I helped raise the ransom to buy him back from German Henry—though I do confess I did not realize that a certain knight-turned-outlaw would increase my contribution.” The faint dryness of the tone brought Robin’s head up. He looked into Geoffrey de Mandeville’s aging but still handsome face, into blue eyes fading but still capable of weighing a man’s worth. “And I joined with other men to plan a way to prevent John from stealing his brother’s throne while Richard was imprisoned.”

“Richard was still king,” Robin said quietly. “But now he is dead, John is king, and what you plan is treason.”

“If we lose.”

Robin looked at him more sharply. “That is twice I have heard such said. Does no one believe in the moral issue of right and wrong? Does only the winning count?”

“In this case, yes.”

Belatedly, Robin shifted on the bench and gestured de Mandeville to be seated. Essex accepted the invitation, stretching out booted legs as he settled his spine against the wall. He did not speak again.

The silence was oddly companionable, for all that what lay between them was an offense that could cost them their heads. But Robin knew there was more.

De Mandeville offered it. “You said you believed there was another way.”

Robin nodded. “John may be half a madman, if what they say of his fits is true, but he is not entirely a fool. He needs you, my lord. All of you. His reign is but days old, and there are unruly barons to think about, and Arthur of Brittany, and Arthur’s mother, and even Arthur’s grandmother. Eleanor never favored John. And if she should take Arthur’s part, John may be relieved of his crown by his own relations.”

De Mandeville’s mouth twitched. “Thereby saving our heads?”

Robin sighed. “The tales told claim the Devil’s Brood nearly killed one another one hundred times over when the old king still lived. What is to say it will not happen now?”

“And would you then support Arthur?”

He shut his eyes. “All I wish is to live in peace. Quietly. Away from court, away from kings, away from battle.”

De Mandeville said gently, “And captivity.”

His eyes snapped open. After a moment Robin managed a smile. “My lord, do you refer to the Turks? Or to my father?”

The earl laughed softly in appreciation.

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