Queen's Knight (Struggle For a Crown Book 9) by Hosker Griff

Author:Hosker, Griff [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd
Published: 2022-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The Queen had me seated at her right hand when we ate. Jack was seated amongst her ladies and Father Bertrand, the Queen’s confessor sat on my other side. The priest was an older man with white flecked and thinning hair. He said little but I saw him observing everything. I have no idea what we ate that night although I suspect it was superbly cooked and delicious. My mind was running through all the things I had to do. Not least amongst the list was how to tell Isabelle that we had a daughter for that was what it amounted to. The queen had told me to raise Margaret as my own and that I would do. I knew how fond Sir William had become of me and that Isabelle and I would be just as loving with the child for that was in our nature.

Before the main course was brought in Queen Catherine stood, “I give a toast, Sir Michael of Weedon who has now agreed to be Queen Catherine’s Knight.” Although all the glasses and goblets were raised, in the small gathering in the intimate hall, I saw the looks of surprise on the faces of her three ladies in waiting. She had not mentioned it to them. “As payment for his future services I give him the manor of Houghton Regis. It was a gift from my husband and as it lies twixt here and Sir Michael’s home at Weedon it seems perfect for we can visit each other.”

The reward brought curious looks from all apart from Iago and Father Bertrand. I could see that they were her confidantes. When the food was brought in the queen nodded to Father Bertrand, “And while I get to know your squire a little better, I pray that you speak with Father Bertrand. He is my confessor and my soul is an open book to him.” It was a command and not a request.

She turned and I faced the priest who smiled, “I am pleased that you are such an honest knight, Sir Michael, who cannot hide his feelings or mask his emotions. You are surprised and humbled by the gift I can see but you should be proud that you have been chosen.” He lowered his voice, “To give up a child is a hard thing but the queen is not well and while she knows that her sons will be protected by their father the fate of an infant girl is less certain.”

“Why me, Father?”

“The alternative would be a nunnery. If I was a younger priest, I might see that as the most worthy of vocations but I am older now and unlike many of my fellows, celibate. I can see how attractive a life with the prospect of children might be and from what I know of you, Sir Michael, your home will be a happy one.” I gave him a quizzical look. “The queen came up with this plan when she bore Margaret all those months ago.

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