Wild by Jill Barnett

Author:Jill Barnett [Barnett, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2014-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

King Edward I of England was as tall and commanding a presence as his title indicated. His skin was golden from the recent hunting trip and his blond hair glinted in the sunlight that broke through a circular window filled with amber-colored, wavy glass.

"This is an odd message you would have me come home to. You say Sir Roger has disappeared somewhere in Brecon and claim Sir Tobin de Clare, Gloucester's son, is behind it?" Edward stood in his war room in the main castle with his back to a long, heavily-carved table of dark wood, his legs crossed casually at the ankles. But to anyone who truly knew the King well, he was actually anything but relaxed and indifferent.

"Those are strong accusations." Edward met the eyes of each man kneeling before him with an unreadable blue gaze. His left eye drooped slightly on one side, a trait of Plantagenet kings, his father in particular. But on Edward, no one would ever dare to think it a weakness or flaw. He was a man of one and forty whose mind was as whipcord sharp as his long and youthfully lean body.

Edward gestured for the men to rise. "Explain why you suspect this."

Payn Godart stepped forward. "First Sir Roger disappears in Brecon with no sign. He rides off after a woman on a horse and does not come back. One night and another day we waited, your grace, then we searched the countryside."

"You did not find any sign of him?"

Payn shook his head. "But de Clare was gone searching alone for longer than anyone else. He returned with no explanation for taking a day longer than the others. When I suggested we ride to Earl Merrick for aid, he refused, even though he knew Glamorgan was closer and could give us aid in the search."

"You think he had reason to harm Sir Roger?"

"They did not get along. That is no secret. And there is de Clare's sister, the Lady Elizabeth."

"We all know of the Lady Elizabeth and FitzAlan, but I think Hugh Bigod is more of a threat to him than de Clare."

"But even more damning, Sire, is the fact that de Clare has disappeared from here while we were awaiting your return." Payn paused, then added, "Innocent men do not choose to hide information and do not sneak away at night."

"What information is that?"

"Riding to Glamorgan to get help from Earl Merrick, who does not know of what has happened to his friend. He is close to Sir Roger."

"As am I," Edward said pointedly. "And someone saw de Clare sneak out of here?"

"No. But he told no one he was leaving. I did not find out he was gone until this morn," Payn Godart complained.

"In Brecon there were no tracks from Sir Roger's mount?"

"De Clare claimed they disappeared at a river north of Brecon Wood," John Carteret explained, then bowed his dark head again in deference to his king.

"I see," Edward rubbed his pointed beard thoughtfully.

"We searched the area for two days and the nearby village.

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