Canterbury Papers Read Online Free Page A

him the abbeys sat across the land like fat little pigeons, ready for the plucking. He needed money for the mounting costs of recovering Eire. If only he had behaved in the first place, when Henry sent him there years ago, Ireland might still be linked to Britain. Now his mother wanted me to provide his bail. I returned to her words, shaking my head.
    If John’s enemies find these letters, they will use them to destroy the king’s—and my own—reputation with the good people of England.
    If there is a rebellion against John, a civil war would most likely follow, and once again we’ll see suffering and destruction in England. I cannot allow civil war if it is in my power to prevent it. Aide-moi maintenant.
    I know you may be tempted to disregard my request. But if you help me, your reward will be great. I have certain information in my possession, information about a child born many years ago. This child disappeared and was supposed dead. I think you were interested in the welfare of this boy. If you want the information I have, I will most willingly give it to you. But first you must help me in this crucial business of the letters.
    I have been told that your anger with me over the past continues. That you blame me for preventing your marriage to Richard. I swear to you on the tears of Christ that I had no part in those events that occurred after Henry separated us and imprisoned me. Please believe me when I tell you that it was not myself who prevented your marriage to our son, Richard.
    I call you now to your responsibilities as my daughter. I will reward you well if you help me. If you choose not to help, your punishment will be your own unquiet conscience.
    Eleanor R.
    I reread the letter, my hand trembling as if with the palsy. I was torn between anger and shock, like a rag shaken in the teeth of a lion. Gone was my cool head. The lines blurred fiercely as I reread the script. How long had she known about the child? Why had she never told me? And how dare she of all people use my child’s fate as a carrot to lure me to her witless task?
    I picked up the silver wine goblet next to my chair and hurled it against the wall, watching the red liquid run down the tapestried wall like blood, feeling my wrath ooze from me. And then I rested my head on the back of the chair, giving up my spirit to whatever feelings came.
    I slept poorly that night. My dreams were all of the Plantagenet family. They were on a tournament field. Eleanor, tall, regal, straight-backed and porcelain-skinned as when she was young. Richard, her favored son, tall, auburn-haired like his mother, and beautifully formed, with burgeoning shoulders on his slender, adolescent figure. And of course there was Henry, large, broad-shouldered, gruff, in rough, stained clothes and smelling of horses and the outdoors. In the sheer mass of his figure and his blunt, aggressive features, his power overshadowed the others. They faded from my presence, one by one. All except Henry.
    The sun, already high in the sky, sent a ray across my face. I stirred. Returning to this world, my thoughts flew immediately to the child. What was it that Eleanor could tell me that I did not already know? What gem of information could she offer that would change the past? Or the future? The child was dead.
    I sat up suddenly. What if, by some incredible chance, the child had survived? If there was any possibility at all … if Eleanor had such news, it was my right to have it. And have it I would!
    I moved now with purpose but also with a heavy head, albeit one cooler than was the case the night before. My two timid maids, after tentatively peeking inward to the chamber, advanced slowly toward my bed and helped me rise and dress. They chattered as they brought me cheese and bread and wine for my morning meal. I answered pleasantly enough, but all the while I was considering Eleanor’s strange request. While I waited for Tom of Caedwyd to appear, I riffled