Crown of the Realm (A White Knight Adventure Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

bed. A burr lodged beneath the saddle of the king’s mount. These incidents, if we may call them such without censure, are only slightly less engaging than the sirventès the king’s troubadours sing.”
    “When did they first begin?”
    “It’s a little embarrassing.” She hesitated saying soon admitted, “A fortnight since.”
    “When we sailed from Dover? To join Richard?” The king had been in Normandy since December. At the end of February, he summoned his family from England. Among others, the entourage included the queen, the queen’s court, the comte of Mortaigne, the archbishop of York, and two young knights hailing from Winchester.
    “Even so,” Eleanor said, “he must be flushed out, this mischief-maker. But I will say without reservation, the assassin is not John, though naturally that is your first inclination.”
    Skeptical as he was, Drake was not about to engage John’s mother.
    “You take me aback, my dear Drake. You have become a man. Been tempered. Perhaps by the sword sliced across your back by my youngest offspring. By the bye, how is your wound?”
    “Healed.”
    “Completely?”
    “ By a small miracle and God’s grace.”
    “Methinks God had a smaller hand than the hand of your physician.”
    As with all of Drake’s recent injuries, Aveline had applied her healing touch. Upon her arrival in Canterbury, having been escorted posthaste by one of her brawny brothers and Lord fitzAlan, and immediately insinuating herself in the inn, much to the consternation of the king’s surgeon and his noxious fisyks, bloodletting, and cauteries, the daughter of an alewife applied silk thread, balms, ointments, and a loving hand to her patient, along with broths, cajoling, and midnight ministrations. Soon Drake was whipped into shape. Naturally, the surgeon took credit, and Drake did nothing to dispel the notion. Until now.
    “My father took charge .”
    “How so?”
    “By dismissing the king’s surgeon.”
    “Ah.” The twinkle in her eyes brightened. “And installing a physician of his own choice? From Winchester, I presume.”
    “ It goes without saying.”
    “He must be skilled , this unnamed physician.”
    “ More than you know.”
    “ All I can counsel is this. Be vigilant that the source of your renewed health doesn’t go to your head or capture your heart.”
    Drake lifted his eyes to the queen’s direct gaze. “And the reason Richard singled Stephen and me out for open ridicule …?”
    “To draw the assassin to you, of course.”
    His mind reel ed. “Do you mean …?”
    “I do.”
    “Drake fitzAlan is the last man John would approach as an ally.”
    “If it were John. But it isn’t. Of that, I am certain.” Eleanor released the cat. “And now, I need your arm once more.”
    Drake sent her a winning smile. “ Domna, per vostr’ amor, jonh las mas et ador! ”
    “You have a way with words, mon cher .”
    “They are not mine , as you well know.”
    She nodded, remembering glory days. “Bernart de Ventadorn, the son of a kitchen maid and her master, or so the story goes. Bernart loved me well, and expressed it in song as any worthy suitor ought.”
    While they strolled to the portal, the queen dowager silently savored the words: Lady, for your love, I join my hands and adore you ….
    “This I have learned ,” she said. “A goshawk does not mate with a falcon, no matter how beautiful the falcon or how gallant the goshawk.” And thus with a smile, she saw him out, though behind the enlivened facade lay regret. For her lost years, her lost youth, and bygone days.

Chapter 3  
    CARRIED ON THE BREEZE , a woman’s voice warbled, singing of the source of her affections: a worthy knight.
    Pavilions dotted the mowed field below. Campfires were scattered about in no particular pattern. At the perimeter of the grounds, mounted guards wearing surcotes of fleurs-de-lys for France or rampant lions for England rode defensive patterns. On the lookout for his brother, Stephen