The Unconventional Maiden Read Online Free Page B

did not report the matter to him.’
    ‘You know him well?’
    ‘We are acquainted due to my having spent time at court,’ said Gawain.
    The colour in Beth’s cheeks ebbed and she thought how there would definitely be an enquiry now by the Cardinal. She hated the idea.
    ‘Did your father not have a business meeting this morning in Calais?’ asked Gawain.
    She hesitated. ‘Aye, but what has that to do with this? Monsieur Le Brun is but a master printer and he and my father have done business together for as long as I can remember. He would never hurt him.’
    ‘Your father wouldn’t have considered him a suitable husband for you?’
    ‘What!’ She stared at him incredulously. ‘He is an old man. Besides, he has a wife and three sons.’
    Gawain was relieved. ‘It was just a thought. Yet his conversation with your father earlier today might provide some clue to his murderer. With his being an old friend he might have spoken to him about matters he would not have told others. Do you know his whereabouts in Calais?’
    Beth mentioned the name of a street.
    ‘Then I will go there,’ said Gawain. ‘But first I must speak to Wolsey.’
    He drew back the tent flap and ushered her outside. Immediately the strong wind caught her and almost blew her off her feet. She clung to his arm as her skirts were whipped about her legs and she felt him stiffen.Obviously he did not want her touching him, so she released her hold on him and was aware of curious glances as they made their way past the tents.
    ‘I wish we had never come here,’ she said in a low voice. ‘But Father was adamant that I should see some of the places that he had visited with the king’s father when he was a penniless fugitive.’
    ‘Perhaps it will be worth mentioning the link between the Tudors and your family to Wolsey.’
    ‘I do not doubt he already knows of it,’ said Beth. ‘My Welsh great-grandfather fought beside the king’s great-grandfather, Owain ap Twydr, at Agincourt, but that did not mean much to Wolsey. He and Father met and they disagreed on matters of religion.’
    ‘I see,’ said Gawain, wondering if the Llewellyn menfolk had been involved in the printing of illegal religious tracts at any time and, if so, maybe that could have had something to do with their deaths? ‘Anyway, I am hopeful that when I explain the situation to the Cardinal, he will speak with the king and he will allow me to escort you back to England as soon as possible.’
    ‘Why should you want to do so?’ asked Beth, surprised. ‘Would you rather not stay here?’
    ‘I deem it my duty to see you safely home,’ he said firmly.
    ‘I still do not understand why you should feel responsible for me,’ said Beth. ‘I have my servants to accompany me.’
    Gawain frowned. ‘Do not allow your pride to get in the way of common sense. Because of my position your passage will be more comfortable. Besides, youwill be safer with me. Allow me to help you, Mistress Llewellyn.’
    Beth did feel safer knowing that he was at her side, despite his overbearing and disapproving manner earlier. ‘I will do so for now, Sir Gawain, but do not feel that I will acquiesce so easily another time,’ she murmured.
    ‘I am not such a fool that I have forgotten our earlier exchange, Mistress Llewellyn,’ he said, then changed the subject. ‘Now, tell me your opinion of our king’s temporary palace.’
    Beth saw that they were heading through the crowds to that edifice and could not help but marvel at what the old king’s money had built here in Balinghem. The palace was in four blocks with a central courtyard. The only solid part was the brick base and above that were thirty-foot-high walls made of cloth on timber frames, painted to look like stone or brick. The slanting roof was made of grey oiled cloth and gave the illusion of slates. There were huge expanses of expensive glass windows.
    ‘One cannot accuse our king of tightfistedness,’ said Gawain drily.
    ‘Do you like