The Heart of the Lion - Plaidy Jean (читать книги бесплатно полностью без регистрации сокращений txt) 📗

Frederick was to look out for the King of England. Every house likely to be used by pilgrims must be watched.

When he received the message, Frederick sent for his cousin Roger of Argenton.

‘A mission for you, Roger,’ he said. ‘The King of England is nearby. He has slipped through my hands but I don’t intend to allow him to continue to do so. I want to capture him. This would mightily please the Emperor. And if he escapes I shall doubtless be reprimanded for allowing him to. He murdered Conrad de Montferrat.’

‘I believed that to have been the Old Man of the Mountains,’ said Roger.

‘Nay, it was Richard who was his enemy. The Old Man’s followers swear that it was Richard who had him killed.’

‘Murderers often like to shift their crimes on to the shoulders of others.’

‘No matter who murdered Conrad, I need Richard here. Go, Roger, and bring him to me. Do not spare yourself or anyone, but bring me Richard.’

Riding across the country Roger of Argenton encountered a company of pilgrims. There was one among them, tall, fair and of such dignified carriage that Roger’s suspicions were immediately aroused.

He asked permission to ride with them. This was granted for Richard liked the look of the young man. He asked him to ride beside him.

‘Tell me,’ said Roger, ‘what is your destination?’

‘We are on our way to England,’ said Richard. ‘Do you know of a nearer route than the one we are taking?’

‘You should head northwards,’ Roger told him, ‘and to the west. You would in due course come to France and from there cross to England.’

‘We have a long journey ahead of us,’ said Richard. ‘Tell me, my friend, have you travelled much?’

‘I have been in Normandy.’

‘Normandy. Ah, a fair land.’

‘As a Norman I agree with you.’

‘By God’s eyes, you are a Norman. I knew it.’

‘How so?’

‘Your bearing, your height. You have the look of a Norman.’

‘That is a compliment.’

‘None greater. Let us talk of Normandy.’

They talked of that land for which it was clear they both had a great affection.

‘Tell me,’ said Richard, ‘did you ever meet its Duke?’

‘To my regret I never did. But he is King of England now and on a crusade to the Holy Land.’

‘Kings mayhap should stay in their own kingdoms, think you?’

‘’Tis a noble thing to fight for the Cross, but it is said that duty lies first to the homeland.’

‘It may well be that you are right,’ answered Richard quietly.

Roger suggested that they should stay a night at one of his castles. There he would be happy to entertain a party whose company he had so much enjoyed.

As they entered the castle Richard could see that his friends were uneasy.

‘My lord,’ whispered one of them, ‘can we trust this man?’

‘I trust him,’ said Richard.

Alas! thought his men. Was Richard perhaps a little too trusting?

The pilgrims were given a large room in which they could spend the night and they were invited to eat in the great hall with Roger’s family.

Afterwards Richard sang for them and they brought a lute for him to play. Then Roger asked that Richard play a game of chess with him.

They removed to a quiet corner of the hall and sat there, the board between them.

Richard noticed the fine handsome face, the noble bearing, the fair colouring, the long Norman legs, and liked well what he saw.

‘I could find it in my heart to linger here,’ he said.

Roger flushed slightly and said: ‘Naught would delight me more, my lord.’

Richard saw that the hand on the piece Roger held trembled a little. He had not noticed he had called him my lord.

Their eyes met and there was understanding between them.

Here is a man whom I could love, thought Richard.

He looked at the rafters above the hall, at their companions still at the table, at the serving men and women passing back and forth.

‘It has been a day I shall remember,’ said Richard. ‘I shall never forget you, Roger of Argenton.’

‘Nor I you, my lord.’

‘What do you know of me, Roger?’

‘That you are no humble pilgrim.’

‘Pilgrims are not always men of humble standing.’

‘Nay, but there is that about you that proclaims you to be of the highest rank.’

‘Do you know who I am?’

‘I know who I believe you to be.’

‘And who is that?’

‘I dare not say, my lord, but if you would tell me it would make me happy.’

‘Can you keep a secret, Roger?’

‘I would let them pull out my tongue, my lord, rather than betray one you told me.’

‘Then here is one: I am Richard of England. Nay, do not rise. It is our secret, remember.’

‘You know they are seeking you?’

‘I know I am surrounded by enemies.’

‘They seek to trap you.’

‘Let them try.’

‘There is an order in this land that you are to be sought and when found taken to the Lord Frederick.’

‘Fret not, Roger. I will elude them. Think not that Coeur de Lion will be disturbed by some petty ruler like this Frederick.’

‘But if you fell into his hands . . . as you are . . .’

‘He would be the one who would have to fear. Come, I have put you in check.’

They returned to the game which Richard won and then he said that it was time for retiring.

He lay on his pallet but he could not sleep. He was thinking of Philip who had betrayed him and then he thought of the gentle eyes and the Norman bearing of Roger of Argenton.

Would he would follow me, he thought.

He was awakened by one of his attendants. ‘What now,’ cried Richard. ‘Is it morning then?’

‘Nay, my lord, just past midnight. Roger of Argenton is without. He says he must speak to you. It is of the greatest importance.’

Richard rose from his bed.

‘Have a care, my lord.’

‘Fear not. I trust this man.’

One of his knights put a robe about his shoulders and he stepped out of the room.

Roger immediately knelt at his feet.

‘Pardon, my King,’ he murmured. ‘Pardon.’

‘What is your sin?’ asked Richard, ‘that you get me from my bed to ask forgiveness for it.’

Roger was on his feet, his eyes wide. ‘My lord, you must fly from here without delay. I have had a horse made ready. Do not delay.’

‘Why so? You were hospitable enough last evening and now would be rid of us.’

‘I must confess. I knew who you were. I was sent by Lord Frederick to intercept you, to bring you here, to trap you. I want you to go before they come for you. I would rather die than be the one who betrayed you.’

‘So you set out to do that then, Roger?’

‘I was ordered by my lord. But I cannot do it, Sire. That is why I warn you. You must go at once. The horse is ready. I shall tell them that I was mistaken. That you are not in this area.’

‘Thank you, Roger.’

‘I could not betray you, for I love you.’

‘I love you, too,’ said Richard. ‘Nor shall I forget this night.’

‘Then prepare and be gone. It has been the greatest honour of my life to receive you here, but I shall not rest until you have gone.’

Richard drew Roger to him and kissed him.

Then he turned and went back into the room.

‘Dress!’ he cried. ‘Prepare. We are leaving here without delay. Roger of Argenton was meant to betray us and he has saved us instead.’

When Roger reported to Frederick that the pilgrims were in fact a certain Baldwin de Bethune and his companions, Frederick was bitterly disappointed. So much so that he said he would like to examine the pilgrims himself and he sent out orders for their arrest.

Roger was ahead of him. He knew in which direction they had gone and he reached them before they were discovered.

‘The pilgrims will be arrested,’ he told Richard. ‘They are to be taken before Frederick. You, my liege lord, must not be with the party when it is taken. Leave it now. Your horse will carry you a long way from here. Take with you but one servant. Go northwards as fast as you can. Do not seek rich lodgings. Be careful that you are not noticed.’