[Roger the Chapman 02] - The Plymouth Cloak Read Free

little too long and full for the true handsomeness of his big, blond, elder brothers. Yet in his lifetime, I have often heard him spoken of as the most attractive of the three, and I know women found him very good-looking. (To say as much today is akin to treason, but I shall tell the truth and hang the consequences.)  
    If Richard of Gloucester were delicate of body, he was steel-willed of mind, a fact attested to by his unwavering loyalty to his brother King Edward in the face of all adversity and temptation. Unlike his other brother, George of Clarence, his allegiance had never faltered, not even when it had meant giving up all hope of marrying the woman he loved. That sacrifice was now happily a thing of the past, and he and his cousin, the Lady Anne Neville, had been man and wife for eighteen months. And in some small way I had been instrumental in bringing that about.  
    The same thought must have been in his mind also, for he suddenly gave a rare grin and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. For a brief moment we were no longer royal duke and the lowliest of commoners, but friends; two young men born on the same day - or at least so my mother always insisted - drawn together by the bonds of youth and the sharing of a past adventure. He reached out unexpectedly and clasped my hand.  
    'I owe you a great deal, Roger Chapman and instead of rewarding you, I'm about to enlist your assistance yet again. But I promise that you won't go unrecompensed. You will be more than compensated for your loss of earnings over the next few days while you ride to Plymouth, and for however many days are needed until you return.' My lower jaw must have dropped open in astonishment, but just at that moment, a serving-man entered bearing a laden tray, and the Duke laughed. 'Eat your breakfast first and then I'll tell you why I need you.' He nodded dismissal to the server, who had placed his burden on a table near the window. 'Now, take your stool over there and tuck in. I'm sure there's no more than a good trencherman like yourself can manage.'  
    The sight of food put all other considerations temporarily out of my mind. Even my anxiety about what sort of mission it was that I was being asked to undertake was swamped by my gnawing hunger. For the next quarter of an hour I worked my way steady through a plate of boiled beef and mutton, a dish of soused herrings, oatmeal cakes and bacon, sprinkled with saffron, and half a small loaf, all of which I washed down with three or four cups of excellent ale poured from a large pitcher left on the table. As I cleared the final traces of food from around my teeth and drained the last dregs, I looked up to find the Duke regarding me with ill-concealed amusement. For a moment I was overcome with embarrassment, before deciding that frankness was my best weapon.
    ‘I must apologize to Your Grace if my table manners are less than you are used to, but I rarely have the chance to taste food as good as this - or indeed as plentiful- and I'm afraid I allowed myself to be carried away. I assure you that I don't always eat like a pig let loose at the trough.'  
    That made him laugh openly. 'You didn't,' he said. 'It was a pleasure to see someone enjoying himself so much. His face grew serious. 'It's easy to forget that not all people get enough food to sustain them every day. Now, bring your stool back here again, where we can talk.' When I had complied, he went on: 'How are things going with you? You haven't decided to change your calling?'  
    I shook my head. 'I like the open road. I've never been happy being confined within four walls, which is why I left Glastonbury Abbey. But I've never thanked Your Highness properly for your offer of two years ago, to take me into your household. I tried to explain to your messenger as well as I could my reasons for refusing. '  
    The Duke inclined his head. 'He delivered his message faithfully. I was sorry, but I understood.' His eyes strayed to the fire,