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Page 311
Heribert replied smoothly, understanding the need to make him seem an old friend. He was shocked, to learn that he was in Pembroke's keep, but he said evenly, "Yes, I had heard of Pierre's death. It saddened me greatly that I could not come to you at that time. But you ask if I knew! Did you not receive my letter?"
That, Heribert hoped, would be a hint for her to bring the promised letter out of her sleeve or from wherever she had concealed it. Instead, she put a hand on his arm and urged him to come into one of the wall chambers.
"But we have no company," she said, reading the flash of suspicion on his face, "and you are welcome to choose whichever chamber best pleases you."
Heribert pointed at a door at random, and they moved toward it together. Since there could not be men in every room, it could not be a trap, and, indeed, the chamber was empty.
As soon as Marie closed the door behind them she said, "Sir Heribert, I have a confession to make. I did write the letter you received. I did not wish to lie, but you must see that I needed to protect myself."
"That is perfectly reasonable," he replied, much more at ease but still cautious about committing himself.
In the next few minutes, however, it became apparent to Heribert that all his fears and worries had been unnecessary. Lady Marie had a violent hatred for Sir Walter and the Earl of Pembroke, and she told him everything she knew about Walter's plan to take over Knight's Tower and to send Sir Heribert's garrison and Sir Heribert himself to aid in the coming attack on Shrewsbury. Because it was past and she understood so little about war, Marie did not mention the terrible defeat Monmouth had suffered.
When she had emptied her budget, Sir Heribert thanked her profusely and then asked, "What would you have me do?"
The animation began to fade from Marie's face and the glitter from her eyes. "Is what I have told you useless?" she asked. "Can you not somehow use it to avenge us both?"
"I can try," Heribert said. "I think I know a use that will cause de Clare to be outlawed and that would benefit me greatly, but what if another effect is Pembroke's downfall? Will that not harm you and your sister?"

 
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