|
|
|
|
|
|
"It was I who wrote," Walter answered quickly, "but not by Lord Pembroke's order. I thought if revenge were contemplated, the king's men might avoid the great keeps and ravage the land, which might effect my own keep of Goldcliff. But I do not think that was the meaning of Lord Pembroke's question. I believe that was owing to surprise at how much you know and how soon." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That brought a smile. Walter could not guess whether it was owing to pleasure at having astonished the earl or amusement at Walter's pandering to Richard's delicate conscience. It was not a question Walter particularly wanted answered, but he was not concerned; he trusted Llewelyn's tact. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This faith was rewarded, since Llewelyn only said, "You will have to ask Simon exactly what his men have donealthough I am not sure you will get any very sensible answer. Simon is a trifle preoccupied these days. Still, I am sure the reports are reliable." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard nodded acceptance. He trusted Simon and had found his information gathering to have been accurate in the past, but now the earl frowned, a little troubled at Walter's acceptance of the responsibility, which he felt he should not have abandoned to him. However, there was a more important problem than that. The garrison at Monmouth had already been large, certainly large enough to discourage any attack. When Richard had gone to look over the keep, he had not known how many were within it; that was one of the things he had been hoping to discover. Having learned how many men were in the keep, he probably would have given up any intention of an assault unless someone had come up with an unusually hopeful stratagem or device. Thus, it was very peculiar that Monmouth should bring in still more men. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Why more?" Richard asked, hoping that Llewelyn would understand the simplistic question. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I cannot answer that yet," Llewelyn replied, "unless John of Monmouth takes you to be a fool. Can that be possible?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I do not believe so," Walter put in. "Sir John knows Lord Pembroke well enough, and I do not think Monmouth to be a fool, either, which he would need to be to deceive himself about Lord Pembroke's capacity or ability." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Llewelyn looked at Richard, who nodded and shrugged. "Very well," the prince said, "I do not think John of Mon- |
|
|
|
|
|