|
|
|
|
|
|
you to say nothing to Lady Sybelle about your . . . er . . . situation until you have spoken to Richard." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Why?" Marie cried. "You promised to help me. Is this your help?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I will help," Gervase responded somewhat mendaciously, for the more she thought of Richard's reaction to what Marie planned, the less she liked the scheme. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The two years in Pembroke, compared with the festivities at Builth and the mild interests and pleasures of residence in Abergavenny, had taught Gervase a lesson. She had complained of isolation and boredom when Richard was at war in France, but there had always been some visitors, some coming and going, moderate-sized towns with fairs and markets, and other simple amusements. Pembroke, as far out in Wales as one could go, was different. Whether or not it had been intended so, it had been a prison. Gervase did not wish to suffer such isolation again, particularly not for her sister's petty revenge. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You have not thought," Gervase continued. "If you tell Sybelle your tale and she believes you, she will not sit and weep. Have you not seen she is not that kind? She will go back to her keep in Clyro, probably write to her father and very likely to Sir Walter. But Sir Walter is with Richard and can tell him anythingand you will not be there to defend yourself. In addition, Lord Geoffrey is the most likely person to mediate between the king and Richard. You yourself must have seen how often they spoke together at Builth. It is true that Sybelle may write ill of Sir Walter to Lord Geoffrey, but do you think it is Sir Walter that Lord Geoffrey will blame? When does a man blame another man for playing with women? He will blame you, and if he will no longer speak for Richard to the king, Richard will kill you rather than support you." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marie stared at her sister, her face pallid with rage. "I will have my revenge on him for playing with me, for using me. I will!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"And I will help you," Gervase assured her, knowing that Marie must be quieted or her spite would override her fear. "But you must work through Richard. If you wait for him and tell him your story in private, little blame can fall on you beyond that for the weakness of a woman who believed the lies of a man she had reason to trust. Richard is your warden. It will be his duty to act to protect you." |
|
|
|
|
|