Morgan the Rogue (10 page)

             
'Are you ill, my lady?'

             
Rosamund recognised the voice before she could see his face.

             
'I was restless and could not sleep,' she replied.  'I see that you too are wakeful, Morgan Gruffudd.'

             
'I seldom sleep for more than short periods – unless I have drunk too well of strong wine.'  There was a hint of laughter in his voice and she moved closer so that she could see his smile.

             
'Do you often drink too well, sir?'

             
'I have been known to,' he replied and she heard the self-mockery.  'But that was when I had too much time and too little to occupy it.'

             
'Time can hang heavily,' she agreed.  'I have known that feeling, Morgan, though I did not drink to forget my sorrows.'

             
'Perhaps my lady hath more patience than I.'

             
'Perhaps,' she agreed and laughed huskily.  'Though my father would not have agreed with you.'

             
He heard the wistful note in her voice and glanced at her.
             
'Do you still miss him, my lady?'

             
'On nights like this, when I am alone,' she said and then realised she had been betrayed into revealing too much of her thoughts.  'What are you doing here, Morgan Gruffudd?  I think there is some mystery about you.'

             
'Mayhap I am running from myself,' he replied.  'Or trying to find myself.'

             
'As usual you answer a question with another,' she said.  'But 'tis no matter.  For some reason I trust you, Morgan – though my good William might think me a fool.'

             
'Rest easy, my lady.  Whatever I may do in the future I shall not betray you.  You have my word on that.'

             
'Then I shall continue to trust you,' she said.  'And now my restlessness has gone and I shall return to my chamber.  I bid you goodnight, sir.'

             
'Good night, my lady.'

             
Rosamund could feel his eyes on her as she walked away.  She did not know why but their brief time together had eased her fear of the future.

*

They had been at Conway for some days when the news came that Henry of Bolingbroke had taken Chester and it seemed that he had reached the city on the day that Richard had come to Conway.  Conflicting reports reached them, one saying that the city had been stoutly defended, another that it had surrendered without a fight.  The truth probably lay somewhere between the two, Morgan thought as he watched the comings and goings.

             
A strict guard was kept on the castle battlements at all times and thus far he had had no opportunity of passing a message to Owain, but he was content to bide his time.  It might be that soon there would be something of more importance to pass on.  Owain was sure to have heard of the fall of Chester and to reach his own conclusions.

             
Morgan was aware of a great stir the morning the ships anchored in the bay and it was obvious that an important envoy had come.  Men were shouting and it was clear the excitement was running high as the delegation was hustled into the main body of the castle.

             
'What is happening?' Morgan accosted Thomas Bridger as he saw him coming from the stables.  'Is there news?'

             
'I know nothing for certain.  I have heard a whisper.'  He glanced over his shoulder.  'They say the Earls of Salisbury and Northumberland have arrived – that there is a message sent from Bolingbroke.'

             
So that explained the flurry!  But why should Bolingbroke want to send his emissaries to King Richard at this stage?  He surely could not expect the King to surrender?

             
Morgan frowned.  'Bolingbroke has taken Chester yet the King remains strong here.'

             
'If I were in command I should have Bolingbroke come here.'

             
'That would be both fitting and wise.'

             
'I have heard Richard thinks of going to meet him at Flint.'

             
'I would advise against it.  He could make a stand here.'

             
'I agree…' Thomas looked thoughtful.  'Will she go with him do you think?'

             
'Lady Rosamund?'  Morgan frowned.  He had spoken to the lady alone only once since their arrival at Conway; their brief meeting by starlight had troubled his spirit, for he had sensed that she was deeply unhappy.  Yet outwardly she gave no sign.  She had been with Richard constantly.  At feast she sat at his right-hand and during the day they were often to be seen walking together.  It was obvious that there was warm affection between them, but was there more?  'She spoke of going on to her Castle of Caris but she may have changed her mind.'

             
'Here comes Alicia now.  Mayhap we shall learn more,' Thomas said as the young woman came up to them.  'You have news for us, lady?'

             
'Lady Rosamund wishes to speak with Morgan,' Alicia told him.  'You are to leave for Caris in the morning.  You will bid your men to be ready at first light, Thomas Bridger.'

             
'We shall be ready as always.  Does my lady go with us?'

             
'She will inform you of her wishes in the morning.  I am merely bid to tell you to prepare.'

             
Morgan waited for Alicia.  She was taking her time, seeming to enjoy bantering with the young soldier, but then she turned and beckoned to Morgan to follow her.

             
'My mistress wishes to have private words with you.  I am bidden to take you to her solar.'

             
His pulses quickened for he knew something was afoot and when Alicia left him at the door of her mistress's chamber, biding him to knock and then go straight in, he soon discovered that Lady Rosamund was not alone.

             
Morgan bowed his head to her and then to the King.  Until this moment Richard had done no more than glance his way and he felt slightly uneasy as those large eyes dwelt on his face.

             
'Lady Rosamund has told us of your service to her,' Richard said in a rich deep voice.  'We thank you for it, sir.  This lady is highly valued by us and had she been snatched at this time it would have caused us much grief.'

             
'I did no more than any right-minded man would do, sir.'

             
'Be that as it may, you have earned our gratitude.  Now we would ask another service of you if you care to listen?'

             
'Do you wish me to see Lady Rosamund safely to her castle?'

             
'No, Morgan,' she hushed him with a smile.  'You must wait for His Majesty to tell you.'

             
'I apologise, my lady.'

             
'No need.'  Richard wearily waved his stiff apology away.  'Your service is to me, sir.  I would have you accompany me to Flint, where I am pledged to meet Henry of Bolingbroke…'

             
'Is that wise, sir?  Were I your advisor I would say that you would be stronger if you stayed here.'

             
'To be King of England I must be able to move freely about my kingdom,' Richard said, a flash of anger in his eyes.  'I have done with being told what I should or should not do.  I shall treat with Bolingbroke.  If I return the lands that were taken from him all may yet be as it was.'

             
Morgan thought the King either foolhardy or badly advised.  At the moment Bolingbroke was flushed with triumph.  It would be better to fight on and see the usurper either hold his ground or suffer some reverses.  However, he could not expect King Richard to listen to the advice of a Welsh singer when he would not accept that of his own counsellors.

             
'I shall go to meet with Bolingbroke,' Richard went on in his own time.  'The reason I ask you to accompany me is that I need someone whose loyalty I can be certain of to carry a message back to Lady Rosamund at Caris. You may have no loyalty to me, but I believe you would serve your lady faithfully.'

             
'If you would only allow me to go with you…' she began but was silenced by a shake of his head.

             
'I know you would risk all for me if I asked it of you,' he said with a sad smile.  'But I prefer that you go to Caris.  At least I shall know that there is a part of Wales that holds for me if you are there.  Besides, if there is treachery…' He broke off as she paled.  'I am sure all will go well.  I shall talk with Bolingbroke and come to terms.  Mayhap he will demand more than the restoration of his lands, but I am sure that we shall reach an agreement.'

             
'Then you wish me to go with you – to carry news back to Lady Rosamund?'

             
Morgan was thoughtful.  At first he had not thought it wise to support the King in what he saw as weakness.  A strong man made his enemy come to him.  Yet it seemed that Richard was determined on the meeting with Bolingbroke, and if Morgan went with him he might learn things that would be of use to Owain.

             
'Yes,' the King said, his eyes dwelling on Morgan once more.  There was a hint of bitterness in his voice as he said, 'The people of Wales refuse to fight for me, Morgan Gruffudd, but they will not welcome Bolingbroke.  I tell you now that if he ever gains my crown he will be a worse king than I have been.  Yet I believe that you are loyal to those you serve, and that you would carry my message faithfully to this lady.'

             
'You may rely on that, sir.'  Morgan said.  'I have accepted service with Lady Rosamund and I would not see harm come to her.'

             
'Then we are agreed,' the King said and smiled.  For a moment Morgan saw beneath the mask of kingship and understood what might bind a woman to him.  'If I believe I am to be taken I shall send word with Morgan Gruffudd, Rosamund.  Believe only him and none other.  If any other comes and claims that I have fallen to my enemy bar your gates and fight – but if this man comes to you, you will know that it is true.'

             
Rosamund lowered her head submissively, but she was very pale and Morgan guessed that she was close to tears.

             
'At what time should I be prepared to leave, sir?' Morgan asked.

             
'We leave in the morning,' Richard asked.  'You will join my party at first light.  For now I bid you adieu, sir.'

             
Morgan bowed and left the chamber.  He did not glance at Rosamund for he knew that he would see tears in her eyes, and a small, unworthy knot of jealousy was burning in his breast.  He could not doubt that she felt a deep affection for Richard, though whether they were lovers he did not know.  He discovered that the thought made him angry.  Richard was a weak fool and not worthy of her love!

             
Walking down the spiralling stone steps, Morgan laughed at his thoughts.  Jealousy was a fool's game!  Lady Rosamund was beautiful but she was not for him.  She had a husband and mayhap a King for a lover – what should she want with him?

             
At the foot of the stairs he met Alicia.  She smiled at him, fluttering her lashes flirtatiously.  He knew that she would have been easy enough to seduce, but she did not stir him.  Besides, he believed that Thomas Bridger had hopes in that direction and he liked the man too well to take his woman in a careless moment that would mean nothing to him.

             
'Are you to come with us tomorrow, sir?'

             
'Not this time, Alicia.  It seems that our lady has other work for me.'

             
She nodded, a faint air of disappointment in her manner as she saw he would pass her by.

             
'Shall we see you at Caris one day?'

             
'I think that may happen,' he replied.  'And now I must speak with Thomas – if you will excuse me, Alicia.'

             
She let him pass and went on up the stairs towards her own chamber, which was directly above that of her mistress at the top of the tower.

             
Morgan went outside to find the young captain of Lady Rosamund's guard.  He wanted to warn him of certain dangers he might encounter the following day, and to help him to avoid them.  For he would rest easier at night if he knew that Rosamund was safe with her own people inside the stout walls of Caris Castle.

*