The Pawn
Page 26
Despenser had been malicious but this was the worst he had asked.
“What do you think, your highness? Shall the boy clean our boots?”
Edward waved his hand in a gesture that could have been interpreted in various ways. His companion took it as meaning the king was in agreement.
“Start with mine, boy. Once you have perfected your technique, you may clean the king’s.”
Landon closed the gap between him and the older man and dropped to his knees. The boots before him were layered in mud, with bits of grass mixed in. He also smelled horse shit. He shuddered but kept quiet. Kneeling, he braced himself with his hands placed on either side of Despenser’s left boot.
And licked.
“The Prince of Wales has arrived, your highness,” a servant said.
“Bring him to me,” the king commanded.
“Why did you send for young Edward?” Despenser asked.
“I don’t want to leave the country to perform homage to Charles of France regarding Aquitaine.”
“The prince is only twelve years of age. Do you think him an adequate representative, your majesty?”
“It’s time he take on certain duties so he can become a man,” Edward replied. He paused and then said, “I’d rather stay here and hunt with you, Hugh. The barons are restless. I don’t think it wise for me to be in France and allow them time to plot against us.”
Landon continued his distasteful task. He sensed the arrival of the royal heir as he swallowed and kept to his task.
“Your majesty,” said the prince.
He recognized the younger Edward’s voice from a previous visit he’d made two days earlier. Landon forced the bile down as his mouth filled with more mud and shit.
“I am making you not only Earl of Chester but Duke of Aquitaine, my son. In that role, you will journey to Paris and join your mother. She’s there with my envoys, negotiating a peace with her brother, the King of France. You will perform homage to your uncle in regards to the Duchy of Aquitaine. I am informed the peace accord has been settled. You may sign on my behalf as the new duke. Afterward, you and your mother will return to England. Do you have any questions?”
“Nay, Father. Not about the French. I am eager to represent the crown in this matter and thank you for giving me such a great responsibility.” The prince paused. “May I inquire why this boy cleans the royal chamberlain’s muddy boots with his tongue?”
Despenser chuckled. “He’s doing a fair job of it. More practice will make him an expert, though.”
“Rise, de Blays,” the king commanded.
Landon pushed himself to his feet, aware of the filth that now covered his face. He kept his lips pressed tightly together, not wanting the prince to be offended by the muck coating his teeth and tongue. Giving a bow, he stared just to the side of the prince’s face, not daring to meet the older boy’s eyes.
“This is a cousin of yours, Edward, Landon de Blays. His father thought to commit treason against England with a small band of noblemen. Who knows? If not himself, Adelard de Blays might have tried to put this boy on the throne in your stead. Cousin Adelard’s head now rests on a pike. You may have seen it.”
“Nay, Father, I haven’t, but I, too, have boots that could use a thorough cleaning. This cousin of mine should do nicely.”
Landon’s eyes cut to the prince but he saw no malice on the older boy’s face. Instead, he saw intrigue. Standing firm, he kept his jaw clamped.
“Would you give me this cousin, Father? After all, he is family and quite young. I am sure I can dispel any notions of grandeur that Lord Adelard might have given him. ‘Tis best to keep an enemy close and turn him into an ally instead.”
His heart began beating wildly. Something told Landon that this cousin of his would not mistreat him. Still, he stood stoically, not knowing whether the king would agree or not.
“An excellent idea,” the monarch said. “The boy is only six. He should prove malleable enough. Take him to France with you then. I’m tired of him being underfoot.”
Victory sparked in Prince Edward’s eyes. “Thank you, Father. I will represent you well in Paris.” He moved and kissed his father’s hand and then looked to Landon.
“Come along, Cousin.”
Without waiting, the young prince strode from the room. Landon quickly followed him. His only regret was that he couldn’t stop to spit what sat in his mouth in Despenser’s face. The king’s rooms were vast and it took some minutes to reach the corridor. The prince sailed through the two lines of royal guards and Landon made sure he was close enough that he wouldn’t be swallowed by the soldiers.
Turning to the left, the prince kept to a brisk pace before he stopped and threw open a window.
“Spit out as much as you can,” he commanded.
Wide eyed, Landon stepped to the window and used his tongue to push out the excess muck in his mouth. He took his fingers and scraped his tongue and then wiped them on the borrowed clothes that were too large and now smelled like manure.
The prince nodded agreeably and closed the window. Landon followed him once more until they reached another wing of the palace. They entered a suite of rooms, where a horrified servant looked at Landon, his mouth gaping wide.
“Bring hot water. My cousin needs a bath,” Edward said pleasantly. “And send for my tailor. He needs a new wardrobe and I, too, am in need of something elegant to wear to the French court.”
When the servant stood rooted to the spot, the prince firmly said, “Now,” and the man scurried away.
“Come this way, Landon.”
He followed the royal to another room, where a lavish meal had been set out. His stomach gurgled noisily at the sight.
“I’m sure they haven’t been feeding you well,” the prince noted. “You can eat and drink in a moment. First, let’s clean you up some.”
Edward led him to a basin of water that would be used for washing hands before a meal. “Go ahead. Plunge your face into it.”
Landon did as instructed and rubbed his face while it remained in the water. He raised his head, water dripping down the front of him, as the prince reached for a linen cloth set on the table.
“Use this to wipe away the dirt,” he suggested.
Once more, Landon did as he was told, hardly believing his good luck.
“Come and sit. After you eat and drink, the water will have arrived for your bath.”
“But . . . this is your food, your grace.”
“I’m not that hungry. Go ahead.”
Landon sat and though he tried to use good manners, he found himself shoving food into his mouth. Ashamed of his behavior, he stopped and dropped his hands to his lap.
Edward, who’d taken the seat opposite him, said, “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Cousin. Despenser is the one who should feel contrite. He is a greedy, evil man. I am sorry he is so closely associated with my father. Has he mistreated you in other ways?”
“Aye, your grace.” Landon thought it best not to elaborate.
“No more worrying about Hugh Despenser. You are in my care now. I will teach you what is important. The things a good man needs to know.” A shadow crossed his face. “I met your father before. I am sorry that he got caught up in a plot against the crown.”
Landon sensed his cheeks burning, shame filling him. “Father was always good to me and my sister.” It was all he could say. He had no words to explain how the man he loved was the same one who’d done such terrible things.
The prince leaned closer. “You have a sister?”
“Aye. Katelyn is five.”
“My father would not harm a child so young, especially a girl. She is safe, wherever she is. When the time is right, I will also take her under my wing. Would you like that, Landon?”
Relief flooded him. “I would.”
Soon, the bath water arrived and the prince supervised two servants as they scrubbed Landon from head to toe. Clothes had been found for him. The tailor also arrived and measured him.
The prince told the tailor they would be leaving for Paris in two days’ time and he wanted several new changes of clothes for his young cousin, as well as something he could wear to meet King Charles.
“Mother says that my uncle pays close attention to details, so spare no expense,” Edward instructed.
After the tailor left, Landon began yawning. He tried to cover it, only to hear Edward laugh.
“You’ve had a trying week, Cousin Landon. It’s time for bed.”
The prince led him to a room with an enormous bed.
“A dozen people could sleep in that!” he exclaimed.
“Well, only two of us tonight,” the prince quipped.
“I’m . . . to sleep . . . with a prince?” Landon asked, overwhelmed.
Prince Edward placed his hands on Landon’s shoulders. “A time is coming when I will need people loyal to me. The nobility throughout England rumbles in displeasure at the power both Despensers have at court and over the king. They have stolen lands and fortunes from too many to count. Their day of reckoning is coming. When it occurs, I will need to step forward and lead.
“Blood is blood, Cousin. Can I count on you to be by my side when I claim England’s throne?”
Landon fell to his knees in order to show his gratitude. “I am your loyal servant. Always,” he said vehemently.
“I will hold you to that vow, young Landon de Blays, both now and in our future.”
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About the Author
Alexa Aston’s historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love. She is the author of Medieval and Regency romances, including The Knights of Honor series.
A native Texan, Alexa lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and can’t get enough of The Crown and Game of Thrones.
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