Page 22 of Retribution

Filly nodded. “I know, my lady,” she said. “I heard you.”

“I want to thank him,” Cleodora said. “I already told him that I was grateful, but it does not seem enough. A reward probably would not mean anything to him, but I have an idea on how to thank him that might be a sincere show of my gratitude.”

Filly wasn’t quite following her train of thought. “What do you mean, my lady?”

A gleam came to Cleodora’s eye. “Never you mind,” she said. “But I need you to do something for me. I require your help.”

“You shall have it.”

“Take my purse,” she said, indicating the wardrobe where she kept her silken purse and her coin. “Take all of it because I do not know how much it will cost.”

Over the years, she’d accumulated a good deal of coin, mostly from the archbishop because he liked to be generous from time to time and give her money simply because he could. It wasn’t as if she had anything to spend it on, so she’d just kept accumulating it.

Until now.

But Filly was looking at her in confusion. “What will cost, my lady?”

“The kermes fabric.”

Filly’s eyes widened. “The one that Adelie’s woman was showing us?”

“The very same.”

“It was so expensive!”

“I know,” Cleodora said. “It is perfect for a gift.”

“What gift?”

A smile tugged at the corner of Cleodora’s mouth. “Purchase seven tunic lengths of the kermes,” she said. “And then you will purchase two dress lengths of dark blue wool and two dress lengths of yellow wool. The finest wool they have. Do it today, and do it quickly, and I will make sure you are rewarded.”

Filly wasn’t any more clear on what, exactly, Cleodora had in mind, but she didn’t ask questions. She liked the idea of being rewarded for a task well done, and unlike her mistress, she had far more freedom coming and going from Thornhill. She could do what Cleodora couldn’t and it was obvious she was the key to some master plan her mistress had. Rather than argue with her, she simply nodded.

“Very well, my lady,” she said in a tone that suggested she wasn’t too keen on the task. “I will hurry over. But meanwhile, the archbishop wishes to speak with you. You must go to him now.”

Cleodora knew that. Cambridge was not a patient man and she’d already delayed long enough. Taking a deep breath, she headed downstairs as Filly collected the coin purse from the wardrobe and fled down the servant stairs.

Cleodora’s plan was in motion.

Cambridge was waiting in the hall, seated at his elaborate table where he usually was. He was at that table often, enjoying rich foods, foods he could afford, and his figure showed it. He had an enormous belly even if his arms and fingers were strangely thin. Cleodora entered the hall, smelling something burnt that tickled her nostrils, and tried not to sneeze as she dipped into a curtsy.

“Ah,” Cambridge said as he caught sight of her, his mouth full of something that was on the table in front of him. “Come in, dearest. Sit down. I hear you’ve had a trying day.”

Cleodora scooted over to the table and took the seat he indicated. “It was an unusual day, to be sure, my lord,” she said. “If I have caused you any grief or trouble because of it, you have my sincerest apologies. It is only, and ever, my intention to honor your house.”

His gaze drifted over her as she sat down. “You’ve not caused me any grief,” he said. “But Neville told me what happened. Positively shocking. I would like to hear your story, please.”

Cleodora didn’t hesitate. “I was waiting for the garment Adelie had prepared,” she said. “I was in a smaller chamber because one of Adelie’s ladies wanted to show me some fine wool from Lucca. As I was looking at it, a knight entered the chamber and asked me about the fabric. I knew about it, you see, and told him what I knew. He was not bold or forward and I felt comfortable answering his question.”

Cambridge was listening intently. “This knight,” he said. “Who was he?”

“A knight in the service of King Edward,” she said. “He told me that he is in command of Edward’s personal guard. He was at Adelie’s to conduct business and happened to see the fabric I was looking at.”

Cambridge wasn’t thrilled with the fact that she’d been speaking to a strange man and his expression showed it. “I see,” he said. “Continue.”

Cleodora did. “We had finished the conversation when another man appeared with a sword,” she said. “He pointed it at me and told Sir Aidric to move aside, as he wished to take the jewels from my dress and also take me.”

“Who is Sir Aidric?”