Page 31 of Retribution

He smiled. “Good lass,” he said. “That is what I want to hear.”

“It is the truth, my lord.”

“And you would do anything I asked of you, out of that loyalty?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Whatever you wish, my lord,” she said. “How may I be of service?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he sat back in his chair and seemed to be pondering the reply to her question. As if he were wrestling with it.

He was making a convincing show of it.

“Would you truly like to know?”

“Of course I would. Please tell me.”

“I would be most grateful if you could return the generosity I have shown you in kind.”

“I would be happy to,” she said. “I always want to show my gratitude for what you’ve done for me.”

“I hope so,” he said sincerely. “Because I am going to ask something very important of you. You can make the greatest difference in my life and help me tremendously.”

“Then tell me what it is I should do and I will do it.”

He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his chin as if deep in thought. “Have you enjoyed your life at Oakington Castle?” he said. “When we are not in London, we live in my bishopric at Oakington and I’ve never been sure if you enjoy it there.”

It was another unusual question, but she nodded. “I enjoy it very much, my lord.”

“We have a great deal of freedom there,” he said. “My family’s lands stretch through Nottinghamshire and, as a whole, we enjoy a great deal of freedom and revenue. It is a rich property that provides me with income. That means it provides you with these beautiful garments and your maids and your horses. Even the sweets you eat. It gives you this wonderful life that you enjoy. More than that, it provides your father with what he needs in order to help his… sickness.”

It wasn’t often that they discussed Everald and whenever they did, Cleodora always became suspicious. She knew what Cambridge did for her father and she further knew that because of it, her father would do anything for the man. Moreover, he would force Cleodora to do anything for him, too, so at the mention of her father, Cleodora’s guard went up.

“You are most compassionate to help my father with his sickness, my lord,” she said. “I will forever be grateful for it.”

He put up his hand as if to silence her. “I did not say that so you would thank me,” he said. “At least, not with words. Words are empty. But actions will truly convey your gratitude.”

Now they were coming to the meat of the discussion and Cleodora’s guard went up even more. “What would you have me do, my lord?” she said. “How can I show my gratitude for all you’ve done for my father and me?”

He smiled again, but there was no warmth to it. His dark eyes remained dull and hard. “I am glad you are willing to show me how much my generosity has meant,” he said. “The truth, my lady, is that with the king returned to England, everything that helps your father—my properties—is now in danger.”

She cocked her head with concern. “Is that so, my lord?” she said. “I did not realize that.”

He nodded. “Now that Edward has returned, he will be watching everything I do,” he said. “The man has always been jealous of the Gainsborough fortune. So was his grandfather, John. My own grandfather had a good deal of trouble with John and I fear that now that Edward has returned, that threat has also returned. It threatens my family, my very livelihood, and most of all, the help your father receives. I need you to help me and help your father. I believe you can.”

“How, my lord?”

He sat forward in the chair, his dark eyes fixed on her. “It was quite fortuitous that you made the acquaintance of a king’s knight yesterday,” he said. “What did you say his name was? St. John?”

She nodded. “Aidric St. John.”

“Aidric,” he repeated as if to remind himself. “You have asked what you can do to help me, Cleodora. I shall tell you. I want you to cultivate a friendship with Sir Aidric. Become his friend. If he wants more than friendship, I want you to give it to him. Do you understand me so far?”

She didn’t, not really. “More than…?” she said, confused. “What more would he want from me?”

“Must I be plain?”

“I apologize that you must be. I do not understand.”

“If he wants to bed you, let him,” he said, suddenly turning the conversation from soft and pleading to cold and demanding. “You have been well trained by Margit. I know what she has taught you. I have never asked you to use those skills on me, but I am asking you to use them on Sir Aidric. Seduce him, my dear. That is as plain as I can make it. If you want to know why, I will tell you—become Aidric’s lover so that you may get close to the king. I am certain that Edward would not turn down the company of the Pearl, a creation of his father’s doing. If the opportunity comes to seduce Edward, then I want you to do that, too. Get as close to him as you can.”