But the pain of the estrangement was real.
Therefore, no one really spoke of Sean de Lara to Kevin, so for William to bring it up openly was something that simply wasn’t done. Alexander, in particular, was close to Sean, though not unsympathetic with Kevin, and he watched the knight’s reaction as William brought up the forbidden subject.
“I will, and can, do all that is required of me, my lord,” Kevin said easily.
Not that there had any doubt, but William still wanted to hear it from Kevin. “Very well,” he said. “You will go with them to Norwich. Stay sharp. In fact, all of you stay sharp. If there is a threat under our noses, we must discover what it is.”
Those heading to Norwich nodded, but it was Alexander who spoke for the group. “Aye, my lord.”
“Leave us now,” William said, waving his hand at them. “I will be following shortly to Norwich, but do not wait for me. I will see you there. Sherry, this is your mission. You are in command.”
As Alexander nodded and headed out with the others, William turned his attention to Maxton and Kress.
“Now,” he said. “Pull up a chair and let us discuss what to do with Prescombe.”
With that, his attention was diverted and those heading to Norwich quit the chamber. Alexander, Peter, Kevin, Bric, and Christin headed down the mural stairs to the lower level of the great townhouse, which was a fortress unto itself. It was big and square, with the lower levels being the kitchens and a dormitory for visiting knights and soldiers, and the upper floors being where The Marshal and his family lived.
“I will take my sister to The Duck and Dribble over on Lombard Street,” Peter said. “I’ve already sent our baggage on ahead, so you can find us there in the morning.”
Alexander was right behind him. “Very well,” he said. “We’ll head down to The Pox on Ropery Street. That will give us a bit of entertainment before we have to head north into the wilds of Norfolk.”
Bric put a hand on Alexander’s shoulder, yanking the man back as they headed for the fortified entry of the manse. “The Marshal does not like us to go to that place,” he said. “If he finds out, there will be hell to pay.”
Alexander cast Bric a long look. “He will not know we’ve been there if a certain Irishman keeps his yap shut,” he said. “I do not intend to engage in anything untoward. Mayhap a bit of gambling. I also have not eaten anything all day and they have the best food in town. If you want to go with Peter and the lady to the inn on Lombard, be my guest. But I am going to The Pox.”
They were out on the street now with a crisp autumn night overhead. The stars were brilliant, like a blanket of diamonds, and the streets were dark enough so that most people were already in for the night.
But Christin didn’t notice. She had been looking forward to a meal and a quiet evening, or perhaps something a little more thrilling considering she didn’t get to London often. Given that there was no excitement in Norwich, Alexander’s comment about The Pox had her attention.
“The Pox,” she said, picking up her skirts so they wouldn’t drag in the mud on the street. “It sounds like a lively place. I think I’ve heard Lord de Winter speak of it, but his wife becomes irritated when he does. It has a bad reputation, doesn’t it?”
Alexander grinned, his big teeth flashing in the dim light. “That depends on who you ask,” he said. “They have beautiful women, excellent food, and any game of chance a man could want for.”
Christin was watching the street, making sure she didn’t step in a smelly puddle. “What about women?”
“I said they had the most beautiful women.”
“That is not what I meant. Are there games of chance for women?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Can a woman play with the men?”
“I have seen a few.”
“Then I want to play.”
Alexander’s smile vanished. “It is no place for you, Lady Christin.”
She looked at him as if his words meant nothing. “Even so, I would like to accompany you. It sounds like an exciting place.”
“The Pox?” Peter said, aghast. “You cannot go there. Papa would eviscerate me if he knew I let you go into that place.”
“He will not know,” Christin said as she looked at her brother. “As long as a certain de Lohr sibling keeps his yap shut.”
Alexander’s words were reflected in her statement and, walking behind them, Bric and Kevin started to laugh. Peter turned, scowling at the pair.
“You think this funny, do you?” he demanded. “If she was your sister, would you find it so funny?”
“If she was my sister, I would throw her over my shoulder and cart her into The Duck and Dribble without delay,” Bric said. “But, then again, my sisters have not learned to kill on command or function in a man’s world. Lady Christin has.”
Peter sighed sharply, looking at his sister. “You may not go to The Pox,” he said. “It is not for you and if you go, I will tell Papa.”
“How are you going to tell him and explain why I was in London in the first place?” Christin asked smoothly. “He will want to know because I am supposed to be safe back at Norwich right now. What will you tell him?”
Peter was licked. He knew that before the conversation ever really got going because what Christin wanted, she got. That had started in childhood. She was a most determined, cunning, and smart young lady. With her father’s drive and her mother’s intelligence, it was a combination that had put her where she was now. Christin had everything she ever wanted, and if she wanted to go to The Pox, Peter knew that, short of binding her to the bed and locking the door for good measure, she would go.
Therefore, this entire conversation was a losing battle. He thought that if she took in her fill of The Pox and saw what a nasty, dirty, corrupt place it was, she would forget all about wanting to play games of chance there.
Perhaps the only thing to do was let her see it.
“Very well,” Peter said, frustrated. “If you want to go, then I will take you. But do not say I didn’t warn you. It is no place for a woman.”
Christin merely grinned at him before turning to Alexander. “Will you lead the way, my lord?”
Alexander looked at her like this was all a very bad idea. “Are you serious? We have explained to you that The Pox is not for a woman of your breeding.”
Christin maintained her smile. She had her father’s grin that saw the ends of her mouth turn up slightly, something very lovely and charming. It had been a gesture that had fooled many a man into thinking she was a sweet and innocent thing.
But that was not the case.
Headstrong didn’t even begin to cover it.
“I appreciate your concern,” she said. “Please do not bother, then. I can find it myself.”
With that, she turned on her heel and headed south on the nearest street, one of the smaller alleyways that crisscrossed the city. As she darted down it, Peter ran after her and grabbed her by the arm simply to assert himself as her escort. He wasn’t going to stop her.
With a shrug, Alexander, Bric, and Kevin followed.
CHAPTER TWO