Justice of the Root

by Abby Gordon

  “Do you want me to go with you?” he asked quietly.

  “You stay here and speak for me,” she replied with a smile and loud enough for all to hear.

  “We’ll need Rose as well,” Jasper said.

  “Me?” the maid gasped from where she and Sir Daffyd stood by the wall.

  “Well, you know Daffyd will protect me,” Anna told her husband, glancing at the queen. “I will definitely tell you two all.”

  “Excellent,” the Tudor nodded in satisfaction.

  Extending her hand to the startled girl, Anna started for the door. “Rose, let’s see what new secrets these gentlemen are keeping from us.”

  Rose caught her hand and the two swept out, Daffyd at their heels. The queen quite enjoyed the challenge in Sir Jasper’s eyes as he gestured to Walsingham.

  “After you, Francis,” he stated, before a bow to the queen. “Majesty.”

  As the door closed behind them, Elizabeth glanced at her own cousins as Lettys had joined Owain.

  “Families always tend to be quite fascinating, don’t they?” she observed. “Unless you are somehow caught in the middle of it all. Then they can be extremely vexing.”

  “As always, you have the perfect way of describing things,” Owain told her.

  Chuckling, she shook her head. “There’s someone who doesn’t like the idea of waiting.”

  Owain followed her gaze. “George.” With Miles and Eoin at his heels, the man stopped outside the door. A troubled expression on his face, he glanced at his Shield. “Daffyd and Jasper will protect her. If she needs it.”

  “As you say, sir,” George reluctantly nodded. “But is it all right if we stand right here?”

  “Perfectly fine,” Owain nodded. “Indeed, I feel better for it.”

  With a grin, George planted himself before the door, his back to the room. The younger men flanked him, hands on their hilts. Their reactions intrigued the queen.

  “I’ve never seen the like,” she murmured.

  “Every day around you,” Owain insisted.

  “Not like this,” the queen shook her head. “There is a special bond between the Roses and their Root. And their Shield,” she smiled at her cousin. “If I told them ‘no’, but you told them ‘yes’, what would they do?”

  “Insist they hadn’t heard you,” he finally answered. “But I would have a very good reason for it.”

  The Queen chuckled and glanced about the room. “I am glad you and Robert will work with the York justices. If any of them are trustworthy.”

  “When Jasper has finished with Walsingham, I’ll ask him. From what has been said, it doesn’t seem as if the Elders involved them in their activities. There’d be too much chance of one of them alerting London.”

  “That’s some relief then,” she decided, then looked about the men until she found her northern Lord Lieutenant. “Now, Sussex. What have you been able to arrange thus far?”

  The door closed behind them and Rose tangled her fingers in Daffyd’s. Something seemed familiar with this Sir Jasper of York. As if she’d seen him before, but she’d never been to York. She’d been in London her entire life. Haven’t I? As if to protect her, Anna moved partially before her and faced Jasper and a wary Walsingham.

  “What is this about?” the Root asked quietly.

  “Sir Jasper is clearly mistaken,” the spymaster protested.

  “How can you be sure he’s mistaken when he hasn’t said what he’s about?” she countered smoothly. “Unless you already know what he’s about?” Her head turned to the York knight. “Cousin?”

  “I didn’t tell you all of what the Elders did to Sir Godfrey, Lady,” he said in a quiet voice, his eyes never leaving Walsingham’s face. “Eleven years ago come spring, the Elders wanted to ensure Sir Godfrey’s obedience. He’d been training his sons, myself and three others.”

  “Even though they’d threatened his family?”

  “Aye,” Jasper nodded. “Honor compelled him to continue Root William’s last order to maintain the York Roses.”

  “Torn between family and duty,” she murmured. “The Elders found out?”

  “His wife had already died. She was cousin to Lady Alinor. His sons and daughters had married. They sent Sir Godfrey and myself to Leeds. As we returned—”

  “What happened?” Anna prompted when he stopped.

  “They burned it,” whispered Rose, trembling as Daffyd wrapped his arms around her. Anna whirled around, eyes wide. “They barred the doors and burned it.”

  Jasper turned to her and nodded. “Aye, they did. The adults could not get out, but Rose and Geoffrey climbed out a kitchen window that was forgotten. Godfrey claimed that Geoffrey had been hit on the head and he’s acted like a simpleton ever since.”

  “So, no one notices him,” Anna nodded. “Why not that with Rose as well? How was her disappearance explained?”

  The knight seemed uncomfortable and shifted his feet before answering. “The Elders were already indulging in some,” he struggled with the word and spit it out. “Perversions. Especially with young girls.”

  “God’s Blood,” she breathed, putting a hand to her belly.

  “Godfrey was afraid for Rose as she grew older. So, he said her body was burned too much to find and I brought her here to London.”

  Now his glare swung back to Walsingham. The spymaster tilted his chin up as if daring him. The knight growled and charged him, their bodies crashing to the wall near the door. Immediately, it was flung open. George, Miles and Eoin appeared, swords half-drawn.

  “Peace,” Anna told them, raising her hand as Owain moved into the room between the three men.

  “What goes on in there?” the queen called from the suddenly silent larger room.

  “A bit of family secrets, Majesty,” Anna replied. “And I have a new cousin.”

  “Excellent,” came her pleased voice. “No blood spilling though, please. My chamberlain is still recovering from what happened in the reception room.”

  “Of course, majesty.” She glanced at her husband with a smile. “Roses outside the door, Owain?”

  He grinned at her. “You’re right,” he agreed. “Not a good idea.”

  They both laughed as he gestured the three back and closed the door behind him. Anna turned to Jasper. The knight’s forearm still pressed into the spymaster’s throat.

  “You brought Rose to London,” she said quietly. “To Walsingham.”

  “To Carey, actually,” he told her, referring to the man’s brother-in-law. “He brought in Walsingham. They said they’d ensure her safety.” He pushed harder and the man’s eyes bulged slightly. “You lead me to believe that she would be cared for. Protected.”

  “She was,” Walsingham croaked.

  “As a maid?” Jasper snarled. “She is no maid!”

  “I am,” Rose protested, stunned at the insult.

  “Your station,” Anna explained. “Not –” she shook her head.

  “Oh,” Rose blushed in understanding.

  “Godfrey and I lost nearly all that day,” growled Jasper. “We trusted you to take care of her.”

  “I did,” insisted Francis, struggling to free himself. “As soon as Raoul –”

  “Root Raoul,” snapped Anna’s correction. “Or Lord, never forget that.”

  “Lord Raoul,” came the peevish voice. “Sent word that Root Anna would be coming to England, I put Rose into way of being ready to –”

  “To be my maid,” Anna finished softly. “Why keep her here in London? Why not have her at your country home with your daughter?”

  “That’s what I thought I’d be doing,” Rose ventured. “When I was told to see him. Instead, he took me to the little room where he brought you and Alicia.”

  Nodding, Anna’s gaze went from Rose to Walsingham. “It takes a great deal of deceit to do what you did. That and more since my arrival in England.”

  “What else has he done?” Jasper wondered, stunned.

  “Nothing,” protested Walsingha
m.

  “Griffin,” Anna corrected him.

  “Who is Griffin?” asked the York man.

  “My husband’s brother. Walsingham sent him on a mission with Hawkins. They left this morning.”

  Rose watched – my uncle? Not my father. He seems too young – Jasper shove at Walsingham then step away, disgust obvious on his face.

  “The Roses are not yours, Francis,” Anna stated. “They may be part of your information gathering, but they are mine. Remember that from now on before you send them thither and yon.”

  Coughing as he tried to breathe, Walsingham nodded.

  “Oh, and the money is now entirely mine as well,” Anna added.

  The man simply nodded again, and she sighed.

  “So, Jasper, who is Rose?”

  “She’s the daughter of Godfrey’s oldest son. Geoffrey is her younger brother.”

  “I have a brother?” she breathed, stunned.

  “Aye, he is two years younger than yourself.”

  Having learned from Anna and Alicia, Rose caught the spymaster’s expression of guilt. “And how old am I?” she asked. “I’ve been told I’m sixteen, nearly seventeen.”

  The York Rose sent a furious glare at Walsingham before turning to her. “You are seventeen, Rose. Your eighteenth birthday is the last day of December.”

  Smiling, Anna reached out and caught her hand as Daffyd kissed her temple.

  “I think that removes your last arguments in refusing Daffyd,” she teased.

  Giggling, Rose nodded and looked up at the Welshman who grinned at her.

  “Hallelujah and where’s the priest?” he wondered.

  Laughing, Rose went up on her toes and gave him a swift kiss. “What if my grandfather and brother don’t approve of you?” she teased.

  “They’ll have to find us in the March,” he stated firmly.

  Amazed at the revelations, Rose was quite content to stay in his embrace as she tried to calm down. Anna’s focus was on Jasper.

  “What else, cousin?” she asked softly.

  Rose could see the grief still in his eyes before he shook his head and smiled at her.

  “Godfrey will be overjoyed to see you again,” he told her. “Even more so than seeing a Root of York.”

  “Considering what he has lost, I more than understand that,” Anna murmured. “What all of you have lost.” Smoothing her skirt, she tilted her head to study Walsingham who had finally recovered himself. “For now, we will tell those in the next room that to protect Rose Sir Francis hid her with friends and then within the royal household, placing her in my care upon my arrival as we are cousins. That is all any of them need know.”

  “And the queen?” Walsingham wondered.

  Rose smiled at the hard look on her newfound cousin’s face. She is the Root, Walsingham. Foolish man.

  “I keep no secrets from two people,” Anna told him flatly. “My husband and my queen. Both will know all of this.”

  “And the others?” he asked, gaze going over the three in the room. “What will they say?”

  “I think I’ll discuss that with my grandfather and brother,” Rose answered with a smile.

  Jasper glanced at her and gave her an approving nod.

  Root Anna was not finished yet and stepped closer to Walsingham. Rose drew her knife and realized that Jasper and Daffyd had their hands on their hilts. The spymaster gave the three a slightly sneering glance before facing the Root. Rose saw it in his eyes – the sudden awareness that he’d overplayed his hand.

  “Francis,” her soft voice was heard in the stillness. “We are on the same side. We have the same goals of protecting the Queen and England. I will do all in my power to ensure you have what is needed. But,” the silence hung in the air. “Do not ever treat me with such disdain or disrespect again. The Queen may have determined your life’s necessity, and by doing so stayed the hand of every Rose of England, but,” she leaned forward slightly. “There are three Roses in the next room who are not of England. And they command others. Others who would receive riches beyond imagination from their throne and elsewhere if they took your life. So be wary, Francis. Are we in an accord?”

  Francis swallowed and Rose was reminded of that first night when he seemed uncertain of the lady arriving. Slowly he nodded.

  “My apologies, Root Anna. There is much to adjust to,” he said quietly.

  “Indeed,” she agreed. “Including insuring that you do have all that you require to ensure the safety of the Queen and England.”

  Stepping back, she turned for the door with a smile. Jasper moved to stay between her and Walsingham. Anna turned the knob and the door opened immediately. George saw her and sketched a quick bow.

  “First of which will be proper quarters for Danker and what those efforts need,” she continued speaking. “If the Queen is agreeable, I might request you visit Berwyn in a couple months that we can discuss proper plans.”

  “Proper plans, Root Anna?” Francis echoed, as close to her as he could get with Jasper between them.

  All eyes had turned to the group as Anna curtseyed to the Queen before responding.

  “Proper plans, Francis,” she said firmly with a smile. “Thanks to Sir Cecil, I can ensure you have the funding to buy the block. And more.”

  “God is gracious,” Walsingham managed, clearly stunned by what had transacted.

  Rose caught the glance between Root and Queen and knew that once they’d talked the spymaster might not feel so thankful. Smiling she tucked her hand in Daffyd’s elbow and glanced up at Jasper.

  “Which of my father’s sisters was your wife?” she murmured as the conversation in the room overtook them.

  Startled, Jasper stared at her. Rose smiled at him.

  “Cousin,” she whispered. “Or should I call you ‘uncle’? You are too aware of what Sir Godfrey has suffered. Because you suffered it as well. I might not have all the training my grandfather started,” a smile lit up her face. “Oh, so much now makes sense. But I have been around Root Anna and Alicia.” Grief filled her eyes. “Oh, Alicia.”

  “Alicia?” Jasper repeated as Daffyd’s hand covered Rose’s.

  “She was Root Anna’s Protector,” the Welshman explained. “When Richard Richland attacked the Queen, Root Anna was taken. Alicia and Rose went into Jonal Park to learn more and—”

  “Richard Richland killed Alicia,” Rose finished, tears in her eyes. “From the first day, Alicia was teaching me. They both trained me. And –”

  Jasper watched her control her sorrow. “The youngest,” he answered. “We’d been married barely six months.”

  Silently, Rose reached out and put her hand on his forearm. Appreciating the support, he nodded.

  Act Three – Root takes York

  Chapter Eighteen

  Silently, Anna listened as Owain, Leicester, Jasper and others made plans. Even Raoul, Etienne and Armand made suggestions, referencing actions done in France. Daffyd, George and Eoin came in with updates on the preparations. Throughout it all, Anna said nothing. She knew she didn’t have to. They would work out a plan and she would decide. Her blue eyes went to each of their faces. How will they react? I don’t need their approval or permission. I simply need, no, not need. I must have their loyalty. Their support. Owain’s I don’t question. Nor Jasper’s. There is something in his eyes. He has suffered and lost for the Order. Yet he has stayed true. Perhaps because of that he has stayed loyal. Dudley, for all the actions of his family, he will always be true to the Queen. Walsingham. Ah, Francis. I know what you are doing. We have the same purpose, but you would use the Roses when they are not yours. That is a lesson you must learn. Learn without turning bitter. That will be difficult for you still will test me despite your joy at better quarters.

  Her gaze drifted fondly over the Root of Normandy. Ah, mon oncle. Dear, sweet, fiercely proud warrior. Thank you for your protection and your teaching. I hope you know that I will never forget what you risked for me. As much for love of me as for my father. You an
d Oncle Bernard.

  Then to the men who were her brothers. Mes frères. You will relish what I plan. Perhaps Etienne most of all.

  “Anna?”

  Glancing around, she saw Lettys between her chair and Owain’s. The Queen’s cousin raised her closed hand. A glint of gold came between the fingers. Puzzled, the Root stood. Comprehending struck and she froze. Could it be that it’s not lost? I dared not even think of it.

  “Lettys, did Alicia leave something with you? To give to me?” she whispered.

  The senior lady-in-waiting simply opened her fingers, revealing a thick gold signet ring with tiny rubies and diamonds flanking a block-cut Y. With a low cry, Anna took it, raising it to her lips. Eyes closed, she murmured blessings in the language of the Roots. Across the table, Raoul, Armand and Etienne came to their feet and repeated her words.

  “What is this?” the Queen inquired as all conversation ceased.

  “The ring of the Protector, majesty,” Anna answered with great relief. “Certain items are precious, nearly sacred in the Order.” Her right hand brushed the double-rose at her shoulder, then gestured to Owain’s. “The badges worn by the Root, Shield and Heir are valuable not just to us, but to the Sons of Scion. Next are the rings worn by the Protectors of the Heirs. For if a ring is taken, it means the Protector and his or her charge is dead. Protecting the Heir is the sole responsibility of the Protector. Nothing else matters. Not the Root, not the Shield. Only the life of the Heir. The training of a Protector is rigorous and often fatal.” Her gaze went to Raoul who nodded in understanding. “But it is necessary as the Protector is as much a teacher as guardian until the Heir is eighteen.” She smiled softly, gazing down at the rose bud with the ‘P’ etched on it. “Or in my case –”

  “She gave me this as well,” Lettys told her, extending a folded parchment sealed with the signet.

  Staggered, Anna took the letter and nearly fell into her chair. Fingers trembling, she carefully pried the wax off the parchment and opened it. A small sealed letter fell into her lap. For my successor. Catching her breath, Anna tucked it into her bodice, then put the ring there as well.

  “Watch your eyes, gentlemen,” Owain growled.