Linnet nodded her head vigorously up and down. “Proof that de Roche betrays the king!”
Word had reached the city that Burgundy had captured the queen and set up a sham government in Troyes. Everyone expected Burgundy to break his alliance with King Henry any day now.
“François heard the men say Burgundy parlays with the Armagnacs, proposing terms to join forces against King Henry.”
“What was François doing—hiding in the straw? I wish he would not take such risks! Where is he now?”
“He followed de Roche, of course,” Linnet said. “I told him to.”
“Do you wish to get your brother killed?”
For the hundredth time, she wondered about the twins’ background. They refused to tell her anything except that they were orphaned. One thing was certain. Linnet was not raised to be anyone’s servant. She was every bit as willful as Isobel was at that age.
They sat up past midnight sewing—or pretending to sew—while they waited for François. Just before Isobel heard a light tap on the door, Linnet tossed her sewing aside and ran to open it.
“Where did de Roche go?” Linnet asked François as soon as she closed the door. “Did you see whom he met?”
“I followed him to a house where Armagnac supporters were meeting.”
“You should not do everything your sister tells you,” Isobel scolded. “These are powerful men with much at stake. That makes them dangerous.”
“De Roche never saw me,” François said with a cocky grin.
Why was de Roche meeting with Armagnacs? Was he in league with both factions against the king? Aloud she said, “ ’Tis possible de Roche attempts to persuade them of the rightness of King Henry’s cause.”
Linnet gave an unbecoming snort.
“He was never loyal to the king,” François said.
King Henry was not beloved here as he was in England, so she sometimes wondered at the reason for the twins’ fervent loyalty. But this, like their parentage, was not something they shared with her.
“The king must be warned,” Linnet insisted.
“Of what would we warn the king?” Isobel asked, trying to reason with them. “Even if we knew something worth the telling, how would I get a message to the king?”
“There is a way,” François said, beaming at her. “King Henry has sent an envoy to Rouen.”
“The king’s envoy is in the city?”
François shook his head. “He is outside the city, awaiting permission to enter. The garrison commander and the city leaders spent the whole day arguing over what to do with him.”
“How do you learn these things?” Isobel asked. “You mustn’t go everywhere about the city as you do.”
“Someone must bring us news, and you will not let me go,” Linnet said. “Now, how shall we get a message to the envoy?”
“But we have no proof de Roche acts against the king,” Isobel argued. “You expect me to betray him on so little?”
Linnet lifted her chin. “If we find the proof, will you do it?”
Isobel looked from one pair of bright blue eyes to another.
Would she betray her king, or de Roche? Before she could answer that, she must learn the truth. But how?
In bed. Aye, that would be the best time to ask him. Tonight, after their first time together.
Chapter Twenty-nine
In the morning, Stephen dressed in the clothes he brought to play the part of king’s envoy. Elaborate liripipe hat, knee-length velvet tunic, jeweled rings and brooch. Even particolored hose, God help him. As he fastened a heavy gold belt around his hips, he heard a low whistle. He looked up to see Jamie grinning at him from the doorway.