The Secret Hamlet - Book 2

You will then know who not to trust.

A secret panel opened close to the duke’s throne. Emma walked in, with an ear-to-ear smile, moving toward Nichol.

Nichol was surprised to see her friend, and both embraced.

“Remember when you told me to listen to conversations? I found a way to listen and see into the hall. I overheard private conversations that were important to my brothers and told them,” Emma explained.

With an extended hand, Duke Richard gestured toward a small table at the side of the hall. “Sit down. We three need to talk,” he said as he placed the dagger on the table in front of Nichol.

Nichol sat with Shadow between the Duke and her. “Do not worry, Your Grace. Shadow only bites bad people.” As she spoke, Nichol once again saw the light over his head.

Shaking his head, Richard laughed and reached down and scratched behind Shadow’s ear. “Your humiliation of Loupe was only exceeded by your wolf dog. Shadow is an appropriate name for a loyal protector.

“Nichol, you have shamed Loupe in front of the guards and my advisers. He will not soon forget. Because of that, he is a significant danger to you. I will talk to the archbishop about his bringing false charges to me. He knows of Loupe’s reputation and lies. I do not expect he will receive more than a reprimand.” The duke sighed. “Apparently, the archbishop finds him useful, along with Fredric.

“Emma and I have spoken about you. She explained what had happened and why Shadow had attacked Loupe. To bring you before me to resolve this, I could not appear biased, and I enjoyed watching you and Shadow expose Loupe’s villainy.” He waved his hand dismissively.

“Do not pay the one hundred silver coins. Before Emma leaves, we must have another conversation. I believe you could be an emissary between Emma and me once she is in England.”

Nichol’s eyes went from the duke to Emma. She is in disbelief at what he is saying. I will ask her in private what her true thoughts are.

Duke Richard continued, “I also wish to know what you said when you and I looked at each other when you left after visiting Emma. Your lips were moving, but I could not hear the words.”

Nichol calmly said, “The first time I saw you, you were in the window of this castle. I said I see you.”

“What does that mean … I see you?”

“I saw you as a just man, and when I say I see you to someone, I know if they are good, bad, trustworthy, or an outlaw. Loupe and Fredric are bad, untrustworthy outlaws and murderers.”

“What did you see in the people today in this room? I am interested in how you see others.” The duke was intrigued by Nichol’s words.

Taking a deep breath, Nichol said, “Loupe revealed himself to all today. My brother Fredric sold me to two friends to be raped for a cup of ale. My father, Alexander, stopped them from hurting me and they paid the ultimate price.”

Nichol dropped her head and then resumed gazing at the duke. “Your adviser, the one with the staff, is not trustworthy. He is a good person, but someone in his position should not gossip and tell tales that are incomplete.”

Richard leaned back in his chair, a slight look of relief on his face. “I have been concerned that my private conversations were being revealed, and now you have told me who it is.”

“I have a suggestion for you that can protect you and you can use to your advantage. When it will benefit you, tell someone, including an enemy, what you want them to think and he will pass on that information. Do this by giving them wrong or misleading words. See what comes back to you. If it is wrong or misleading, you will then know who not to trust.”

Nodding his head, he smiled and turned to Emma. “You two will stay connected. I will make sure that will happen.”

The duke slapped his hands on the table and abruptly got to his feet. “We will talk later.”

He walked to the end of the hall and turned back to Nichol. “I am now aware of Fredric and Loupe’s intent to cause you harm and how my brother uses them. I will tell William that it must stop.

“I must know where your dagger came from and how you came into its possession. There must be a story with it. Am I to learn if it is good or bad?”

He then spun around and walked out the door.