delighted smile. She was enjoying the conversation. Or was it the company? She dismissed such thoughts and held out the book. She was certain she just felt easier in their company than she had the previous night. “Thank you for bringing the book, Lord Amesbury. The cross appears to be bigger than I first imagined. The obvious point being that it was engraved for Camden’s book, which was published in 1607, sixty-eight years after it was hidden by the Abbot and William. Therefore, if this is the same cross our William Dulac spoke of, it was found between 1539 and 1607.”
Harry retrieved the book. He returned to his seat across from her. “Unfortunately it would seem so, Lady Rowena.”
“There is the possibility the cross was switched, as was the sapphire, but it seems unlikely.” Lyon pointed out, “It would take a lot of time and trouble to replicate a leaden cross from the sixth century.”
Lyon thought for a moment then added, “Perhaps the cross William spoke of was entirely something different. There were centuries of Kings buried at Glastonbury before the Abbey fell. I read of St. Dunstan, one of the previous Abbots, marking older graves with leaden crosses and adding more dirt atop the full grave yard so more might be buried. Many notable people wanted to be and were buried in the Abbey cemetery. It’s possible there was more than one important leaden cross identifying a king in the Abbey. Edmund the Magnificent, Edgar, Coel II, Kentwyn and Edmund Ironsides are just a few kings rumored to be buried in the abbey grounds.”
Lyon sighed, “Or, as Lady Rowena suggested earlier, the treasure located in the tunnel leading to the Pilgrim may simply have been discovered. Any number of people would have known about that tunnel then, as they do now, it being connected to the inn.”
“We’ll scratch off locating the chamber in the tunnel leading from the George and Pilgim for now. That leaves us with three other locations we need to find, four if you include the secret chamber in the house. We should concentrate on those first with the possibility existing that the tunnel leading to the George and Pilgim was discovered,” Rowena surmised.
“Ah, yes. Let’s start with the secret chamber! Lady Sperring?” Harry clapped his hands together and turned his attention to his hostess. “Do you know of a plan or drawing of the original manor, or at least a book describing the Manor as it existed at the time of William Dulac? It would be helpful in our search for this chamber William refers to in his letters.”
“Of course, Harry.” Frances smiled. “Sir John and I selected several volumes that we thought might be helpful for our search this morning. We shall fetch them from the library and return momentarily.” The two bustled from the drawing room, leaving Rowena with the gentlemen.
“I told Sir John and Lady Sperring earlier upon arriving, Lady Rowena, that Lyon and I sent for one of our fellow society members, Micah Wychcombe, Lord Wincanton. He is very knowledgeable about the dissolution, and the sixteenth century in general. Also, he’s an expert on the Arthurian. He’s an absolute genius, truly. I hope you do not mind, for we feel his knowledge and expertise shall be an invaluable aid in our search,” Harry informed her.
“I do not mind, my Lord. Our task appears rather daunting and somewhat bleak at present. I think we can use the help.”
“Do not be downhearted, Lady Rowena. Harry and I remain hopeful that some of the treasure must still be hidden away, waiting for us to find it,” Lyon affirmed with an easy smile.
“I do hope so, Lord Amesbury.” Rowena thought to inquire, “And when will your friend, Lord Wincanton, arrive?”
“We sent word this morning after breakfast. He is not far, just at Templecombe. With the turn in weather today, I imagine he shall arrive tomorrow or the day after. I don’t imagine Wincanton would set out for
Harry retrieved the book. He returned to his seat across from her. “Unfortunately it would seem so, Lady Rowena.”
“There is the possibility the cross was switched, as was the sapphire, but it seems unlikely.” Lyon pointed out, “It would take a lot of time and trouble to replicate a leaden cross from the sixth century.”
Lyon thought for a moment then added, “Perhaps the cross William spoke of was entirely something different. There were centuries of Kings buried at Glastonbury before the Abbey fell. I read of St. Dunstan, one of the previous Abbots, marking older graves with leaden crosses and adding more dirt atop the full grave yard so more might be buried. Many notable people wanted to be and were buried in the Abbey cemetery. It’s possible there was more than one important leaden cross identifying a king in the Abbey. Edmund the Magnificent, Edgar, Coel II, Kentwyn and Edmund Ironsides are just a few kings rumored to be buried in the abbey grounds.”
Lyon sighed, “Or, as Lady Rowena suggested earlier, the treasure located in the tunnel leading to the Pilgrim may simply have been discovered. Any number of people would have known about that tunnel then, as they do now, it being connected to the inn.”
“We’ll scratch off locating the chamber in the tunnel leading from the George and Pilgim for now. That leaves us with three other locations we need to find, four if you include the secret chamber in the house. We should concentrate on those first with the possibility existing that the tunnel leading to the George and Pilgim was discovered,” Rowena surmised.
“Ah, yes. Let’s start with the secret chamber! Lady Sperring?” Harry clapped his hands together and turned his attention to his hostess. “Do you know of a plan or drawing of the original manor, or at least a book describing the Manor as it existed at the time of William Dulac? It would be helpful in our search for this chamber William refers to in his letters.”
“Of course, Harry.” Frances smiled. “Sir John and I selected several volumes that we thought might be helpful for our search this morning. We shall fetch them from the library and return momentarily.” The two bustled from the drawing room, leaving Rowena with the gentlemen.
“I told Sir John and Lady Sperring earlier upon arriving, Lady Rowena, that Lyon and I sent for one of our fellow society members, Micah Wychcombe, Lord Wincanton. He is very knowledgeable about the dissolution, and the sixteenth century in general. Also, he’s an expert on the Arthurian. He’s an absolute genius, truly. I hope you do not mind, for we feel his knowledge and expertise shall be an invaluable aid in our search,” Harry informed her.
“I do not mind, my Lord. Our task appears rather daunting and somewhat bleak at present. I think we can use the help.”
“Do not be downhearted, Lady Rowena. Harry and I remain hopeful that some of the treasure must still be hidden away, waiting for us to find it,” Lyon affirmed with an easy smile.
“I do hope so, Lord Amesbury.” Rowena thought to inquire, “And when will your friend, Lord Wincanton, arrive?”
“We sent word this morning after breakfast. He is not far, just at Templecombe. With the turn in weather today, I imagine he shall arrive tomorrow or the day after. I don’t imagine Wincanton would set out for
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