The Butcher of St Peter's: (Knights Templar 19) by Michael Jecks Page B

although not for the petty reason that
     many believed a woman should accept her man’s decisions without question. Baldwin respected his wife as well as loving her,
     and he had married her for her independence and intelligence. He had no use for a slave. But her question had reminded him
     that he had chosen to detest Sir Peregrine a long time ago when they first met and Sir Peregrine tried to enlist his support
     for rebellion against the Despensers and the King; this was no mere irrational dislike. He waited until Edgar was finished,
     and then, with his face freshly rinsed and towelled, he stood,wincing slightly at the pain in his breast where the bolt had struck, and took her hand.
    ‘My sweet, I don’t think it is in him to change, any more than a dappled pony can become a chestnut. No, he is a dangerous
     person to know, and dangerous to talk to. At any time there could be another war, and I will not tie myself to a band which
     seeks to overthrow the King.’
    ‘You can’t believe he’d dare to seek that!’ she exclaimed with a smile, but there was no reciprocal amusement on his face.
     ‘Do you?’
    He nodded. ‘It may seem far-fetched, but that is exactly what I fear.’
    ‘Could any man dare such action when the King has just proved his mastery?’ she wondered. ‘It would be rash indeed to attempt
     anything against the King or the Despensers.’
    ‘The Despensers are rich beyond the dreams of any men in the country – any men other than the Despensers,’ Baldwin said quietly.
     He disliked speaking of such matters in such a public place, but he needs must persuade Jeanne to be cautious. ‘But their
     avarice seems to know no bounds. They take much, but demand still more. Where their greed will end, I cannot tell. However,
     I do know that now Mortimer has escaped the Tower, he will become a focus for the disaffected. I would think that a host could
     soon be launching itself towards our shores.’
    ‘War again?’ Jeanne asked.
    ‘Without a doubt,’ Baldwin said. ‘But this war could be more vicious and damaging even than the last. This time, if Mortimer
     gathers an army to him, it will be infinitely worse. The men will have little to lose on either side. All those in Mortimer’s
     band will be aware that the King’s revenge will know no limits. If they attack him, he will try to crush themwith the utmost force available to him. And that means that Mortimer will collect the most battle-experienced mercenaries
     he can find. If he succeeds and brings men here, and the forces clash … I do not wish to see it.’
    In his mind’s eye he could once again see that most appalling battlefield, the fight which had so directed the course of his
     life, the culmination of the Siege of Acre in the Holy Land. He had been only seventeen or so, and the sight of the bodies
     rotting and desiccating in the streets, while the heads of their comrades were flung over the walls by the ruthless Moors
     outside, and the population starved, would never leave him. Even now, the harsh thundering of drums could be enough to make
     him break into a sweat if the noise caught him unawares.
    ‘That man would bring war back to the country. And if the King hears of it, he will take Sir Peregrine and flay him alive
     to learn to whom he has spoken. If I appear to support him at all in public or in private, our lives would be at risk,’ Baldwin
     said, and thought of their daughter, at home in Furnshill. ‘I will not risk those whom I love for another’s vainglory.’
    Reginald was hoping to see her again today. He had been to the market that morning, and while there he’d seen the basket of
     oysters. Well, she’d always loved them, hadn’t she? And he was partial to a mess of oysters on a plate himself. It was a lovely
     evening, too, and since he would be alone, because his wife had gone off to see her mother in Exmouth, it was the perfect
     opportunity to see his lover.
    God, but it seemed a long time since