Never Wager Against Love by Maureen Driscoll Page B

great student
of Viking era history.  Sometimes I think he was born in the wrong era.  I can
very well see him defending English shores from the Norsemen.”
    Vanessa ran her fingers over the sword’s jewels.  “I was
just thinking you are the Kellington who would be most interested in this. 
After all, your namesake had Excalibur.”
    Arthur could barely breathe at the sight of Vanessa’s hand
on the hilt.  “Yes, well, the Arthur we know was naught but a legend.  The real
one was just a man.”
    Sergeant Flagstone chose that time to return to his office,
with the prison governor in tow.  Sir John Morgan carried himself with
arrogance and as he slowly looked Vanessa over from head to toe, Arthur longed
to cosh the man with the Larsen. 
    Sir John turned his attention to Arthur.  “Flagstone here
says you’re on a mission from the Crown.  I haven’t heard a thing about it.”
    “It came up rather suddenly,” said Vanessa.  “Then Lord
Arthur and I came here as a result.”
    Sir John pointedly ignored Vanessa.  “Flagstone says you’re
Lynwood’s brother.  Please give my regards to his grace.”
    “I wasn’t aware you were acquainted,” said Arthur coolly.
    “We haven’t met yet,” blustered Sir John.  “But now that I’m
newly invested with my knighthood, I expect it’s only a matter of time until we
bump into each other the next time I’m in London.”
    Arthur rather doubted they would, but he used the man’s
ambitions to pursue their case.  “I was hoping we could take the broadsword
today.  Time is of the essence.”
    “I’m afraid that simply won’t be possible,” said Sir John.  “There’s
something about this that seems a bit havey-cavey, what with ‘females working
for the Crown.’  I can’t simply take your word for it.  I’d need to have
authorization from the Home Office.  Or, at the very least, a note from his
grace.”
    “That will take time we don’t have,” said Vanessa.  “Getting
a message to and from London will take days.”
    “Yes, it will at that,” agreed Sir John, who appeared to
consider the situation.  “Or we could expedite the process.”
    “Splendid,” said Arthur.
    Vanessa eyed Sir Morgan with suspicion.  “Would there be a
fee involved?”
    “Well, we would need a bit of money to cover all the extra
costs we’d incur.”
    “How much?” asked Arthur.
    “I don’t know,” replied Sir John.  “Perhaps fifty guineas?”
    Ignoring Vanessa’s gasp of outrage, Arthur continued.  “I’m
afraid that is quite out of the question.”
    “I should say so,” said Vanessa.  “Expecting us to pay for
doing our duty….”
    “How about five guineas?” countered Arthur.  “Miss Gans is
right in that we are only doing our duty, but I understand there are matters
which must be taken care of, forms to fill out, et cetera.”
    “Ten guineas,” said Sir John.
    “I think not,” said Arthur.  “Five is my final offer.”
    Sir John considered it.  “Ten guineas would allow me to send
my swiftest rider to London to get orders from the Home Office.”
    “And what would be the price of a slower rider?” asked
Arthur.
    “Also ten guineas.  It’s so hard to spare anyone from the
gaol.”
    “Is there no one closer to here who can vouch for you?”
asked Sergeant Flagstone.
    “Are you acquainted with Professor Dumbarton at Cambridge?”
asked Vanessa.
    “Of course we are!” said Flagstone.  “He’s come to the
Castle several times – just in the past couple weeks, as a matter of fact.  If
you know Professor Dumbarton, we can definitely release the sword to you.”
    “Excellent,” said Vanessa.
    “All you need is a message from Professor Dumbarton vouching
for you,” said Sir John.  “We can send a rider on your behalf.  For ten
guineas.”
    “We’ll take care of it ourselves,” said Arthur, “at a much
more reasonable price.”
    Their business concluded, Sir John escorted them back to the
great hall, rambling on