David raised a calming hand. “Whoa, friend. I would not risk my neck by taunting you thus. She offered no money because she was seeking my money.” He slipped his hand into his pourpoint and withdrew a parchment.

It was another tapestry design. Marcus unfolded it. It showed a river flowing from top to bottom, with a lady on one side and a knight on the other.

“The quality is far inferior to the others she sold me. Less care in the coloring and design,” David explained, assuming Marcus couldn’t tell the difference. He could, however. Anyone could see that this design was not one of Nesta’s best.

“She told me of a merchant in Carlisle who would buy it. That intrigued me, since when she sold me the others she mentioned a merchant in Edinburgh. The woman established an entire trading network from her convent. I told you she would make a great merchant.”

Marcus fingered the parchment spread on his lap. Perhaps … nay, that would make no sense. But Carlisle was not far by sea from Wales …

“Perhaps not a trading network, David. Perhaps an information network.” He rose and carried the parchment to his table and moved three candles around it. David joined him and they examined the design.

“I see no letters or symbols. It would have to be the image itself,” David said.

Marcus studied the lady and knight, separated by the river. Genith and her intended husband? Was this message alerting someone to the failure of that alliance?

If so, who? Carwyn Hir already knew about it, so it could not be meant for him. Surely the marcher lord who was to have taken Genith’s hand had been told by now.

He examined the design again. This image might have an interpretation that fit what he knew, but the others had not. What message could be read in the seven virtues and vices, or in that image of Dylan playing his harp in the forest?

None that he could think of.

In all likelihood these designs were only what they seemed, a way for Nesta to earn coin.

He folded the parchment and handed it back. “Bring it to the merchant in Carlisle.”

“You are sure?”

He wasn’t sure, but even if it bore a message he would allow it to go. He had decided he wanted this to unfold now, while he might still control its size and direction, and interfering with a message might only cause delay.

“Bring it to the merchant. As quickly as your travels permit.”

David tucked the parchment away. “I will leave before the household rises, so I will make my farewell now. Will you visit London before spring?”

“If Edward returns, I am sure that I will.” The King would undoubtedly summon the man who had dared to betrothe the King’s lover without permission.