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Authors: Cindy Holby
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more than a name to the king. Was there something he’d overlooked? Something he did not know?
“Lord de Remy was summoned to Edward’s side, milord,” Peter explained loud enough for all to hear. “As you recall, Rhys owes Edward his life.” Peter looked directly at Renauld, who resisted the urge to allow his hands to curl into fists.
De Remy had been summoned to Chandler’s side? When? The last and only time he could recall seeing Rhys was three days ago.
“He departed immediately with your blessing, milord,” Peter continued. “He was beginning to find court life a bit…suffocating.”
The crowd laughed quietly at Peter’s remark and Henry smiled broadly.
“I’m sure he was,” Henry agreed quite jovially. His gaze fell upon Renauld. “It seems as if Lord Edward has reached out to someone in his time of need,” Henry said. “But I am sure he appreciates your sentiments,” he added graciously.
Renauld took a step forward before he could stophimself. Henry’s eyes flared and Peter’s hand went to his side, poised above the hilt of his short dress sword. Henry raised his hand.
“Still,” he said. “I am curious about Lady Eliane. If Edward’s situation is as dire as I’ve been led to believe”—he looked pointedly at Renauld—“then it is my sincerest desire to give her aid, comfort, and my protection. So I bid you, Renauld, and you, Peter, to ride to Aubregate and bring her back to me…but only after she has buried her father.”
“Milord,” Renauld spoke up. “Bringing the lady here might not be the best thing for her. She is…different.” He wanted to say deformed, but he had to be careful. After all, Salisbury had served as Chandler’s squire. Chances were he’d seen Eliane’s strange ears and would know that they could be easily hidden at court. However, if there was a chance that he could keep her away from Henry’s protection, then he would take it.
Once more those assembled waited with bated breath for their monarch’s reply. “Nonsense,” Henry said. “She will find us accepting and full of love and respect for her no matter how different she may be,” he said, and then he turned to Peter. “And bring back Lord de Remy also. I am sure there are many who are quite anxious to hear his decision.”
Once more the crowd laughed, but Renauld did not hear it. He was concentrating on trying to hold back the red tide of rage that swelled within him. De Remy was at Aubregate or would be soon. If Renauld realized that, he could have followed him, killed him, and made it look as if it were the fault of the woodsmen.
If only he had known. It occurred to him that ifhe’d had friends, he probably would have known. But friends meant trust, and trust was not something he could afford. Renauld trusted no man. He preferred to use his coin to get what he wanted. However, without the riches of Aubregate, his coin would soon come to an end.
Renauld found Henry looking at him expectantly. He bowed and without another word turned and walked away.
“Vannoy!” It was Salisbury, of course. Who else? Renauld stopped and gathered himself before he turned to greet the man who followed him out of the king’s chamber.
“Salisbury,” Renauld said. He had to admit the years had been kind to his foe. The last time he’d seen Peter had been at their knighting, which unfortunately had been done jointly. Salisbury had filled out nicely and now had the weight to go with his height. Though Renauld was not as tall as Salisbury, he was as stout and possessed great strength. Still, he’d always been envious of those who were graced with height, such as de Remy.
Could I take him? It occurred to Renauld that he could eliminate all of his enemies in one trip and have Eliane. They would be passing by his lands. His men-at-arms would be traveling with him. But what if Salisbury brought his troops also? Surely he would leave some behind to care for his wife. Still, it would be hard to do anything
“Lord de Remy was summoned to Edward’s side, milord,” Peter explained loud enough for all to hear. “As you recall, Rhys owes Edward his life.” Peter looked directly at Renauld, who resisted the urge to allow his hands to curl into fists.
De Remy had been summoned to Chandler’s side? When? The last and only time he could recall seeing Rhys was three days ago.
“He departed immediately with your blessing, milord,” Peter continued. “He was beginning to find court life a bit…suffocating.”
The crowd laughed quietly at Peter’s remark and Henry smiled broadly.
“I’m sure he was,” Henry agreed quite jovially. His gaze fell upon Renauld. “It seems as if Lord Edward has reached out to someone in his time of need,” Henry said. “But I am sure he appreciates your sentiments,” he added graciously.
Renauld took a step forward before he could stophimself. Henry’s eyes flared and Peter’s hand went to his side, poised above the hilt of his short dress sword. Henry raised his hand.
“Still,” he said. “I am curious about Lady Eliane. If Edward’s situation is as dire as I’ve been led to believe”—he looked pointedly at Renauld—“then it is my sincerest desire to give her aid, comfort, and my protection. So I bid you, Renauld, and you, Peter, to ride to Aubregate and bring her back to me…but only after she has buried her father.”
“Milord,” Renauld spoke up. “Bringing the lady here might not be the best thing for her. She is…different.” He wanted to say deformed, but he had to be careful. After all, Salisbury had served as Chandler’s squire. Chances were he’d seen Eliane’s strange ears and would know that they could be easily hidden at court. However, if there was a chance that he could keep her away from Henry’s protection, then he would take it.
Once more those assembled waited with bated breath for their monarch’s reply. “Nonsense,” Henry said. “She will find us accepting and full of love and respect for her no matter how different she may be,” he said, and then he turned to Peter. “And bring back Lord de Remy also. I am sure there are many who are quite anxious to hear his decision.”
Once more the crowd laughed, but Renauld did not hear it. He was concentrating on trying to hold back the red tide of rage that swelled within him. De Remy was at Aubregate or would be soon. If Renauld realized that, he could have followed him, killed him, and made it look as if it were the fault of the woodsmen.
If only he had known. It occurred to him that ifhe’d had friends, he probably would have known. But friends meant trust, and trust was not something he could afford. Renauld trusted no man. He preferred to use his coin to get what he wanted. However, without the riches of Aubregate, his coin would soon come to an end.
Renauld found Henry looking at him expectantly. He bowed and without another word turned and walked away.
“Vannoy!” It was Salisbury, of course. Who else? Renauld stopped and gathered himself before he turned to greet the man who followed him out of the king’s chamber.
“Salisbury,” Renauld said. He had to admit the years had been kind to his foe. The last time he’d seen Peter had been at their knighting, which unfortunately had been done jointly. Salisbury had filled out nicely and now had the weight to go with his height. Though Renauld was not as tall as Salisbury, he was as stout and possessed great strength. Still, he’d always been envious of those who were graced with height, such as de Remy.
Could I take him? It occurred to Renauld that he could eliminate all of his enemies in one trip and have Eliane. They would be passing by his lands. His men-at-arms would be traveling with him. But what if Salisbury brought his troops also? Surely he would leave some behind to care for his wife. Still, it would be hard to do anything
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