Reckless (Age of Conquest #5) - Tamara Leigh Page 0,102

the reason we are here.

“Peering beyond the veils of those who seek a king and duke’s company is a matter of survival,” William said. “Fortunately, it is also an amusement that lightens the burden of many responsibilities.” He glanced at her belly again. “I am glad to look nearer upon you, Nicola of the D’Argents.”

There was knowing in his tone, as though—

“Now let us return to the Danes. As told, they are gone from England due much to the efforts of Sir Guy who persisted in negotiations with Prince Canute when I determined my time was better spent elsewhere.”

Nicola caught her breath. “You went to Ely?”

William stretched his legs out before him. “Non, Sweyn’s son came to me. For that, I was delayed in journeying to Red Castle.”

“Then the Danes have withdrawn their support from Hereward?”

“Ah, that was only sport made of Hereward. Never did he have King Sweyn’s sword arm. Once the Danes accepted his inferiority—that I shall remain King of England—they but used him to aid in recouping their losses. That surprises, Lady?”

She shook her head. “I thought the same, that the treasure taken from Peterborough over which the Danes insisted on keeping watch would be loaded onto their ships.”

“So it was. The night Prince Canute and his men slipped away from Ely, they took the treasure with them. Had I to guess, it was in the belly of one of the vessels Sweyn’s son brought up the Thames River for our negotiations.”

Oh, Hereward, Nicola silently bemoaned, I am sorry for you and your followers. Every hope you grasp is snatched away. Pray, see it, accept it, and salvage what more will be lost if you continue to resist this conqueror who could ruin even this Norman with but a nod.

“It is possible the Abbess of Lillefarne was also on one of those ships though they denied it,” William said, then in answer to Nicola’s widening eyes, continued, “You know all of her tale? That she was no holy woman? That her name is not Mary Sarah but Mercia? That she claimed to be kin to Harold who had himself crowned king though he vowed to support my right to the throne? That though I paid the Danes’ ransom to gain her wardship, they took her from my brother so they might deliver her to Harold’s mother in Denmark?”

Glad the king’s gaze was all for her lest Maël reacted in a way that would cast suspicion on him, Nicola hastened to answer, “I have been told and am saddened by what desperation causes Saxons to do. Alas, I might do the same were it my beloved Normandy in the hands of the English.”

A muscle at William’s mouth ticked. “Do you think yourself clever, Lady?”

She did where many were concerned, but in this instance, she had not thought well on her sideways defense of Mercia and the thousands of Saxons who had numerous reasons to resist foreign rule.

Determined to behave, she inclined her head deferentially. “If I am clever, my king, this wit falls far short of yours.” She moistened her lips. “I am relieved the Danes so fear and respect you and your right to the throne that they have gone home.”

“With the Church’s treasures and my coin,” he growled. “If God is just, their crossing of the narrow sea will not be without great loss.”

He wished storms upon them—great, gulping waves that would send the ships down into the deep, resulting in fewer Danes to return to these shores and less one of Harold’s blood who might threaten William’s rule.

Glad Mercia had safely made the crossing earlier and awaited Maël in Normandy, Nicola said, “Unfortunate, but surely a small price to pay.”

“Providing they do not return as much they like to do,” William said, then waved a hand. “I am done with you.”

Nicola turned away, as she did so saw Prince Richard watched from an alcove.

“One more thing, Lady!”

She came back around. “Your Majesty?”

“I know you are not receptive to marriage, but considering the threat you are under, it would be wise to wed sooner than later to gain a protector for your nights as well as days.”

She knew she would not like his answer, but asked, “What threat am I under?”

“Bjorn’s sire believes you are more responsible for his son’s death than Prince Canute. Since he sought to add you to the riches paid for the Danes to leave England, you have made a great enemy of him. And are very blessed your king is not

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