alongside himself.
When she lowered to the edge, for the first time Vitalis noticed his brooch was fastened to her bodice. Though of use in keeping a mantle upon one’s shoulders, it was no beautiful trinket a lady would wish displayed. It touched him as he did not wished to be touched that so simple a thing should comfort merely for being first worn by him.
“Here your betrothed,” William said, “a Norman lady who, excepting her cousin and youngest brother—for now—prefers a Saxon mate the same as her menfolk.”
Not excepting her cousin, Vitalis silently corrected.
“The D’Argents do like a challenge,” William said, “but I am well with it since the joining of our two peoples will strengthen the peace for which long I have fought and sacrificed.”
Once more unfettered but for his hands, Vitalis was tempted to prove how great the damage he could inflict on Le Bâtard.
“It is the same with the little heiress, Ardith,” William continued. “When she weds a Norman six years hence, the lands once held by her departed sire will know greater prosperity and happiness.”
Were he truly confident the harrying was the beginning of an end fast approaching, such marriages would not be needed in the years ahead, Vitalis thought and was pleased William’s doubts remained so great he made provision for them.
Continuing to withhold his gaze from Nicola, he said, “The only Saxons I will fight are those like Daryl who harm innocents.”
“Who harm Saxon and Norman innocents,” William amended.
“And I will take up arms against Danes,” Vitalis continued. “Though you may think your most recent bribe firmly closed the door to those sluggards, as long as England holds riches, they will follow their nature to take from men and women who earn those riches.”
“We arrive at an understanding then,” Le Bâtard said, “but until I require your aid with wayward Saxons or King Sweyn tries again to take what is mine, what is to be your place in England?”
Vitalis looked to Guarin. “I do not think it will surprise that this landless Saxon’s place is at Wulfen Castle, providing Baron Wulfrith agrees.”
William chuckled. “Now you begin to know me as well, and I can speak for my vassal in confirming you go to Wulfen where once more you will train up warriors to defend England—my England.”
There was so much satisfaction in his words that what had been seeking a crack in the walls of Vitalis’s consciousness made one, enlarged it, and poured in.
Just as Guarin had sensed William was loath to relieve his enemy of his head, just as the conqueror had admitted in citing Vitalis was a Saxon he wished to lure to his side, the end result was what Le Bâtard had expected before sending Maël to deliver his captive to the solar. Expected because he had been armed with knowledge of that which he appeared ignorant before this meeting, the one who had revealed it here having done so not for the first time.
“Something is amiss, Sir Vitalis?” William said.
Vitalis returned him to focus. “I marvel at how well you maneuver your game pieces, William of—”
“King William.”
Feeling Nicola’s anxious gaze, still Vitalis could not look at her, especially since he had believed what was about to pass his lips never would. He inclined his head. “King William.”
Blessedly, Le Bâtard’s smile was not terribly offensive. “As I have good cause to boast, I am adept at games of strategy.”
“And your son as well.”
A bit more teeth in his smile. “Unexpectedly so. But then, the more one wants what is out of reach, the greater the effort made to attain it.” He nodded. “Richard has made good progress of recent, so much it may be time for him to depart Red Castle. Now, as I am eager to return to matters of governance, there are vows to be spoken.”
Vitalis stiffened.
“Oui,” William said, “this day Lady Nicola and you wed so this night you are nearer to making it appear a child born to you in less than nine months is legitimate.” His face tightened. “To venture through life with Le Bâtard ever on the lips of adversaries is among the foulest weapons one must defend against.” He looked to Nicola. “You would not wish that upon your child, would you, Lady?”
“I would not, but what of the reading of the banns every Sunday for—”
“As king, I am the banns. No further notice nor approval is required.” He rose. “Now let us—”
“Your Majesty!” She leapt to her feet. “What of my bride gift?”
He frowned.