“Why do you ask such of me?”
“As my betrothed has little to his name, perhaps he who shall greatly benefit from Vitalis’s services will gift me one?”
Vitalis was on the edge of once more being greatly offended, but he realized her request was a result of more pieces of her plan falling into place as neatly as had William’s.
She cleared her throat. “I have become fond of Lady Ardith and she of me. Though she is well-provided for here, she is lonely and in need of a woman’s guidance to ensure the husband you choose for her is blessed with a fine wife.”
Amusement in the conqueror’s voice, he said, “You believe a lady with your reputation suitable for guiding wee Ardith?”
“I do not. I speak of Sir Maël’s mother, Lady Chanson.”
He considered that, said, “I understand she is with child, and being of an age twice yours, raising Ardith alongside an infant could prove a great strain.”
“I will aid however I can, and if you permit me to take from Red Castle one or two women servants with whom the girl is familiar, you need have no concern as to the transfer of her wardship from Earl De Warenne to my aunt and her husband.”
“I will think on it.” William returned his attention to Vitalis. “This lady and her machinations will keep you much occupied when you are off the training field—a very good thing for a reformed rebel.” He jutted his chin at Guarin. “Unbind him, and while you prepare he who is to be your brother-in-law, I shall send word to the town’s priest to expect the wedding party an hour hence.”
Bought and sold. That was how Vitalis felt as the rope was cut from his wrists and he turned toward the door. Bought by fear for Nicola’s fate were he to choose death over her. His allegiance sold to Wulfen Castle and the warriors in training who would one day answer to the enemy of King Harold whether they were of Saxon blood or Norman. Or both.
William has gained from me what he wanted, Vitalis thought bitterly. And I…
As he crossed the threshold, he nearly looked around at what he had gained and did want. Though it did not feel it was more than William gained, he knew it was so. For that, he would not have Nicola glimpse what sought to sear his soul lest it sear hers.
God willing, when he took her to wife an hour hence, he would not have to fear what she found in his eyes.
He was first a ruler and a warrior—a conqueror of greater renown than any other in Christendom. He should not care that one of many sons thought better of a Saxon warrior than his own sire, but that which Richard had made apparent on William’s return from Thetford’s wood—surely in part as retaliation for refusing the boy’s request to join the hunting party—had torn a hole in his gut.
More William should be elated to finally secure the mantle piece. More he should be encouraged his second born had enough steel about him to reveal how the cloth came into his possession, as well as confess to the aid given Lady Nicola to speak with Vitalis in the cellar. More he should be pleased by insight given into the lady’s feelings for the rebel, Sir Daryl’s depravity, and the reaction of D’Argent kin to what she had done and the part the prince played.
Previously, William had silently named his reluctance to slay Vitalis as weakness, but less so it seemed once Richard told all. And even greater his reluctance when fear his son knew of the cloth’s significance was lifted by Richard’s anger over his father’s refusal to reveal it. It had taken self-control not to strike the youth when next he attempted to gain that knowledge by congratulating himself on having courage the conqueror lacked.
When still that tale was denied the youth, he had accused his sire of having such low regard for his son he fostered him with a man who put as little effort into the training of a prince as he did wardship of Lady Ardith. Whether or not Richard was conscious of what he needed, in that moment it had been clear he required the guidance of one able to move him to courage.
For that, this hole in his gut. For that, commanding Richard to play a part already played with a larger audience that would include the warrior whom William wished to