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loose robe. "Thoughts of mortality, what?"

"Your pardon, sire?"

"The bloodthirsty attack."

Rothgar suppressed the words, Oh that, which would make him seem ready for Bedlam. Had it really been less than a day ago?

The king indicated a chair, and they both sat.

"Now," the king said, "give me the entire story."

He obliged, downplaying any outstanding bravery except that of his dead outrider.

"Brave man, brave man," said the king, his youthful face earnest. "Does he leave a family? What?"

"A wife and three young children, sire. Of course they will be well taken care of."

The king nodded, but said, "I will send them a letter of thanks."

"You are most generous, sire." Nothing, he knew, would soften Ella Miller's loss just now, but perhaps in the future she and her children would value the king's special mark of respect.

But then the king wished to speculate. He had clearly sent for and read Sir Eresby's report.

"This de Couriac. You suspect him of contriving the attack?"

"I can't say, sire. I believe I recognized him there."

"But why would he do such a thing?"

Since it did not suit him to point to official French involvement, Rothgar mentioned the unfortunate events in Ferry Bridge.

The king shook his head. "Mad indeed! And one innocent life lost because of it, what? I commanded Monsieur D'Eon here as soon as I heard."

"The chevalier seems quite overset. May I ask what explanation he had for you, Your Majesty?"

"He too speculates that it might be a crime of passion. Apparently the wife was of that type." He frowned. "A mistake to dally there, my lord. What?"

Rothgar's unruly mind tried to wander to memories of Diana coming to rescue him. Of rubbing her feet. Of wanting -

No.

"I did not dally at all, sire. I merely assisted the lady when her husband was taken ill. Lady Arradale was present most of the time."

"Ah yes. The countess. Not what we expected. What do you make of her?"

Rothgar wondered if he was actually blushing. "Your Majesty will have assessed her for yourself by now."

The king nodded. "A pretty woman, and she seems to think as she ought. Will she resist marriage?"

"Quite the contrary, sire," Rothgar said dryly. "In fact, she could be said to be set on it."

"Capital, capital! The queen and I have talked of this. Lord Randolph Somerton, what? Second son. Needs a good property. Charming. Sound. What?"

Rothgar was startled by this firm choice, and what a choice! An arrogant popinjay with wastrel ways and a demanding father in the Duke of Carlyle. "Would that not concentrate a great deal of northern power in one family?" he suggested carefully.

The king frowned. "But she must marry in the north, mustn't she? So her lands will not be neglected?"

"The roads are much improved, sire. Lady Arradale and I would have spent only two nights on our journey if not for the unfortunate incident."

The king pursed his lips. "Sir Harry Crumleigh then? His estate is in Derbyshire. Capital fellow. Or Lord Scrope, since she's the quiet type. Shropshire, and he's looking for a second wife."

Thought of Diana as "the quiet type" almost caused a laugh, but the list of candidates was not at all amusing. Sir Harry was a favorite of the king's because he was an inexhaustible rider, but if he'd ever read a book, he'd done it in secret. Lord Scrope was so amiably inoffensive he'd bore Diana to tears in days, and he was still mourning his first wife. Where the devil had all this purposeful planning come from?

"If I might suggest patience, sire? The countess has only just arrived in London, and suffered a terrifying incident en route. It would be kind to give her opportunity to rest and settle before presenting her with suitors."

After a frowning moment the king nodded. "Very well, but I'll see her married before she returns north, my lord. Now," he added in a change of tone, "this will interest you! The King of France has sent me an automaton as a peace gift."

"Indeed, sire?" Rothgar said, mind still caught on the king's unexpected resolve.

"Chevalier D'Eon is to present and demonstrate it to us tomorrow evening. You will attend?"

D'Eon? "With pleasure, Your Majesty."

"We will, of course, also show the one you gave us last year."

"I am honored it finds favor still."

"It does," the king said, standing. "You serve us well, Lord Rothgar, in all things, and we thank you. We wish you well in all things in return."

"Your Majesty is generous, as always," Rothgar said and took his leave.

He walked down