Wynter smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Christopher,’ she whispered. ‘Cori knows all there is to know about you. He will not be alarmed. Come here.’ She patted the cot and Christopher sat down. Without hesitation, he slipped his arms around her and put his chin on her shoulder, watching the sleeping cat. Wynter saw Alberon frown at this most uncourtly display of affection. She looked away from his disapproval and pulled Christopher’s arm a little tighter around her waist.
‘Poor wee thing,’ he murmured. ‘He’s naught but skin and bone.’
‘I should like to offer the Lady Mary my protection,’ said Razi suddenly, and they all turned to look at him in surprise.
‘Oh, Razi,’ said Wynter sadly. That was a hopelessly impossible kindness.
‘Don’t be a fool, brother,’ said Alberon, ‘she’s a Midlander.’ At Razi’s unreadable silence, Alberon sighed. ‘She is a devout Midland lady of court. She will no more accept your help than she would sail to the Moroccos and take up service in the harem of the Sultan.’
‘I intend merely to offer my protection, Albi. I expect nothing in return.’
‘I do not imply that you wish to make the poor thing your concubine,’ said Alberon with surprising gentleness. ‘I am simply pointing out the unlikelihood of her accepting even the most courtly of advances from a man of your colour, creed and . . . um . . . birth. That is all.’
‘She has nothing, Albi,’ said Wynter softly. ‘Her husband’s destruction has left her bereft of family and of fortune. She must be desperate for help.’
‘You would not think it to look at her,’ said Christopher, his voice warm in Wynter’s ear. ‘She’s a formidable little person.’
‘She has remarkable character,’ agreed Razi. ‘I should hate to think of her trekking home in that condition. And then, arriving to what?’
‘She would be returning home to nothing,’ observed Wynter. ‘Worse than nothing if the purge against her family still rolls on.’
‘And so I would like to offer her my protection, Albi. If you would only agree to shelter her here while I am away, I should—’
‘I thought I had made myself clear on this,’ said Alberon sharply. ‘This is not the place for a woman in her state. You cannot simply offer her your protection, then hand her over into my care without a thought. Either she is your responsibility or she is not! Do not foist the consequences of your magnanimity onto me.’
‘I cannot take her with me over the mountains!’ exclaimed Razi. ‘Do not be ridiculous!’
‘Then why offer your protection at all! That’s nothing but words! If you’re—’
‘The Merron may protect her,’ suggested Wynter, ‘while they are here, at least.’
‘Oh, aye,’ murmured Christopher, reaching to stroke Coriolanus’s back. ‘There’s no way Úlfnaor would turn her aside, and should it come to it, Hally’s sat birth-vigil more times than we could count, I’d say. The lady would be safe in their keeping until the Lord Razi returns, and your soldiers needn’t fret over the possibility of having to help a baby come into the world. God knows, it ain’t what soldiers are useful for, is it?’
At the ensuing silence, Christopher and Wynter looked up. Razi and Alberon were regarding them with strangely startled expressions. Christopher faltered uncertainly. ‘Uh . . . that is, if the lady agrees, of course,’ he said. ‘It’s merely a suggestion.’
‘Of course she’ll agree,’ said Wynter. She leaned back, settling comfortably against Christopher’s chest, and smiled. ‘Don’t mind the brothers, love, they’re just surprised, that is all. The Kingssons are not used to seeing things so straightforwardly.’
Anthony announced himself at the door, and Alberon grinned in anticipation as the servant carried in a tray of dishes. ‘Food!’ cried the Prince. ‘Get off my bed, you two, and come sit for your meal.’
‘Anthony,’ murmured Razi as the little fellow set the table. ‘Would it be possible for me to wash first?’
Anthony nodded tightly. He was far more subdued than Wynter was used to, and she thought he seemed a little pale. She watched him from the corner of her eye as he placed the bowls on the folding table, but refrained from asking if he was all right.
He set a basin and pitcher on Alberon’s bedside locker and Razi came across to wash his hands. Wynter smiled as Anthony sidled past, but he didn’t seem to notice her. Christopher, awaiting his turn at the washbasin, followed the little boy’s progress with a concerned frown.
‘Have we bread?’ asked Alberon, rubbing his hands and looking around hopefully.