Kissing the Bride (Medieval 4)

“You?” Reynard frowned. “But—”

“I was there when Thearoux died. He was evil, Reynard. A detestable man. He was not the jolly uncle the king believed him to be. There was a fire…. I remember little of that night—but if someone wanted to point their finger at me, how could I cry innocent? One thing is certain, the king will never look at me as his friend again when he knows…that I was there. Probably he will not publicly punish me, probably he will say that he understands my version of events—after all, he would not want to look like a fool for having me as his friend all this time. But the fact will remain that I did not tell him the truth ten years ago. I kept silent. And that alone will make me guilty of disloyalty in his eyes.”

It was not all strictly true, but true enough for Reynard to understand his predicament.

“So you will lose your favored position?”

“Aye. Everything will fall down about me. Everything I thought I had achieved will be destroyed.”

“Unless you leave Lady Jenova and return to London in a week.”

Henry laughed a bitter laugh. “I will not leave her. The priest says he knows me, and if that is true, then he knows that I will stay and protect Jenova, no matter what. Our faceless Jean-Paul does not need to soil his hands; I will be tightening the noose about my own throat.”

Henry had thought that Reynard would press him for more detail, ask him questions he did not want to answer. Force him to relive memories he did not know if he could face. But Reynard did not; he stood in thoughtful silence, as if considering the situation from all angles. It occurred to Henry that Reynard might be just the kind of man he

needed at a time like this. Intelligent and strong, and with a hefty dash of cunning.

“There is something I must tell you.” Reynard was watching him, and his face was very grave. “I had planned to tell you anyway, when I had a little more to say, but now it seems all the more…pressing. Lady Rhona approached me….”

He went on speaking. The tale was a surprising one, but Reynard told it simply and with the occasional note of dry humor that had Henry smiling despite the seriousness of the situation. It was true that Reynard had taken much upon himself, but Henry could not fault him, and he believed him. Henry had dealt with many men, and he recognized an honest one. Reynard was on his side, and just as well. If they were to defeat Baldessare, they would need a pair of eyes and ears at Hilldown Castle.

“So, it seemed wise to agree to spy for Lady Rhona. At least then I would know what was happening. While she is using me, my lord, I will be using her.”

Despite his relaxed manner, Henry could see Reynard was nervous. He had set himself up for a fall, and if Henry was of a mind to, he could shout betrayal and have him punished or dismissed. But Henry knew a good thing when he saw it; he trusted Reynard, and he was desperate for some lever to use to turn this situation to his advantage.

“Using her in more ways than one, aye,” Henry agreed quietly. He met the other man’s dark eyes. “You have done well, Reynard. I have no bone to pick with you on this matter.”

Reynard blinked with relief. “I thank you, Lord Henry. I will not fail you.” Then, with a thoughtful frown, he added, “But would the king really allow Lord Baldessare to force Lady Jenova into marriage with him? She is a favorite with him; surely he would never turn away from such a blatant disregard of his wishes? Lord Baldessare must know he would be punished when King William set foot once more in England?”

“Baldessare probably believes I will smooth things over with the king in my own self-interest. They could hold this threat over me for the rest of my life—have me dangling like a puppet on their strings.” Henry shook his head, thrusting such a nightmare away. “Aye, the king will not be pleased if he finds Baldessare has taken Jenova against her will, but then again he may see little point in making a fuss if the deed is already done and Baldessare leads him to believe Jenova is well pleased with the arrangement. He may doubt, but if there are other more important matters requiring his attention when he comes home again, matters that could see the fall of his kingdom…” Henry shrugged. “It is likely the king may find himself putting down a rebellion, and he will have no time to deal with Baldessare.”

“Aye, I see the dilemma.”

“It will not happen, Reynard,” Henry said quietly, and his blue eyes were very blue as he looked at the other man. “I will not let it happen. Baldessare and his priest can say what they like; I am not leaving Gunlinghorn undefended.”

Reynard nodded, and a flicker of anticipation mingled with excitement in his own dark gaze. Reynard, thought Henry with an inner smile, liked a fight.

“When do you meet with Lady Rhona again?” Henry asked, moving ahead.

“In two days’ time, at the Black Dog.”

“Try and find out from her who this priest really is—the name Jean-Paul means nothing to me. And why he hates me so much that he has joined forces with Baldessare in order to destroy me. He is someone from le château de Nuit, I know it. But who…who?…”

“The castle of Night,” Reynard echoed. “It sounds grim.”

“Just a name, Reynard. Names cannot hurt us.” But people can, Henry thought bleakly.

“And what will I tell Rhona, my lord? She will be expecting something in return.”

Henry considered. “Tell her I am preparing to go home to London. Let her think her father has won. It should ensure she is more eager to speak to you.”

“Aye, I will do as you ask. Will you explain to Lady Jenova what is happening?”

Henry didn’t want to. His hope was that he could sort out this problem and have it solved before Jenova learned anything about it. Then she would never have to know. “Leave Lady Jenova to me, Reynard.”

“As you wish, Lord Henry.”

Reynard’s footsteps gritted across the sand on the wharf, and Henry was alone. Alone with the cold, gray ocean. He let his eyes sweep over the wide horizon, narrowing them against the sting of the salty wind. Pray God that soon they would have this matter resolved and Jenova would be safe. And so would his secret.