Page 43 of Wolfehound
War shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “And they should not. The fewer people know about this, the better.”
Liam nodded. “Agreed,” he said. But he hesitated a moment. “Papa, what do you think would happen if the truth came out now? Do you think there would be trouble?”
War shrugged. “It is difficult to say,” he said. “What happened was twenty years ago, and time has a way of softening situations. Nothing could happen. Or the king might view it as a shocking betrayal.”
“Would he come for her?”
War’s gaze was on the castle in the distance, looming closer now. “He could try, I suppose,” he said, not wanting to upset his son with what he really thought, which was that Edward would more than likely try to reclaim the Welsh princess who could effectively damage his rule were her identity discovered. “But I would not worry about it. No one knows and no one will know. You will marry Lady Cambria and have a good life together.”
Liam grinned at the mere mention of her name. “We will,” he said confidently. “I’ve waited a long time for this day, Papa. I’m ready for it. And her.”
War snorted, delighted that his son, his shining star, seemed so lovestruck. Liam had been an exceptionally serious child, focused and determined at even a young age, and there were times when War wondered if the lad had a heart. He had mercy, and could be generous, but sometimes he lacked emotion. Evidently, he was saving it all up for the woman he was about to marry, and that just made War laugh.
“Papa!”
Kyle and Logan had charged to the head of the escort, with Kyle pointing toward Folkingham in the distance. “May we ride ahead and announce our arrival?” he asked, struggling to control his horse. “We should be announced, you know. It is good manners.”
War waved the pair on. “Go ahead,” he said, watching the excited horses take off when the young men dug their spurs in. “Do not break a leg! Or a neck! Slow down!”
No one was listening to him. They were off in a cloud of dust, heading down the road. Liam shook his head unhappily.
“If one of them gets hurt and ruins this day for me, I will never forgive him,” he said. “Kyle is competent enough, but Logan is an idiot.”
War chuckled. “That idiot is still your brother,” he said. “He’s still young, Liam. Be patient with him. He loves you dearly, you know.”
That softened Liam up, but before he could reply, they could both hear shouting coming from the carriage behind them. They turned to see Annaleigh Herringthorpe’s beautiful red hair reflecting the noon sunlight.
“What did you say, my love?” War called back to her.
Annaleigh was Scots to the bone and a more loving, no-nonsense mother had ever existed. He pointed to two of her sons racing down the road like tempests.
“I said those two had better not break something with their foolishness,” she shouted. “Ye shouldna have sent them on ahead.”
War lifted a hand to ease her. “They’ll be fine,” he said. “Between you and Liam, the opinion of Kyle and Logan is much maligned.”
Annaleigh shook her head in disapproval. “Ye know how they are,” she said, ducking her head back into the carriage. “I hope de Royans admits us after meeting that pair!”
The last few words were shouted. Liam burst into soft laughter as War grinned. He loved all of his sons equally, but he had to admit that his wife had a point. Kyle was big, aggressive, and always had a smile on his face, which was very disconcerting when he was trying to kill a man. Logan, on the other hand, wasn’t such a tall or broad man, but he had unearthly skills with a sword. He also had one of the greatest intellects in the entire family, his father included, but he was young and immature at times. As War reflected on that, he thought that perhaps his wife might be right. Perhaps they’d better get to the gatehouse before Kyle and Logan offended someone.
He gave Liam the sign to pick up the pace, and the escort began to run.
*
“The Earl ofWarenton is coming,” Fair Lydia was saying to a pair of female servants. “I do not know how many are in his party, but we must be prepared for many family members. Do you have things well in hand?”
The servants nodded vigorously.
“Good,” Fair Lydia said. “Then go about your business. And ensure, one last time, that the knights’ quarters are ready for the unmarried male visitors. Go along, now.”
The servants scattered. Final preparations were underway for the wedding they’d all been waiting for. It wasn’t to be a big affair, but the announcements went out several weeks ago, right after Carlton had finally given his approval for the wedding after a rather sternly worded missive from War Herringthorpe about the excessive delays. It was with sadness, yet some joy, that Carlton gave the approval for the announcement to be sent out to two families, and two only—his brother’s and the Earl of Warenton’s.
It promised to be a small and intimate event.
The reason for inviting Warenton was obvious. It was his father who had orchestrated the entire marriage. But with Warenton would more than likely come several members of his household, and there were lodging logistics to be considered. The keep of Folkingham had ten rooms in total—three were taken up by the family, which left seven to be occupied by the groom and his parents, and the Earl of Warenton and his wife. They would sort it out at the time, but Carlton was a nervous wreck about the event while Fair Lydia was oddly composed. She had managed all of the arrangements herself, mostly, except for the games that Carlton had arranged to follow. Games of strength and horsemanship for the male guests and family members were on the agenda, a true celebration for an event a long time in the making.
It was the moment they’d all been waiting for.
Especially the bride.
