Page 7 of Wolfehound
His reaction wasn’t long in coming.
“I never said you do not have feelings in the matter,” he said. “And your support of James, of my vengeance, has been appreciated more than you know. I am not a man given to vengeance. You know this. My motivation against an enemy has never been emotional because, as we know, emotions are deadly. My motivation against any enemy is one of quiet duty. But that Welsh ambush six months ago made my motivation in Wales personal, and I cannot help that. Christ, Paris, I’ve not even told James’ own mother about his death. I could not do that in a missive. She is continuing her life at Castle Questing, unaware that she has lost a son. Do you have any idea how much that tears at me? That my first words to her when I return home will be of the death of one of her children? It eats me alive inside until I cannot bear the pain, so if I have shown a lack of grace or understanding when it comes to the Welsh, you will forgive me. I am grieving for two right now, and it is more than I can bear.”
Paris knew all of that but it was the first time William had really spoken of it. Reaching out, he put his hand on William’s shoulder, trying to give him some comfort. But on William’s left side, Kieran sighed faintly.
“She knows, William.”
William heard the softly uttered words, turning to look at Kieran in confusion. “What do you mean?” he said. “I have not told her.”
Kieran’s jaw twitched faintly. “Someone else did,” he said, barely audible. He sighed again and lifted his head, looking at William. “We sent some of the heavily wounded back to Castle Questing to recover, and in spite of our instructions for them not to speak of James’ death, someone did.”
William’s confusion turned to horror when he realized what the man was saying. “My God,” he breathed. “How do you know this?”
Kieran looked at him then. “You know I received a missive from my wife last week.”
“I do.”
“She told me that the news of James’ death reached her ears before it reached Jordan,” he said with sorrow. “It was Jemma who broke the news to her. She had to. Otherwise, Jordan would have heard it through the gossip mill or from a servant, and I know that is not what you want. William, it was inevitable. Men talk. We sent men who had been at Llandeilo back to Castle Questing and it was simply inevitable that someone would talk. And someone did.”
William stared at him. Long ago, he’d lost his left eye in a battle in Wales, ironically, but the gaze in his remaining eye was nothing short of fierce. William de Wolfe could do with one eye what most men couldn’t do with two. He stared at Kieran until he could stare no more.
And then he simply walked away.
Kieran and Paris watched him go with heavy hearts.
“You should have told him sooner,” Paris muttered. “This is going to cause problems, Kieran. It will unnerve him.”
Kieran was watching William as he wandered off toward a grove of trees. “I could not tell him until the battle was over,” he said firmly. “You know this, Paris, and you agreed with me when I first told you what had happened.”
“I know, but—”
“If I had told him before the end of this battle, he might have very well gotten himself killed with the distraction,” Kieran said, cutting him off. “His focus had to remain on Llywelyn and Dafydd. It could not be divided by the news that his wife had been told about James. He has enough grief without worrying over the fact that he was not the one to tell Jordan about her son’s death.”
He was right and they both knew it, but Paris waved him off irritably, unwilling to engage him in an argument. It was done and they had to deal with the aftermath.
But what aftermath there would be was anyone’s guess.
“I fear we may have a larger problem,” Paris said.
“What is that?”
“The news that Jordan is aware of James’ death may bring on a fresh wave of grief for William,” Paris said. “That may mean his rage will bloom, and it will turn toward Dafydd and those children more than it already is.”
It was difficult for Kieran to acknowledge that, true though it might be. “His behavior has been so unpredictable,” he said. “I had confidence in the William I have fought alongside for over fifty years. I had confidence that he would show compassion and mercy in all situations, but this William… I do not know what he’ll do. I would like to think I do, but the truth is that I do not. And neither do you.”
Paris was nodding his head, agreeing with him, before he’d finished speaking. “I do not,” he said. “Are there plans for the children already?”
“Aye,” Kieran said. “Edward has been specific. Dafydd is to face a trial and his children are to be separated. The girls will be sent to convents in Lincolnshire and his sons are to be sent to Bristol Castle. But the infant is Llywelyn’s offspring.Tywysoges yr Ysbrydion a’r Dreigiauis what they call her.”
“I know,” Paris said. “The Princess of Ghosts and Dragons.”
Kieran nodded. “Edward has specifically chosen Sempringham Priory for her because it is close to Carlton de Royans’ properties,” he said. “He wants her placed near a knight loyal to him, to ensure she remains where she is consigned.”
“So de Royans draws that duty.”
“He does,” Kieran said. “The priory is quite remote and well fortified.”
“So she can be sealed off from the world for the rest of her natural life.”
