Page 366 of Historical Hotties
Gloucester cast him a long look. “I cannot, at least not now,” he said, watching the frustrated expression on Bastian’s features. “Haven’t you figured out yet that you are beingpunished for your compassion towards the Maid? Bedford believes you made him look foolish. He believes you were bewitched by her. He wants to give you time to get that woman out of your system. Why do you think we provided you with a wife, a wife of royal blood no less? So that you would be assimilated back into the English fold with an Englishwoman to focus on. Have you done that yet, Bas? Have you focused on your wife and forgotten the Maid?”
So the truth came out. Bastian already knew all that Gloucester had said, but still, hearing the words spoken aloud was something of a blow. Fury ignited in his belly and it was a struggle to keep that, and the disappointment he felt, at bay.
“My wife is a wonderful woman,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “And I told you the truth when I said I never felt anything for the Maid other than compassion. It would seem that all that we discussed a few moments ago about you having faith in me is not the truth. If you do not send me back to France right away, then no matter what you say, you and your brother still have your doubts in my fealty, and that is a definite problem.”
Gloucester was both contrite and thoughtful. “I have faith in you,” he insisted. “But my brother… he is emotional, Bas. He took your compassion towards the Maid as slander. Let me send him a missive discussing the issue and insist that you must be sent back to Rouen. He will listen to me.”
Bastian was disillusioned and disgusted by the entire conversation. He was angry enough to be a bully about it.
“See that he does,” he growled. “As for my time spent with the king, I will be taking him back with me to Braidwood tonight where he will sleep in a chamber next to mine. My cousins Brant and Martin are in residence as well as my other two knights, le Bec and de Lara. Henry could not be better protected. Until this madness with Bedford subsides and I am allowed to return toFrance, I will make the decisions on Henry’s safety and it is my decision that he will return to Braidwood with me.”
Gloucester appeared a bit startled by the hard line Bastian was taking. “But we must follow certain protocols with the king, Bas,” he said. “He has physicians and….”
Bastian interrupted him. “No physicians and no nurses,” he snapped softly. “They have kept that boy so closed off and so protected that he cannot make a decision for himself. I realize he is the king but he is also a young boy. Do you remember when you were a young boy? For Pity’s Sake, let the king be a boy for once. Let him know what it is like to chase dogs or fish in a pond. Braidwood will be a good place for him, at least for the time being, away from this madness that saps his will and turns him into a pawn of the regents.”
Gloucester stiffened. “I am a regent.”
Bastian didn’t back down, his gaze as hard as granite. “I know.”
Gloucester stared the man down, knowing he had just been insulted but also admitting that Bastian might have a point. It was a tense moment but, surprisingly, he backed down somewhat.
“In spite of the fact that you have just slandered me, I understand you are only thinking of the king,” he said stiffly. “I also understand that you are more than likely speaking from his father’s point of view since you and Henry were friends. Given those factors, I will allow you to take him to Braidwood and away from the Tower in the evenings, as I believe you are correct– he could not be better protected with five seasoned knights around him.”
Bastian was rather surprised that Gloucester hadn’t arrested him for insubordination, but he was pleased the man was seeing reason. He was also rather relieved. With that realization, he eased his angry stance.
“I will only take him at night,” he assured Gloucester. “I think the change will be good for him. But you understand this is only temporary. I fully expect to return to France very soon.”
Gloucester nodded. “I have a feeling you will make my life miserable if you do not.”
“That would be a fair assumption, my lord.”
Gloucester grunted, eyeing him with some displeasure. “My lord, is it?” he said. “You only address me now formally because you have gotten your way. You are a bully, Bas. Has anyone ever told you that?”
Bastian cracked a grin. “Constantly,” he said. “But if I wasn’t a bully, our success in France wouldn’t be nearly what it is today, as slow as that progress has been.”
“True enough,” Gloucester replied. “I know my brother needs you there and he knows it as well. I will send him a missive tomorrow.”
Bastian nodded. “My thanks,” he said. “But while I am here, the king will be my priority. In fact, I would like to take him with me when I visit Etonbury. The travel will do him good. I will take my father with us as well. Henry could learn much from my father.”
Gloucester almost denied him but he caught himself. For the young king to travel with de Russe and his father was an experience the young monarch could only benefit from. He wasn’t so resistant that he didn’t realize that. After a moment of deliberation, he finally nodded.
“It would be an excellent experience for him, I am sure,” he agreed. “When will you go?”
Bastian cocked his head thoughtfully. “Mayhap in a few days,” he said. “I should like to get my bearings here in London and establish my presence first. I will keep you apprised of my plans.”
“Good enough,” Gloucester said, noting that a mummer was now dancing around in front of the dais, entertaining the king. His gaze inevitably fell on Gisella, her dark hair gleaming in the torchlight. “Will you take your wife?”
A surge of jealousy and protectiveness bolted through Bastian, an odd sensation that was difficult to keep in check. He could hear the desire in Gloucester’s tone and it nearly drove him mad.
“She will,” he said steadily. “I am glad you forced me into marrying her, truly. You have my eternal thanks.”
Gloucester merely nodded, hearing great interest in Bastian’s tone, which concerned him. He was hoping for indifference and given Bastian’s initial resistance to the marriage, it was what he had expected. But hearing the pitch of the man’s voice when speaking of Gisella, somehow, something more had developed between them. Not that Gloucester blamed the man, for Gisella was a spectacular example of a woman.
But he would have to be careful about any attention he showed her given the fact that her husband was no longer indifferent about her. He knew what the Beast was capable of and didn’t want to end up on the wrong side of Bastian’s sword over his lust for the man’s wife.
“Then I am glad for you,” he finally said. “Shall we return to her and to the king?”
Bastian, glad to be done with the difficult conversation, preceded Gloucester back to the dais but noticed, as he came around a pillar, that Suffolk’s brother, Thomas, was now engaging Gisella in what seemed to be a heated conversation. Thomas’ face was positively red. He watched his wife as she suddenly stood up and slapped Thomas across the face as hard as she could, sending the man staggering, but he also saw when Thomas righted himself and slugged Gisella in the jaw with a balled fist.
