“Excellent,” he glanced up at Henry. “I will list my terms in order. First, I would be released from the Tower.”
“Done,” Henry did not miss a beat. “And?”
“The return of my keep. My lands and wealth, as well.”
Henry glanced at Gaston. Seeing no reaction, he nodded his head. “Agreed. Is that all?”
“No,” Guy said flatly. If the king were responding so agreeably, then he would push him to the limit. “Since I will be losing my wife, I wish another in return. Her sister, Jasmine.”
Gaston’s eggshell composure cracked. “Impossible. She is married and with child.”
Guy raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? My wife neglected to tell me that. Oh, well. With Rory dead, I suppose that leaves little Skye.”
“Out of the question,” Gaston’s jaw ticked. “She is also married and with child.”
Guy raised both eyebrows. “Truly? Now that is remarkable. I wonder if it is also true.”
“It is,” Nicolas stepped in beside his cousin, his youthful face taut. “I married Skye.”
Guy looked between Nicolas and Gaston as if seeing right through their half-truths. Then he looked at Henry. “I would have my son returned to me. When Remington marries de Russe, my son stays with me.”
Another crack appeared in Gaston’s facade. “The boy is fostering.”
“At Mt. Holyoak, I am told,” Guy, said coolly. “He will stay there and remain with me.”
Dane. Remington’s most prized possession, her beloved son, and the boy Gaston himself had come to love. Gaston could not make that decision; neither could Henry. “Gaston?” the king pushed.
Gaston’s eyes flicked to his king helplessly. “I cannot agree, my lord. That will be for Lady Remington to decide, but I can tell you without a doubt that she will refuse it.”
“All or nothing, de Russe,” Stoneley said with a confident growl. “All of my terms or no agreement.”
“Is that everything?” Henry demanded roughly.
Guy looked thoughtful a moment. “Aye.”
Henry looked to Gaston, who was staring at Guy as if the man had just declared he was Christ in the flesh. “Well, Gaston?” Henry prodded gently. “You have his terms. They are not entirely disagreeable.”
Gaston stared a moment longer. “Nicolas, send word to Mt. Holyoak. All troops and weaponry is to be dispatched to Clearwell. The keep is to be vacated without delay.”
Nicolas blanched. “What of… what of Jasmine and Skye?”
“To Clearwell,” Gaston still wasn’t looking at him. “Dane and Charles will remain at Mt. Holyoak.”
Nicolas’ jaw swung open. “Christ, Gaston. You are going to leave them? What about…?”
Gaston’s eyes riveted to his cousin, boring a hole clean through to his brain. Nicolas met the gaze, feeling its impact as if he had been physically hit. Without another word, he quit the room.
Gaston turned back to Guy. “De Tormo will write up the agreement this night.”
“Shouldn’t you discuss my terms with Remi?” Guy asked, his mood lightening. “She will not want to leave Dane, you know. She could end up hating you for leaving her son behind in your haste to gain her.”
Gaston knew that only too well, but he had no other choice at the moment. Hoping to throw Stoneley off the track, he said: “We will have more children, Stoneley. One son will not matter in future years, not when she will bear me ten.”
Even Henry thought the remark was rather callous but he did not reply. He had done his work and moved for the door, making sure de Vere and Uncle Jasper had hold of Gaston.
“When can I expect my freedom, my lord?” Guy asked pleasantly.
Henry paused coldly. “After the priest writes up the consent, and after the annulment proceedings have been completed, and no sooner. You are still an enemy of the crown, Stoneley. I do not take those charges lightly.”
