“Of course I would.”
At that point, they were interrupted by Diara as she entered the keep along with Dustin. Myles bent over to kiss his sister-in-law, a truly radiant beauty that had her husband more enamored with her every day, on the cheek. The entire family had seen Roi change from a serious, rather lonely man to a doting husband and father with the introduction of a wife he adored.
It had been good to see.
“Lady Cheltenham,” Myles greeted Diara. “It is agreeable to see you again.”
Diara lifted an eyebrow at her brother-in-law. The man wasn’t much for pleasantries and probably didn’t have a flattering bone in his body. She’d never once heard him give a compliment, which was something of a running joke with the family.
“Agreeable, am I?” she said. “Be careful with your sweet words, Myles de Lohr, or they will swell my head. Where is your wife?”
“Unable to come, my lady.”
“I am sorry,” Diara said, sobering. “She is well, is she not?”
“Very well,” Myles said. “But I would not let her travel. Our child is due very soon as well. And what are you to name Roi’s latest offspring? Queen? Prince? Peasant?”
Dustin, who had been standing next to Diara, swatted Myles from behind. “Cease your taunts,” she said. “I will not let you harass her.”
Diara chuckled at her protective mother-in-law. “Not to worry, Naina,” she said, using the name for Dustin that her grandchildren had given her. “I’ll have my revenge when he least expects it. And since you are asking so nicely, Myles, I will tell you that this son will bear the name of Beau, the name of a man who was a dear friend to us when we traveled to Lac du Lausanne before Rex was born. I am telling you this so that youwill not give your child the same name. I will be furious if you do.”
Myles shook his head. “I promise that I will not call my son by the same name,” he said. “But what if it is a girl?”
“How can it be a girl if I am to name him Beau?”
Myles looked at Roi, who simply shrugged. Such was the logic of a pregnant woman. Inside the solar, they could hear Rex laughing loudly about something, which drew the women. As they followed the sounds of the happy baby, Myles prevented Roi from going after them. When Roi looked at him curiously, he shook his head faintly.
“Not yet,” he said softly. “There are things to discuss before you go in there.”
“For example?”
“Papa is no longer in command of the Executioner Knights,” Myles said softly. “He has turned that duty over to Peter. Peter not only controls everything now, but Anselm Marshal willed Farringdon House to Papa before he died. Papa has given it over to Peter.”
Those were some serious changes. “Farringdon House has been a Marshal property for over fifty years,” Roi said. “That is the heart of the Executioner Knight operation.”
Myles nodded. “I know,” he said. “But no one knows that it is a de Lohr property yet, so given that you spend a good deal of time in London with Henry, you should be aware.”
“Absolutely. Henry must not know, for he’s not said a word.”
Myles shrugged. “I suppose it does not matter who the townhome belongs to, at least to Henry,” he said. “But it is a valuable property and Peter will be there frequently. He’s in the solar, Roi. He wants to ask you to consider returning to the Executioner Knights.”
“As an operative?”
Myles merely nodded, leaving Roi to consider the possibilities. But that was short-lived because he had news of his own.
“I am too old,” he finally said. “Moreover, there is something you should know. Henry has offered me the appointment of chief justiciar, Myles. You know what that means.”
Myles’ eyes widened. “He has?” he said, astounded. “Roi, that’s astonishing. You’ll have more power than the king in a position like that. Head of the judiciary system and the laws.”
“I know.”
“Your word will be law.”
“I am well aware.”
“You’ll have your own court and counselors.”
“I will, indeed.”
