He nodded slowly. “Undoubtedly telling him that the wedding has been cancelled.”
The revelations were nearly too much take. Alixandrea suddenly smacked the arm of the chair with an open palm.
“She is spying on me,” she hissed. “How could she do this? I thought she loved me.”
“Who is to say why people do what they do? But now that you know, you must be very guarded with her. What she knows, your manservant knows. And what he knows gets to the army and, more than likely, your uncle and whomever he is allied with. And because you are to be my wife, you will be privy to valuable information. I have the confidence of the king. Your uncle and his allies are more than likely counting on this to serve their cause.”
She was ill with the realization. He made it sound very logical and she could not deny that Jezebel’s behavior, at times, could make her believe this. Suddenly, many things made sense.
“When I was young, when my uncle and your father were in discussions for the marriage contract, I remember there was a man who came to Whitewell often.” She thought back to that time, hazed by the years gone by. “He was short, with silver hair and pocked skin, and my uncle seemed to cower to him. It was very strange. Although my uncle called him John Law, I heard them talking privately once and my uncle called him Sutton. I did not think anything of it at the time, but now it seems to make sense. They used to discuss politics and marriage endlessly. After the marriage contract was brokered, I never saw the man again.”
Matthew listened to her closely. His expression never changed. “If your recollection is true, then your uncle has been involved with Tudor much longer than I suspected.”
“Why? Do you recognize the man I described?”
“Possibly. Sir John Sutton is a very close ally of Jasper Tudor. He is married to a daughter of Lord Clifford, also another Lancastrian supporter. Did he also walk with a limp?”
“He did.”
“Then it was indeed John Sutton.”
Alixandrea gazed at him, a sense of overwhelming guilt sweeping her. “Then it seems that I have brought something dark and rebellious into the House of Wellesbourne. No wonder my uncle was so eager to marry me into this household.”
His smiled returned and he patted her soft hand. “Had I known what prize I would be acquiring, I would have been equally as eager.”
She looked surprised. “Why would you say that? I have brought doom to your family. You should send me home right away.”
“Are you mad? It would give your uncle the right and opportunity to wage war against me. Besides, I have no intention of sending you anywhere. You belong to me and I intend to keep you.”
“Areyoumad?” she softly snapped back. “Do you not understand that something horrible has followed me here? I will not be the cause of your downfall, Matthew. I would rather die.”
He was genuinely touched. He did not know why he should believe her, but he did. Reaching out, he gently touched her cheek.
“Trust me when I tell you that I will not fall,” he said softly. He did not tell her of Strode’s specific instructions to kill The White Lord; he thought that might be too much information for one night. “You and I will be married and I will deal with this insurrection from within my ranks. Wellesbourne soldiers are loyal to the core. Four hundred Whitewell men cannot contend with a thousand Wellesbourne men.”
“But what about Jezebel and Strode?”
“I am not nearly as concerned with Strode as I am with your maid. She hears all, sees all. Say only what I tell you to say in front of her and nothing else. You must detach yourself from her. Perhaps if I were to position Caroline in such a way that she would act as your lady in waiting, we can displace your maid so that she will be ineffective. As for your manservant, I will deal with him appropriately.”
“How?”
“When the time is right.”
He seemed decisive and calm about the situation. His manner eased her tremendously. Above all of the bewilderment of the disclosures, Alixandrea realized one thing; she was very glad they were still to be married.
“Thank you for… well, thank you for clarifying things,” she smiled weakly. “When you came in earlier to announce that we would not be wed, I will admit that I was disappointed. I am so glad that it was not the truth.”
His features softened. “I am truly sorry to have caused you any sorrow. But it was necessary.”
“I see that now.”
“I am simply sorry that you seem to be a pawn in something that should not involve you.”
“I have faith that you will guide me through it.”
He kissed her, then. He could not help it. He knew it was not proper and that he needed to get out of the chamber before the maid returned, but he was very glad that things were well again between them. Before the kiss became too heated and he lost control, he pulled himself away.
“Come along, now. My father and brother are waiting.”
