“If you wish for me to go to Ireland, then I will, of course, obey,” he said hesitantly. “But… but I would still have to return to England. Men do not forgive so easily, my lord. I fear I would return to the same suspicion and anger. Moreover, my mother is here… my wife would be here also. I could not leave them, knowing how men now view the de Nerra name.”
Henry and William looked at him, noting Vesper standing next to him, looking the least bit concerned. Certainly, sending Val away would be the best thing for him, but he had a point– what of the women he left behind? They would be left in the aftermath of Val’s scandal. Henry scratched his chin again, thinking on a resolution to that particular issue.
“You could not take the women with you on campaign,” he said. “It would not be safe for them. You know that.”
Val did. “That is true, but it would not be safe to leave them at Selborne without my protection,” he said. “Men know that my seat is Selborne. Zealots intent on avenging Canterbury will be looking for me there and I cannot leave them alone in a fortress that attracts dangers such as that.”
William looked at Vesper in Val’s grasp and then to Margaretha, who was still seated and looking rather exhausted, before turning to Henry.
“I believe I have a solution,” he said. When Henry nodded encouragingly, William looked at Val. “As you know, the north of England has need of good men. Threats from the Scots abound and the de Percy family has many holdings that are in need ofprotection. There is a large castle that guards a strategic pass from Scotland that is in need of a strong hand. Currently, a de Percy cousin mans the castle and, although he is an excellent commander, he is growing older. The time will soon come for him to be replaced. Upon your return from Ireland, you can assume the post as the de Percy family’s most respected military commander and your wife and mother will join you at that time. Meanwhile, if you do not wish to leave the ladies at Selborne Castle, your mother and wife can go to Holystone Castle and live with my two spinster sisters, a myriad of animals, and a full contingent of soldiers until you return. Northumberland is a beautiful place; I am sure they would enjoy it.”
Val knew it was a good offer. It was better than anything he could have ever hoped for. Men were willing to protect him and Vesper and his mother from the vengeance of Canterbury’s faithful and he was deeply grateful. But it still meant going to Ireland, something he didn’t want to do. All things considered, however, it was necessary. He knew that the best thing for him would be to go away and let the fervor of the assassination die down.
In truth, he had no other choice.
“What is this castle you speak of?” he asked William.
“Black Fell Castle,” William replied. “It is a big place and very strategic.”
Henry, seeing Val’s hesitation, knew why. But much as Val knew, he, too, knew that this was an excellent offer.
“Val,” he said frankly. “Ride at the head of the de Percy army into Ireland. I will send more of my men with you and you shall be in command of all royal troops in Ireland. Black Fell Castle is in the Gilderdale Vale, which is very strategic and rich. I shall bestow the title of Baron Gilderdale upon you as well as the property of Black Fell Castle, but you shall serve the House of de Percy as their most trusted advisor. All of this shall be far fromCanterbury and the terrible memories, and you may reclaim your reputation and start your life anew. This is an excellent opportunity for you to restore that which you have lost.”
Val was astonished. “It is, indeed, my lord,” he said. “I am more deeply honored than you can ever know. But if I go north, what becomes of Selborne? It is my mother’s ancestral home. It has been in her family since before the time of the Duke of Normandy. Do we simply walk away from it?”
Henry shook his head. “Nay,” he replied. “I will garrison it for the crown. Calum and your other knights can remain there, in command, but I will also put my men there. Should you ever want it back, it is yours.”
That was more than fair. Frankly, this wasn’t what Val had expected when he’d come here today. He’d expected anger and punishment but what he’d received was understanding and rewards. God’s Bones, it was too good to believe. The chance to reclaim his honor and start anew… aye, he’d lost a great deal, but he’d not lost everything. There was still something in the destruction that had been his life and reputation that was worth saving, a hope that was greater than the darkness around it.
Val looked at Vesper. The hope that had been salvaged was something he saw in her eyes, something that couldn’t be killed by rumors or destroyed by men. It washerhope he felt. He felt it to his very bones.
“A moment, my lord,” he said to Henry.
Taking Vesper by the arm, he led her over to where Margaretha was seated. Crouching down so he was at his mother’s eye level, his gaze moved between the two women.
“I do not believe I have any choice in this matter,” he said quietly, “but the offer could not be more welcome. Henry is giving me a great opportunity to restore my honor. Mother, surely you can see that. I realize it means leaving Selborne, but we shall not lose it. It shall still remain your holding. And youheard Henry– he will grant me a title and my own property. As much as I am proud to inherit what you and my father have left me, to earn my own way… it has been a dream of mine.”
Margaretha was gazing into her son’s face, seeing how very much he wanted what Henry had offered. She had not the heart to refute anything about it.
“Then if this suits you, accept it,” she said softly. “Selborne is simply a pile of stones, Valor. Do not worry about leaving it behind. The legacy I have always spoken of is inside of you. You carry it with you by your bloodlines and your deeds. You honored the House of de Nerra and the House of Byington the day you first held a sword and wielded it with honor. Now, Henry is giving you an opportunity at rebirth– leaving the old Valor de Nerra behind and creating a new one. I do not mind you leaving to go to Ireland or even to Northumberland, but I am an old woman. I will remain at Selborne.”
“Nay,” Vesper said, grasping the woman’s hand and holding it tightly. “You must come with me, wherever Val wishes me to go. I will not leave you behind.”
Margaretha smiled at her. “Valor does not need me any longer,” she said. “Don’t you understand? I have done my duty with him. Now it is your turn to help him reclaim his greatness.”
Vesper frowned. “He is already a great man,” she said. “It is your love and support that have made him so. He cannot lose that now. Besides… if I move far away, you will never see your grandchildren.”
That thought gave Margaretha pause. “You have a point,” she finally said. “But you two must be married before he departs for Ireland or there will be no chance of grandchildren.”
Vesper didn’t dare look at Val, knowing that her statement wasn’t exactly true. There was already a chance for grandchildren but that was their little secret. She wasn’t quitesure what to say in response but Val didn’t give her the chance. He leaned forward and kissed his mother on the cheek.
“We are a family,” he said. “I could not stand leaving you behind at Selborne while sending Vesper to the north. She is right; you must go with her. You must help her and she must help you. And when your grandchildren are born… you must be one of the first faces they see. Please, Mother… come with us to embark on this new life. It would not be the same without you.”
Margaretha smiled faintly. “So much like your father,” she whispered, putting a hand on his dark hair. “You are so much like him at times that it is frightening. And I never could deny him his wants, either.”
“Then you will go north?”
“I will go north.”
