Inside, the hall remained a hive of activity, as though the king still remained a guest. As if the lord also lingered in residence. Was she the only one to miss his presence? He'd been here for a short time, and already Gillian couldn't imagine Lyndon without Royce. At the same time, she knew when he returned and the rebellion subdued, they would leave Lyndon for Montchester.
She shivered. She'd never been north. The idea of leaving her home made her stomach roll anew. She made her way to one of the chairs before the hearth.
"What troubles you?" Simon asked.
She shrugged. "I fear I am not well."
"What ails you, my lady?"
She looked up at Burke. Ice in his stare left her chilled, her heart racing with a momentary panic.
"'Tis nothing. I am merely sad to see my husbanddepart."
"He'll be back ere you have time to miss him," Simon assured her.
"You're right. For now we must determine how many men will continue to patrol the forests."
She met Burke's wide eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected her to participate in such plans.
"I will handle that," Burke insisted. He took the seat beside her and leaned on the arm. "Royce has given me instructions on what should be done. I've been overseeing the patrols since you left for Shrewsbury."
"Aye. And he has given me direction as well. Now that I've returned, my word stands as law in his absence. Simon, please determine which men you will take with you when you patrol."
With the exception of one, Lyndon's men would remain loyal to Simon, or so she hoped. They'd served beside him for years. Her orders would help seal their allegiance.
"Simon is not captain, my lady," Burke insisted.
"True, but he possesses knowledge of this manor you do not. Simon will now oversee the patrols."
Burke looked away, the muscle at the base of his jaw tight with anger. His fist clenched a little tighter. Finally, he returned his gaze to her.
"Very well, my lady."
She caught Simon's gaze. The moment of accord soothed her agitation. Making it clear she held control over Lyndon had never felt so frightening. Then again, her husband's captain displeasure at being usurped shouldn't surprise her. Most men would react the same when placed in similar circumstance. Agitating him would likely only set him further against her.
"Burke, I shall need you to provide whatever guidance Simon should need, but especially, I will need your assistance in ensuring Lyndon's men are trained properly as my husband would wish it. I suspect your expertise will be exactly what is needed. It's been over a month sinceMontchester's men arrived, 'tis time for the men to form one united garrison."
The odd expression he fixed on her left her wary. Forcing her composure grew more difficult, especially when the queasiness threatened. She clenched her fingers and jaw to contain the urge to retch. Finally, Burke nodded.
"Very well, my lady, if that is what you wish."
Why did she sense he mocked her? "It is. Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak with Thomas."
She stood, relieved when both men left the hall to tend to her orders. Suddenly exhausted, she sent a maid to delay her meeting with Thomas and climbed the stair to her chamber.
***
He stared at his lover, anxious to finally be out in the open. To show the king and the world that Llewellyn's line continued. He ran a hand over her burgeoning belly. He hated hiding Anne like this, but her safety, the safety of the child, mattered more than his wishes. 'Twas still early, she'd been free of Lyndon barely a month, and the only way to ensure his unborn son lived would be to keep the babe's mother tucked away where none might find her.
"The Panther has left for London. With the king."
Anne laughed with excitement, grabbing his hand and holding it to her chest. "By the time they return, it will be too late. Lyndon will be ours."
"His wife remains."
Immediately, Anne's eyes turned cold. She turned away, scowling.
"That little harlot has been the bane of my existence since I met William. From the very start, she tried to talk him out of marrying me. Thankfully, I convinced the old fool she was being selfish."
