Still, he was allowed to retain his sword and dagger, and Harrington’s size alone made him a formidable weapon in his own right. And Northumberland was not so stupid as to offer real harm to the king’s closest friend.
The duke himself met them in the inner courtyard. Dominic could see the powerful figure waiting for them as they crossed beneath the Triple Gate. Even from a distance Northumberland radiated tension. He stood alone—no wife or family to soften his greeting.I don’t think I’ll be asked to stay,Dominic thought wryly.
“Exeter,” Northumberland said gruffly when they were in speaking distance. Dominic stopped a good ten feet away from the duke, and inclined his head in greeting. “What news do you bring?”
“Would you prefer to withdraw somewhere more private?” Dominic asked. Though there was no family about, the courtyard held plenty of servants and more than a handful of armed men bearing Dudley badges.
“I would prefer to hear your news on my feet and at this moment.”
Dominic delivered his news, more or less truthfully. “Guildford has been found guilty of felonious treason against the king’s own body. He has been sentenced to death.”
Actually, Guildford was already dead. Dominic had attended his execution the day before he left London. In his memory he held a picture of Guildford’s body, being borne away with his severed head. But William and Rochford had decided it would be wiser that Northumberland not know of his son’s execution just yet, in order to reduce the likelihood of his resistance to arrest. Assuming one of the duke’s own sources in London hadn’t already brought the news.
A muscle along his jawline twitched, but Northumberland did not move otherwise. “I suppose the king wants me to beg before he’ll commute the sentence.”
“The king will not commute the sentence, Your Grace. I’m here to take you to London to answer charges laid against you personally.”
“You plan to take me with half a dozen men?” Northumberland huffed a bitter laugh. “You’ve grown as arrogant as the boy king, Exeter, if you think you can bring me in on your own.”
“I have a half a dozen men outside your gates—but another half a hundred two miles off. Surely you know that.”
“I know it.”
“Your Grace, if you will submit yourself and your son Robert to my custody, the king will be inclined to deal generously with the rest of your family.”
“Robert?” Northumberland’s brow creased. “What has he to do with this?”
“I have a warrant for Robert as well as for you. The charges will be explained in London.”
The duke snorted. “Too bad for you that Robert isn’t here. My son rode off to Kenilworth ten days ago. Afraid you’ve missed him.”
Damn it. “Not for long. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. You have no position from which to bargain, Your Grace. We have hard evidence. You must come to London and answer it.”
“I don’t know what evidence you think you have, you jumped-up son of a traitor, but you are dead wrong when you claim that I have no bargaining position.” Northumberland no longer bothered to pretend politeness. “I really thought you must have known, I thought even that arrogant young brat of a king couldn’t be so careless as to mislay something precious to him. But neither of you have any idea, do you?”
“No idea of what?” Dominic’s tension increased. He did not like surprises.
Northumberland barked an order at a guard. “Fetch the younger one.”
Dominic’s training as a soldier stood him in good stead, allowing him to control his tumultuous thoughts by focusing on the physical details of the courtyard. As though taking notes of enemy positions, he assessed the layout of the domestic wings and outbuildings. His uneasiness increased as he realized that, just as the family were not to be seen, neither were any female servants. Only men were visible, many with the hard faces and powerful figures of fighting men.
First thing he’d do when he got back to his camp was send out scouts to discover if Northumberland had troops within twenty miles of here. Fifty royal guards would not be enough to bring in the duke if he were prepared to resist in battle.
Dominic tried not to let curiosity about what—or who—the young one might be, but he recognized that his body was taut with uncertainty. He was a soldier first, and he couldn’t fight what he didn’t understand. Still, he had come here to arrest Northumberland, and he wouldn’t leave until he’d done so.
That surety sustained him right up to the moment when the guard reappeared escorting the person he’d been sent to fetch. Young. Golden-haired. Female.
Minuette.
Dominic only realized he’d stopped breathing when his chest began to hurt. He took a series of quick sharp breaths—as much to control his fury as to fill his lungs—and said, “What do you think you are doing?” He wasn’t sure if he was speaking to Northumberland or Minuette herself. How the hell had she gotten from Hatfield to Dudley Castle?
“What do you think she’s doing here?” Northumberland jeered, jerking his head to the guard, who brought Minuette to stand next to the duke. “This girl goes nowhere alone.”
God and all the angels in heaven…“You are holding Princess Elizabeth hostage?” Dominic asked in disbelief. How had Northumberland tricked the princess here from Hatfield? What was Minuette thinking, riding across country after nearly dying from poison? Dominic didn’t know if he wanted to hug her or shake her. He would have done either gladly so long as he could reach her.
But though no weapons had been drawn, they didn’t need to be. Northumberland had made his stand. Misguided, impulsive, rashly hotheaded, and ultimately suicidal, but a stand nonetheless.
“The princess came willingly at my request. Well, let’s not mince words, she came for Robert and to spite her brother. Elizabeth’s got Henry’s stubbornness and Anne’s willfulness, and she wanted to show that she is her own mistress. And now she is my bargaining point.”
