“A sable leopard and battle-axe on a field of scarlet,” William answered neutrally. “Renaud LeClerc’s banner. It was LeClerc who led the Scots.”
Dominic stilled and in that moment felt something close to a premonition. This was not going to end well. “I don’t believe that.”
“Of course you do. You’ve said it yourself, how many times? LeClerc is the best commander Henri has. The French king’s put him where he wants him—on my border. Whether it’s because Henri knows what I intend, or merely because he’s hoping to provoke me, it doesn’t matter.”
“Your Majesty.” Dominic looked at Norfolk’s messenger, young and exhausted and clearly not meant to overhear this politically charged conversation. With a wave of his hand, William dismissed the messenger and Dominic told Harrington to find the young man a bed.
When he and William were alone, Dominic said bluntly, “What will you do?”
“Henri seems to want war, or maybe he just wants to see how far he can push me. I thought I had taught him that lesson already. It seems he didn’t learn it.”
“Norfolk will need additional men if he’s going to cross the border to fight.”
“Is that what you would do—cross the border?”
“It’s what Henri expects. He wouldn’t put Renaud there if he didn’t think he’d be needed for a series of full-scale battles. But you beat Henri last time by doing what he did not expect.”
“Why not just bring it to open war now? I’ve got five thousand men nearby who can march at speed,” William argued. “And if France is seen to break the treaty, then I’m no longer locked into marrying Henri’s daughter. Outrage against foreign Catholics will run so high that I need not delay marrying Minuette.”
“I think you overestimate the backlash. France is Catholic, but the Scots themselves are Protestant. I don’t think you benefit one way or the other at this point, for it’s not only the religious issue at stake. There will be many who will protest your marriage to Minuette on purely political grounds. And border wars are bloody affairs. It’s the North that will pay, and it’s the North that is most precariously held. Push them into war, and you may regret it. Also, it will soon be winter and any violence will have to be suspended.”
“So talk to me about the unexpected.”
“Negotiate,” Dominic said tersely. “Keep this from blowing out of control. It saves crops and homes, not to mention lives, and it earns you a reputation as a peacemaker. It will tie Henri’s hands. He doesn’t want to be the warmonger to your more balanced and humane approach. And once you’ve restrained yourself so far in the face of blatant provocation, Henri will be caught completely off guard when the time comes for you to throw his treaty and his daughter back in his face.”
That wasn’t exactly pushing William into the French marriage, but Dominic did not want war. Even less did he want William using this as an excuse to marry Minuette immediately.Please agree,he begged silently.
William frowned, and picked up the map showing the Scots border in detail. His expression was inscrutable: he might be considering the difficulty of a late autumn battle, or he might be gauging where to send his soldiers pouring across. Dominic didn’t move, afraid to tip the balance the wrong way.
Replacing the map on the table, William nodded. “Good. I’ll send a rider to Norfolk, ordering him to keep his muster in Carlisle and not to engage unless the Scots cross the border first. And I’ll tell him to expect you.”
“Me?”
“Who better to negotiate than Renaud LeClerc’s English friend? You are the one thing the Frenchman and I have in common.”
“Fair enough. I’m sure Renaud and I can come to an accommodation.”
Something of his relief must have showed, because William added, “I’ve missed you, Dom. It’s my fault, I know, I’ve been so busy trying to know and do everything myself that I’ve not used you as I should. There is no one else who would have counseled me this wisely.” Clapping him on the shoulder, he continued, “Every king should have at least one advisor who is honest rather than prudent. I’m glad you’re mine.”
The first warning Minuette had was Carrie’s announcement that there was a gentleman below to see her. She had been working on a tapestry in the upper-floor solarium, and in her absorption had not even heard the sound of hooves. She asked Carrie who it was, but her maid retreated as if she had not heard the question. Fidelis raised his head and looked at her with a knowledgeable gaze. She had kept him at her side since her return. His warmth and size were comforting against the memories of her brief imprisonment.
“Do you think it’s him?” she asked. The wolfhound answered by quirking an ear.
Dominic was in the hall, standing with his back to her. She contented herself for a moment drinking in the way he stood and the way his dark hair curled against the neckline of his doublet. She realized she was trembling with the urge to run her fingers through his hair.
She must have made some sound, or perhaps Dominic sensed her, for he turned suddenly. “Might I trouble you for a bed for the night?”
Their eyes caught and his cheeks darkened. “I mean—”
“I know what you mean. Of course. I didn’t think you would be able to come so soon.”
“I can’t stay. I’m headed north for some business along the border.”
“You’ll be here only one night?” She tried not to sound disappointed.
“I must be away at dawn. Truthfully, I should have pressed farther than Wynfield today.”
Indeed, the afternoon light was holding and he could have ridden some ways more. Grateful that he hadn’t, Minuette moved forward and took his hand in hers.
