“Who said that she did?”
“Then why would you keep her holed up with you? I assumed she’d be hideously disfigured. She’s lovely.”
Peter’s irritation was rising in direct proportion to the tightness he could feel in Brighit’s body. “Have a care, John. My lady is not use to your insensible comments.”
“My insensible comments? Never!” John turned to Brighit, took her hand to his lips for a light kiss, then asked, “May I have a word with your husband?”
“We’re headed for the hall and breaking our fast, John. Allow us to proceed.”
“Am I such a bore as to stop you?” John effectively blocked the way.
He seemed unaware of that fact. Peter waited. Brighit cleared her throat.
“Oh, yes, allow me.” John took Brighit’s other hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm. “I’m not sure how this all transpired but you have my deepest sympathy for the situation you now find yourself in.”
Brighit gasped, her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide.
“John! Desist with your teasing. She does not know you as of yet.” Peter stopped and took both her hands. “My apologies, sweet Brighit. My friend has no manners at all. He is a complete idiot and I should have warned you about him. Please forgive me. Would you have me return you to our room and bring you food there?”
Brighit narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips together. She glanced between the two. “I believe this is your idea of humor. You belittling the man who you have great respect for? And in front of me?” She shook her head. “You two deserve each other. I can proceed to the hall without you.”
She strode down the hall but when she turned the corner to the main hall, she looked back and winked at them.
“Oh my, she is quite charming isn’t she?” John questioned.
“She has so much more than charm, my friend.”
John searched his friend’s face. “I can see that. You are besotted with her.”
“She is a precious gem I was blessed to find.”
“And was that the reason for the hurried marriage?”
“I refused to be parted from her. Her brother would have taken her from me. I had to act quickly.”
John looked down at his hands before facing Peter. “You do know we have orders to lay siege to the castle at York?”
Peter became serious. “Yes, my lord, I have been informed of the King’s orders. The Earl there must be an impudent dog. His name?”
“Earl de Gael.”
“The old man Emma FitzOsbern was wed to? He really is impudent. A woman half his age and he dare defy the King who gave them his blessing?”
“Ah, but William’s sudden refusal to bless Emma’s marriage to Ralph de Gael was quite the turn of events.”
“Why the change of heart?”
John shrugged. “Perhaps William did not trust him. Rumors abound regarding the discontentment of the Earls.”
“Had her father arranged the marriage before his death without the King’s approval?”
“I’m not sure if it was FitzOsbern or the King who arranged it but this resulting uprising against the King appears to confirm the King’s distrust. It also seems to be the collapse of the bridge. The King will take no more impudence. Even this far north.”
“When would you have us depart?”
“I’ve sent the army ahead with Mort. Their travel will be slow. We will join them before they make the castle.”
John stood there, his hands at his hips and a far off look in his eyes. Peter knew he was seeing the harsh winter and hardships they would have to face if they were unable to convince the Earl to open his gates. Sieges were always difficult but more difficult for those inside.
