“I am sure when the time comes that you will honor both our heritage and your husband’s,” he said. “For now, I do believe I will try to get some sleep. I’ve been up all night watching overyou and am starting to feel my exhaustion. Will you be all right for a time?”
Isobeau nodded. “I will.”
Tertius pointed to the big wardrobe in the corner. “Since Atticus is leaving today to return Titus home, you should pack,” he said. “I will have your capcases brought out of storage and I will send some servants to help you. Is there anything else you need?”
Isobeau shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “Aren’t you going with us?”
Tertius rubbed his weary eyes. “Nay,” he said. “I must remain here, especially with Northumberland so weakened. Let things settle here a bit and I will come to you at Wolfe’s Lair when I can.”
Isobeau understood. Her gaze lingered on Tertius for a moment, her big and tall brother with the shaggy head of light brown hair. She loved him dearly and a separation from him was not particularly appealing. She would miss him.
“Thank you for being a good brother,” she said softly. “I am sorry you had to sit up all night with me.”
Tertius was already heading for the door. “It was not just me,” he said. “Atticus was here until just before dawn. In fact, he seemed rather concerned about you. That is how I found out about the child, you know. He thought you may have hurt yourself and the child when you fainted. You feel well enough, don’t you?”
Isobeau stood up, rubbing her belly. “I feel fine,” she said. “Tired mayhap. And a bit hungry, although I cannot decide if I actually feel hungry or nauseous. Sir Atticus really stayed here all night?”
“He did.”
Isobeau’s thoughts lingered on Atticus as Tertius bid her a farewell and left the chamber. When the door shut softlybehind him, Isobeau continued to think on Atticus de Wolfe. Her conversation with the man from the previous evening had been rather pleasant and she hoped they were past the nastiness that had plagued their exchange when he’d come to tell her of Titus’ death. She truly didn’t want to be at odds with the man, especially when she had an ulterior motive in mind. Perhaps it was time to ply him with honey in an attempt to wheedle her way into his quest to find the men who had killed Titus. Certainly, butting heads with him would not work. He was, perhaps, even more stubborn than she was.
You should know that I will ask you tomorrow if I can go with you.
It was tomorrow, after all.
Nothing had changed. She wasn’t going to let him go without her. For Titus’ sake, she was determined to have satisfaction, too.
*
“I heard youwere departing today, Atticus,” Warenne said as he entered the hall where Atticus was sitting at the scrubbed feasting table, enjoying cold beef and cheese to break his night’s fast. “I saw the men bring Titus’ body up from the vault and put it on a wagon.”
Atticus, worse for wear after having only managed to get a couple of hours of very heavy sleep, drank deeply of his boiled fruit juice. He wouldn’t drink watered wine or ale in the morning because it made him sleepy.
“Aye,” he replied, grumpily. “It is at least a four day ride to Wolfe’s Lair in this weather.”
Warenne sat down next to him and confiscated the half-loaf of bread from Atticus, tearing it apart and using a knife to slather white butter on it.
“Fortunately, the weather is clear for the moment,” he said. “But the snow on the ground will prove to be difficult. Hopefully, the skies will hold until you reach the Lair.”
Atticus nodded, shoving beef in his mouth. “Hopefully.”
Warenne eyed Atticus as he ate his bread. “And Lady de Wolfe?” he asked. “How does she fare this morning?”
Atticus shrugged. “She was sleeping last I saw her,” he said. “Unfortunately, I am going to have to wake the woman. I want to leave within the hour. When are you leaving, Ren? Surely you do not plan to stay at Alnwick too much longer.”
Warenne shook his head. “Nay,” he replied. “We are leaving as well. My army will head south, back to Thetford, while I will go with you to Wolfe’s Lair.”
Atticus looked at him sharply. “Why are you coming with me?”
Warenne swallowed the bite in his mouth. “Because you have need of me,” he said quietly. “I will be truthful with you, Atticus. I do not intend to let you go after de la Londe and de Troiu alone. The two of them managed to kill Titus and he was no slouch of a knight. My fear is that they will use the same tactic they used against your brother on you, and I could not stomach that. So Kenton and I will be going with you whether or not you like it.”
Atticus stared at the man. “You insult my abilities as a knight by assuming I cannot handle two armed men on my own.”
Warenne shook his head firmly. “It is not slander and well you know it,” he said. “Think on it this way, Atticus; if I were bent on revenge by going after two heavily armed men who had already killed a very capable knight, would you let me go alone?”
Atticus frowned. He didn’t answer right away as he looked back to his meal. “Probably not,” he grumbled. “But you are different. You are a soft and pampered earl and you cannot do something like that on your own. You would call upon a seasoned warrior like me to do it for you.”
Warenne fought off a grin. “So now you insult me by calling me soft and pampered?”
