"Nolonger. Did you not see how frightened Sir Guy was? Lord Bergeron is but oneill deed away from turning his back on the fool. For all that Sir Guy resentsBergeron's constant interference, he has enough wit to know that it is thatman's high place in William's court that helps to keep him alive."
"Thenhe may begin to behave himself."
Hesaw the doubt on her face and shook his head. "I am glad to see that yourecognize how little chance there is of that happening."
"Onelikes to occasionally grasp at even the thinnest of hopes. If Sir Guy is todie, and my voices say he is doomed, I pray that he does so before all his liescause you very much trouble."
"Noone can pray for that any harder than I do. The number of people who heed hiswhispered lies and insults is still quite small. Something William said in oneof our talks yestereve tells me that he is aware of what is going on, hasprobably even heard some of the talk, but he heeds it not. He just wondered whySir Guy was trying to blacken my name."
"Then,perhaps, we do not need to worry about the man and his insults."
"Now,no. Tomorrow? Who can say? Right now, Sir Guy's own ill reputation is workingto take the sting from his words, but that could change."
"Itis all most unfair," she murmured as she slipped her arms around his waistand rubbed her cheek against the warm, hard skin of his chest.
"Yes,but I grow weary of talking of the ills of the world—and especially of that.adder Sir Guy."
"Ah,you wish to sleep now."
Shelaughed when he gently pinned her to the bed beneath him and gave her a mocklook of disgust. The kiss he gave her not only confirmed the passion he felt,already revealed by his body, but stirred her own. Eada was more than willingto let desire smooth away her worries. It could not cure them, but it was amost pleasant way to gain a brief reprieve.
Eadayawned widely as she pulled herself up into the cart. She made herself ascomfortable as she could and looked at May, who sat next to her with Alwyncradled in her arms. At her feet sat Welcome and Eric. It was not only anothertent they would need if they kept collecting children, she mused.
AsIvo started the cart moving over the badly rutted road, she looked toward SirGuy's camp. Godwin was tossing the last of Guy's belongings into a small cart.Although the youth moved stiffly, it appeared that he had not suffered anydangerous injuries from the beating he had endured. He waved at the children,who waved back before the crowds of camp followers blocked him from theirsight.
"Howare the children?" she asked May in French.
"Unhappy.They want to be with Godwin," May replied, her French still a little roughbut understandable.
"Iknow, but they are safer with us and it will make it safer for Godwin."
"SirGuy is just like my old master, Hacon."
"Yes,but his reign of brutality will be as short-lived."
"Ipray your voices continue to be correct."
"Sodo I, and not solely for Godwin's sake. I want Sir Guy's mouth shut before hisinsidious whispers can hurt Drogo."
"Itwould be a sin if such an evil little man could hurt an honorable knight likeSir Drogo with.no more than lies and hints of suspicious acts. I would like tothink that the man we must now call king was wiser than that."
Eadawould have liked to have thought that as well, but she dared not put her hopein William. The man had his brutal side and he was quick to see treachery atevery turning, for it had often been there. She suspected that, at times, ithad been William's suspicious nature that had kept him alive. London was gettingnearer, and if her voices spoke the truth, so was Sir Guy's well-deserveddeath. All she could do was pray that it came soon enough.
"Iheard you had another confrontation with Sir Guy," said William as hepaused by a stream to allow his mount to drink.
Drogotensed as he edged closer to William's side so that Faramond could also drink."Yes. The man was beating a boy to death."
"ASaxon boy."
"Yes,my liege, a skinny, unarmed Saxon boy of but fourteen years. I was not the onlyone who felt that the attack should be stopped," he said quietly andinwardly grimaced, hoping he did not sound too defensive.
"Thatdrunken fool blackens all our names. Be wary of the man, Drogo. The hate heholds for you is a dangerous thing."
"Iknow. I watch my back most carefully."
"Itis said that you have added two more Saxon babes to your household."
"Ihave. Ivo's woman cares for them, as does Ivo."
