They emerged into the inner ward, where maids, servants, and other members of the household wandered about. There was a vegetable and herb garden, a chicken coop, and a small chapel. To the right of the chapel was a bakehouse.
Dismounting, Roul went to help Eda, feeling the prince’s gaze on him the whole time. A groom appeared to tend their horses, and Eda tensed as they were led away.
‘I heard you had a visitor’ came a new male voice.
Roul turned to see a nobleman strolling towards them. He looked to be in his forties, his hair neatly combed and reaching just below the ear. His beard was meticulously trimmed, and gold rings decorated both hands. A young boy followed at his heel, no older than twelve. The clothing he wore suggested he was a squire or servant.
Roul guessed who it was ahead of formal introductions.
‘May I present my cousin, Lady Hayley,’ the prince said, gesturing to Eda. ‘This is Lord Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March.’
Eda lowered into a curtsy. ‘A pleasure, my lord.’ She gestured to Roul. ‘And may I present Sir Bradley Hale. Sir Bradley is a close family friend who reluctantly agreed to escort me at my father’s insistence.’ She laughed lightly, releasing some of the tension she was holding.
Roul bowed his head. ‘Your Highness. My lord.’
Roger scrutinised him for the longest time, then clicked his fingers at the boy behind him. ‘You will need to surrender your weapon, Sir Bradley, atmyinsistence.’
The boy stepped forwards, hand extended to Roul. The commander reluctantly removed his sword and handed it over.
‘What brings you to Harlech Castle, Lady Hayley?’ Roger asked, gaze sweeping the length of her.
‘I was quite desperate to visit with my cousin before he disappears again. He has proven to be quite the traveller.’
Roger smiled politely, but it did not quite reach his eyes. ‘We hope to keep the prince as our guest for as long as possible. He makes for excellent company.’ He fell silent a moment. ‘How long has it been since you last saw your cousin?’
‘Eight years,’ Eda replied.
Prince Becket shifted his weight. ‘Two, actually. You forget that I spent an evening at Peytone House when I travelled to Toryn after my father’s death.’
Holy shit. There was a piece of information Queen Fayre had clearly missed.
The beat of silence that followed that statement rang out like a bell. The prince already knew Eda was not his cousin, but he had let her in anyway. Roul could not decide if that was a good or bad thing.
Eda recovered her smile. ‘My goodness. You are quite right. The visit was so brief, and under such tragic circumstances, I barely registered it.’
Becket stared hard at her. ‘It was a difficult time indeed.’
‘Will you be staying the night at Harlech Castle?’ Lord Roger asked Eda.
It was the second time Eda’s response was delayed. ‘I would hate to impose.’
‘Stay,’ Becket said, his expression giving nothing away. ‘It will give us a chance to catch up on family news.’
Roul fought hard to keep still and quiet. He had to assume from that response that the prince was curious enough to hear her explanation for all this.
‘I would like that very much,’ Eda said, finding her smile once more.
Roger looked between them, then glanced behind him. ‘In that case, I shall have the servants make up two rooms.’
‘Thank you,’ Roul said.
Eda curtsied. ‘We appreciate you being so welcoming, my lord.’
The three of them watched Roger stride away, the boy scurrying after him. Then Prince Becket looked at Roul and said quietly, ‘Uniform or not, I know a defender when I see one.’
Roul really wished he still had his sword.
‘Listen—’ Eda began.
