‘Perhaps we should speak in my private quarters,’ Becket said, cutting her off. ‘There are many keen ears within these walls, and they are always listening.’ Without waiting for their response, he walked away, leaving the pair no choice but to follow.
They entered the castle, climbing steps to a corridor. They followed it all the way to a door at the far end. The man guarding it wore a defender uniform. He straightened when he caught sight of them.
‘At ease, Woottone,’ the prince said as they approached. Then he turned to Roul. ‘You will wait out here.’
Roul went to object, but Eda shook her head. This was always the plan.Shewas the plan. He had no choice but to let her go in and do what she was sent to do.
‘This is family time, Sir Bradley,’ Prince Becket said, driving home his point, ‘and you are in fine company out here.’
Roul’s jaw tightened as the door closed in his face.
CHAPTER25
Eda followed Prince Becket into the room without hesitation. There was no cause for alarm. He was clearly willing to hear her out. That was why he told the guards to open the gate. He might have been driven by curiosity. Or perhaps he was lonely and missing home.
Hopefully the latter.
Eda came to a stop in the middle of the room and looked around. It contained a lounge, a wool rug, and a table and chairs. There was a small window up high for light and a door that probably opened to his bedchamber. The prince did not sit, nor did he offer her a seat. He simply turned, waiting for her to speak.
Eda cleared her throat. ‘I suppose I owe you an explanation.’
‘Let us make an agreement, shall we?’
Eda clasped her hands in front of her. ‘I’m listening.’
‘You shall speak the truth from this point. In return, I will hear you out before throwing you out.’
She appreciated his directness. ‘That sounds fair.’
He crossed his arms, staring at her. ‘Did my mother send you?’
‘Yes.’
His face relaxed a little once he realised she was going to adhere to the verbal agreement. ‘And what is your real name?’
‘Eda Suttone.’
‘No title?’
She shook her head. ‘Merchant borough, born and raised.’
‘And the man with you?’
‘Commander Roul Thornton.’
He regarded her for the longest time. ‘Why you two?’
‘Commander Thornton was born in Carmarthenshire. He’s familiar with the landscape and its people. He was a logical choice.’
Becket blinked. ‘And you?’
‘I offered. In fact, I insisted.’
He appeared immediately suspicious. ‘And why would you do that?’
‘Because we need you to return and take the crown. Your absence leaves us vulnerable. While things have greatly improved since Queen Fayre took control, she can’t keep filling in for you forever.’
‘Do not be so sure. There is nothing that woman cannot do. The lengths she will go to in order to get what she wants is evident in you being here.’ He blinked slowly. ‘Though I have no idea what she was thinking sending a merchant woman across Carmarthenshire with one defender for protection. You are quite lucky you made it here alive.’
