A grim silence followed his words. Finally Rolfe spoke. “We shall have to watch her carefully to make certain she does not try such foolishness again. And of course, as the attempt of murder failed, we must be on guard to see that the murderers do not practice such treachery another time.”
Very weary, Stephen sat down at the long trestle table, his head in his hands. “I think Adele Beaufort was involved in the plan to escape.”
“Adele Beaufort?” Geoffrey said, his brows raised, his skin white. “Do you really think she could be involved?”
“She cannot be pleased that I wed with Mary,” Stephen said, looking up.
Geoffrey said nothing.
Brand coughed. “I hate to remark this, but she was there this morning.”
“What?”
“I was returning to the Tower after a night of, er, well, sport. I heard the cries and came to investigate. I was shocked when I was told that you had dived into the Thames—many minutes ago. As I waited for you to come up, I saw Adele from the corner of my eye. She appeared as shocked as anyone else, I think. She was hiding in the shadows by the walls. When she saw me, she turned and fled.”
“Surely she is no murderess,” Geoffrey said tightly.
“There are other parties who might have had a hand in the deed, as well,” Rolfe pointed out. “Duncan, Montgomery, and Roger Beaufort all are most displeased with the forthcoming union. Speculation leads us nowhere. We must seek to ferret out-hard information, cold fact. If we can find one of the hirelings, undoubtedly he can be coaxed to speak.”
“Any hirelings are by now mid-Channel, bound for France,” Brand said. “If they are wise.”
“Hirelings tend to lack wit,” Rolfe said wryly. “Let us conclude the business at hand. Nasty rumors will soon fly. They must be nipped in the bud. I will put out word that Mary was abducted and thrown into the river. I will make clear the displeasure of Northumberland. Any would-be assassins will think twice, I promise, before striking again.”
“She will not leave Graystone until we are wed,” Stephen suddenly said. His tone was hard, his eyes ice. “And if the King attempts to take Mary from this threshold, I will meet him and his men personally with my sword.”
For just a moment, everyone in the hall stared at Stephen. For such defiance, if it came to that, would be nothing short of treason.
Rolfe walked to his firstborn son and put his arm around his shoulder. “You are distraught. We can move the King to our cause far more easily with seduction than with swords. Come, Stephen—”
Stephen stood. “She does not leave the manor, Father.” It was a challenge.
Father and son stared at each other. Rolfe finally spoke. “I am in agreement with you, Stephen—we are allies, not enemies. I, too, wish for her to remain here until you have wed with her. Let me speak on this to the King. I shall also gain his consent to hasten the nuptials.”
“And how will you do that?” Stephen was sarcastic. “After all, now that Rufus has revealed his plans to invade Carlisle, I doubt he thinks the wedding will ever take place!”
“Unfortunately, Rufus is often impossible to second-guess. However, as he dearly loves to goad his foes, I can impress upon him that Malcolm will be doubly goaded if his daughter is wed to youbeforewe take Carlisle.”
Stephen’s jaw was clenched. “He is a lackwit! This union promises peace—but he will undo all we have so far achieved, and for what? For what? For an extra piece of land? To lord over a few more warring clans? To harden Malcolm into an even more bitter enemy?”
Rolfe touched his shoulder. “Do not fear. A day will not go by that I will not whisper in his ear, softly wooing him away from his bloody scheme.” He gripped his son reassuringly, then turned to Brand. “Come, we will return to Court. I will inform Rufus of all that has passed and begin to press for a more timely wedding.”
After they had left, Stephen began to pace in silence, casting frequent glances towards the stairs. “What keeps the physic? He has been up there for a quarter hour.”
Geoffrey went over to him. “I am sure all is well, Stephen.”
Stephen stared at his brother. Briefly he revealed his torment.“She almost died.”
“But she did not. Brand told us what happened. You gave her back her life, brother.” Geoffrey hesitated. “One day, I am sure, she will be grateful.”
“I do not want her gratitude,” Stephen said without thinking. Then he blushed furiously. “What a fool I am! There is no hope! She despises me, and after we are wed—if we are wed—she will hate me even more for warring upon her land and her kin!”
Geoffrey hesitated, grave, for any response he might make could hardly suffice. “I will pray for you both, Stephen. Maybe, in time, there will be peace, both for the border and for you and your bride.”
Stephen’s expression was dubious.
Both men turned at the sound of the physic’s voice. “My lords, I have good news indeed,” he said, entering the hall.
“She is well?”
