Sean just rolled his eyes. There was resignation in his posture as he stepped away from the beam. “It is not as if my family is not as old or prestigious as the House of de Braose,” he muttered. “My family, in fact, has been here far longer than the Norman usurpers.”
The man behind the voice knew Sean well. He knew that de Lara was a man of impeccable character, of flawless devotion, and of singular mind when it came to King and duty. He’d never once asked for compensation or reward for the deadly task he had undertaken nine years ago. The words coming forth from de Lara at the moment were words of self-pity, of emotion.The man behind the voice was shocked at the depth he was witnessing.
“I know that very well,” he said. “You can trace your lineage back six hundred years to the ancient kings of Deira. Your father was Viscount Darlington and your elder sister married into the Umfravilles of Prudhoe Castle, heirs to Northumberland. Your father’s title and lands have passed to you since his death, including Stonegrave Castle. But because of your devotion to duty, the castle has stood unoccupied for six years, alone, waiting for your return.”
Sean slapped the beam again, unexpectedly and sharply. “Exactly. Because my commitment to the cause was more important to me than assuming my rights as Viscount Darlington. And for what? To be told that all of this has been for naught, that what I truly want in reward for my service might very well be denied to me because you apparently don’t trust that I can keep my focus on the cause? I find that offensive. I have given up more than anyone for what I believe in. You have no right to deny me what I want.”
“No one is denying you,” the voice said calmly. “But you must look at all angles. Your timing is poor. We must focus on what is most important right now.”
“Is my sense of duty being called into question?”
“Most certainly not.”
“I will not give up Lady Sheridan.”
The voice, once again, sighed heavily. There was no getting around the subject. Men in love could be the most stubborn creatures on the face of the earth.
“As you say,” the voice said. “But she must leave the Tower at once, for her own safety. I will instruct Jocelin to make it so. Now, may we speak on other matters?”
Sean was broodingly silent, his mind a clutter of thought and emotions. He was unused to such disorder. “Aye,” he finally said.
“Tell me of the king.”
“He knows that something is amiss. He knows of Rochester’s meeting with Salisbury.”
“Has he gone so far as to rally his troops?”
“Not yet.”
“You cannot let him, Sean. And you cannot let him leave the Tower.”
“Understood.”
“What is his troop strength?”
Sean pushed himself off the wall, crossing his massive arms as he spoke. “Warwick and Percy have a massive contingency from the north between them. They are nearing Coventry from what I am told, at least one week away. Suffolk has a thousand men to the east within a day’s ride, as does Norfolk. William Fitz Osbern has brought his entire regiment from Monmouth, about eight hundred men. Plus the royal troops, there are nearly five thousand men in or around London that will oppose the siege.”
The voice snorted. “We will crush them.”
“You must be vigilant of Warwick and Percy from the north. They will be able to attack you from behind and create a second front.”
“We can position men to prevent the main body of our army from being disrupted,” he said. “Unless… unless we wait for Warwick and Percy to reach London and bed within her walls.”
“I would advise against it. Take London now while she is weak. Call in reinforcements from the Marches to occupy Warwick and Percy.”
The voice grew serious. “Then I must speak with de Warenne. He will know his loyal March allies.”
“We cannot expect any more support from de Braose. He is raging war right now with the Welsh.”
“Not the Welsh, Sean,” the voice said softly. “Against Clifford. Reginald is going after Kington Castle on the Marches in an effort to wrest it from Walter Clifford.”
Sean hadn’t heard that bit of information, and he usually knew everything through his network of informants and spies. “But Clifford is here, in London.”
“I know.”
“Surely he is aware of the siege?”
“Possibly not yet. He has been here for some time. It takes time for news to travel.”
