“No prince ever had a more perfect spy,” Harry gloated. “She is courageous and daring—and her loyalty is boundless.
“Boundless, I tell you,” he repeated, swinging his arms wide. “By the saints, she can lie through her teeth to an enemy, make him believe every word. Yet, she could not lie to me or to you to save her life!”
William winced. Though Harry did not intend to chastise him, the young man’s absolute faith in Catherine made William feel like a worm for doubting her.
“As you know, the king is keeping his Christmas court at Eltham Castle this year,” the prince said. “Come to Monmouth and we’ll ride there together.”
The prince was reminding him that he was expected to make an appearance. With Northumberland still spouting rebellion from Scotland, the king required reassurance of William’s loyalty. Reluctantly, he agreed to meet the prince at Monmouth in two days’ time.
“Tyler was the man.”
Catherine looked up to find William in the solar doorway.
He came to sit beside her and took her hand. “After the prince left this morning, I went to the village. I heard from several folk that Tyler bought a cow a few weeks ago. No one knew where he found the money.”
“That is suspicious.”
“Aye. And now he’s disappeared, which only confirms it. No one has seen him since the day you returned. Likely he feared you may have learned of his role from your captors.”
“Or else he knew I would suspect he was involved.”
“I’ve sent men out looking for him,” William said. “Eventually they’ll find him and bring him back.”
She had expected this news to set her mind to rest more than it did. William, too, still seemed uneasy.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I intend to take Stephen with me to Eltham.”
“I am so pleased,” she said. “It will be good to have the king and others see him as William FitzAlan’s brother and not just as Carleton’s son.”
Her smile faded when she noticed William was not meeting her eyes.
“As always, I’ll be leaving Edmund in charge of the castle’s defense while I am gone.”
She put her hand on her hip and glared at him. “You did not want to tell me, because you knew full well I would not like it.”
“He is my second in command,” he said. “I leave him in charge because I have confidence in him. It would be a grave insult to him if I did not.”
The patience in his voice grated on her nerves.
“I do not trust him,” she said, making no effort to hide her irritation. “I do not wish to be in his care.”
“How can you say that when he nearly died trying to protect you?” William said. “He would do it again without hesitation. He takes the trust I put in him seriously.”
“What of the other men? Surely you can put one of them in charge and take Edmund with you.”
He reached to brush back a strand of hair that had escaped from her headdress. She slapped his hand away.
“I have other good men, but Edmund is by far the best fighter among them.” He softened his voice and said, “He’s sworn to try to make amends with you. Why do you object to him so much?”
“I told you already I do not trust him.” She gave him a sideways glance and saw that was not enough for her stubborn husband. Against her better judgment, she said, “I do not like the way he looks at me.”
He gave a deep sigh and spread his arms out. “Catherine, I cannot send men away for looking at you, or I will have none left. All the men look at you. They cannot help it.”
Anger surging in her veins, she got to her feet so she could glare down at him. “You misunderstand me, and I begin to wonder if it is deliberate.” She shook a finger in his face. “I tell you, husband, if you saw how Edmund looks at me, you would not like it either.”
His nostrils flared and an icy coldness came into his eyes. In a quiet, dangerous voice, he asked, “Has he touched you?”
