Edmund had not touched her, except for that one time months ago. Even then, all he truly did was slide his finger down her forearm. She was not prepared to see him dead for these offenses—yet. Grudgingly, she pressed her lips together and shook her head.
William’s expression relaxed. “I will warn Edmund not to do or say anything that might offend you.”
“But you will still leave him here?” She could barely keep herself from stamping her foot like a child.
“When I cannot be here, I must leave my best man in my stead. I do it to keep my promise to protect you.”
“You failed to keep that promise once already.” She blurted the words out in anger before she knew what she said. They burned hot in the air between them.
“I did not mean that.” Although she regretted her hurtful words, she was still so angry her hands shook. “But it distresses me beyond bearing that you dismiss my opinion on a matter so important to me.”
“The king trusts me in matters of military defense,” he said, a note of pleading in his voice. “Why can you not?”
“Perhaps you should trust me more than you do Edmund,” she snapped. “But then, you’ve never trusted me, have you?”
With that, she marched into her bedchamber and slammed the door behind her.
William tapped at her door. When she did not answer, he called out, “I will send Edmund away.”
She opened the door a crack. “When?”
“He’ll be gone today.”
She opened the door no farther. “If you think I don’t know why you are doing this, you are sorely mistaken.”
“I’m showing I respect your wishes.”
“You are doing this so I will not be too angry to come to your bed tonight.”
Should he admit that was part of it? Probably not.
“If it makes you unhappy to have Edmund here, I want him gone.”
The door banged shut. Apparently, he’d given the wrong answer. God help him! He hovered outside her door, trying to think of what else he could say, but he could think of nothing.
With a long sigh, he went down to write a message and have his talk with Edmund.
“You’ve upset my wife,” he told Edmund a short time later.
“Pregnant women are known to get strange notions,” Edmund said with a shrug. “Who knows why?”
“I am recommending you for service with the king’s brother, Thomas Beaufort. He’s a good man and close to both the king and Prince Harry.”
“After all our years together, all we’ve been through, you will throw me out for her!”
“I warned you that if I had to choose between you, I would choose her,” William said. “And I’m not throwing you out; I’m finding you a better position. ’Tis an honor to serve Thomas Beaufort.”
“She’s ruined you. Can’t you see it? She’s a lying who—”
He grabbed Edmund by the throat. “Don’t say it if you want to live.”
The blood was pounding in William’s ears he was so angry. If Edmund ever spoke to Catherine like this, why had she not told him?
Edmund put his hands up, croaking, “All right, all right!”
William waited a long moment before he released him.
Edmund rubbed his throat as he tried to get his breath back. “You are right,” he said when he could speak again. “I did not mean to offend her, but you must put your wife first. Your offer to find me a place with Thomas Beaufort is generous.”
