“The killing was against the king’s orders, and he’ll not allow it to happen again.” William took in a deep breath and let it out. “The other towns will fall quickly now.”
“So the slaughter served a purpose,” Stephen said, his voice tight. “Our king is nothing if not strategic.”
“You are incautious with your opinions,” William said, though without much force. “If the people here had the sense God gave them, they would welcome us. The French nobility are a blight upon the land. Both Burgundy and Armagnac factions pillage the countryside for their own enrichment.”
“ ’Tis a shame the French armies will not fight us. I hoped to win great battles for England.” Embarrassed, Stephen elbowed William and tried for a lighter tone. “Like my famous brother.”
“By God, I never thought I would miss fighting the Scots,” William said as he heaved himself away from the wall. “Come, I’ll walk with you to the castle. You need to get your sleep—you have an appointment with the king early on the morrow.”
Stephen felt the remaining effects of the drink drain out of him. “Called in a favor for your feckless little brother, have you?”
“Feckless perhaps, but hardly little.” William clouted him on the back. “And I called in no favors. God knows why, but the king has seen something special in you since you were a lad. He says he has an assignment for you.”
“What is it?”
William shrugged. “He did not say.”
They walked in companionable silence through the castle gate and into the castle grounds. During the day the bailey yard was busy with soldiers, but it was peaceful this time of night. They were nearly to the Old Palace, where Stephen shared a chamber with his nephew, before William spoke again.
“You should ask the king’s permission to return to Northumberland. ’Tis time you claimed the Carleton lands.”
“I am not so foolish as that! Mother and Catherine will be relentless, once I have the property, to make a good match.” Why was his unmarried state such a thorn in their sides?
“They want to see you settled before you fall into serious trouble over some woman.” William shook his head. “And they are right. ’Tis bound to happen.”
Stephen ignored the remark; he’d heard it before.
After a time, William said, “There is much to be said for a life with wife and children, on lands of one’s own. God knows, Catherine is the source of all my happiness.”
“As I’ve always told you,” Stephen said, forcing a laugh, “if you find me a woman like her, I’ll be wed as soon as the banns can be posted.”
Catherine was beautiful, courageous, full of opinions and laughter. He’d adored her from the age of twelve, when his mother sent him to live with William and his new wife.
“I wish to God Catherine were here now,” William said, his tone sour. “You would not behave like this if she were here to see it.”
Stephen shrugged, acknowledging the truth of it. In his youth, it had always been easier to face William’s anger than Catherine’s disappointment. Even now, he would do anything to please her.
Well, almost anything. At least here in Normandy, he was free of her attempts to get him betrothed to some pliant and exceedingly dull young lady of good family and fortune.
Aye, he knew he must marry. But he was only five and twenty! With luck, he could put that duty off for many years.
Stephen sat in the Great Hall of the Exchequer, drumming his fingers. Damn. He should have risen early enough to join the king for Mass in the chapel.
At the sound of boots, he jumped to his feet. King Henry swept into the hall, trailed by several soldiers who served as his personal guard. With a curt nod, the king released Stephen from his bow.
Stephen sighed inwardly as the king scrutinized him in the long silence that followed. Though he had taken care in dressing for this ungodly early appointment, there was naught he could do about his bloodshot eyes. King Henry indulged in neither women nor drink; he had little tolerance for those who did.
“How can I be of service to you, sire?” Stephen smiled and gave a deferential nod to temper his boldness in speaking first.
“Perhaps you could explain to me,” the king said, clasping his hands behind his back, “why a man who is so easily amused must devote so much time to seeking amusement.”
Stephen dropped the smile. Had he been so indiscreet that word of his behavior had reached even the king’s ears?
“I have better use for your talents, Stephen Carleton.”
Stephen detected no trace of sarcasm in the king’s tone. A good sign, perhaps. “I am, as always, at your disposal, sire.”
He wondered again what assignment the king had for him. He desperately wanted a military command, but he would be satisfied with rounding up renegades. Anything, so long as it was dangerous and diverting.
