De Noble did.
As he sat there and pondered that possibility, Emllyn returned with Victor. When Victor saw Devlin and a distraught serving woman hiding behind the wagon, he peered at Devlin with great curiosity.
“My lord?” he asked with concern. “You have need of me?”
Devlin did. He had need of an Englishman. In fact, he had need of many Englishmen. With a heavy sigh, he rose to his feet.
“Aye,” he said, his voice low and quiet. “I have just received word that Black Castle has been overrun by the O’Byrne clan.”
Victor’s eyes widened with surprise. “O’Byrne?” he repeated. “By God, if those aren’t the most warring men we’ve ever come across. They’ve overrun most of northern Wicklow and have destroyed several Kildare estates. Once we reclaimed Black Castle, Kildare intended to use Black Castle as a base to recover lands held by O’Byrne.”
Devlin smiled weakly as the man revealed some of Kildare’s most secretive plans. “They are a scourge,” he agreed. “They have ever been our enemies just as they have been yours.”
“They are everyone’s enemies, English or Irish,” Victor said with conviction. “I know de Cleveley has had problems with them as well.”
“Anyone in Wicklow has. What they have just done to me, they can do to Kildare and de Cleveley alike.”
“What will you do?”
Devlin sighed sharply, his mind working quickly. As he looked at Victor, he could only think of one thing.
My enemy’s enemy is my friend.
“You and I are soon to be related,” he said softly. “You said yourself that I am therefore your son. As your kin, I am to assume I have your support in all things.”
Victor’s gaze lingered on the man for a moment before shaking his head in resignation. “Black Sword,” he hissed. “She had to marry Black Sword, didn’t she? Why not a good, clean English knight who lives piously and is kind to his mother?”
“I am kind to my mother.”
“You are?”
“I would be if she was still alive.”
Victor tried to look disgusted by the comment but ended up laughing. His gaze moved to Emllyn, standing next to Devlin and gazing back at Victor with so much hope in her eyes. It was the hope of the young and foolishly in love. But Victor could not deny her.
“Aye,” he finally said. “I will support you above all others, including Kildare should it come to it. But you and he had better make peace very soon or you will put me in a very bad position.”
“Agreed,” Devlin said. “But for now, I need you to stand with me. Will you do it?”
“I will.”
“Then come with me. I have something to say to de Noble.”
Victor suspected what it was. Dreading that particular conversation, he followed Devlin and Emllyn back into the warm and glowing great hall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
De Noble wasin conversation with de Ferrer when Devlin, Emllyn, and Victor entered the great hall. Thrilled to see Emllyn return, he rose from his seat and headed in her direction but Devlin waved him off. It was then that he noticed that Emllyn had been holding on to Devlin’s hand, very tightly. When de Noble cast them both a quizzical glance, Devlin kissed Emllyn’s hand and turned her over to Victor.
Standing near the open hearth with its great pile of blazing wood, Devlin faced an increasingly puzzled and frustrated de Noble. He was braced for the conversation.
“My lord,” he said politely. “I have a matter of great importance I wish to discuss with you. Something critical has happened that will affect us all.”
De Noble wasn’t in the mood for a farmer’s sermon. His eyes narrowed. “I have no idea what could be so important,” he growled. “But your behavior towards the Lady Emllyn is both astonishing and distasteful. By what right do you kiss her hand?”
“By mine,” Emllyn said firmly. She wasn’t going to let de Noble bully Devlin. “I have given him permission. In fact, we are to be wed.”
De Noble’s eyebrow rose in shock. “Wed?” he repeated, incredulous. “What’s this you say?”
