“Your mother has been ill for quite some time,” he said quietly. “Will she know you if you go to her?”
Gallus was reluctant to answer. “She has been mostly unconscious for the past month,” he said. “I am sure that when we return, her condition will be the same. The cancer is claiming her one day at a time.”
Peter squeezed his shoulder. “Then you go to satisfy yourself,” he said as Gallus looked at him curiously. “You go to say your farewells to a woman you have already bid farewell to. It is not your mother lying in that bed, Gallus. Your mother has already gone. It is simply her body that lingers. But that, too,shall pass, whether or not you go to see her while she yet still breathes.”
Peter made sense even though Gallus didn’t want to agree with him. He forced a weak smile at the man. “I will discuss it with my brothers and my wife,” he said. “If we return to Coventry, it will be briefly. Even though you say that my mother is already gone, there is still life there. I want her to know… I must see her one last time.”
Peter merely squeezed his shoulder again and moved away, passing by Simon as he went and lifting his eyebrows at the man as if to beg patience on behalf of Gallus. It was a difficult time for him, indeed. Simon, however, was exhibiting more patience than he felt.
“Go and speak with your brothers, Gallus,” he instructed. “Tell them what I have told you. It is imperative that we leave for London on the morrow in order to make it in time for Henry’s council meeting. I want you to ride at the head of the armies, Gallus, but I will allow you to make that choice. I will not force you to do it.”
Gallus simply nodded his head as he turned back to the group. “I am grateful,” he said. “Meanwhile, let us discuss what to expect in London. Surely your spies have intelligence for us, Simon. What do we know about the situation we are about to face?”
He was changing the subject away from his mother and on to the focus at hand, which pleased Simon. He needed Gallus. He needed the man’s political wisdom as well as his military might. As Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, began to speak of the Lusignan relatives that the king had selected for his representatives on the governing council, Simon watched Gallus lose himself in what he did best– strategizing.
This was the Gallus he loved and the Gallus he needed if they were going to establish a new government and a new England.He needed all of the de Shera brothers if they were going to accomplish what they intended. Men that fought for England, men who controlled the reins of power and might. The de Sheras were all that and more.
The Lords of ThunderwereEngland.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Oxford, City
Oblivious to whathad been discussed between this brother and Simon de Montfort at Oxford Castle, the muscle of the Lords of Thunder, surprisingly, had other things on his mind, things that didn’t involve the state of the country or preparation for battle. Maximus’ mind was on a woman.
Leaving Jeniver with Garran de Moray and Stefan du Bois to do her own shopping, Maximus took Courtly with him as he liveried the carriage and the horses in a small livery near St. Clement’s Church. The day, which had dawned clear but cold, was showing distinct signs of brilliance as the sky overhead bled bright blue from horizon to horizon. A few puffy clouds scattered across the expanse, pushed around by a gentle breeze.
Once the carriage was parked, Maximus dismounted his steed and opened the carriage door, extending a polite hand to Courtly who was still inside. He waited with anticipation until she put her small hand in his big, gloved one and he was able to assist her from the cab. Even though a heavy layer of leather was between them, he swore he could feel the heat from her hand against his flesh. It was enough to set his heart racing, an effect she seemed to have on him with very little effort. When their eyes met, he couldn’t help but smile.
“I do apologize if this all seems rather scandalous and forward, my lady,” he said. “But in speaking with you last night,I felt very sorry for the fact that you had lost everything in the fire. In fact, I feel somewhat responsible– I should have tried to help you save what you could. In any case, since you made no mention of your father replacing any of your possessions, I thought to make the offer.”
Courtly gazed up into the handsome face of the very big de Shera brother, feeling so giddy that she was breathless with it. It was a struggle not to feel faint.
“It is very kind of you, Sir Maximus,” she said sincerely. “But you are clearly not responsible. Please know that when I spoke of losing my possessions, I did not say it to play upon your sympathies. I was simply stating facts.”
He nodded. “I realize that,” he said. “That is why I hope you do not think me too forward for sending my brother’s wife to lure you into a shopping expedition.”
Courtly grinned. “I think it was a very generous thing to do.”
He smiled because she was smiling All he wanted to do was smile when he looked into that lovely face. “Shall we continue, then?” he asked, holding out his elbow to her. “I was on the Street of the Merchants yesterday and found a stall with all manner of goods. We shall go there first.”
Courtly nodded, eagerly took his arm, and promptly stepped straight on into a massive puddle of urine. It splashed up and got on her already dingy dress, causing her to gasp with horror. But the damage was done. Her right foot, right lower leg, and the hem of her dress were soiled. Maximus, seeing what had happened, pulled her even further back, away from the puddle.
“I beg your forgiveness,” he said, genuinely concerned. “I did not even look to see where you were stepping. This is my fault.”
Courtly was looking at her soaked foot and dirty skirt. She sighed heavily. “Nay, it is not,” she said, resigned. “It is my fault. I should have looked where I was walking. Honestly, Sir Maximus, I cannot possibly see how you would want to pay eventhe slightest attention to me. When we first met, not only did I fall on your head, but I beat you, too. Last night when you came to sup, you found me cooking the meal, looking like a common servant in the only dress I have. Now, I make a mess of myself again. I should apologize for all of this and tell you that I am not normally this slovenly or this clumsy, but so far, that is all you have seen from me. I will admit that I am ashamed.”
Maximus was watching her closely as she spoke. She seemed so dejected and sorrowful, but her words of apology only made him smile. Reaching out, he took her left hand and brought it to his lips for a warm, gentle, and thoroughly wicked kiss.
“And do you know what I have seen from you since we met?” he said, holding her hand against his bearded chin. “I have seen an exceptionally resourceful, intelligent, and determined woman who makes the best of whatever situation she is in. Instead of waiting for someone to save you from the hostel fire, you found a way to escape it. Instead of allowing your father to be embarrassed in front of his guests last eve, you cooked the meal yourself regardless of how it would make you appear. You sacrificed your dignity and reputation to ensure your father was not shamed. You may feel as if you have presented nothing but the worst you have to offer, but I assure you, I see the exact opposite. You are like no woman I have ever met.”
By the time he was finished, Courtly was looking at him with some astonishment. More than that, his bearded lips to her hand were making her heart race wildly. She’d never known such excitement in her life.
“I… I do not know what to say,” she breathed, watching his lips move over her fingers, “except that you are a very strange man if a foolish, dirty woman appeals to you.”
Maximus broke down into laughter. He kissed her hand again, wishing he could do much more but knowing this was not the time nor place for it. Besides, he’d already been bold enoughand a move like that might scare her off. So he dropped her hand, bent over, and swept her up into his big arms to carry her through the puddled livery yard.
“Then I accept the fact that I am a strange man,” he said, “because a certain foolish, dirty woman does appeal to me. I am sorry if that shocks you, but you may as well know of my intentions now rather than later.”
