Page 88

“I have full confidence in your ability to persuade King Henry to see the imprudence of the Duke of Bedford’s counsel,” she said. “And when you have informed the king of what he stands to lose, I expect him to sign the pardon immediately. My escorts and I shall await your return from London for two full weeks. If by then you have been unable to convince the king of his folly, we shall leave.”

Hotspur gave her a look of grudging admiration. “It appears that I am not the only diplomat in the castle, my lady.”

“Two weeks, my lord.”

He inclined his head. “As you wish.”

Catrin stood. “You have my thanks,” she said.

“Perhaps this unusual development at Conwy Castle will prove beneficial to us both, my lady.” He appeared thoughtful as he walked to the door. “Come. I shall have someone show you to your chambers.”

Chapter 33

Catrin stood on the battlements and gazed off to the east. An empty road snaked through the castle’s marshy surrounds, eventually disappearing over the crest of a far-off hill. It had been twelve days since Hotspur quit Flint Castle for the palace, but there had been no word from London since then, and there was still no sign of him or his men.

Within twenty-four hours of their meeting in the grand chamber, his scout had confirmed that the Welsh flag flew above Conwy Castle, and Hotspur had set off for England soon afterward. Catrin could only hope that the suspicions she’d fed him regarding the Duke of Bedford’s growing influence on the crown had festered sufficiently to motivate him to act well his part.

The wind tugged at the hood of her cloak, and she raised her hand, holding the fabric in place as she turned to view the dancing whitecaps on the Dee Estuary. There was no snow, but the wind was bitterly cold, and it had rained all night. The gray, uninviting water reflected the overcast skies, but several hardy fishermen had chosen to brave the waves regardless. Their boats were bobbing in the inlet between the castle and the sea, and even from this distance, she could see the men tending their nets.

To the west, the road that had brought her, Maredudd, and Emyr to Flint stretched out along the coast. A lone rider, little more than a speck on the hill, was heading toward the castle, but he came from the wrong direction to be bearing news from Hotspur.

“There are fewer than two days remaining, Maredudd.” She turned to face the Welshman, who had become her shadow whenever she was not in her chamber.

“Aye.” Worry lined his face. “But I have to believe Hotspur will come. He agreed to the deadline.”

“Unless he is unable to persuade the king.”

“Henry’s that pigheaded; coaxing him will be a trick,” Emyr said.

Maredudd frowned at him, but as the raindrops started to fall once more, she could not fault Emyr’s gloomy outlook. It appeared that even Mother Nature concurred.

“I think perhaps I will retire to my bedchamber,” Catrin said. There was very little to keep her occupied there, but she had already spent the morning in the stables with Seren, and her chamber was significantly warmer and drier than the battlements or the courtyards at present.

Maredudd nodded. “The fishermen are coming in. That’s a sure sign the weather is worsening.”

A clap of thunder rolled. On the coastal road, the horseman lowered his head against the sudden rain and appeared to quicken his pace.

“I pray this storm does nothing to slow Hotspur,” Catrin said, making for the stairs that led to their rooms below.

“Aye,” Emyr said glumly.

Maredudd stopped in his tracks. “Emyr, have you ever let rain stop you from getting somewhere important?”

“Uh . . . no, Marshal.”

“Well then, I don’t imagine Hotspur has either.”

Emyr looked sheepish. “Yes, Marshal. I mean, no, Marshal.”

Maredudd rolled his eyes. “Consider yourself warned. If I’m to share a chamber with you for the afternoon, you’d best be a little more cheerful.”

Catrin smothered a smile. “I thank you, Maredudd,” she whispered. “I needed that reminder as much as Emyr.”

“There are enough rain clouds without him being one,” he said. “Besides, neither Rhys nor Gwilym would have had us approach Hotspur if they had not already taken his measure. If they believe he is up to the task, I daresay we should too.”

“You are correct,” Catrin said. “Much can happen in two days.”

“It can indeed.”