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Leif’s pulse quickened. Why was the king of Gwynedd in Deheubarth? And more to the point, who had he brought with him? “It’s a long way from Ynys Môn,” he said, remembering to use the Cymry’s name for the island the Norse knew as Ongullsey.

“It is that. But ’e’s come for the royal burial.” Elis’s expression dropped. “A terrible thing, it was. Who would ’ave believed the prince would be murdered in ’is own bed mere days afore ’is weddin’? I daresay Owain Gwynedd felt ’e owed it to Prince Anarawd’s family and the people of Deheubarth to come, seein’ as ’ow ’is brother was the one who committed the crime.”

“I have no doubt you are right,” Leif said. “When is the burial?”

“On the morrow. In the graveyard on the ’ill. There should be quite a gatherin’.”

Leif pondered this information as Lowri filled two bowls with steaming pottage. To observe the dignitaries who considered Anarawd’s death sufficiently important that they made a long journey to be here might be worthwhile—and telling. On the other hand, it would be far easier to have a quiet conversation with servants at the castle while the residents and guests were gone.

“Sit wherever ya wish,” Elis said, handing him a bowl. “An’ take this one fer Ned. I daresay ’e’ll be in shortly.”

“He will be glad of it,” Leif said, taking the nearest chair.

That very moment, the door opened, and Knud walked in. He took one look at the bowls on the table and gave an approving grin.

Elis chuckled. “I reckon yer right.”

Chapter 22

Rhiannon had scarcely taken the time to admire the furnishings in the bedchamber she’d been assigned to next to Gwenllian’s. She had yet to run her fingers across the soft wool covers on the bed or try the cushioned chair beside the fire. Indeed, from the moment she’d retired to her room following the banquet Prince Cadell had ordered in honor of Owain Gwynedd’s arrival, she had alternated between pacing across the small room and watching for any sign of a familiar figure in the courtyard below.

Surely Heledd would come. If Dai was able to get word to her, surely she would not wait until the morrow to call upon her. Discouragingly mindful of the lateness of the hour, Rhiannon crossed to the window one more time. She had barely reached it when a soft knock sounded. She flew to the door and pulled it open. And there, standing in the dimly lit passage, was her erstwhile nursemaid and companion.

“Heledd!” Rhiannon’s voice caught.

The older lady’s face broke into a warm smile, and Rhiannon reached for her workworn hand. The gesture was instinctive, the feeling of comfort she drew from Heledd’s touch as familiar as it was immediate.

“Come in.” She pulled Heledd inside and closed the door behind her.

Heledd’s eyes were moist. “When Dai told me you were in the castle, I scarce allowed myself to believe it.”

“Nor I,” Rhiannon said. She laughed through her tears. “I have been pacing the room, wondering if I imagined my encounter with Dai this whole time.”

Heledd lifted her free hand and gently touched Rhiannon’s face. “And yet, you are here. And even more beautiful than I remembered.”

Rhiannon shook her head. “You always were overly generous in your assessment of me.” She drew her toward one of the chairs beside the fire. “Sit. Tell me everything. Do you like working at Dinefwr Castle? And what became of Eifion, Nest, and Myfanwy after I left Bryn Eithin?”

Heledd did as she was bid, setting her hands upon her lap as Rhiannon took the seat across from her.

“As far as I know, Eifion and Nest are still at Bryn Eithin, working for the new master. He brought his own groom with him, and his wife brought her own maid. But they were happy to keep Nest on as cook. And the new groom was glad of Eifion’s help.”

“What of Myfanwy?”

“She returned to her family in the hamlet but was hoping to find work at one of the other large homes nearby.”

“I pray she was successful.”

“She was a hard worker,” Heledd said. “And good maids are difficult to come by.”

Rhiannon nodded. It would be almost impossible for her to locate Myfanwy now. She could only hope that she had found a position where she could be happy. “And you?” she said. “Do you and Dai enjoy being at the castle?”

“Well enough,” Heledd said. “Being the castle’s laundress is a heavy responsibility, but I have several girls working under me, and we manage. It was a challenge for Dai to go from being head groom at Bryn Eithin to being one of many at the castle, but it did not take long for his experience and skill to be noticed.” Pride shone in her eyes. “Prince Cadell always asks for him, as did Prince Anarawd, God rest his soul.”

Heledd’s words were a poignant reminder of Gwenllian’s loss and the reason for their journey to Deheubarth.

“Was it terrible here that night?”

Heledd needed no clarification. “Aye. Dai saw Cadwaladr’s men escape the castle, but it wasn’t until Cadwaladr himself left with the remainder of his retinue that the alarm was raised and we learned what had occurred.”