By King's Decree by Anton Shari

Author:Anton, Shari [Anton, Shari]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

Thomas burst through the doorway into the sitting room, panting, “Basil is here, my lord.”

Gerard exchanged a brief glance with Richard before asking, “Is Edward Siefeld with him?”

“Aye. Stephen said to tell you Basil looks harried. No doubt riding through the storm taxed him.”

Gerard tamped down the blood rush that prepared his body and mind for battle. He resisted the urge to grab his sword and reduce Basil’s body to a bloodied corpse.

Henry wanted to” pass judgment, inflict punishment Given Henry’s penchant for devising gruesome penalties, killing Basil outright might equal a show of mercy.

“Irked by a bit of snow, is he? Well, we shall soon make him forget his cold fingers and damp garments,” Gerard promised dryly. “Inform Kester we are ready for our audience with King Henry.”

Thomas obeyed swiftly.

“I suppose this means I must again don monk’s robes,” Richard grumbled.

“Not for a while yet, and then only for a short time.”

“So long as it is the last time,” Richard remarked as the door opened again.

Stephen entered, picked up a goblet and filled it with wine. “The last time for what, Richard?”

“For subjecting my body to the torture of haircloth. Where is Basil?”

Stephen warmed his wine with a hot poker from the fire, took a sip, then turned to face his brothers. “We may have a problem, Gerard. The palace seneschal refused Basil rooms in Westminster.”

Basil’s rank entitled him to space within the palace. By rights, the seneschal should evict a lesser noble to make room if need be. Only by direct order from the king would the seneschal dare the insult.

“How did Basil react to the affront?”

“He threatened the seneschal with dismemberment. The seneschal calmly told Basil to take his complaint to the king, then assigned Basil to a commandeered merchant’s residence.”

“So now Basil knows he is not in Henry’s good graces,” Gerard growled.

Richard voiced the question nagging at Gerard. “Will Basil heed the insult as a warning and leave?”

“I think not,” Gerard mused. “Basil must know he should stay to soothe Henry’s ire, whatever the cause. But we must guard against the possibility of Basil’s sudden departure. Stephen, assign a few men—”

“Done. Corwin and two others watch the house. I told Corwin to keep to the shadows.”

Gerard lifted his goblet in salute. “Well done, lad.”

But Stephen didn’t return the salute. His hand tightened on his goblet. “I am no longer a lad, Gerard.”

Since arriving in London, Stephen had spent little time in Wilmont chambers. He and Corwin had caroused, drinking and wenching into the wee hours of the morn. Gerard had no idea where the two slept or even if they slept, nor did he care as long as they minded their duties.

Gerard suddenly felt older than his six and twenty years. That his little brother had become a man irked. Damnation, how would he feel when his son, a mere toddler now, stood tall and sure, proclaiming his manhood? How he missed the tyke!

“You are right, Stephen. I will try to remember.”

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