Chapter Four #3
“Nay. He is in the vault, kept cold until we can manage a burial.”
Markus digested what he was being told, envisioning it from Bexwell’s perspective.
All he could see was a man who finally saw his opportunity to move up in the world with his liege’s death.
As he’d told his father, he didn’t know Shand at all so he couldn’t know the man’s true mind or motives, but given everything he’d heard, he could guess.
Ambition took many forms – especially those pretending to be well-meaning.
“You should be aware that we have sent for Atlas,” he said, leaning thoughtfully against the door.
“He should be arriving at Trastamara shortly and I suspect Bexwell might show his true colors when the new Lord of Trastamara makes an appearance. Either he will respect the young man’s position or he will not.
Either way, you have my father and me here to discourage any revolution against Atlas to take his lordship from him. ”
Lady de Sauque was looking at him fearfully. “Sweet Mary,” she murmured. “My dear Atlas is coming. Does Shand know?”
“He will when Atlas rides through the gates.”
But Lady de Sauque shook her head. “Be cautious,” she said. “The army is loyal to Roget and, consequently, to Shand. If they want him for their liege, there may be trouble as soon as Atlas returns.”
Markus nodded. “Possibly,” he said. “But take heart; I have several high caliber knights in the bailey along with five hundred men. If your army makes a move against Atlas, they will be very sorry.”
It was as good as Lady de Sauque could have hoped for. “As I said,” she said softly. “I am grateful you are here, Lord Ravensdowne. You bring me more comfort than you can know.”
Markus gave her a crooked smile. “You may call me Markus,” he said. “My men tease me when they hear my title because they think it sounds pretentious.”
She smiled in response and it was as if the storm clouds parted and the sun suddenly burst forth. She had a radiant smile, as bright as anything he had ever seen. It was something that turned her lovely face into something quite extraordinary.
“It is not pretentious,” she said. “It is something to be proud of. You have worked hard for the respect you enjoy, so do not let jealous men take that away from you.”
He laughed softly. “They do not take anything away from me,” he assured her. “But you are correct; they are jealous. There is much to be jealous of.”
There was a hint of a jest in that statement and she laughed softly. “I can see that,” she said. “Your father must be very proud.”
Markus was enchanted by her gentle laughter. “Of course he is,” he said. “So is my mother. Have you ever met my mother?”
Lady de Sauque shook her head, her smile fading somewhat.
“I have not,” she said. Then added quickly, “Though I would like very much to make her acquaintance, given the opportunity. My husband and I did not socialize much. He preferred the company of… well, it does not matter. I am most certain your mother is a lovely woman. She has a son that honors her with his kindness.”
Markus dipped his head to her in thanks. “She has taught me much,” he said, his gaze moving to the snoring child on her lap. “As you have taught your children, no doubt. I know your son, Atlas, but I was unaware he had siblings.”
Lady de Sauque nodded, putting a gentle hand on Alfie’s black hair. “He has three,” she said. “You have met King Alfie, but he also has two sisters – Aleanor and Ambra. Ambra is napping with her nurse, but that is Aleanor sewing in the corner.”
She gestured to the young woman hunched over her sewing, now looking up at Markus with veiled terror. She was a pretty little thing, tiny and pale. He smiled pleasantly at her.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady,” he said.
Aleanor nodded stiffly, glancing at her mother, who smiled encouragingly. Aleanor’s gaze moved back to Markus.
“T-thank you,” she said nervously.
She went back to her sewing.
Markus wondered what had the young girl so terrified, but given the state of Trastamara, he supposed it could have been any number of things. Politely, he returned his attention to Lady de Sauque.
“If you will excuse me, I will join my father and Bexwell,” he said. “Thank you for your time, my lady. Should you need anything, do not hesitate to send for me.”
He started to turn for the door, but she stopped him.
“Wait, please.”
By the time Markus turned back around, she was on her feet, with Alfie laying across the chair.
She approached him cautiously and Markus tried not to look at the figure beneath the mustard-colored surcoat.
She had big, lovely breasts and a small waist, but that was all he could really see in his periphery.
He tried to keep his eyes on hers and not look at all of that lushness below.
“Shand does not know I sent you the missive,” she said quietly. “I would appreciate it if you did not mention it.”
Markus shook his head. “Have no fear,” he said. “We suspected as much. Your secret is safe. But I must ask – was your husband really burned to death by outlaws?”
Something in her features seemed to harden. “So Shand tells me.”
“You do not believe him?” Markus cocked his head. “Do you think Shand had something to do with this?”
She shrugged, averting her gaze. “I do not know,” she said honestly. “The truth is that I do not know him very well. He has served my husband for ten years, but we barely know one another. Roget made sure of it.”
Markus simply nodded, seeing that the subject distressed her and not wanting to delve into it too much. He had the information he’d come for.
The rest could wait.
“I will go to my father now,” he said. “Not knowing what he and Bexwell are speaking of, mayhap it would be best if you bolt this door for now. There is no telling what an ambitious man will do when he realizes he has been discovered.”
She looked at him, fear reflecting in her green eyes. “My youngest will soon awaken and she will want for something to eat,” she said. “I must be permitted to go to her.”
Markus held up a hand because he could see she was becoming a little panicky. “Lock it for now,” he said. “I will return as soon as I know something. I will stay with you and your children until we know how Bexwell is going to react to all of this. You should not be without protection, my lady.”
Lady de Sauque simply nodded. Markus dipped his head at her, silently begging his leave, and departed the chamber. As he headed to the stairwell, he could hear the door behind him shut and the bolt thrown. Satisfied that Lady de Sauque was safe for the moment, he headed down the stairs.
That was when he heard the shouting.