Chapter Eight #4
Gallus shook his head. “You did not kill her,” he said firmly before Maximus went on a tangent of self-pity. “You conceived a son with the woman but that does not mean you killed her. You cannot blame yourself.”
Maximus was still hanging his head, overcome with all he had been told. “A son,” he murmured again. “Does this son have a name?”
Gallus didn’t know. He looked at the soldier, silently prompting the man to speak. “Cassius, my lord,” the soldier said. “He gave his name as Cassius de Shera.”
Maximus put his hands over his face. “Oh… God,” he hissed. “She knew… Rose knew that all de Shera males had Roman names. We discussed it a few times, jesting about what we would name our son. She gave him a Roman name as a final show of respect for me. Dear God, I can hardly believe any of this.”
Gallus let Maximus wallow in sorrow and shock for a few moments.
In truth, he wasn’t sure he could say anything to ease the man’s agony.
Maximus would have to come to grips with what had happened and the sudden turn his future had taken.
But there was something else Maximus needed to know and, after a several moments of allowing the man to grieve, he spoke quietly.
“There is something else, Max,” Gallus confided. “Courtly knows about the boy. Scott had to tell her, so you should make all haste to return to Isenhall. There is much waiting for you there to sort through.”
Maximus’ head shot up, the dark green eyes fixed on Gallus with horror. “God help me,” he rasped. “He told her? Scott told my wife who the boy was?”
Gallus nodded. “I am not certain of the circumstances,” he said, “but you know that Scott would not have told her unless he had no choice. Regardless of the circumstances, the fact remains that she knows and you must return home immediately.”
Maximus was already nodding, his thoughts centered on his wife and how she must have taken the news. His heart was shattering for the humiliation and shock she must have suffered. He abruptly stood, knocking over his chair.
“I must go now,” he said. “I will have my horse saddled immediately. I must go home now.”
Gallus stood up alongside him and motioned the soldier forward. “Have your horse prepared,” he said. “Take Chambers with you. Mayhap he can answer any more questions you might have.”
Maximus merely nodded. He didn’t know if he had any more questions at the moment because his mind was a chaotic mist of shock, anguish, and not surprisingly, some happiness. He had a son! God, was it really true? He intended to find out for himself.
Gallus and Tiberius watched Maximus storm out of the tavern with the soldier on his heels. Mostly, he staggered, so very stunned by everything. When Maximus burst through the tavern entry, out into the street beyond as he headed towards the livery, Gallus turned to Tiberius.
“I suspect that one of us must return with him,” he said quietly. “I should go on to Kenilworth and confer with de Montfort so mayhap you should go with Maximus.”
Tiberius frowned, trying not to appear selfish. “I cannot help Max with this and neither can you,” he said. “He is a grown man and will have to face this himself. We cannot and should not make any decisions for him.”
Gallus sighed heavily. “You are more than likely correct,” he admitted. “I was thinking that mayhap he needed our support. But I do not suppose there is anything we can do.”
“I do not think so,” Tiberius agreed. “Moreover, I have my own issues to deal with. I must speak to de Moray about marrying his daughter and I most definitely require your help. Will you go with me to do this? I fear… I fear that the man may not take me seriously.”
Gallus looked at his youngest brother, thinking that there was too much trauma and turmoil going on in the House of de Shera.
Maximus and an unexpected son, and Tiberius who decided he wanted to become a husband.
He wondered how things had gotten so out of control.
He could handle warfare and politics quite easily.
It was human emotion he sometimes had trouble with.
“Very well,” he said, resigned. “Has he come out of her chamber yet?”
Tiberius shook his head. “Nay,” he replied, somewhat anxiously. “Mayhap we should go to her chamber and ask de Moray for a few moments of private conversation. I realize this seems rushed but I fear that if I do not do it now, it will be too late by tomorrow.”
Gallus nodded wearily, distracted for a moment as he heard Maximus outside, bellowing over at the livery across the street. The man had a voice that could carry for a mile.
“Then let us get this over with,” he said, eyeing Tiberius a moment. “You are certain about this, aren’t you? You will not marry the woman and abandon her in a month?”
Tiberius’ expression was steady. “I am certain,” he said softly. “I will never leave her side as long as I live.”
Gallus didn’t respond other than to lift his eyebrows in acknowledgement. Then, he turned for the catwalk that led to the sleeping rooms on the other side of the building. It was time to procure Tiberius a wife.
And try not to make an enemy in the process.