Page 28 of While Angels Slept (de Lohr Dynasty #1)

Cantia’s smile faded. It was the first time since Brac’s death that she had come into contact with someone who hadn’t known what had happened. She had to explain his absence, which strangely didn’t upset her as she thought it might. “He was killed in a skirmish several weeks ago,” she told her .

“Oh,” Arabel looked rather regretful that she had asked. “I am sorry, my lady.”

Cantia forced a smile, wanting off the subject of Brac. Though there was no longer any horrendous pain associated with the memory, it was still an uncomfortable one. She had done a great deal of healing and was unwilling to pick at the scabs that were healing over the wounds.

“If you would like to play something else with Hunt, he has a good many toys we can put to use,” she suggested. “Perhaps your father will go into his chamber and collect some things.”

Tevin had been watching the exchange between his daughter and Cantia with great interest. He was pleased to see that the initial meeting had gone well and he was more than pleased to see how Cantia had handled the question of Brac.

In a strange, selfish reaction, it gave him hope that everything they had been feeling for each other, everything that had happened over the past day or so, was not simply a convenience or a mistake.

It was real. He wanted it very much to be real. He took a step in Cantia’s direction.

“After I play the part of the serving wench and bring Master Hunt his meal,” he mussed the boy’s blond hair, “then perhaps I shall have time to collect some things for you both to play with.”

Hunt started to growl again but Cantia slapped her hand over his mouth. Tevin’s gaze moved from Val to his daughter and finally Cantia before quitting the room. When the door closed softly, Cantia went to lock it as Hunt picked up the ball again.

“Catch!” he cried.

The ball hit Arabel squarely in the nose and drew blood.

*

It had been as he feared. Though Tevin had spent the remainder of the day with Geoff, his mind was not on his cousin’s aimless chatter.

As they had toured the stores, the stables, the yards, and some of the surrounding countryside, Tevin discussed the strategic importance of Rochester when what he really wanted to do was talk about Cantia’s unearthly beauty.

The sun began to wane in the west and they found themselves back in the solar with a hearty blaze and a bottle of Port between them, but still, all Tevin could think of was Cantia.

Geoff was running on about the weak market for the wheat his serfs had harvested while Tevin struggled to focus on something other than lavender eyes.

Finally, he’d had enough of the constant chatter and his own lack of focus.

He wanted to get back to Cantia and the only way to do that was to shut his cousin up.

“Geoff,” Tevin finally broke into the prattle. “Wheat and weather are not the true reason you have come. I received your missive a few days ago. Can we delve into the meat of this?”

Geoff took a long drink of the ruby Port. Behind him, the fire crackled softly as the room darkened with sunset. He savored the flavor, smacking his lips and studying the pewter chalice. “What is it you wish to know?”

Tevin raised an impatient eyebrow. “I suppose I wish to know what plans you have. This land is in turmoil. We have held hope for months that Matilda’s invasion from Normandy was imminent, a hope fed by both you and her brother, the Earl of Gloucester.

We have prepared for this moment. What has happened that we are now in support Stephen of Blois? ”

Geoff was casual, even cavalier. “I do not need to explain my reason to you. You must have faith that I know best.”

“Perhaps you do not need to explain it to me, but I am asking just the same. I have fifteen hundred men committed to your cause and I would like to know why I will now ask my men to fight for someone we have sworn to destroy.”

“Do you not trust my decisions?”

“I have been ever supportive of your causes, Geoff. But I still wish to know why the change of heart. Please.”

It was the softly spoken supplication that got him.

Geoff went from nonchalant to animated in the blink of an eye.

He slammed his chalice to the table and stood up, running his fingers through his blond hair.

Tevin watched him closely, with his usual unruffled attitude.

He was genuinely curious to know the man’s reasons and he was equally eager to be done with this conversation.

“Damnable Gloucester,” he finally muttered. “It is his fault.”

“Why?”

Geoff whirled on him, his expression taut.

“Because we agreed to split Oxfordshire when Matilda returned to assume her right, but I have been told by others that Gloucester has already been in discussions with Lord Wallingford for the same purpose. Imagine, Wallingford instead of me! He is not even an earl, but a lesser noble of an old Saxon line, long bereft of money or dignity. The very idea is an insult. Therefore, I decided not to support Matilda and her treacherous brother, Earl Gloucester, if that is all of the loyalty they can show me.”

Tevin watched him rave like a child. Petulant as it was, it explained a lot. No strong sense of country or unity destroyed Geoff. It was simply the deeds of a nobleman playing a political game. Tevin didn’t know whether to slap him or laugh at him.

“It could not be because Wallingford and Gloucester are cousins, could it?” he said with more control than he felt. “Gloucester had no familial loyalty to you.”

Geoff’s dark eyes widened. “Nor I to him. Therefore, we fight for the true king. We fight for Stephen.”

“Matilda has more of a claim to the throne than Stephen.”

“Say that again and I shall throw you in the vault!”

Tevin did laugh, then. He couldn’t help it. He shook his head and stood up, weary of the temper tantrum and eager to see Cantia. “The evening meal should be coming shortly,” he said. “Why do you not retreat to your chamber and rest? Bathe if it pleases you. We’ll speak more of this at sup.”

As quickly as Geoff flamed, that was as quickly as he doused. The rigidity went out of his posture and he returned his attention to the fine wine. With long movements, he poured himself another measure. “I am not hungry,” he grumbled, mouth to the rim of the cup .

Tevin was already moving for the door. “Then do not eat. But at least come and sit and enjoy the conversation.”

Geoff took a long drink. “Where is Val?” he asked casually. “I’ve not seen her all day.”

Tevin paused. By Geoff’s tone, he knew the man had been waiting for the right moment to ask that question. And by his expression, Tevin was further convinced that he knew exactly what Tevin was up to. He was hiding her. Geoff was, if nothing else, intelligent. But Tevin stood his ground.

“She is occupied,” he said evenly. “She likes to ride patrol, you know.”

“Where is Arabel?”

“With her women, upstairs. She is exhausted from being dragged halfway across England.”

“Will she join us for sup?”

“If that is your wish.”

Geoff simply lifted an eyebrow and Tevin left the solar without another word.

He didn’t dare mount the stairs to the chambers upstairs, suspecting that Geoff would be following his movements.

So he went into the great hall and exited out into the kitchens, thinking to throw his mistrustful cousin off the trail.

He quit the kitchen yards and found himself marching through the stables on his way to the knight’s quarters.

All the while, he knew his cousin’s eyes were upon him, mentally if not physically.

Geoff was suspicious of everyone and everything.

By the time Tevin reached the knight’s quarters, he was ready for a stiff drink himself.

Something about Geoff’s presence always put him on edge.

He would take a measure of ale with his men before retreating upstairs, giving enough time for Geoff to forget about their conversation and, hopefully, Val.

He could not have known how wrong he was.

Geoff did not follow Tevin any further than the solar entry.

He had wandered to the door, watching his powerful cousin walk across the great hall and out of the door leading to the kitchens.

But that was the extent of it. He knew the man was going to see to his men to repeat his conversation with the earl for their benefit.

It was normal enough. The men had to know why they now supported the usurper and Geoff wasn’t suspicious of Tevin in that aspect.

But Tevin had been right in one way. Geoff’s attention was indeed on Val and her whereabouts.

To his left was the staircase leading to the upper chambers.

His dark eyes glittered, an inkling of an idea taking hold.

Tevin was clever, but not too terribly. With his brutish cousin outside, Geoff was free to explore the keep and perhaps find Val.

Aye, he knew that Tevin hid her from him. He’d always known.

He took the steps.