Page 16 of Wolfehound
Carlton swallowed. Hard. He knew that de Wolfe meant every word. He looked at Scott and Troy and Patrick to see their reactions, realizing they very much mirrored his own. Truth be told, William’s solution was brilliant in the sense that his vengeance would be everlasting. The murder of a child of royal blood would end the bloodlines immediately, a fleeting victory and nothing more. But breeding Llywelyn’s bloodlines into the English, diluting them until they were no more, would make that vengeance last forever, with each successive generation.
It was far more humiliating than a single death.
“Aye, my lord,” he said. “I understand.”
“Good,” William said, the rage in his eyes cooling now that there would be no argument about it. “Atty, get about your business. We should deliver the child to the priory tomorrow, so you must move quickly. My suggestion would be that you go into the village to the west, to the church, and ask the priest if he knows of any families with children. If he wants to know why, you’ll have to give him an excuse, but make it good. We do not want the priest suspecting anything. You can proceed from there.”
Patrick nodded. “I will,” he said. “May I eat first?”
“Quickly.”
“I will go with him,” Troy said. “The fewer who know about this, the better.”
As William agreed, Carlton spoke up. “Speaking of those who know about the infant, you are aware that Colm de Lara knows,” he said. “So does my squire, Liam Herringthorpe. They will not speak of it, of course, but you should be aware.”
William’s gaze seemed to move to the far end of the hall again, where Fair Lydia and her mother were now dealing with a fussy infant and the wet nurse was being deployed. But also on that side of the room were several wet soldiers from the de Royans’ escort and one sopping squire. The lad was seated next to the hearth, eating something out of a bowl.
William’s focus lingered on the lad.
“Liam,” he muttered thoughtfully. “He must be thirteen or fourteen years of age now.”
“He is,” Carlton said.
“What kind of a man is he turning out to be?”
Carlton turned to look at the young man seated on the warm stone. “A fine one,” he said. “He’s strong, bright, does well with his studies, and can swing a sword as well as I can. I understand he is going to Questing in a couple of years.”
“He is.”
“You will be getting one of the best young prospects I have ever seen, my lord,” Carlton said. “Even at his young age, it is obvious.”
As William sat there and pondered that assessment, Patrick summoned food and a veritable feast was brought to the table. Boiled beef and carrots, bread and butter, and other dishes were presented and the de Wolfe sons tucked into them. But William didn’t—he was still watching Liam as the boy finished whatever was in his bowl and went on the hunt for more.
Watching the lad had given him an idea.
“Scott,” he said softly, “the man that Llywelyn’s daughter marries must come from an excellent family. We are speaking of dual royal bloodlines, after all. It would have to be a good family.”
Scott, mouth full, nodded. “Indeed,” he said. “Do you have someone in mind already?”
William didn’t answer for a moment. “I believe I do.”
“Who?”
He gestured over to the hearth, where Liam was just sitting down again. Scott and Troy and Patrick turned to look at the area, seeing the infant and women and soldiers and a squire. Colm de Lara, who was unmarried, hadn’t come into the hall, but had rather remained outside on business. Therefore, other than the soldiers, the only male in that area was the squire. When Scott realized who his father meant, his eyebrows lifted in surprise.
“Herringthorpe?” he asked.
“Why not?”
Scott didn’t argue. He was too surprised to do so. He looked at his brothers to see their astonishment as well. Carlton didn’t miss their expressions, but he didn’t think much of them.
“His father is a great knight,” Carlton said. “War is one of the best in England. His lineage isn’t particularly outstanding, but it is solid. However, given the fact that the infant is dual royal blood, as you have mentioned, mayhap a more prestigious husband would be appropriate.”
William cast a knowing glance at his sons before answering. “Carlton, there is something you should know about Liam Herringthorpe,” he said. “What I tell you will never be repeated. Only a select few know, but since we are about to share a deeply serious secret, I will trust you with this one, as well.”
Carlton listened seriously. “Of course, my lord,” he said. “What is it?”
“Liam is my grandson.”
