Page 73 of Wolfehound
“I can,” she said. “Tell me what you need from me and I shall do it.”
He did.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Tyrus was comingto think that he might have a serious situation on his hands.
His orders from Canterbury were to bring him the Welsh princess if she was located, and if young Herringthorpe produced a black-haired, blue-eyed woman, he was going to have to think quickly.
And then there was the trio at the other end of the table.
Liam’s appearance had them surprised, but when he offered to fetch his bride, that brought serious reactions. Carlton almost grabbed him, while Scott and War had looked at each other with expressions that were bordering on concern. Not quite, but almost. They were skilled knights, trained to keep their emotions under control, and perhaps to the casual observer their expressions would have meant nothing. But to a trained observer like Tyrus, the twitch in Scott’s cheek and the slight lift of War’s eyebrow meant they were concerned with what Liam was doing. To Tyrus, that meant there must be some truth about the Welsh princess as de Royans’ daughter.
Why else would they show concern?
So, he waited. He waited and he watched, wishing he had something to drink but understanding why he would not be provided with refreshments. He was also suspecting he wouldn’t be provided with a place to sleep, and more than likely asked to leave when this was all over, so he started thinking about where he would stay for the night in order to remain close to Folkingham. There was a village to the west of the castle, as he’d seen from the road, and he reasoned that he’d be able to find lodgings there. But most importantly, he was thinking about what to tell the archbishop.
There is some truth to the rumor, Your Grace.
That was the only thing he could tell him at this point.
Fortunately for him, the wait wasn’t excessive. Liam had told him that he would return shortly and he did. There had been very little delay. When they heard the footfalls coming from the hall entry and caught a glimpse of figures in the darkness, Tyrus was the first one to his feet. He was prepared to meet the real Gwenllian of Wales because Liam had been so aggressive, so blunt in their conversation that he wouldn’t put it past the man to present the woman he sought and then dare Tyrus to do anything about it. That was what he was fully expecting.
But that wasn’t what he got.
Liam appeared with a petite woman, with chestnut hair and hazel eyes.
“This is Bria de Royans, who is to be my bride,” Liam said, having lost none of his aggression in the short time he’d been away. “Bria, this is Tyrus le Mon. The Archbishop of Canterbury sent him because he has heard a foolish rumor that you are the daughter of Llywelyn the Last. Sit down and answer his questions, sweetheart. This should not take long.”
The woman introduced as Bria took a seat on a bench a few feet away from Tyrus, who was looking at her with some astonishment. As if expecting something, or someone, else. Buthe sat down and faced her, gazing at what was inarguably a very lovely young woman. She was also a small, almost fragile-looking lass. He stared at her for a few moments before speaking.
“Forgive my intrusion, my lady,” he said. “I am here at the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury in response to a tale we heard about Gwenllian of Wales.”
Bria was sitting straight, gazing at him curiously. “And you think I am she?” she said. “Liam told me the story. I find it remarkable, to be truthful.”
Tyrus glanced at Liam, who was standing behind her, his features like stone. “Aye,” he said slowly. “I was wondering if you were the princess. Keep in mind that I have no stake in this situation. I am simply doing an investigation for the archbishop.”
Bria shrugged. “I do not think I am her, although I suppose I would truly not know,” she said. “My father found me at a church in Wales. I was intended for a foundling home, but he brought me back to England instead. I suppose there was something endearing about me, but you will have to ask him. Is that not correct, Papa?”
Sitting at the far end, Carlton was absolutely stumped. He had no idea who the young woman was because he’d not seen the de Wolfe carriage unloading and the women coming out of it. Therefore, he had no idea where Liam had come up with an imposter for his daughter, but he wasn’t going to argue, nor was he going to waste the opportunity. When Liam had gone to retrieve the woman he implied was his bride, there was genuine fear in Carlton’s heart that he would, in fact, bring Cambria.
Instead, he’d brought a miracle.
Carlton cleared his throat softly.
“You were the loveliest child I’d ever seen,” he said, and that wasn’t a lie. Cambriahadbeen the loveliest child he’d ever seen.“You were simply a foundling and nothing more. Given that your mother and I had recently lost our son, I thought you might help ease your mother’s grief. And there is nothing more to the story than that.”
Bria returned her attention to Tyrus. “You see?” she said. “It is that simple. But I could pretend to be the missing princess if that helps your cause. Is there money or jewels involved? Was she rich?”
The conversation had taken an unexpectedly mercenary turn, and Tyrus shook his head. “I do not know, my lady,” he said. “My concern is more with the wishes and intentions of the king as it relates to the situation.”
“What situation?”
“The missing princess, of course.”
Bria cocked her head curiously. “You mean there really is one?” she said. “This is not simply a wild tale?”
“Have you not heard of Gwenllian of Wales?”
