Page 114 of Knight of Desire
When she looked back at Stephen, something in her expression caused his smile to falter. She was a more formidable opponent than his mother and the abbess combined, and he knew it.
“We have news,” Jamie said. “Maredudd Tudor has come forward to be pardoned.”
“Praise God!” Catherine said, putting a hand to her chest. Maredudd went into hiding eight years ago when Harlech fell and the rebellion was crushed. “Poor Marged. How difficult these years must have been for her.”
“He waited long enough,” Stephen said. “Harry offered Glyndwr and all the Welsh rebels pardons when he was crowned four years ago.”
“If Maredudd wants to help that son of his, he should send him on campaign with us to Normandy,” William said. “Fighting the French would go a long way toward demonstrating his loyalty to the Crown.”
Catherine put her hand on William’s arm. “Will that be soon? I hoped Harry would wait another year before making a second expedition.”
“The king has been preparing all winter,” William said in a soft voice. “He’ll not let another summer pass before returning to fight for the lands our prior kings lost to France.”
“Everyone at court was talking of it,” Jamie said, his eyes alight. “We came home to tell you the king has commanded all the men to gather in a few weeks.”
Catherine closed her eyes. It had been so hard when they went on the first expedition two years ago.
“Jamie,” Stephen said in a low voice, “let us go collect your brothers and sisters from the abbey.”
Their footsteps echoed in the hall as they made their escape.
William pulled her onto his lap. “No harm will come to us,” he said, lifting her chin with his finger. “You forget what a fearsome trio we make. The French will run like rabbits when they see us.”
Please, God, let my men come home from this war.
She thought of how the course of her life had been changed, more than once, by the events of a single day. No matter how much William tried to protect her, it could all change again.
But for now, she would count her blessings and be grateful for the time she and William had together.
She would not waste a day of it.
“William, take me upstairs.” She stood and held her hand out to her husband.
Much later, as she lay with her head on William’s chest, she heard their children entering the hall below. She took comfort in their laughter and in the strong, steady beating of her husband’s heart.
