Instinct told him that Lady Eluned’s opinion mattered more in this. His father had known her a little and had believed she was deeply sympathetic to the Welsh cause, that she despised King Edward. But Gryff’s father was forever looking for allies. Will had said his mother was proud to be Welsh, but was loyal to the king.

Gryff finally turned to face her, and found her looking at him with outrage.

“You fool,” she seethed. Her fury filled the room, so forceful that he almost took a step back. “You have bedded her.”

He grit his teeth and glared at her, equally outraged at this presumption. The gall of her, as though she had any right to know his intimate affairs. But she did not quail beneath his look as any other mere mortal would.

“Do you deny it?” she snapped.

He stood to his full height and curled his lip in scorn as he looked down at her. “How do you dare to –”

“Oh I dare, my lord prince, for I do not say lightly that she is under my protection.” Her color was high, her fists clenched. “Knowing the king would wish every royal Welsh line ended, knowing your own brother would murder you in hopes of your inheritance, still you took her to your bed.” Her voice had risen almost to a shout, her scorn easily outpacing his. She looked as though she might strike him. “What think you such a king or such a brother would do if you have put a babe in her belly? If your life is forfeit, what then is the life of your child or of the woman who bears it? They would hold her life as nothing, you fool.”

Now she was shouting, and it was the only reason he could hear her above the rush of blood in his ears. The words seemed to cut into him, sharpened by undeniable truth. God forgive him. He had not thought of it. Not once.

“Even believing the king would see you and all your line wiped from the earth, you could not control yourself,” she spat. “I say it is a murderous lust in you, my lord, for you have risked her very life only for your pleasure. Did you not think even once of the consequence? Rhodri would put her to the sword as you watch, did he think she might carry your son, he would not suffer her to live –”

She stopped abruptly. Her husband had come to stand near to her and put his fingers lightly on her wrist. Only that soft, discreet touch, and the whisper of her name, and she halted her tirade. Her breath came fast, her jaw clamped tight as she tore her angry gaze from Gryff and looked to Lord Robert.