Moira stood with her two cups, glancing around. All of the women had been cooking, but Moira showed the worst of it. Her green courtly garments were covered with flour, and bits of herbs clung to her dark hair. The mess only enhanced her earthy appeal. Everything about Addis’s wife gave the impression of domestic contentment.

“I thought that I heard Addis return,” she said.

“Not yet,” Rhys said. “He must still be at Westminster, trying to smooth ruffled feathers.”

Moira’s blue eyes glinted with humor. She set her cups on the hall’s table and settled on a bench. “He thinks some plainspokenness is in order, although I told him that smoothing feathers requires more subtlety. He does not practice the latter much, so the King is probably getting a lecture.”

“I do not think there is any danger waiting for Marcus at court,” Nesta said. “He did his duty as commanded. There was no need for Addis to make this journey and speak on our behalf.”

She appeared fretful, as she often had since that summons had come. He knew that she worried that he would pay dearly for this marriage.

He kissed her cheek to reassure her. “Whatever happens with the King, we cannot be parted. Hundreds witnessed our marriage, darling.”

“The cost might be great,” she muttered.

“I do not count the cost.” He meant it. If he lost Anglesmore, it was through his own acts and his own choices, not deeds done by other men. He had known the risks when he took her hand on that hilltop, and when they exchanged vows down in the valley. The months since had confirmed the truth of what he had said to her that day. She had been well worth it, and he would never regret fighting to have her.

A commotion in the garden caught his attention. The children ran to the back portal, to greet the tall man entering. Amidst the turmoil, two little hands rose up, beckoning. Addis lifted his youngest daughter into his arms and waded through the throng.

He entered through the kitchen, and the children followed. The hall suddenly filled with shouts and running feet. The boys poked and pushed and laughed, their excitement that the feast could begin provoking a noisy chaos.

Moira and Joan tried to herd the little barbarians back to the kitchen with scolds to go wash. Addis handed his daughter to Moira, and approached the window.

“No food for you two, I’m afraid. I have told the groom to saddle your horses,” he said. “The King knows that you arrived today, and wants to see you both at once.”

Marcus felt Nesta stiffen within his embrace. They both looked to Addis.

He understood the unspoken question. “He was very quiet at our audience. I do not know where his mind is.”