He was not much older than Marcus, just over thirty, but he appeared world-weary. He had grown a beard while on the Continent, and put a few pounds on his tall frame. His youthful face had acquired some lines that Marcus guessed were the result of the experiences of the last year. Edward’s glorious victory at Sluys had not been followed by the quick campaign he had expected. The plans that were supposed to procure the French crown had unraveled, and the army on the Continent had been idle for months and costing the realm a fortune.

Marcus had to release Nesta to make his greeting, but he replaced his arm when it was done. Edward raised one eyebrow at that.

He gave Marcus a very direct look. “My lady, if you would leave us, please. I will speak with Marcus alone first.”

Nesta had thus far bestowed one formal smile. Now she gave another. She accepted the page’s escort into the chamber from which Edward had come.

The King did not even watch her leave. One would think he barely knew her.

Marcus wasn’t fooled. He had noticed the glint of warmth in Edward’s eyes when he looked up from the document. If Marcus had been awaiting an audience by himself, he would have cooled his heels a long while until the business at hand was completed first.

“It is good to see an old friend, Marcus, and one whom I can trust. At least someone did his duty with honor while I was gone.”

“I tried my best.”

“Would that everyone did. Half your best would have been better than most of what I have been cursed with. Addis came today. He told me that the trouble with Llygad’s men is done with. A small problem, he said. How did he put it? So insignificant as to not be worth a chronicler’s ink. He can be witty when he chooses, which is not often.”

“An apt description, however.”

Edward nodded, and appeared to drift into distraction. “The last thing I needed was a Welsh rebellion, since there is trouble up north again. Damn Scots. Rumor has it Robert the Bruce’s son is returning from France where he has been in exile. Half the Scots think of him as their rightful king, despite my decision for Baillol. The French are behind this, of course. They want to draw my attention away from the true prize. They pull me in two directions. I am grateful that you kept me from being pulled in a third one as well.”

“I am honored to have served you.”

“It worked out well, giving you that duty. There is only one problem, as I see it.” His attention sharpened as the distraction fell from his expression. “You married the wrong daughter.”

Now they were down to it. “After Genith fled the realm, I married the only daughter left. The effect on your plan was the same.”