“It would seem their presence is not required,” he said, with something like his dry humor. She was still absorbing it, that the king meant for this union to happen as soon as possible and with no chance of interference, when he spoke again. “Tell me true, does Edward have aught to fear of your mother?”

She looked at him warily, more suspicious yet. Everything since she had stepped into the hall had felt like a trap. Robert de Vere was not the ally she thought, the English king used her like a pawn in a move he must have planned for some time, and now she stood with a man who only yesterday had been an enemy of her family but would now be her husband. Already he could control her with the secrets he knew of her, and soon he would control her marriage portion, and all her fate. All was to his advantage, and so she could not but feel it was all by his design.

“My lord has met my mother. I would be amazed to hear you did find something to fear from her. She concerns herself with the keeping of the Ruardean estate, and little else.” This was not quite true, but she could see no profit in speaking of her mother’s politics, no matter how private this place may be.

It was as though he could see her thoughts. “Is her dealings with the Welsh prince that Burnell would have me learn.”

This sent a spike of alarm through her and though she schooled her face to show nothing, she could see that he sensed it immediately. In one long stride he was there, reaching for her. Her hand went immediately to where her sword should be, but was not – because she was a woman, in soft woman’s clothes, and this was a different kind of battle. He was gripping her arm, and she bid herself to think in the manner of her mother, in political maneuverings and careful words.

“Say me the truth of this.” When she did not speak, he gripped harder, his voice urgent. “Gwenllian!” How strange, to hear her name in his mouth. He shook her. “Think you this marriage is naught but a simple legal move? Your mother grows powerful in your father’s absence and it is years until your brother is old enough to rule. Nor do I need tell you the danger it is to Edward to have the strength of Ruardean in the hands of a Welsh upstart.”