Knight's Ransom (The First Argentines #1)(72)

A maid had removed Princess Noemie’s head gear and jewels, but her hair was still braided, and she still wore her gown. Everyone turned to look at him in bewilderment.

“My lord, I must speak with you,” he said, trying to catch his breath and failing. He slid the dagger back into his scabbard.

Devon stifled a yawn. “It’s late, Ransom. Can we not speak on the morrow?”

“It’s urgent, my lord.”

Devon sighed. “What is it? You have our attention.”

Ransom saw the Occitanian servants were looking at him, as was the princess. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“In private, my lord,” Ransom said, walking over to the windowed balcony on the north side of the chamber. He turned the handle and opened the glass door, stepping out into the cold spring air. Stars were so thick in the sky it felt like he could scoop some in his hand if he reached up. The gardens below were darkened, but there were still lights from torches being carried down in the courtyard below. A stubborn horse let out a noisy grunt.

Devon stepped out on the balcony, followed by his wife.

“What is it?” the king asked with growing concern.

Ransom pressed his lips together tightly, looking at the princess as she sidled up next to Devon, gripping his arm.

“Your knight looks so worried,” she said. “What news could have possibly alarmed him so?”

Did she already know? It wouldn’t surprise him, but the darkness of the balcony limited his ability to gauge her expression.

“Could I speak with you alone, my lord?” Ransom asked.

Devon shook his head. “Whatever you have to say can be said before my wife. I shouldn’t have to tell you that, Ransom.”

It was too important for him not to disclose it. He had to take a chance. “Simon overheard two Occitanian lords boasting about preparations to invade Ceredigion. They’re going to strike while your father is waiting for you at Tatton Grange.”

Devon stared at him, dumbfounded for a moment. “I take, by your demeanor, that you believe it to be true.”

“I asked Simon to point out the men he overheard. One was Count Hardle and the other, the Duke of Bayree. It wasn’t idle gossip from servants.”

Devon looked at his wife, and she looked at him.

“My lord, I took the liberty of notifying Captain Issoudun. We could ride out of Pree this evening, while everyone is going to bed.”

“That is a sensible idea,” Devon said.

Ransom expected Noemie to deny it, to accuse him of lying. But she didn’t say anything. Her face was calm. Knowing, even.

“I’ll await you in bed, my lord,” she said, kissing Devon’s cheek. “Perhaps you should tell him alone.”

Ransom’s stomach experienced a jolt, leaving behind a feeling of sick suspicion. He watched the princess exit through the balcony door. When Devon turned around to face him, Ransom saw her look back through the glass, a sly smile on her mouth. She was enjoying the moment.

“You already knew,” Ransom said.

Devon chuckled, folding his arms. “Of course I knew. I planned it.”

Ransom’s chest hurt. He blinked, trying to master the feeling of shock and surprise. “You’re betraying your parents? What did King Lewis promise you?”

“You think I’m just doing this because of some hasty promises spoken over cups of wine? No, my friend. I enlisted his help. It serves both of our interests.”

Ransom felt like the turret balcony was spinning. He wanted to grab the railing for fear of falling.

“I wondered how long it would take for you to realize what was going on,” Devon said. “Simon didn’t know either, but Robert, Talbot, and Alain do. We’ve been planning it for a while. And you helped, Ransom. For which I’m appreciative. Without your counsel, Father might not have let me come to Pree. So let us be honest with each other at last. Are you ready for the truth?”

Ransom’s skull began to throb with the enormity of the betrayal. He knuckled his brow and then nodded. “Your parents will be devastated, Devon.”

The Younger King shrugged. “One of them will be. The queen is part of the plan. My mother . . . just to be clear.”

Ransom gazed at him in open surprise.

“Bennett is going to lead the forces from the Vexin. Prince Estian will lead forces to join ours. James will come down from Dundrennan with a host, and the queen will hold Kingfountain for me. Father will be surrounded in Westmarch. I think the plan is simple enough. But history tells us simple approaches are often the best.”

Devon rubbed his arms. The chill from the balcony was overcoming the warmth from the banquet. “The question that remains to be answered, Ransom, is what role you intend to play in this. Mother thought you could be trusted. She felt you would be loyal to me and was an instrument in persuading Father to assign you to me. I’ve tried to take your measure, man. You swore allegiance to me. You serve in my mesnie. Or do you? Who holds your loyalty?” He inclined his head to one side, regarding Ransom closely.

Ransom’s hands were trembling. He felt unprepared for what had happened—a turn of events he had not once anticipated. But he remembered the Elder King’s first order, that he try to keep his son alive.

“Before you answer,” said Devon, holding up his hand, “let me be clear that no evil consequences will befall you. While I cannot permit you to leave Pree to warn Father, I will not force you to serve me in duplicity. If you are loyal to him, you will remain here at Pree until the fates have decided which of us will wear the hollow crown. I intend to depose my father, not murder him. You can continue serving him or not. You deserve a castle of your own, at the least, and I will see that you get one. If you serve me, on the other hand, realize that your future rewards will be much greater. I know you fancy Glosstyr’s daughter. So does Sir James. It would be within my power to reward one of you with her hand. She’s rebuffed all of James’s attempts at wooing, but I think she might be more positively inclined your way.”