Only he didn’t quite feel that way about his intended anymore.
They rode into Kingfountain in the evening, the noise of the falls thundering in Ransom’s ears. He felt at odds with himself, a feeling that had grown starker since leaving Bayree. He was nervous about seeing the Elder King for multiple reasons. Part of him wanted to disclose the information about Lady Alix and her position as King Estian’s poisoner. Yet she had pleaded with him to remain silent on that point, for fear the king would forbid their marriage. And after everything that had happened between them, he felt beholden to marry her. Part of him still wanted to marry her. But his gaze shot to the queen’s tower, aglow above them, and he had to acknowledge his feelings for Claire.
Then, of course, he had to communicate Benedict’s threat to rebel if forced to yield the Vexin. It was entirely possible war would erupt again between father and son, even after they’d joined forces to fight Occitania.
“I’ll see the horses are cared for and that your room is ready,” Dearley said after they dismounted in the courtyard.
“Thank you,” Ransom said, dropping his hand to his sword hilt and starting toward the palace doors. He hadn’t gone far when he encountered Sir Simon, who approached him eagerly.
“Welcome back, Ransom!” he said in a breathless way. “Might you have a moment to talk before seeing the king?”
“The hour grows late,” Ransom said. “I wasn’t sure he would want to see me.”
“Of course he does!” Simon said with a laugh. “He’s been restless lately, anxious for news from Bayree after Duke Ashel returned. You met the duchess, then?”
“She’s not the duchess yet. At the moment she’s still a ward,” Ransom said, feeling the conflict seething inside him. “The title and the duchy must be sealed through marriage.” They walked together down the corridor.
“You don’t seem pleased. Is she pox-ridden or deformed in some way? No one I know has met or described her.”
No one knew that Lady Alix was the queen’s illegitimate daughter. It would be obvious to anyone in court who saw her. That added to the tension of the situation.
Simon’s brow furrowed with concern. “You won’t refuse to marry her? That would be . . . how shall I put this tactfully? Imprudent? Ungrateful? He’s offered you a duchy!”
“You mistake me, Simon.” Ransom clapped him on the back. “No, she’s . . . she’s quite pleasing to look at.” His heart panged strongly, tugging him as if he were a bone fought over by two dogs. He felt he would lose his mind.
“So you will marry her?”
“I think so.”
“That’s a relief,” Simon said. The adamancy of his reply surprised Ransom.
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s the reason I wanted to see you before you met with the king. We’re walking too fast. Can we slow down?”
Ransom slowed his pace. He glanced at Simon with concern.
“I suspect Sir James has been trying to win Lady Claire’s favor.”
The news struck Ransom like a fist to the stomach. He stopped abruptly and stared at his friend in astonishment.
“I’m telling you this as your friend, but I have little evidence,” Simon said after halting. He looked at Ransom earnestly. “They’ve met in private on occasion. Sir Dalian, Lord Kinghorn’s son, told me so himself. He is supposedly wooing her for the king’s son, but Sir Dalian fears he has his own interests in mind. So do I.”
“It sounds exactly like the sort of underhanded thing he’d do,” Ransom agreed, his sense of restlessness growing.
“If there is any interest on her side, I don’t know. She’s held off on choosing a husband, which has provoked the king to no end, I’ll add.” He shook his head. “She’s got fire, that lass. And not just in the coloring of her hair. If you marry the Duchess of Bayree, then don’t be surprised if she . . . well, that would just be conjecture on my part. It’s possible he really is trying to ingratiate himself with the prince, but you and I both know Sir James cares most about Sir James. And . . . beware of what you say in response, for there they are.”
Ransom turned his head and saw Sir James and the prince walking toward them. For a moment, the surge of anger and resentment overwhelmed all his other confused feelings. Immediately, those visceral emotions began to war within him.
Jon-Landon wore an expensive blue tunic gleaming with metal studs. He had the surly look of a young man thwarted. His hair was dark and wavy atop his head, but he didn’t wear it long in the fashion of his brothers. He seemed to have grown a hand’s width since the last time Ransom had seen him.
James had clearly noticed them, but he didn’t seem frightened of Ransom. He continued to approach them, a crafty look in his eyes and a bit of a strut in his walk.
“Back so soon?” he said to Ransom, stopping well out of reach. It was obvious he hadn’t forgotten what Ransom’s fist felt like. The prince looked at Ransom with neither malice nor pleasure.
“I just arrived,” Ransom said coldly.
“Well,” said the other. He looked between Ransom and Simon, and the corner of his mouth ticked up. “I hope you are well enough. Does Bayree suit you?”
He was seeking to get Ransom to reveal his plans. He wouldn’t.
“Good evening,” Ransom said with a slight nod of his head and then continued walking, Simon hastening to catch up.
“It’s a small duchy,” James said from behind. “But I think it will suit your ambition.”
Ransom ignored the jibe, but he frowned in annoyance. From behind him, he heard Jon-Landon mutter in a mocking tone, “Don’t provoke him, James. He’s savage.”
“Positively,” agreed James, and Ransom could hear the smile in his voice.
As soon as they rounded the corner, Simon sighed heavily. “Those two are plotting something,” he said in an undertone. “I’ve heard the prince demand his father reward James with some new castle or lands. He’s always pleading his cause. It doesn’t speak well of the prince’s judgment, particularly since James is trying to charm Claire behind his back.”
“Has the king agreed?” Ransom asked, trying to temper his rage.
“Not yet. He’s too greedy. He doesn’t want to give anything away. Well. I’ve told you the worst. I don’t know what Lady Claire will do. But given your history with Sir James, I thought it best to warn you.”
“And I am grateful, truly.”
Yet, it wasn’t gratitude that Ransom felt churning inside him. He wanted to punch the stone wall with his fist. Yes, Claire could choose whomever she wished. But the thought of her marrying Sir James made him bristle with jealousy.
“I’ll leave you to your interview, then,” Simon said. “He’s in the solar at the moment. Is there anything you need reimbursement for from the king? Lord Ashel said you had wagons sent from Josselin with supplies for Bayree. Is that true?”
“It is, but I seek no compensation for doing the right thing,” Ransom said.
Simon smiled and chuckled. “Everyone is always begging for something from the king’s coffers. You might as well join them.”