“You are next in the succession,” Amaury said to him. “You will remain here, then if there is a trap, it will close upon only one of us.” He felt the volatility and resentment in his brother, and knew that all could easily go awry if Roland disobeyed him. Sebastian was not the only one inclined to be impulsive. The balance was delicate and Amaury was not even certain that he could be sufficiently diplomatic to succeed.
“Father must be avenged,” Roland insisted.
“But first the culprit must be named and there must be proof,” Amaury said. “Until then, we accuse no one of such a heinous crime, for a man’s name can be his sole asset. The best justice is won through the law and the courts.”
His brother sighed and nodded reluctant agreement.
Amaury chose to change the subject. “Do you know where the villeins sought refuge?”
“They might have been slaughtered in their beds,” Roland said grimly. “When Father could not ensure their defense.”
“But Father was the sole addition to the crypt,” Amaury countered. “I wager they fled, and wonder where.”
“They might have been captured,” Oswald said. “They might be imprisoned at Marnis.”
“Then I will enquire on the morrow, when I escort my lady wife to visit her father.”
“You should not go there,” Roland repeated. “You should not willingly enter a hall of such treachery and deceit.”
“Yet I must and I will.” He smiled at his brother, though he knew his gaze was grim. “This is the sole means of regaining Montvieux that I see. If the Lord de Marnis offers the holding, he must possess the seal, thus my discussion will be with him.”
His resolve must have been evident for the discussion faltered then, his brother and companion going to tend their steeds and talk to their men. Luc, Thierry and Lothair remained with Amaury.
“Do you believe the destrier and the deer to be the sum of it?” Luc asked quietly and Amaury shrugged.
“I hope as much. They are both angry, and I cannot blame them for that.” He looked over the desolation of Montvieux and acknowledged that they all had been cheated.
“Be wary on the morrow,” Lothair advised Amaury, who nodded agreement.
“I intent to do as much.”
“I could linger,” the Viking offered.
“Nay, go and meet Sebastian. He will be better with a challenge to occupy him.”
“And you will be easier with Lothair keeping watch over him,” Luc murmured to general agreement
“And the villagers?” Thierry asked. “Is it true your brother does not know their location?”
“I believe it is, but I also have an idea where they might be found.” Amaury smiled for his friends, for he did not believe matters were as dire as they clearly did. “First, I will go to Marnis, and perhaps I will have the chance to confer with Edmund. I will take a watch now, for Lothair had best sleep before the morrow.”
“But it is your nuptial night,” Thierry protested.
“And she is vexed with him,” Luc added in a teasing tone.
“It is my turn,” Amaury insisted, though the twin brothers nudged each other and laughed. He felt the back of his neck heat. In truth, he needed time to compose a fitting apology.
His fellows then retired again for the night. Amaury nodded to the boys tending the meat and the fire, then walked the perimeter of their camp. He did not know yet what he would say to Isabella, much less how he might restore the amity that had briefly blossomed between them.
She might be asleep and awakening her would be unkind.
Amaury was wide awake, his thoughts churning with possibilities. Thierry would relieve him when the sky lightened in the east. For the moment, he would reflect upon what he had learned, and strive to think of the words to regain his lady’s regard.
CHAPTER 7
Isabella could not sleep. She was fuming, more disappointed in Amaury than she had any right to be. Of course, he was disinterested in her views. Of course, he made choices without any regard for her advice. She was a fool to expect aught different from her new husband. Such disregard was the tale of her life.
Aye, the truth of it was that she was annoyed with herself. Why did she expect more from him? Why did she hope he was different from her father and brother?