Hoyt crossed his arms thoughtfully. “’Twas not a matter of finding you, but following you.” He looked at Garren. “My brother captured the man you hired to abduct Derica.”
Garren’s heart sank, thinking of his friend Fergus and remorseful that the man’s loyalty had gotten him killed. “Did his death bring you the information you sought?”
“I do not know. I did not interrogate him. While my nephews were intent on inflicting pain, I rode back along his trail and found small footsteps branching off into the forest. There was an abbey over the hill. So I lay in wait and was rewarded, the nextday, to see you both ride from the abbey. As I said, it was simply a matter of following you and biding my time.”
“I am not going home, Uncle Hoyt,” Derica wasn’t sure how to address him, but it didn’t seem right calling him Lady Cleo Blossom when he was dressed in armor. “Garren and I were married yesterday. I am his wife and I am staying with him.”
“I suspected as much.”
Garren watched his body language carefully; he was armed, but had yet to unsheathe his sword. It hung at his side. In fact, he’d made no aggressive moments at all.
“If you have come to take her home, you have wasted your time,” Garren said. “You may report back to her father that she is well and happy, and we intend to have a good life together.”
Hoyt shook his head. “I have not come to take her home, nor do I intend to tell my brother anything at the moment.”
“Then what do you want?”
Hoyt was silent a moment, as if contemplating something very deep. “Garren,” he said slowly. “Does the Marshal know what you have done?”
Garren’s guard went up, higher than ever. He was very good at denying his true vocation and used that experience.
“So you still think I am a spy, is that it?”
“Games are not necessary, sir knight. I know that you are sworn to William Marshal and that he sent you to Framlingham to spy on my brother. Did he not tell you that there would be another set of eyes at Framlingham?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
Hoyt smiled ironically. “I thought you would not,” he said. “But do you know this?La lealtà alla morte. Onorare soprattutto.”
Garren stared at him, long and hard. He had no idea how Hoyt de Rosa would know that unless the Marshal had told him. There was a code with the Marshal’s men, something thatidentified them to one another. Each man had what was termed his ‘phrase’, a specific combination of words that another agent would speak to him to let him know he was an ally. In a startling twist, Hoyt had just spoken Garren’s phrase, and there was only one reply possible.
“Lungo vive il re,” Garren said softly.
“Then you believe me.”
Garren wasn’t sure how to reply. Although he did not lower his sword, his manner was less defensive and more curious. “Why did you not identify yourself earlier?”
“I did not want to give myself away, so to speak,” Hoyt replied. “I am sorry I could not be of help when my brothers’ persecuted you. Had I intervened any more than I did, surely they would have suspected something. I could not risk it.”
Garren lowered the sword. He glanced at his wife; he wanted to see how she was reacting to all of this. From her expression, it was clear that she was shocked.
“But…,” Derica hardly noticed her husband looking at her. “I do not understand, Uncle Hoyt. Do you mean to say that you serve William Marshal?”
“It would seem so,” Hoyt walked towards them, slowly. “Many years ago, I served John and Richard’s father. When Henry died, my loyalties naturally fell with John because he was Henry’s favorite and, I believed, rightful heir to the throne. But over the years I have come to see what a weak ruler he would be. Already, the man tears this country apart and he is only a prince. What would happen if he were king?”
“You sound like my father,” Garren said quietly.
“Your father is correct,” Hoyt agreed firmly. “At a tournament a few years ago, I came into contact with William Marshal. I knew him from when he served Henry, as we both fought for the king in our prime. After a few hours conversation, I realized I was in complete agreement with him. Richard wasour best choice for king. So, with a convenient bump on my head at the very same tournament, suddenly I am crazy and my brothers pay little attention to me. Better to observe for Richard’s cause in such a way and never be suspected.”
Derica’s jaw hung open. “Then the dress, the rouge, was an act? You were spying?”
“Nay; not really. I never completely gave over my support to the Marshal, as my loyalties to my family were stronger than my loyalties to the king. But, as I saw necessary, bits of information made their way to the Marshal for the king’s cause. I walked a fine line between betraying my brothers and helping England. It wasn’t until very recently that I decided to lend full support to Richard. From now on, the Marshal will know everything that I know. I hold back no longer.”
Garren listened to the very clever explanation, but he couldn’t help probing for his own peace of mind. “What finally caused you to lend full support?”
Hoyt looked him in the eye. “Two thousand French mercenaries due on the shores of Norfolk within the week.”
“You’re sure?”