Jamie watched the queen pass through two adjoining rooms before entering the third and closing the door behind her.
He was alone with Linnet, which was the last thing he wanted—or rather, the last thing he needed. Was everyone conspiring against him?
“Well?” Linnet folded her arms and tapped her foot, in that way she had. “Are you going to tell me?”
It took him a moment to recall where he was and what she was asking about. “Gloucester and the bishop are still at each other’s throats. The King’s Council feared Gloucester’s supporters in Parliament would incite violence, so they banned the members from carrying weapons.”
“I take it they did not foresee the need to include wooden bats in the ban?”
“They did not,” he said, amused by her remark, despite himself. “With the merchants and Gloucester’s other supporters up in arms—or bats—nothing can get done. Bedford is threatening to cart his fractious family off to Nottingham and force them to come to terms.”
At the sound of a door scraping behind him, Jamie turned to see Stephen Carleton duck in through the servants’ entrance.
“Stephen!” Jamie called out as he went to greet him. Stephen, who was just ten years older than he was, was more like a brother to him than an uncle.
“You think I came to see you?” Stephen said. “Nay. I heard the exquisite and delightful Lady Linnet was here.”
Stephen opened his arms to Linnet. When she ran into them, Stephen swung her in a circle.
“You devil, Linnet, why have you not come to see us?” Stephen said. “Isobel told me to give you a most severe scolding.”
“Where is Isobel?” Jamie asked, interrupting what seemed to him an excessively warm greeting. “Did she not come with you?”
“She cannot travel now,” Linnet said in a tone that suggested he was an idiot.
“She is with child again,” Stephen said with a broad grin.
With a warm smile that shone in her eyes, Linnet said, “How happy she must be. I am sure Isobel is the best of mothers.”
Jamie reminded himself that Linnet did not want to be a mother; she wanted to murder men who had wronged her family.
“I just arrived, but there is no point in staying if Parliament can get no business done,” Stephen said. “I intend to turn around and go home. The two of you should come visit us until this is settled.”
Linnet’s cheeks turned pink and she dropped her gaze to the floor. Jamie did not believe for a moment that Stephen had not heard he and Linnet had parted ways. When Jamie glared at him, Stephen merely smiled and looked at him expectantly.
Jamie cleared his throat. “I will come for a few days, as I have matters to attend to nearby.”
“What matters?” Stephen asked, knowing damned well Jamie did not wish to discuss this in front of Linnet.
“I believe you know of my errands.”
“I heard your mother told you about the monk who was your father, and that you intend to visit the monastery where he lived.”
Linnet gasped aloud. Jamie ignored her; he did not want to hear—or answer—her questions.
“Apparently you are not my only uncle,” Jamie said. “The monk’s brother wishes to see me.”
“Sir Charles Wheaton,” Stephen said. “I know him. He is a good man.”
Jamie sighed. In addition to Stephen’s uncanny ability to hear news before anyone else, he seemed to know everyone.
“You have other business as well?” Stephen asked. Jamie told himself there was no reason not to say it; it was no secret. Still, he was careful not to look at Linnet as he spoke. “I intend to visit Lord Stafford to arrange my betrothal to his daughter.”
Stephen’s brows shot up. For once, Jamie had surprised him. Stephen took a step closer to Linnet, as if taking sides.
So much for blood ties.
Chapter Thirty