The Maiden and Her Knight by Margaret Moore Page A

of success? We are going to be cautious and careful, because anything else will be disaster for us all.”
    â€œWhat about Percival? Does he—?”
    â€œThe lad is my squire and does what he is told. That is all he needs to know, for the time being. Later, if we think him worthy, we may invite him to join us in our cause.”
    â€œRegardless of whether or not we have the earl of L’Ouisseaux and his son on our side, we must have more support from the nobility in Wales, and Ireland and the Scots,” Oswald said. He smiled indulgently. “But rest assured, Auberan, you don’t have to be friendly to Sir Connor if you do not wish to be.” He slanted a glance at Rennick. “Nor you, Rennick. Not after you both took pains to insult him. Leave him to me. He knew my brother.” Oswald’s voice hardenedand his black eyes glittered in the candlelight. “He was with Osric when he died in the Holy Land. For the present, caution must be our watchword, and what we have discussed goes no further. Are we agreed?”
    They both nodded.
    â€œGood. Leave us, Auberan. I have another matter to discuss with Rennick.”
    Auberan hesitated.
    â€œLeave us!” Oswald repeated sternly, and this time, Auberan did not stand upon the order of his going.
    When Auberan had closed the heavy door behind him, Rennick eyed Oswald. “Must we include that dolt in our plans?”
    â€œHis father will keep him in check, and even that fool knows he puts himself at risk if he talks too much.”
    â€œYou truly believe we must woo the Welshman to our cause?”
    â€œYes, and thus I would have been most annoyed if he had died.”
    Rennick kept his face a blank mask.
    â€œI would also be very upset if one of my friends is found to have done or ordered any tampering with lances.”
    â€œNaturally.”
    Oswald steepled his fat fingers. He wore no jewels, yet he was far wealthier than Rennick, and far, far richer than the king. “As long as you understand me, Rennick. I don’t want this Welshman harmed, at least for the time being, or suspicion about his accident to fall upon you. If he proves resistant to our request to join us, then I shall not care what fate befalls him and you can do what you like.”
    Rennick nodded, knowing full well that if Oswald considered him a liability, his climb to power would bethwarted, utterly and completely—and his life likely ended, too. “Yes, my lord.”
    â€œSo, you have finally brought the lady to heel, eh? Or should I say, to bed?”
    â€œTo heel, but not yet to bed.”
    â€œGiven how you feel about her, I should not be surprised you are so willing to wait, but I confess your patience astonishes me.” The mask of jovial friendliness disappeared. “But now that you have finally succeeded, Rennick, you had better wed and bed her soon. We need your alliance with her father and what that will say to others who hesitate to ally themselves with us. They will take your marriage as a sign of approval from a most respected man, and join us at last. Then we can move.”
    As if putting his words into action, Oswald heaved himself out of his chair and poured himself some more wine, while Rennick struggled to contain his anger at being chastised like a child and reminded that he did not command much respect among the nobility of England.
    However, he was indeed a patient man, and he could wait to have his vengeance on Oswald. Until then, he would be content to be second to Oswald—which meant that should disaster befall, there would be someone above him to blame.
    After taking a sip of wine, Oswald said, “Prince John makes Auberan look like a prodigy. John has already done many stupid things another king would have had him executed for long ago. We must move soon, and I want you firmly allied to Montclair before we do.” He gave Rennick a knowing smirk. “Why, come to think of it, when news of your