Defender of Crowns (Kingdom of Walls Book 3) Read online

  ‘I’ll be around,’ Harlan said, clapping him on the back. ‘No need to fret.’

  ‘Commander Wright will still be involved,’ Shapur said, ‘but his main focus will be on the outer-wall. We need more eyes looking outwards now.’

  That was a big step up for Harlan. To command a borough was one thing, but to protect the outer-wall was quite another. He would be responsible for the safety of the entire kingdom.

  ‘Are we expecting unwanted visitors?’ Roul asked.

  The creases on Shapur’s face deepened. ‘We certainly need to be prepared for it.’ He paused. ‘We have received reports that Prince Becket is staying at Harlech Castle.’

  Roul’s eyebrows rose. Harlech Castle was one of King Edward’s homes in the north. ‘I don’t understand. Was he taken there at swordpoint?’

  The youngest prince was the only living heir to the throne. He had spent the previous two years since his brother’s death dodging the crown aimed at his head.

  ‘He willingly boarded a ship from Ireland. We have no reason to suspect foul play.’ Shapur took a step back, signalling that question time was over. ‘Make sure I do not regret this decision, Commander.’ And with that, he strode off.

  Roul stood processing the conversation. The correct reaction to being promoted was pride. He had accomplished something every defender wanted but most never got. But he felt only guilt. He was a fraud. In two years, when his minimum term was up, he planned on returning to his home in Carno. Of course, the warden did not know that. Harlan was the only person who knew anything of his plans, and he had advised Roul to say nothing of them to anyone until his five years were up.

  ‘My plans haven’t changed,’ Roul said, meeting Harlan’s gaze. ‘My family’s waiting for me to return.’

  Harlan nodded slowly. ‘You know, you get to leave regardless of your title.’ He took hold of Roul’s shoulder. ‘You’re allowed to feel good about this. It’s an enormous achievement, especially at your age.’ Letting go, he added, ‘In fact, I think you should come to the house for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate.’

  ‘There’s really no need for fuss.’

  ‘Before you feel too special, Lord Thomas will also be in attendance. I invite you for my own sanity.’

  Roul frowned. ‘I thought he avoided Wright House at all costs.’

  ‘Except when trying to marry off a relative. The bootmaker will also be joining us.’

  Roul shifted his weight. He had heard about the bootmaker firsthand from Eda, but witnessing their courtship would be something else. The nature of their friendship led him to protect her as a brother would. ‘Does Eda know he’s coming?’

  ‘Even the high lord knows better than to try and spring a suitor on Eda Suttone.’ Harlan crossed his arms. ‘With her nineteenth birthday now behind her, the pressure to be married is at an all-time high. I suspect Thomas is trying to secure free boots for the rest of his life.’

  Roul watched the recruits bend to collect the weapons, stiff with pain. ‘I’m surprised she agreed.’

  Harlan observed him a moment. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll intervene if there’s cause to. No one wants to see her unhappy.’

  Roul had not considered the possibility of Eda finding happiness with the man. He had assumed he would fall short of her impossibly high standards. Maybe he would not. Maybe he would make her laugh, indulge her adventurous nature. Maybe he would even make her happy.

  ‘So you’ll come?’ Harlan asked.

  Roul swallowed, nodded. ‘I’ll come.’

  It was a large family affair. Roul was seated at the table between Candace and Eda, except Eda’s chair was empty, and she was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘You did not happen to see her on your way in?’ Candace whispered as she passed Roul the roasted carrots.

  ‘Afraid not.’ He glanced at the bootmaker. Leigh Appleton. A man of few words who was a few years older than him. Leigh was a gentle kind of man, perhaps too gentle for Eda. She would break him in the first year of marriage.

  A glowering Lord Thomas rose from his chair and smoothed down his tunic. ‘I shall go outside and find her.’ There was no hiding the agitation in his voice.

  ‘I can go if you like,’ Blake said, moving to stand.

  ‘No. I’ll go,’ Thomas replied, walking around the table. He almost stepped on the baby, then collided with the duck. ‘It is like a barnyard in here. Someone get rid of that animal and put that child somewhere sensible.’

  Blake plucked Luella from the floor and placed her on her lap. Her daughter arched her back and cried, wanting to be on the ground with Garlic. A heavily pregnant Lyndal rose from her chair and went to lock the duck outside.

  ‘Mother and I were so excited to discover a few flower buds on the apple trees in the orchard this morning,’ Kendra said as she inspected the tray of pork. ‘It is autumn, yet the trees seem to think it is spring.’

  The seasons still did not mean much, despite the gradual easing of rain over the past few months, which apparently counted as summer.

  Astin pushed the tray closer to Lyndal. ‘Don’t get too excited. Same thing happened last year, but no fruit came of it.’

  ‘What a pillar of positivity you are,’ Lyndal said as she returned to her seat.

  Astin dragged her chair closer, a hand going to her belly. ‘Next time let me deal with the animals. You’re supposed to be resting.’

  ‘How long until the birth now?’ Lady Victoria said, smiling at the couple. ‘You must be getting close to lying in.’

  ‘Only noblewomen lie-in,’ Lyndal said.

  Astin glanced in Lady Victoria’s direction. ‘Lyndal will get plenty of rest on my watch, I assure you.’

  ‘I have another month to go,’ Lyndal said, her voice cheerful. ‘And I feel great.’

  Harlan walked into the room, collecting his crying daughter from Blake’s lap before taking his seat.

  ‘Uncle wanted Garlic locked outside,’ Blake explained.

  Harlan handed his daughter a piece of carrot to chew on. ‘I’ve been wanting that for the previous three years.’

  ‘Luella reminds me so much of Eda as a baby,’ Candace said. ‘Always too busy to sit still for even a moment.’

  Lyndal took the tray of pork from her cousin. ‘Eda as a baby? Sounds very much like Eda now.’

  ‘I heard that,’ Eda said, walking into the room ahead of her glaring uncle.

  Leigh rose, fingertips resting on the edge of the table as he waited for her to reach her chair. Everyone stopped eating. Apparently no one wanted to miss Eda and Leigh’s first exchange of words.

  Candace’s face fell when she caught sight of her daughter. ‘Really, Eda. Perhaps you should go and change before joining us.’

  Roul looked down at Eda’s mud-soaked hem, and then his eyes travelled up her body to her freshly scrubbed face. She did not need any of the coloured pastes and tea leaf concoctions that many used. She had natural colour in her cheeks from time spent outdoors, and those eyes of hers were as bright as emeralds, eradicating the need for fancy jewels. Her dark hair was half pulled back and damp from the rain.

  ‘No need,’ Eda told her mother. ‘I just had a wash out back.’

  Lyndal narrowed her eyes at her. ‘Ah, which part did you wash?’

  ‘Hands and face. The important parts,’ Blake answered for her. ‘Leave her alone.’

  Eda signed something at Lyndal that made Blake laugh and Candace shake her head. She spoke verbally nowadays, but Roul noticed that she slipped back into signing on three occasions: when she did not want others knowing what she was saying, whenever her uncle was visiting, and when she was afraid. One would think she had no fears judging by the way she charged through life, but everyone was afraid of something.

  ‘You remember Leigh Appleton?’ Candace said, gesturing to the standing man. ‘He took over his father’s business in the merchant borough.’

  Eda stopped behind her chair and bowed her head. ‘Of course. I was very sorry to hear about your wife. It must’ve been devastating to lose her at such a young age.’

  ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘It was certainly tough.’

  Everyone looked at their plates then.

  ‘You must forgive my niece,’ Thomas said. ‘She speaks without thinking.’

  ‘Not at all,’ Leigh said, waiting for Eda to take her seat ahead of him. ‘I appreciate the kind words.’

  Roul had nothing against the man—so far. He reached up and pulled a piece of grass from Eda’s hair as she took her seat.

  ‘Thank you,’ she mouthed as he threw the grass under the table.

  He winked at her.

  ‘I have some old dresses put aside if you are in need of some,’ Kendra said once Eda was settled in her chair. ‘I had planned to drop them at the almshouse, but you are more than welcome to them, cousin.’

  ‘Oh, she has plenty of dresses,’ Candace said, picking up her knife and fork. ‘She simply chooses not to wear them.’

  ‘She has been wearing Kingsley’s old clothes of late,’ Lyndal whispered to Kendra. ‘Mother is beside herself.’

  Kendra stopped eating. ‘Men’s clothing?’ She had not whispered.

  Eda only shrugged and said, ‘Trousers are more practical for hunting and chores.’

  Thomas flicked his napkin—hard—and settled it on his lap. ‘Let us not turn your guest off before we have even begun eating.’

  ‘I’m not turned off, my lord,’ Leigh said.

  That made everyone else at the table smile—except Roul. Eda’s face also remained neutral as she reached for a tray of food.

  Blake cleared her throat. ‘I spent the afternoon with Birtle today. I worry about him being in that shop all alone. He’s struggling to lift the reams of fabric nowadays.’

  Thomas finished
chewing his food, then replied, ‘If he is no longer able to do the work, then he is no longer able to live there for free.’

  ‘We wouldn’t be able to keep the shop open without his help, Uncle,’ Blake replied. ‘If anything, we’re in his debt.’

  Thomas ignored her.

  ‘We heard rumours that Prince Becket was spotted disembarking a ship in Gwynedd,’ Lyndal said, looking to Harlan. ‘Is it true?’

  Harlan nodded, finishing his food before speaking. ‘Harlech Castle, to be precise.’

  ‘Seems the English got to him first,’ Astin said. ‘Good luck bringing him home now.’

  Candace brought a napkin to her mouth. ‘This is the closest he has been to home in some time.’

  Eda had stopped eating. ‘I don’t understand why he’s at Harlech Castle. Was he taken there at arrow point?’

  It always amused Roul how similarly their minds worked at times.

  ‘My sources tell me the prince is a guest there,’ Thomas said. He liked to point out that he had sources outside the walls.

  ‘So how are we supposed to get to him now?’ Blake asked.

  Roul cut into his pork. ‘We don’t. Queen Fayre can’t leave the safety of Chadora’s walls. If anything were to happen to her, we would have no one to rule. And we can hardly send an army in her place.’

  Kendra sighed. ‘I remember Prince Becket. Such a sweet boy. He will likely hand the kingdom to King Edward with his best wishes.’

  ‘Can Queen Fayre not send one of her advisors in her place?’ Lady Victoria asked, looking to her husband.

  Thomas swallowed his food. ‘The prince must be prepared to accept the visitors sent his way.’

  ‘I can’t imagine King Edward will be receiving any other Chadorian guests at court any time soon,’ Lyndal replied. She was trying to entice Luella to come to her with a piece of parsnip.

  Eda was spinning her fork along her fingers, listening. The sound of her uncle clearing his throat made her stop.

  ‘What’s to stop King Edward from simply executing him and taking control of our kingdom?’ Leigh asked, joining the conversation.

  ‘King Edward’s not the concern,’ Harlan replied. ‘It’s his mother and her… companion who control England right now.’

  ‘Lord Roger Mortimer,’ Astin said on a long exhale.

  Kendra touched her napkin to her lips. ‘Why King Edward would relinquish control to those two I have no idea. I keep hearing how he is a better king than his father, but he is yet to prove it.’

  Blake nodded in agreement. ‘If he’s old enough to marry, he’s old enough to rule, surely.’

  ‘He’s not the first king to be controlled by his mother,’ Eda said pointedly. ‘But it’s definitely time he hauled her arse off his throne and got on with the job.’

  Leigh coughed. More of a choke, really.

  Thomas’s fork clanged on his plate. ‘That is no way for a lady to speak.’ He glared accusingly at Candace. ‘Where did she learn such things?’

  Eda stiffened in her chair, having clearly forgotten herself. ‘Certainly not from Mother.’

  Thomas’s eyes went to Blake, who raised her hands.

  ‘I taught her to sign it, not say it.’

  Candace brought a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes.

  ‘It is my understanding that Prince Becket has turned away every man Queen Fayre has sent to collect him,’ Lady Victoria said, bringing the conversation back on course.

  ‘Then she’s clearly not sending the right people,’ Blake replied. ‘Perhaps she should send a woman.’

  Thomas placed his knife and fork down. ‘This is not an appropriate discussion for ladies.’

  Eda was staring hard at Blake, one foot bouncing under the table. Roul knew what she was thinking without her saying one word. She was thinking she could do it—better than any man.

  Her eyes met his, and her foot stilled.

  Busted.

  Eda resumed eating. She had barely managed a few mouthfuls before Leigh leaned in close and said, ‘Shall we take a walk after dinner?’

  She sat back in her chair, hesitating for some reason.

  ‘Perhaps now is a good time to share your news, Roul,’ Harlan said, picking up his cup.

  Eda looked over at Harlan, head tilted and eyebrows pinched. ‘What news?’

  ‘He was made commander today. A much-deserved step up.’

  Eda shot out of her chair. ‘Commander? Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘It’s not that big a deal,’ Roul replied.

  A smile spread across her face. ‘Of course it’s a big deal.’ She threw her arms around his neck. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

  He sat frozen, aware of the entire room watching them. Leigh looked down at his lap. Thomas’s face was etched with disapproval. Finally, Eda released him, still grinning. She was either oblivious to her audience or simply did not care. Likely the latter.

  ‘We’re all very proud of you,’ Blake said.

  Lyndal nodded in agreement. ‘Hear, hear.’

  Astin raised his cup. ‘To Commander Thornton.’

  Everyone raised their cups in a toast, and then conversation resumed. Roul finished his drink, accepting everyone’s congratulations before announcing his departure.

  ‘I’ll walk you out,’ Eda said, rising.

  Thomas exhaled loudly. ‘I am certain the commander is capable of fetching his own horse.’

  ‘We’ll both walk him out,’ Leigh said, stepping up beside Eda. ‘It’ll give us a chance to talk.’

  ‘Very well,’ Thomas said with a curt nod.

  Roul eyed Leigh, suddenly irritated by the well-mannered man. His eyes met Blake’s as he stepped back from the table. She appeared amused, like she could read his thoughts.

  ‘Goodnight,’ he said before leaving the room.

  The three of them exited the house via the back door through the kitchen. Roul held the door open for Eda, tempted to let it close in Leigh’s face. The bootmaker stepped past him and jogged to catch up to Eda. Roul followed them.

  ‘Your uncle tells me you made the tapestry hanging on the wall,’ Leigh said to Eda as they headed towards the stables.

  Eda watched her feet, not one for small talk. ‘Well, sort of. My mother ended up finishing the piece because I lost patience with it.’

  Leigh glanced sideways at her. ‘Oh.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Your uncle mentioned that you kept yourself busy with various leisure pursuits.’

  ‘Archery, sparring, knife throwing…’ Eda said, listing some of them.

  She was so unashamedly herself, something Roul admired about her.

  ‘It seems you enjoy weapons’ was Leigh’s reply.

  ‘Mm.’ She slowed to walk beside Roul when they reached the stables. ‘Can I ask you something?’

  ‘So long as it’s not about Prince Becket.’ Yes, he knew her that well.

  ‘What will happen if he simply never returns?’ She was undeterred by his warning.

  Roul continued to the stall where his horse was housed. ‘The people of Chadora are content with Queen Fayre as regent, as long as the meat continues to show up in the borough.’

  Eda held the stall door open while Leigh stood awkwardly back from them. ‘I’m asking about everyone outside of Chadora. Will King Edward come for our meat?’

  That mind of hers just never stopped. ‘You know, you don’t have to carry the weight of this kingdom on your shoulders.’ He led his horse out into the mounting yard. Leigh trailed behind them. As Roul gathered the reins, Eda’s hand landed on his arm.

  ‘I could do it,’ she said. ‘No one would feel threatened if I showed up at Harlech Castle.’

  Roul turned to her. ‘Stop.’

  ‘Stop what?’ Leigh asked, looking between them with a confused expression.

  Eda’s eyes never left Roul. ‘I’m capable. Entirely self-sufficient. I could make it there safely and convince the prince to return with me.’

  Roul shook his head. ‘I said stop.’

  ‘I’ll make him listen.’

  Roul mounted. ‘Go inside.’

  She took hold of the reins, preventing the horse from moving. ‘Can you at least hear me out?’

  ‘No.’ He reached down and took her hand off the reins, eyes meeting hers. ‘The prince doesn’t know you, nor does he have any reason to trust you. The entire idea is ludicrous, and I’m not indulging you any longer.’

  She raised her chin and stepped back. ‘Well, maybe Queen Fayre will indulge me.’