< previous page page_182 next page >

Page 182
"So, that is done," Geoffrey said, "and we are agreed, but there remains a problem. All of us are direct vassals of the king and therefore must have his permission to marry or give in marriage."
A blank silence followed this statement. Richard sighed heavily. "I have no desire that my troubles flow over onto Walter," he said. "For my part, I gladly free him from all obligations, and I sincerely pray that he will not hesitate to make contract on my account."
"I will make no contract on those terms," Walter snapped.
"Gently, gently," Geoffrey soothed, "the question does not yet arise. You did not give me time to finish. All I meant to say was that the terms I now stand on with my cousin Henry are so bad that I do not wish to approach him with this proposal. In fact," he smiled wryly. "I do not wish to approach him at all. Thus, while we may consider ourselves sworn, I think it would be unwise to write a formal contract or to give official confirmation of our arrangement."
It was smoothly said and sounded sincere, but Walter felt uncomfortable. He wondered whether, if he had not been so quick to speak and had been less vehement, Geoffrey would have said the same words. Then, once again he told himself that his participation on either side of the quarrel could not be significant. Still, he resolved to watch what he said and did lest he find himself, all unaware, abandoning Richard. These rather unpleasant ideas were scattered by Lady Joanna's laugh.
"I fear it is too late," she pointed out. "Sybelle has already told half the men in Builth."
"That may be so," Geoffrey agreed, "but aside from our own party, my love, I do not think any of the guests here are likely to have direct contact with King Henry." As he spoke he looked at Prince Llewelyn, who, except for speaking his part as witness, had been uncharacteristically silent.
"I do not think so, either," Llewelyn said blandly, "but even if it should be so, there would be no mention of a contract being made. If the king should hear anything at all, it would be merely a vague rumor."
Since all knew it would be useless to press Llewelyn further, no more was said on that subject and the formal conference broke up. Richard rose, and Walter did also. Because of the vague suspicions that had been aroused in him, he felt a need to associate himself as strongly as possible

 
< previous page page_182 next page >