< previous page page_55 next page >

Page 55
his loyalty to Pembroke, even for a wife, and we are black enough already in Henry's mind without a son-by-marriage who is an open rebel.''
"Well, he has not yet been proscribed," Ian said, "and I do not think it is now likely unless he cries defiance on his own. I am sure Pembroke is trying to avoid that. From what Simon has written to me, Walter has not been involved in any of the attacks on the king's men or property. I would lay odds that Richard is arranging to keep Walter out of the way. Richard is very much like his father, a good, kind man as well as an honorable one."
"Yes, but we are wandering rather far afield," Geoffrey commented. "The only reason I brought Walter into the conversation is that preparatory to asking for Sybelle, he detailed his property to me, with every lack and fault most clearly underlined."
"That is only honest," Ian said, but he was grinning.
"Yes," Geoffrey retorted sardonically, "only there really is a lack. The property is legally Walter's; he has been invested with it by the king. But he has not the strength to force the castellans to yield to him, and he does not trust them." Geoffrey detailed the situation as he heard it from Walter.
Ian listened, nodding now and again. "I see. Do you think he courted Sybelle so that we would support him?" Ian asked. But before Geoffrey could reply, he had recalled Walter's besotted state and begun to laugh. "No. I take back the question."
"Yet there is good reason to ask it," Geoffrey pointed out. "I will tell you what I think. He is fond of Simon and knew we were strong; therefore, he came to Roselynde to see if what Simon said of us were true and to ask, perhaps, if there were a girl available for him. Then he saw Sybelle."
"Very likely you are right," Ian agreed. "But it does Walter no disservice in my eyes. It is a reasonable way to look for a wife."
"Yes, it is and shows considerable common sense, but we have lost the thread again. Naturally, if Walter makes an offer and Sybelle is willing, I will support Walter's effort to subdue his brother's castellans"
"And so will I," Ian interrupted with enthusiasm, pleasure lighting his eyes at the thought of a small, private war that

 
< previous page page_55 next page >