|
|
|
|
|
|
son, Simon, to Rhiannon, daugther of Llewelyn, Prince of Gwynedd." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Alinor slammed the letter down on the small table beside her so violently that the goblet of wine on it jumped several inches. Ian's lips twitched. Alinor's temper, although somewhat mellowed by sixty years of life, was still volatile. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Then the old man is losing his grip on his wits," she snapped. "One does not make a wedding in the middle of a war when the families of the bride and groom are on opposite sides." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Llewelyn is no older than I," Ian reminded her, laughing, "and I wish my wits were ever as sharp as his are now." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Immediately, Alinor's expression softened, and she rose to embrace her husband affectionately. "There is nothing wrong with your wits," she murmured. "It is your heart that is at fault, my love, from being too soft and easily moved." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian returned his wife's embrace and kissed her. "Well, heart to head," he said cheerfully, "there is nothing wrong with Llewelyn. In a way it is not so ill a time for a meeting." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I think you are as mad as he." Alinor laughed. "Have you also forgot that the barons of the southwest are in active rebellion?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian sighed. "I wish I could forget it. No, but just think. That surprise attack of Llewelyn and Pembroke's on Grosmont has left the king with hardly a stitch to clothe his men, an ox to feed them, or a penny to pay them. He is sitting at Gloucester, but what can he do? The vassals have withdrawn, and the mercenaries are grumbling and rebellions. At the moment, Henry is helpless." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perhaps, but he is screaming that he will have his revenge. Could it be," Alinor asked thoughtfully, "that Llewelyn believes he can embroil us in the rebel cause?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"He knows me too well for that." Ian smiled. "Of course, Llewelyn would not object if my going to Wales for my son's wedding increased the king's anxiety. But it is safe for us, Alinor. Henry gave us permission for the marriage. And even more important, I think even the Bishop of Winchester is growing frightened now. Certainly, he will not move against us. Most likely he will simply look the other way and say nothing, to avoid alienating us further." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Then why did Llewelyn decide to have the wedding now? Is it pure mischief?" |
|
|
|
|
|