It was a light moment in a circumstance otherwise wrought with anxiety and sorrow, but Vesper wasn’t willing to give in to whatever weak humor was about. She was still deeply concerned for Val and his future. She didn’t want the subject turned away from Val and his situation so she sought to bring it back to that focus.
“May I tell you how dedicated Val is to his duty, my lord?” she asked, pulling away from Val and moving in Henry’s direction. “My father is McCloud d’Avignon. He fought for you in France. He and Val became very good friends.”
Henry cocked his head thoughtfully. “D’Avignon?” he repeated. “I know this man.”
Val nodded as he came up behind Vesper. “McCloud was with me six years ago when we moved into Normandy and Brittany to reclaim your lands there,” he said. “He was also with me two years later when we punished your unfaithful barons in Normandy. He was a good knight.”
“Was?” Henry said. “He has passed?”
It was Vesper who answered. “He is alive, my lord, but he is not the same man,” she said. “Although I do not wish to sully my father’s reputation of the past, the truth is that he has changed. Recently, he met Val again after a few years of separation and plotted to take advantage of him. You see, my father has fallen into poverty over the years and my brother, who was a grown man with the mind of a child, took to murdering people and stealing their food so he and my father could eat. My father should have stopped him but he did not. When my brother was captured in the midst of a crime, it was up to Val to dispense justice since the crimes were committed in his jurisdiction. Although Val and I were becoming fond of each other at the time, Val could not let that sway his good judgment. He did what was required of him and executed my brother for murder. The point, my lord, is that Val is a man with an unbreakable sense of right and wrong. He is too good a man for you to allow a mistake to ruin him. You must help him regain what has been wrongly taken from him – his reputation.”
Henry was listening to Vesper with some sympathy. She was a lovely, well-spoken woman and he saw what Val saw in her. As a man who appreciated a beautiful and accomplished woman, Henry had a rather high opinion of Vesper after hearing her speak.
“He truly executed your brother?” he asked. “A son of an old friend?”
“He did, my lord, but only because it was required of him. I am sure he took no pleasure in it.”
Henry’s gaze moved to Val only to see a rather ambivalent expression on his face. Certainly there was no pleasure there but there may have been a hint of regret. It was then that Henry began to understand the bond between Val and his lady, something that wicked fathers, executions, and rumors could not destroy. That kind of connection was a rare thing.
“Mayhap he did not,” he said. “But any man who would execute his lady’s brother is a man of duty, indeed. And you do not hate him for it?”
“I do not, my lord.”
Henry nodded, his gaze still upon her. “I would believe that, because you are here with him when my order was only for Val to face me. Yet, you and his mother have come as well. This kind of thing is not for women to observe.”
As Val cleared his throat softly, with some embarrassment, Vesper held up the small bejeweled dagger. “I was afraid men, in their anger over Canterbury’s murder, would try to harm him,” she said honestly. “I did not come without a purpose in mind. I came to protect him.”
Henry’s eyebrows lifted. Then, he started to laugh, a great laugh that had half of the hall grinning because of it.
“Even from me?” he asked.
She shrugged hesitantly. “Mayhap, my lord. Are you going to release him?”
Henry threw up his hands. “I am afraid of what you will do if I do not. Of course he is released, my lady. But as you know, that does not solve his problem. No matter what I say, there will be those who believe he murdered Canterbury.”
“Then how will you help him, my lord?” Vesper asked anxiously.
Henry sighed heavily, his smile fading. He stood up from the bench he was seated on and pensively wandered over to the advisors who had followed him into the hall, Tevin included. He looked at Tevin, in fact, as he stroked his chin.
“What say you, du Reims?” he asked. “How can we salvage de Nerra’s reputation?”
Tevin’s gaze moved to Val, who was standing with Vesper, his big hand enclosing hers. He could see the apprehension in their manner although Val was trying very much not to show it. Still, he knew the man was concerned, as he should be. He felt a good deal of pity for them both.
“Val is a great knight, my lord,” he said. “The man shines on the field of battle. I have seen it.”
“Excuse me, my lord, may I speak?” A powerfully built man with a massive beard moved out from the rear of Henry’s advisors, moving to the forefront where Tevin was standing. His gaze was on Val as he came to a halt near Tevin. “Do you remember me, de Nerra?”
Val peered at the man a moment before realization dawned. “Percy,” he said, a faint smile coming to his lips. “Of course I remember you, my lord, although I have not seen you in many years. You did not have the forest growing on your face when last I saw you.”
William de Percy, a cousin to the mighty de Percy family of the north and the military commander for Agnes de Percy, the family’s only heiress, grinned in return. “It has, indeed, been a long time since we last met, but I never forget a man or his reputation. When I heard that you were in league with a scandal, I could hardly believe it. Now I see that my instincts about you were correct.”
Val nodded sincerely. “Thank you, my lord.”
William’s attention lingered on Val for a moment before turning to Henry. “Mayhap, I can help de Nerra,” he said. “It seems to me that the man cannot return to his duties as itinerant justice, as you have discussed, but it is through no fault of his own. That is clear. That being said, England is a vast place, my lord, with many needs. I am here because of your needs in Ireland, my lord. You have a thousand de Percy men in your bailey even now, waiting to join with other men to move out to your properties in Ireland to defend against the Irish king. I have excellent knights in my ranks but a knight of de Nerra’s caliber would be not only desirable but necessary for a successful campaign. Mayhap you should consider that.”
Henry’s expression lit up as if a great idea had suddenly occurred to him. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “Send de Nerra to Ireland! He was invaluable to me in France for so many years and now Ireland needs the same wisdom and strong sword. A brilliant solution!”
Val was listening to the conversation with great interest and perhaps even great reluctance. He’d gone to France before when he had no wife and a multi-year military campaign hadn’t been a concern to him. But now, he had Vesper to think of. He wasn’t sure he wanted to leave her for years on end.
“If you wish for me to go to Ireland, then I will, of course, obey,” he said hesitantly. “But… but I would still have to return to England. Men do not forgive so easily, my lord. I fear I would return to the same suspicion and anger. Moreover, my mother is here… my wife would be here also. I could not leave them, knowing how men now view the de Nerra name.”
Henry and William looked at him, noting Vesper standing next to him, looking the least bit concerned. Certainly, sending Val away would be the best thing for him, but he had a point – what of the women he left behind? They would be left in the aftermath of Val’s scandal. Henry scratched his chin again, thinking on a resolution to that particular issue.
“You could not take the women with you on campaign,” he said. “It would not be safe for them. You know that.”
Val did. “That is true, but it would not be safe to leave them at Selborne without my protection,” he said. “Men know that my seat is Selborne. Zealots intent on avenging Canterbury will be looking for me there and I cannot leave them alone in a fortress that attracts dangers such as that.”
William looked at Vesper in Val’s grasp and then to Margaretha, who was still seated an
d looking rather exhausted, before turning to Henry.
“I believe I have a solution,” he said. When Henry nodded encouragingly, William looked at Val. “As you know, the north of England has need of good men. Threats from the Scots abound and the de Percy family has many holdings that are in need of protection. There is a large castle that guards a strategic pass from Scotland that is in need of a strong hand. Currently, a de Percy cousin mans the castle and, although he is an excellent commander, he is growing older. The time will soon come for him to be replaced. Upon your return from Ireland, you can assume the post as the de Percy family’s most respected military commander and your wife and mother will join you at that time. Meanwhile, if you do not wish to leave the ladies at Selborne Castle, your mother and wife can go to Holystone Castle and live with my two spinster sisters, a myriad of animals, and a full contingent of soldiers until you return. Northumberland is a beautiful place; I am sure they would enjoy it.”
Val knew it was a good offer. It was better than anything he could have ever hoped for. Men were willing to protect him and Vesper and his mother from the vengeance of Canterbury’s faithful and he was deeply grateful. But it still meant going to Ireland, something he didn’t want to do. All things considered, however, it was necessary. He knew that the best thing for him would be to go away and let the fervor of the assassination die down.
In truth, he had no other choice.
“What is this castle you speak of?” he asked William.
“Black Fell Castle,” William replied. “It is a big place and very strategic.”
Henry, seeing Val’s hesitation, knew why. But much as Val knew, he, too, knew that this was an excellent offer.
“Val,” he said frankly. “Ride at the head of the de Percy army into Ireland. I will send more of my men with you and you shall be in command of all royal troops in Ireland. Black Fell Castle is in the Gilderdale Vale, which is very strategic and rich. I shall bestow the title of Baron Gilderdale upon you as well as the property of Black Fell Castle, but you shall serve the House of de Percy as their most trusted advisor. All of this shall be far from Canterbury and the terrible memories, and you may reclaim your reputation and start your life anew. This is an excellent opportunity for you to restore that which you have lost.”
Val was astonished. “It is, indeed, my lord,” he said. “I am more deeply honored than you can ever know. But if I go north, what becomes of Selborne? It is my mother’s ancestral home. It has been in her family since before the time of the Duke of Normandy. Do we simply walk away from it?”
Henry shook his head. “Nay,” he replied. “I will garrison it for the crown. Calum and your other knights can remain there, in command, but I will also put my men there. Should you ever want it back, it is yours.”
That was more than fair. Frankly, this wasn’t what Val had expected when he’d come here today. He’d expected anger and punishment but what he’d received was understanding and rewards. God’s Bones, it was too good to believe. The chance to reclaim his honor and start anew… aye, he’d lost a great deal, but he’d not lost everything. There was still something in the destruction that had been his life and reputation that was worth saving, a hope that was greater than the darkness around it.
Val looked at Vesper. The hope that had been salvaged was something he saw in her eyes, something that couldn’t be killed by rumors or destroyed by men. It was her hope he felt. He felt it to his very bones.
“A moment, my lord,” he said to Henry.
Taking Vesper by the arm, he led her over to where Margaretha was seated. Crouching down so he was at his mother’s eye level, his gaze moved between the two women.
“I do not believe I have any choice in this matter,” he said quietly, “but the offer could not be more welcome. Henry is giving me a great opportunity to restore my honor. Mother, surely you can see that. I realize it means leaving Selborne, but we shall not lose it. It shall still remain your holding. And you heard Henry – he will grant me a title and my own property. As much as I am proud to inherit what you and my father have left me, to earn my own way… it has been a dream of mine.”
Margaretha was gazing into her son’s face, seeing how very much he wanted what Henry had offered. She had not the heart to refute anything about it.
“Then if this suits you, accept it,” she said softly. “Selborne is simply a pile of stones, Valor. Do not worry about leaving it behind. The legacy I have always spoken of is inside of you. You carry it with you by your bloodlines and your deeds. You honored the House of de Nerra and the House of Byington the day you first held a sword and wielded it with honor. Now, Henry is giving you an opportunity at rebirth – leaving the old Valor de Nerra behind and creating a new one. I do not mind you leaving to go to Ireland or even to Northumberland, but I am an old woman. I will remain at Selborne.”
“Nay,” Vesper said, grasping the woman’s hand and holding it tightly. “You must come with me, wherever Val wishes me to go. I will not leave you behind.”
Margaretha smiled at her. “Valor does not need me any longer,” she said. “Don’t you understand? I have done my duty with him. Now it is your turn to help him reclaim his greatness.”
Vesper frowned. “He is already a great man,” she said. “It is your love and support that have made him so. He cannot lose that now. Besides… if I move far away, you will never see your grandchildren.”
That thought gave Margaretha pause. “You have a point,” she finally said. “But you two must be married before he departs for Ireland or there will be no chance of grandchildren.”
Vesper didn’t dare look at Val, knowing that her statement wasn’t exactly true. There was already a chance for grandchildren but that was their little secret. She wasn’t quite sure what to say in response but Val didn’t give her the chance. He leaned forward and kissed his mother on the cheek.
“We are a family,” he said. “I could not stand leaving you behind at Selborne while sending Vesper to the north. She is right; you must go with her. You must help her and she must help you. And when your grandchildren are born… you must be one of the first faces they see. Please, Mother… come with us to embark on this new life. It would not be the same without you.”
Margaretha smiled faintly. “So much like your father,” she whispered, putting a hand on his dark hair. “You are so much like him at times that it is frightening. And I never could deny him his wants, either.”
“Then you will go north?”
“I will go north.”
Val sighed heavily, feeling more relief at her agreement than he cared to admit. He turned to Vesper, seeing that she was looking at him with an expression between apprehension and pride. It was an expression that filled him with strength he never even knew he had. Kissing her hand, he looked deeply into her eyes.
“I will be gone for a long time,” he said softly. “Mayhap even years. I know this is not something you expected, but your support in the matter means everything to me.”
Vesper smiled faintly. His hand was holding hers, still up by his lips, and she leaned forward to kiss his hand as he had kissed hers.
“You are a great man,” she said hoarsely, fighting off tears at the thought of a long separation. “You must be allowed to restore that greatness. Wherever you go, and for however long you are gone, know that I will love you just as I do now until I die. No separation or war can destroy that. When you return to me, it will be as if you have never left.”
Her words gripped his heart, squeezing it, making him feel such longing for her already that it was tearing him apart. But he couldn’t think on that now; he couldn’t destroy their last few hours together with his melancholy. Cupping her face with his free hand, he kissed her on her soft, warm lips.
“And I shall love you and no other, for always,” he murmured. “Have no doubt that I shall return to you, Vesper. I belong to you.”
Vesper was trying very hard not to weep. The tenderness of this moment was shattering her into a million pieces
of longing but she fought it. “As I belong to you.”
Val kissed her once more before standing tall. Still holding Vesper’s hand, he faced Henry and William.
“We are agreeable, my lord,” he said, trying to swallow away the lump in his throat. “I will go to Ireland and my mother and my wife will go to Northumberland. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, my lords, all of you.”
Henry grinned, that gap-toothed smile. “My wars in Ireland are already won,” he announced. Then, he held out both arms as if to embrace the entire hall. “Good lords and good ladies, may I introduce you to Baron Gilderdale, commander of my armies in Ireland. Long may he live and prosper.”
Val simply shook his head at the pomp and circumstance of a sometimes-dramatic king, fighting off a grin when he saw Tevin and William smiling openly at him. Somewhat embarrassed, he scratched his cheek, turning to glance at Calum and Kenan standing several feet away only to see that they were laughing at him in a joyful sort of way. That brought about his own laughter, a release of tension and an expression of delight in the course his future had taken.
Where Val thought there had been no hope, hope anew rose from the ashes. He was stronger than before, a knight bound for the glory that was Ireland, with his mother and wife safe in England, protected by friends and allies who weren’t willing to see him fall from grace. Instead, they had been there to help dust him off and set him on his feet again.
Even in the darkness, there was light.
But there was also a slight problem.
“Wait,” Val said, turning to Henry as the man seemed apt to hunt down food and drink now that business was concluded. “If I am to leave for Ireland, then I would like to marry Vesper before I go.”
Henry flashed that famous grin. “I happen to know of a cathedral nearby,” he said. “I will send word to the Archbishop of Winchester to perform the mass.”
“How soon will I leave for Ireland?”
Henry sobered, just the slightest. “We are waiting for more men from Dorset and they should arrive by the morrow. As soon as they come, the army shall depart.”