Free A Tapestry of Dreams by Roberta Gellis Page A

conclusion because Sir Walter had discussed with him his concern that David might try to use the disputed succession as an opportunity to annex Northumbria and Cumbria. Hugh wished passionately that Sir Walter had not espoused his harebrained idea with such enthusiasm, but he dared not now say he was mistaken. Others in the circle, who had been listening, now joined the argument, and all seemed to oppose an expedition to the north. The only advantages were that in their eagerness to speak they pressed in front of Hugh and their vociferous remarks occupied the king’s attention until all were summoned to dinner.
    Since he sat at one of the lowest tables, Hugh contrived to escape without further notice. He spent an uneasy afternoon, unable to divert himself at the market, which he had previously wished to visit, and a restless night. Although he did not want Stephen’s attention, he was worried all the next day because he had not been summoned to the king again; worse yet, Sir Walter seemed to be avoiding him.
    Not that Hugh lacked companionship. John de Bussey insisted on Hugh’s company to celebrate his appointment as castellan of Wark. Hugh was truly glad for John’s sake; Sir Walter had offered the place to Hugh himself first, and he had refused it and recommended it be given to John. To spare John’s feelings at being second best, Hugh knew, Sir Walter would not have mentioned his refusal, although he would certainly have told John that Hugh had suggested his name. Thus Hugh could not refuse to join the merrymaking lest he be thought sullen at losing to a rival a prize he desired, but he was worried sick about the position in which he had placed his master.
    Relief of one kind came the next morning. John was on the watch for Hugh when he came out of Saint Frideswide after hearing a second Mass—at the moment, Hugh felt he needed all the help he could get, and Frideswide was a notoriously gentle and sympathetic saint. The summons from Stephen had come. But Hugh’s heart sank right down into his shoes, making him feel hollow and empty inside because John brought no advice to him from Sir Walter on how to act or what to say. John had been sent to fetch Hugh to the king’s page because the boy did not know him—and that was all.
    He was halfway through the great hall before he realized what a fool he was. Sir Walter had never failed to support any loyal man who made an honest mistake; had he guessed wrong, Hugh was certain, Sir Walter would have been walking beside him into the king’s presence. On the other hand, if praise were due his man, Sir Walter would absent himself so that the honor need not be shared with him. Stephen’s smile as Hugh crossed the smaller chamber in which the king did business was the final proof that confirmation of the invasion of the Scots had come.
    “Sir Walter was not mistaken in his trust of you,” Stephen said. “You judged aright. My uncle has taken all the royal castles north of the Tyne.” He gestured to a broad-shouldered, dark-haired man in mud-splashed clothes who stood to the left of his chair. “This is Bruno, who came late last night with a message from Sir Oliver Fermain of Jernaeve to say that Summerville had ordered him in King David’s name to yield his keep, and when he refused, threatened to bring an army to assault that place.”
    Hugh nodded at Bruno and bowed to the king. “I am sorry to be right,” he said. “I would I had been wrong and that there would be peace between England and Scotland.”
    “We may still have peace,” Stephen said. “I am not lacking in the ability to judge a man any more than Sir Walter. I was so sure you had not mistaken the case, I ordered my army to gather near Leicester soon after you brought the news. Tomorrow I will join them, and we will march for the north. David may have taken the royal keeps, but Sir Walter has assured me that his vassals and the men of Durham and Northumbria will rise to support me.”
    “That is