Free Margaret Moore - [Warrior 14] by In The Kings Service Page A

laughter sounded, and this time, in addition to Lady Rebecca’s mirth, he recognized Trev’s boisterous, youthful crow of delight. Blaidd twisted to look over his shoulder, and sure enough, Trev had joined the lady, and the men walking on foot beside her mount.
    “You must forgive my younger daughter,” Lord Throckton said, his lips a little thinned and his gray brows lowered in what was almost a scowl. “Becca spends too much time with the peasants. Always has. I can’t break her of that any more than riding away from her escort.”
    Blaidd noticed that Laelia didn’t look pleased by her sister’s actions, either. “It’s a rare lady who feels so at ease with her servants and tenants,” he said, without indicating whether he approved or not.
    In truth, though, he was reminded of some of the stories his father used to tell about his mother. She’d been delicately reared and had had, when they first married, a very firm and limited notion of what a lady did and what her relationship with those considered beneath her ought to be. Blaidd had always found that hard to believe, for the woman he knew cared for their tenants as if they were her family. He couldn’t imagine living in a castle where the nobles treated their servants like slaves.
    “Tell me, is it true the queen is with child at last?” Lord Throckton asked.
    Blaidd tried not to look surprised at the unexpected question. Perhaps Lord Throckton was desperate to take attention from his seemingly impossible younger daughter. “Yes, she is.”
    The older man grinned. “From what I have heard of Henry’s affection for the girl, I’m surprised she hasn’t borne him an heir already. It’s been what, nearly two years since he married her?”
    Blaidd shrugged. “Who can say why such things happen, even in the happiest of marriages? And she was little more than a child when they wed.”
    “Too young,” Lord Throckton murmured, glancing at Laelia, who didn’t seem to hear.
    “Already there have been several Masses of thanksgiving, and prayers for a son,” Blaidd noted.
    “Naturally,” Throckton acknowledged with a nod. “Every man wants an heir.”
    Blaidd heard an undercurrent of bitterness and didn’t begrudge the man. All noblemen hoped for a son to inherit their name and title and lands. So did Blaidd, although he wanted daughters, too. His father always said that with sons came grave responsibilities, while daughters gave a man joy.
    “Or if God does not see fit to send a son, a man longs for a fine son-in-law to give him grandsons, if He wills,” Lord Throckton continued.
    Blaidd smiled at his host. “My mother can hardly wait for grandchildren.” He looked woeful. “I’m afraid I’ve been a disappointment to her there.”
    “Surely that will soon be mended, once you takea wife. I’m sure any woman you wed will be more than willing to do her duty in your bed.”
    “Father!” Laelia cried, scandalized and blushing. “What a thing to say!”
    “Take no offense, my lady, for I don’t,” Blaidd said, grinning. “My father also says it’s a parent’s duty to embarrass his children, to pay them back for all those sleepless nights when they were infants.”
    Lord Throckton roared with approving laughter, and the lady managed a little smile.
    “Simon de Montfort continues to be a great favorite at court, especially among the ladies,” Blaidd said in an offhand way, turning the conversation back to the king and his court. He should make the most of this opportunity while he had it, and he most certainly didn’t want to discuss his failings as a son and heir.
    “Who is that?” Laelia asked, her smooth brow wrinkling with puzzlement. “He’s sounds French.”
    Blaidd nodded. “He was born there, but he’s renounced his claim to his French land and titles in favor of his English ones. The king recently recognized him as the earl of Leicester.”
    “So he’s not one of the queen’s relations?” Lady Laelia asked.
    “No. But