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

many of the English barons were appalled by his marriage to the king’s sister. They feel they should have been asked if they approved or not, especially since it required her to break the vow of chastity she took when her husband died.”
    “She took a vow of chastity?” Laelia cried in disbelief. “Whatever for?”
    “Out of respect for her late husband, of course,” Lord Throckton answered. “That should have kept her well out of her brother’s political machinations, too. I was shocked she agreed.”
    For a man who lived this far from London and never traveled to the king’s court, Lord Throckton was very well informed. Still, that wasn’t so very unusual. Blaidd’s own father rarely ventured from home, but he listened closely whenever Blaidd or his brother returned from court and spoke of what was transpiring there. Hu Morgan’s friends kept him informed, too. Who was to say Lord Throckton didn’t have friends who did the same?
    “You haven’t met Simon de Montfort,” Blaidd explained. “He’s a very charming man of great abilities. Despite his birth, I think we can expect great things of him in the future. He believes in a permanent council, something he calls a parliament, to advise the king and administer the government. Many of the barons and knights like the idea.”
    Lord Throckton frowned. “De Montfort had better keep quiet about that, or brother-in-law or not, he risks upsetting Henry, who’s got that Plantagenet temper—or so I’ve heard.”
    Blaidd couldn’t disagree. “He does, but hopefully he’ll listen to Simon and appreciate his wisdom.”
    “If he were really wise, he wouldn’t give so many honors and estates to his wife’s relatives,” Lord Throckton said. He eyed Blaidd shrewdly. “How is it you, a Welshman, don’t hate the man? His treatment of the Welsh has hardly been generous.”
    “No, it hasn’t been, and I’m well aware of their just grievances. I’ve no liking for wars and battles, though, where so many can be killed for so little gain. I prefer diplomacy, so I try to represent the Welsh at court and speak for them whenever I can. Also, Henry is my lawful king, and I swore an oath of loyalty to him when I received my knighthood. I’m duty bound to honor it.”
    “An aversion to violence? That’s an odd sentiment coming from a knight,” Lady Rebecca declared.
    Blaidd hadn’t realized she and Trev had drawn so close.
    He pulled Aderyn Du to a halt, letting Lady Laelia and her father ride ahead. When Lady Rebecca and Trev were beside him, he nudged Aderyn Du into a walk again. “Just because I’m trained to fight doesn’t mean I’m anxious to do so. I’ve seen bloody death, my lady, and I would spare all whom I care about from it, including the peasants who farm my family’s lands.”
    “What if talk avails nothing? Then men must fight.”
    “If all else fails, then yes, I agree it must be war. Yet I fear too many noblemen go to war for nothing more than personal power and greed, and don’t care who dies for their ambition.”
    “A fine sentiment,” Lord Throckton said with approval as he looked back over his shoulder. “I only wish the king shared it.”
    “I believe Henry is anxious to avoid war, my lord,” Blaidd said. “He’s a peaceable man by nature,and perhaps overly generous. But he’s young and newly married. Hopefully, with age will come greater wisdom, and less of a desire to please his wife.”
    “Yes, he’s young and liable to err. I suppose we all must have patience and give the man a chance,” Lord Throckton said as he faced forward again. “After all, it’s only natural to want to please your bride, even if she’s French. Perhaps especially if she’s French, eh?” he finished with a deep chortle.
    They reached a fork in the road, where a path veered off to the west, through deeper woods and underbrush.
    “I’ve had enough talk of politics and the king and war,” Lady Rebecca announced. “Farewell.”
    Without any