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“I missed waking in your arms,” she said with a small smile, completely taking him by surprise.

He blinked. How the hells was he to respond to that? His mind whirled, but she was already finger combing her hair and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She had slipped on his green robe and was halfway to the door before he pulled himself out of his thoughts. “Where are you going?” he asked.

She stopped. “To call for Trudy.” She tipped her head and pointed to her hair. “I went to sleep on it damp and will need some help taming it this morning.”

It did look rather fluffy, but Oswald was damned if he could see why their alone-time should be interrupted. Something of this must have shown on his face, for she hesitated.

“See to it after I’ve left,” he said. “You will join me for breakfast, I hope.”

A look of surprise passed over her face, but she acquiesced readily enough and accompanied him into the adjoining room.

A messenger arrived as soon as the food was served, with a coded message from Bryce that meant one of Oswald’s informants had arrived with urgent news.

Oswald tutted, “This is unfortunate,” he said and stood up from the table.

Fen who had been leaning on her elbows looking at him, straightened up. “Duty calls?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said shortly and reached into his pocket. “I have something here for you to read,” he hesitated, still holding it between his fingers.

“What is it?” asked Fen in surprise. She held out a hand, but he did not immediately pass it to her.

“I would appreciate it, if you would read it, digest it and then decide what you want to do with it, without discussion with me.”

Fen’s look of surprise turned to one of consternation. “I don’t quite-”

He placed the folded paper in front of her on the table. “It is an account of how Sir Ambrose Thane and Lady Colleen Thane nee Edland, became acquainted,” he said quietly. “Read it through at your leisure,”

She breathed in sharply. “Oh,” she stared down it a moment.

“I’ll leave you to peruse its contents,” he said, not quite meeting her eye. Then he made his way out of their rooms and through the palace to his office.

For some reason he felt uneasy, and not about the possibly disquieting news from one of his best spies. But about his wife. He somehow didn’t like leaving her like that. They had not actually quarreled the previous night, he reminded himself as he strode along the vaulted corridors. But still, things felt off-balance. And he was not sure if he had timed giving that blasted account to her of Thane’s treachery very well at all. But when would be the right time?

Bryce was hovering outside his study looking worried.

“It’s McNee, my lord,” he said in a quiet voice. “He’s ridden the last three days solid to reach you with this news.”

Oswald gave him a hard look. “Very well Bryce,” he said, his hand on the door. “Would you-”

“I’ve already sent for food and drink,” his assistant added.

Oswald looked back at him. “On second thought, Bryce, you can join us,” he said.

His assistant looked startled but gratified as he hurried after him. McNee was a man of middle-age with dark hair and the beginnings of a beard. He looked exhausted but on Oswald’s entrance, started to rise from his chair.

“Stay where you are, man. You look fit to drop. Now, tell us what has been happening so that I can update the King.”

**

Half an hour later, Oswald breezed through the outer chamber and into the King’s state bedroom. Wymer was sat in a claw-footed chair before the fireplace, while a manservant held up several different pairs of blue stockings for his perusal.

“I’ll wear none of these,” said the King testily. “Those royal blue ones itch like the very devil!” He looked around at Oswald’s approach. “That you Vawdrey? Good of you to spare me some time,” he added sarcastically. “I’ve not seen hide nor hair of you in days!”

“Your highness, it is vital I have some private speech with you,” said Oswald without preamble.

“Oh aye?” said Wymer looking alarmed. “Not strangled her, have you?” When Oswald looked at him blankly, he added, “That wife of yours.”

“No sire,” said Oswald firmly. “Though you put me in mind of another matter I need to speak to you about afterward.”