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“Terric Kennaugh of Bradon Moor, chief of Clan Kennaugh—”

“And lord of Dromsley here in England.”

Lance was not surprised the earl knew of him. Terric’s father had acquired Dromsley as a part of his English mother’s dowry. It was his by rights, but a counterclaim had been issued by none other than King John’s half-brother, the Earl of Salisbury.

“I have no doubt as to why Kennaugh would join a rebellion against the king.”

Lance winced. To hear it said aloud by someone outside of the order . . .

“You said there were four?”

He hesitated on the last name, not knowing how the earl would react to learning the son of his old enemy was involved in the enterprise. “The Earl of Licheford.”

To his surprise, Stanton did not flinch.

“I’m told the son is more even-tempered than his father?”

“Indeed,” he said truthfully. Conrad’s father had possessed a legendary temper—one that had caused more conflicts than his fissure with this man.

“What does this order hope to achieve, precisely?”

A fair question.

“To restrain the king’s power and force him to negotiate with his barons.”

Stanton laughed at that.

“You are a fool to think such a thing is possible.”

Inwardly, Lance crumbled under the earl’s words. Outwardly, he lifted his chin and pressed on. “We are fools to allow him to continue on his current course unchecked. With the recent loss in France, there’s never been a time of more discontent, even among some of the Southern barons. And John knows it. Why do you think he has secured French mercenaries who are even now on their way to England?”

“A bold move, I will admit.”

So he would not join them.

Lance began to think ahead. Their path would not be an easy one without Stanton. But they would forge on regardless.

“You have my support.”

No four words could have surprised him more.

“You called us fools just a moment ago.”

“And you are. I among you. Such a mission is likely doomed, and could very well cost us everything.”

Idalia. Her mother, so recently healed. And her sisters . . .

Lance cared little for his own life, but the thought of putting them in danger? Of course, he’d known all along what Stanton’s support might meant for Idalia.

But a part of him hadn’t believed Stanton would actually join them.

“You are surprised.”

“In truth, I am. Your family . . .”

“Will be safe enough if the tide turns. Stanton’s estates are vast and include property north of the border.”

“You would relinquish Stanton?”