The Lion of the North Read Free Page B

Atticus calm in the face of what was to come. If he didn’t, there was no telling what de Wolfe would do. Warenne dreaded that specific thought.
    “He is resting,” Warenne said softly, putting his hands on Atticus’ broad chest to prevent the man from moving forward for the moment. “I must speak with you before you talk to him, Atticus. You must listen to me. Will you do this?”
    Atticus was looking around the tent, spying his brother’s legs about ten feet away from him. Titus was lying down and there were men around him, enough so that Atticus couldn’t see his brother from the knees up. Seeing his brother in a prone position did nothing to ease his anxiety and he looked at Warenne imploringly.
    “What happened to him?” Atticus asked. Begged. “I was told he was injured.”
    Warenne sighed heavily; a younger man bearing the great de Winter name, he was muscular and handsome with dark hair and dark eyes. He was a respected commander and ally of Northumberland, and a close friend of the de Wolfe brothers. He knew how hard Titus’ mortal injury would be on Atticus and with that in mind, thought carefully on his reply.
    “You will listen to me carefully, Atticus,” he said quietly. “I will tell you what I know but you must vow to remain calm. Your fury will not help your brother. Is that clear?”
    Atticus’ eyes narrowed, briefly, as if struggling to process what the earl was telling him. “Fury?” he repeated, bewildered. “What in the hell happened?”
    “Your vow, Atticus. You will remain calm.”
    Now he was frustrated. Atticus nodded impatiently. “You have it,” he said. “What happened to my brother? Tell me now.”
    Warenne drew in a deep, pensive breath. “Titus tells me that he was summoned by de la Londe and de Troiu,” he said, keeping his voice low. “This was just after sunrise. He was approached by these two Northumberland knights, men you have fought with time and time again. He did not think anything strange of it. Atticus, did you see your brother at all today?”
    Atticus thought a moment. “I did not,” he confessed. “But I saw him before sunrise and he said nothing about de la Londe and de Troiu. I did, however, see those knights after sunrise in the heat of battle. De la Londe looked to have a serious wound to his face. Why? What do they have to do with this?”
    Warenne’s jaw ticked faintly, so very sorry for what he was about to say. “They are traitors,” he said simply. “Although they are Northumberland knights, and men well paid with a history of service to Northumberland, they have evidently been in negotiations with John de Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. De Mowbray promised them money and lands if they would swear fealty to him and help turn the tides of this battle. Evidently, de Mowbray asked them to recruit men from Northumberland’s stable of knights. They did not approach you with this offer, then?”
    Atticus was stunned. He had served with de la Londe and de Troiu for four years. They were good knights and he trusted them, so this news was quite shocking.
    “They did not,” he said, clearly surprised. “Are you sure of this?”
    “I am.”
    Atticus shook his head, baffled. “I would not believe them capable of treason.”
    Warenne rubbed his eyes wearily. “Neither did Titus,” he said. “De la Londe and de Troiu approached your brother with de Mowbray’s proposition. When Titus refused, they tried to kill him to silence him so he could not tell others what they had offered him. That is the story your brother told me. I cannot find de la Londe or de Troiu to confirm this, but there is no reason why your brother would lie. He is mortally wounded, Atticus. He will not survive the night. Sit with him and tell him of your love for him. This will be your last chance to speak with him in this life.”
    Atticus stared at the earl. For several long, painful moments, he simply stared, as if unsure how to react. Disbelief swept his features followed closely