Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Henry Thornton, Lord Ravenskirk, stomped up the steps and into his hall. He’d run through every knight and able-bodied man in the castle and still his anger burned bright.

“Whilst ofttimes pacing, stomping about, and throwing things is helpful, in this situation I don’t think it’s doing any good. I know I don’t feel better.”

“Are you trying to sound like me? Did you not tell me it isn’t very nice to mock?” He scowled at his wife. Why did Charlotte have to point out what he already knew?

“My accent is getting better, don’t you think? I’m still working on the fearsome scowl.” She finished arranging the new chairs in his solar.

He rolled his eyes as he’d learned from his wife. Whilst Henry found it annoying when Charlotte did it, he couldn’t wait to use the look on his brothers, especially proper Edward.

“The king refused Edward an audience. Lord Denby has his ear and is set to make trouble for all the Thorntons. I still cannot believe James kept the knowledge from me.” Henry snorted. “ Robert is the only one who does not yet know John is alive. He is recently returned from his traveling about, and we did not dare trust the news to a message. They are too frequently intercepted. Christian will make the journey to inform him in person. I wish I could be there to see his face. He will likely drink for the next fortnight.”

Charlotte took his hand, pulling him out of doors, into the sunshine. She didn’t stop until they reached her favorite spot in the gardens. When she pulled him down on the bench, she turned to face him with her serious look.

“You know why James did not tell you about John. He gave his word.” She sighed. “I wish Robert would find a wife to settle him down. He seems perfectly content to drink and wench for the rest of his life.” She leaned back, tilting her face up to the sunshine.

Henry was struck again by how lucky he was to have found her. He would never admit it, but he believed the fates had sent her from the future just for him. And every day he gave thanks she was by his side.

“Robert will one day find his match. Too bad there aren’t any more of you. I think a future girl would be the one to make him change his idle ways.”

She laughed. “I’d like to see the look on his face when he meets a girl that doesn’t swoon over the infamous Thornton looks and charm.”

“But I am the handsomest of them all.”

“Of course you are, husband.” Her look turned grave. “You would have made the same choice as John. I’m sure he believed it was the best way to keep all of you safe. From what you told me, all that your family lost…can you not understand why he would make the choice he did?”

He made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat. “Aye. But I have missed him. I would have done all in my power to procure his pardon. ”

She kissed him on the cheek. “I’m sure he knew. It was probably part of the reason he chose to live the life he has. Think how much he missed all of you. Knowing all of you were alive and well and he couldn’t see you. When you see him, you can ask him why yourself.”

To see his brother John after so long…the thought made Henry weak in the knees. The old king was dead. It was past time for John to come home. Rejoin the world of the living. Charlotte’s sisters, Lucy and Melinda, were married to two of the most powerful men in England. Well, beside the Thorntons. Between the six of them, surely they could come up with a way to aid John?

They had to. For if they did not, his brother would die a traitor’s death.

For the first time in his score and eight years, Henry was grateful for the war with Scotland. For war meant the king would be in need of men and gold, both of which the Thorntons had plenty to spare.

“If the king refuses to pardon John, I will ally with Scotland.”

Charlotte turned him in surprise. “Would you truly?”

He shook his head. “Nay. But it does make me feel better to say so.”

She held him tight. “I have never seen such devious minds as you and your brothers and my sister’s husbands. Not to mention my sisters and I. Between all of us, we will come up with a plan to save John.”

Henry hoped so. For he could not bear to lose his brother again. Not after finding out he was alive. A smile spread across his face.

“I cannot believe John is the infamous bandit of the wood. The tale of him stretches from one end of England to the other.”

“I’m sure he will have many stories to tell.” She started to laugh. “The story Melinda told us, about carrying James out of the wood.” She was laughing so hard her eyes leaked. “I would’ve loved to see the look on James’ face when Melinda picked him up. ”

And with the image in his head, Henry’s foul mood blew away on the wind. Charlotte always knew how to make him laugh.

The betrayal from Lord Denby would be paid in full. Letitia had caused enough problems when she was alive, and now it seemed she was still causing problems through her husband from the grave. It was time to put an end to the swine.