EIGHT
The Council of Nobles
Summer 964 MC
Lord Alexander Stanton, Earl of Tewsbury, looked across the table at his companion, Lord Horace Spencer, the Earl of Eastwood.
"What do you suppose this is all about?" Stanton asked.
"I haven't the foggiest," said Spencer, "and on such short notice, too. I suspect it must be something big."
"Like what? War, perhaps?"
"If it is, there's been no hint of it."
The door opened, and Baron Richard Fitzwilliam entered.
"Fitz," said Spencer, "have you any news? What's this all about?"
"The queen has called this meeting," said the baron. "It is for her to reveal the reason."
"Are you trying to tell us you know nothing?" pressed Stanton.
The baron smiled, "I said no such thing, but it is not my place to speak of it. Where are the others?"
"They'r
