Royal Feud

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

"We have no evidence that my father is behind the attacks against Delvin. We need to have proof before we can arrest him and bring him to King Henry for justice."

"Aye," Belwick agreed, his eyes narrowing on Hermione's face.

"Morefy's plan must be to kill Delvin and then take over Ishton." "Aye, that is what Delvin and I have surmised."

"If we say Delvin is dead and hold a funeral for him, my father would be bound to hear about it. He would come to Ishton and try to take over the castle. I could confront him and get him to admit he ordered the attack on Delvin. With you and Lord

Wyham as witnesses, we would be able to arrest him." "Hmm. "Twould be risky for you, milady. You would be in danger, confronting

Morefy by yourself."

"Nay." Hermione said. "I would be here in this chamber, supposedly prostrate with grief. You, Delvin, and Lord Wyham could listen in on the conversation from Lucy's room next door. With the door open and the tapestry down, you will not be seen, but you will be able to hear everything that is said in this chamber and be able to protect me if my father tries to harm me, I could also have a weapon-say a knife-to defend myself against him, if necessary. Sir Hugh, I have been doing a lot of praying this morning. I truly feel as that this idea is God's will."

Belwick nodded, stroking his beard. "Your plan has merit, milady. It goes against my grain to just sit back and let Morefy attack Delvin at will. Twould be good to flush him out, like the beast he is."

"Aye," Hermione agreed. "We cannot put my plan into action until Lord and Lady

Wyham arrive. It would be cruel to let Lady Lucy think that Delvin has died."

"Aye. They should arrive in the next few days."

"Good. Delvin will also need to recover and regain his strength before we confront Morefy."

Belwiek nodded.

"So we should wait until Lord and Lady Wyham arrive. Then we will announc that Delvin has died. We will make sure the entire Mersted Valley knows about his death, so we will hold a funeral for him to make it look convincing. You and Elizabeth will tell everyone that I am prostrate with grief and that I will not leave this bedchamber. That will cover up the fact that Delvin is really alive and will allow food to be brought here." Hermione." Elizabeth spoke for the first time

very plan, her husband upstairs. "We will need to maintain our current routine. Although Alatic may be out of danger, he will still need a lot of nursing." "Aye, Elizabeth," Hermione responded. "You are correct. And we must make sure that since bringing

"Tis a

clever

no one besides you two, Renwold, Father Thomas, Lucy, and Lord Wyham know

the truth."

The next two days passed quietly. Hermione found she had the easiest job, since she never left the bedchamber and devoted all her energies to Delvin's continued recovery. Her co conspirators, on the other hand, had to contain their relief at Delvin's steadily improving health and instead had to act solemn and downcast around the other inhabitants of the castle. Delvin, who slept a tremendous amount, as he had when he recovered from his previous wounds, had not yet been informed of her plan.

Late in the afternoon, Elizabeth came into the chamber to inform Hermione thar Lucy and Wyham were approaching the castle with a contingent of the king's troops. They were shown into Delvin's bedchamber as soon as they arrived. Hermione rushed to greet Lucy, embracing her.

"Mother, Delvin is better," Hermione said. "He will recover." "Thanks be to God," Lucy breathed. She pulled out of Hermione's arms and went

feared he was on his deathbed." "He is," Hermione stated.

probed and quizzed her, trying to find flaws in her strategy, but she was able to respond

to every objection he threw at her.

to Delvin, laying her hand on his cheek as he slept. "The way everyone was acting, I She explained her plan to Lucy and Wyham. Playing devil's advocate, Wyham

"Hermione, I do believe your plan will succeed," Wyham finally concluded. "Aye, I hope so," Hermione replied. "My only concern is allowing enough time for Delvin to recover fully before we force the confrontation with my father."

"I do not think we should delay any longer." Wyham said. "It will take a few days for the news of Delvin's death to reach Morefy and for him to marshal his forces to take over the castle. "Tis best to ann Delvin's death right away."

We can say tomorrow that he died during the night," Hermione suggested. "Aye Wyham agreed. "I will go now and confer with Sir Hugh. I want to know what plants he has made for Morefy's arrival,

Tell me what happened to Delvin," Lucy implored Hermione when

Sir Hugh's message was not very detailed." Wyham left. Hermione related to Lucy how Delvin had been ambushed, the nature and extent of his wounds, and his recuperation. They sat by the bed talking quietly, Lucy's eyes rarely leaving Delvin's face. Wyham returned before supper to tell the women that Belwick agreed they should put Hermione's plan into action immediately.

That night. Lucy and Hermione remained closeted with Delvin in the bedchamber. as if they held a vigil over his dying body. Father Thomas was summoned in the early morning hours, purportedly to administer last rites, and was informed of the plan to entrap Morefy. After a few half-hearted objections over the deception of performing a sham funeral, which Wyham neatly deflected, the priest agreed to participate. Ironically, on the day he would publicly be pronounced dead, Delvin stirred and returned briefly to consciousness long enough to greet his mother and to consume some broth.

""Tis heartrending," Elizabeth reported after dinner. "Everyone in the castle is overcome with grief. Tis very difficult for me to watch the anguish of the people without telling them Delvin is alive."

"Elizabeth," Hermione said, "I know this is very hard on everyone, imperative that no one but the eight of us know the truth." Hermione remained secluded with Delvin as the castle community grappled with the

but it is absolutely

news of his demise. On the day of his funeral, Hermione left him in Elizabeth's care as she sat next to Lucy during mass. Hermione wore a heavy veil covering her face, leaning heavily on Wyham's supporting arm and speaking to no one. She watched in silence as an empty coffin was lowered into the ground. After Delvin's burial, Hermione returned to their bedchamber as Elizabeth spread the news that she was overwhelmed with grief.

Hermione and Lucy shared nursing duties. Belwick and Wyham were the only visitors allowed. Everyone took care not to inform Delvin about the plan, waiting until he had completely regained his strength.

Delvin opened his eyes, the pain swamping him again, the waves pulsing through his body. Even the simple act of sitting up seemed beyond his present capabilities. Hermione and Lucy had both counseled him that his recovery would take time. It was easy for them to tell him to be patient-they were not the one lying here weak and broken.

He hated this weakness, hated being powerless, hated being dependent. Hated this fear. What if he died? What if he did not regain his strength? What if he were crippled?

Suffering was new to him. Of course, he had been wounded before, but nothing like this. Pain consumed him until he ceased to function, ceased to exist. How he hated his helplessness. "Delvin, awake." Hermione sit next to him on the mattress. Would

you are

came to

you like some porridge?" "Nay." Even turning his head to look at her hurt.

"Delvin, you must eat to regain your strength."

"I am not a babe. Do not tell me when to eat." help. "Get Stephan."

"As you wish."

Confound it. He could not even piss without "What do you need? I will help you."

"I do not want you. Get Stephan." He closed his eyes.

"I will call Renwold." "I told you to get Stephan."

"I will be right back, Delvin."

Finally, she was doing what he asked. Bile seized through his chest. He was not a

child.

Then the door opened. Renwold was trailing Hermione. Rage burned within him. Could she not follow a simple direction?

"Hermione! I told you to get Stephan." "Stephan is not available, Delvin. Renwold will help you."

"Get out! Out, Hermione, out!"

She turned away and rushed toward the door. When Renwold, who had remained close to the exit, moved to follow her out, the flame within him exploded again. "Renwold, get over here. Now!"

"Mother."

His voice caused Lucy to break off her prayer. She opened her eyes and looked at her son. His eyes were still clouded, and the pinched lines around his mouth and between his eyebrows bore testimony to his continued suffering.

"How are you feeling, Delvin?"

"How do you think I feel? I am in pain, and I cannot move without causing myself more pain."