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all, our glorious king still lives, and long may he rule.” He steepled his fingers and tapped his mouth. “But we have our suspicions.”
    Maud’s lips tightened into a sneer. “Why can we not confiscate their lands?”
    Henry sighed. “To take lands from loyal families that have supported my reign and those of my father and brother before me would cause a revolt. I have no wish to be fighting the likes of the Montbryces in England while I am embroiled in war with France. Families such as theirs with power here and in Normandie must not be alienated. I will need the Norman barons to aid me in my campaign against Louis.”
    Maud’s mouth fell open. “The Earl of Ellesmere opposes my succession?”
    Henry glanced at his Chancellor. “Not the current Earl, his son, Gallien.”
    Maud thrust out her chin. “Then we must pay them a visit, impress them with my suitability.”
    Henry narrowed his eyes. Perhaps Maud was not a lost cause. She might feign disinterest in succeeding him, but she wanted to be Queen. He turned to his Master Marshal. “See to the arrangements. Maud will travel to Ellesmere. Her betrothed will accompany her. Send the directive to Anjou.”
    The Marshal bowed.
    Maud rolled her eyes as she looked towards the grimacing Ermintrude. Henry groaned inwardly. His daughter’s disdain for her betrothed was ill concealed. She deemed Geoffrey far beneath her. It did not bode well.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    A knot of nervous apprehension twisted Gallien’s gut as he waited with his parents and siblings in the bailey of Ellesmere Castle.
    His grandfather had stood in this selfsame place to greet kings, including the great Conqueror. Baudoin de Montbryce had welcomed King Henry to Ellesmere on more than one occasion. Now they awaited the arrival of Henry’s daughter, Maud, but the mood was not festive.
    Everyone was aware of the motive for her coming. The message proclaiming her visit had sent the Earl into an uncharacteristic rage. Only his mother’s calming influence had saved Gallien from permanent confinement to his chamber.
    His protestations that he would not be treated like a child had carried no weight against his father’s belief he was endangering the family and all it held dear.
    “Everyone in this castle is in a state of nervous apprehension,” Gallien whispered to his brother, “simply because Maud is coming to pay an official visit with her boy betrothed.”
    Étienne put a hand on his shoulder. “Hush. Papa will hear you. He is angry enough.”
    Gallien shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to keep his feet warm. It had been a fortnight of intense preparations during which his father had hardly spoken to him. He hazarded a glance at his sire. He had never seen his father so haggard. A pang of guilt skittered through his gut.
    Everyone in the castle seemed to sense the nature of this royal visit. The cooks had reduced the scullery maids and serving wenches to tears in their efforts to ensure everything was ready for the preparation of the finest meals ever concocted in the Ellesmere kitchens.
    An army of maids and houseboys had cleaned every last nook and cranny. Chambers had been swept, rugs and tapestries beaten, draperies and bedding aired, cobblestones scoured.
    Steward Pascal Bonhomme had made sure the stables were spotless, the horses immaculately groomed, the men-at-arms properly uniformed and equipped, new enseignes run up the flagpoles. He even had boys up in the oak beams of the Great Hall, sweeping away cobwebs.
    Gallien felt his father’s eyes on him. He dragged his thoughts back to the business at hand.
    The Earl’s voice was stern. “There can be no doubt Maud is coming to speak to us specifically about the future. Remain silent. Do nothing to offend.”
    Gallien nodded his acquiescence, but his innards seethed with resentment. He clenched his fists at his sides, determined Maud would suspect nothing of his opposition to her succession.
    The autumn sun was high in