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Nicole.”
    Only then did Gwendolyn’s head turn, her red-rimmed eyes fixing him with a stare, as if wondering who he was and trying to remember if she’d seen him before. He dismissed the dent to his male pride as inconsequential. The woman obviously grieved deeply and must be allowed a lapse or two.
    “I also offer my condolences, ladies. Loss of family is most difficult and distressing to bear. May Sir Hugh and William find peace in the hereafter.”
    “Amen,” the priest intoned. “Shall we begin, my lord?”
    It took Alberic a moment to realize whose permission the priest sought. He didn’t have to look around to know that everyone in the hall awaited his answer, the silence complete.
    A heady sense of power flooded through him, knowing that in this hall his word was now law. Within an instant he could have everyone on their knees, groveling at his feet, as he’d seen the earl do when mightily displeased.
    Alberic nodded his permission at the priest, then stepped off to the side to allow Emma, Gwendolyn, and Nicole full view of their father and brother.
    The priest began the prayers. Alberic strove to listen attentively to the entreaties to God, Christ, and various saints to grant favor to Hugh and William. But God’s bones, how much help did Hugh and William need getting through heaven’s gate? A lot, apparently, given the priest’s many and earnest pleas for intercession for mercy on their souls.
    When Alberic no longer recognized the saints’ names from whom the priest begged indulgences, his attention began to wander, discovering he wasn’t the only one who no longer heeded the priest’s prayers.
    Gwendolyn seemed restless, but not overtly. A slight shift of stance. A brief glance his way. A perusal of the crowd.
    Then Emma leaned harder into Gwendolyn. Both women remained standing, but whatever ailed Emma affected her ability to keep upright on her own.
    He thought it fitting his first order in the hall should be one of compassion for the females. Perhaps they would remember it when he informed them of the rest of the king’s orders and not judge the bearer of the news too harshly.
    Alberic waited for the natural pause between the crowd’s “Amen” and the priest’s intake of breath for the next invocation. He pointedly cleared his throat and, as he’d hoped, drew the priest’s attention.
    He pitched his voice low so only a few would hear. “I believe a bit of mercy for the living is in order, Father.”
    The priest pursed his lips in chagrin. “A last prayer?”
    “Only if you must.”
    Gwendolyn looked at him fully then, her expression and small nod expressing her gratitude, though he also had the feeling she did so reluctantly.
    The final prayer was mercifully short, followed by an invitation to any who wished to keep vigil to remain in the hall, and a reminder of the burial rites to be observed on the morrow, a mere hour after dawn.
    Most of those gathered came forward for a long look at Hugh and William and to express their condolences to the ladies.
    Emma seemed to rally, determined to do her duty. But whenever someone went on too long or became overwrought, Gwendolyn hurried them along.
    Then his stomach growled, reminding him of how long ago he and the rest of his escort had eaten. Garrett overheard.
    “Events have interfered with showing you proper hospitality, my lord. I will have someone take you to your chamber and order food brought up.”
    As lord, his place was in the hall, but he didn’t think anyone would think too badly of him if he took a few minutes to wash and get out of his chain mail. He had passed his helmet off to Odell, the king’s soldier who acted as his guard and squire, but hadn’t yet taken off his riding gloves.
    Before he could answer Garrett, the sisters clasped hands, and together approached the twin biers. They went first to William, who was closest to them. He couldn’t see the sisters’ faces, but could feel their grief.
    Then they circled around to