Snippet #1485426

It was not completely unexpected, not after what Morgana had told him the night before. Still, he could not help the hot rush of his temper, or the coldness that followed it.

What if he were to do something so stupid? he'd thought.

"Indeed," Henry said, his words slow and chosen with care. "We are. Betrothals are made and broken. It would seem that Lionel has found his heart snared by a daughter of Greyhardt ... if not the one his elders have chosen."

He looked at Birgitte and Nathaniel for a moment.

"Even my daughter defies the precedent of animosity between Damian and Winsler. I propose a new reason of celebration for our feast!" he called, his voice piercing in the silence. "The betrothal of my son to Leliana Greyhardt; my daughter to Kervall Winsler. What say you, Lords? Shall we end the unease amidst our Houses with a set of love matches?"

It was music to his ears when Lord Winsler leaped up from his chair, bellowing.

~

"Love?" Benjamin roared, sweeping away the plates and food in front of him as he stood up. "What does your murdering, unsurping House know of love? Whores, theives and liars, the lot of you! I'll not have my eldest marrying amongst you! And that prince," Benjamin spat, "that creature you call your son, that ... that ..."

His hazel eyes widened and his face seemed to bulge. The words were on his tongue, but he could not speak them.

"Calm yourself, Lord Winsler," Henry said. "You do know what you are say---"

"Answer!" Benjamin shouted and turned to his House.

Yes, Henry thought. Answer.