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“What kind of punishments?” asked Mason with interest, sitting back in his seat.
Oswald blew out a shaky breath. “In the latest version, it was beheading.”
Roland burst out in a coughing fit, while Mason rested his arms on the table. “What about your wife? Any punishments for her?”
Oswald shrugged an irritable shoulder. “Several,” he snapped.
“Such as?”
Oswald eyed his brother with annoyance. “The usual, I suppose.”
“Beating her?” asked Roland, looking alarmed.
Mason and Oswald exclaimed at the same time.
“He’d never harm a hair on her head,” snorted Mason. “Fool.”
“What’s the usual punishment for a wife then?” asked Roland looking confused.
“Usually it’s just chaining her to my headboard for a few weeks,” continued Oswald ignoring him. “Naked.”
“Well, she wouldn’t like that at all,” objected Roland. “It’s plaguey cold in our rooms at this time of year!”
Mason cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his hand.
Oswald eyed him distrustfully. “Are you laughing at me?” he asked him, narrowing his eyes.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” said Mason, in a suspiciously uneven voice, before he took a large swig of ale. When he lowered his cup, he surveyed his brother with satisfaction. “You’ve made such a bloody mess of this. It nearly makes up for you being such a smug, knowing bastard when I was first wed.”
Oswald took a deep breath. “Well, I’m glad you can take some comfort in my suffering.”
“Why did you buy her another house though?” puzzled Roland. “When you’ve already got Vawdrey Keep.”
“Too far from Court. From me,” said Oswald briefly. He looked at his youngest brother a moment. “I’ve a mind to give you Vawdrey Keep anyway.”
“Me?” spluttered Roland.
“Why not?”
“You can’t give it to me. It’s your birthright.”
“Yes I can. I can do what I like. Anyway, I’m going to build my own country estate at some point.”
“No, you’re not,” said Mason shrewdly. “You’re going to live in that timbered monstrosity in Aphrany. Because your wife likes it. And you’re going to run the kingdom on Wymer’s behalf for the next fifty years.”
Oswald smiled, in spite of himself. “She doesn’t like living in three rooms,” he said by way of explanation. “And I don’t like her being far from me.”
“Are you serious?” asked Roland incredulously. “I think you’ve run mad. An earl can’t live in a damn merchant’s house!”
“Says who?” Mason challenged him.
“Besides, Father would want you to have Vawdrey Keep,” said Oswald looking at his youngest brother. “You’re the only one of us that’s fond of the place. I’m giving it to you.”
Roland spluttered again. “Love’s unhinged you,” he said, and then stared when Oswald turned a dull shade of red. “What?”
“He hasn’t come to terms with it quite yet,” said Mason. “He hasn’t said the word in his head, let alone to his wife.”
“Are you sure he’s the clever one?” asked Roland. “Because I’m telling you now, I’m starting to have my doubts.”
