He wasn’t sure where his brothers and father were being held, for his guards were under orders to give nothing away. Not even his charm had any effect on their reticence. When Dominic walked into his cell, Robert raised one very dramatic eyebrow. “Either I am about to be pardoned or about to be dead,” he remarked wryly. “Which is it?” “I am here on my own account,” Dominic answered. “Not the king’s.” “Ah. I had thought … So my messages are not getting through.” “You’ve been sending messages?” “Not successfully, it would seem. If they’ve been intercepted, I’m surprised you don’t know about it.” “The court has been somewhat occupied this last month.” “William’s smallpox?” When Dominic looked surprised, Robert said, “Everyone knows. Though perhaps not quite how bad it was?” he asked thoughtfully. That would explain why the Act of Attainder against his father hadn’t come through yet. The court would not have risked Parliament meeting if the king’s life was truly in danger.
