Dad Hears My Thoughts novel · Chapter 28 of 32

Chapter 28: The Old Man Kneels

The Duke stood among the scattered crowns in his cream and gold, with feathers on his shoulders.

He took the gold circlet off his white hair and held it in both hands.

"Majesty," he said. "Before you speak, I have something to say. And I'll say it here."

The King let his hand fall.

The old man turned and looked down the length of the gallery, at the masks.

"The paper that struck my grandson from my house was signed the night before the hearing," he said.

"Ralph brought it up to my rooms with my tea. I signed it before I'd heard a word."

Nobody answered. Some of them looked at the floor.

"I came into that hall with my mind made up, and let you all watch me pretend otherwise."

He turned to Tristram.

"I was afraid of what you'd all say about a house that kept a thief."

"I was more afraid of you than I was sure of him."

His voice didn't shake. His hands did, on the circlet.

"I was wrong. And I was a coward."

Then he went down on his knees.

It took a long time. One knee, then the other, onto the cold boards among the spilled crowns.

Both of them cracked.

In my arms, Tuppence went very serious.

Old man knees go crack, she told us.

I bit the inside of my cheek until it hurt.

Tristram didn't laugh. He didn't do anything for a moment.

He stood over his grandfather in his green coat, and I watched thirty years go across his face.

"Get up," he said. "Your knees."

"My knees are my own business," said the Duke. "I'm not finished."

He held up the circlet to Tristram with both hands.

"You are my heir. You always were. I'll swear it in front of anyone who'll listen."

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