"What did you say? Lord Eddard has already left King's Landing?"
Renly sat at his desk, his face filled with shock.
His squire, Loras Tyrell, frowned as he said, "It's absolutely true. He left King's Landing with the northern nobles this morning, with the Lord Hand seeing them off."
Renly clenched his fist and slammed it against the wooden desk, a trace of anger crossing his face. "Damn it, why weren't we told at once?"
Yesterday, Duke Eddard and King Robert had argued fiercely and parted on bad terms. Renly had intended to visit Eddard today and have him confirm whether Margaery truly resembled Lyanna Stark.
He had never expected Eddard to leave so quickly.
Loras offered some comfort. "Perhaps his quarrel with His Majesty made Duke Eddard want to leave as soon as possible."
Renly pondered this. Perhaps that was one of the reasons.
But he was a member of the Small Council and on fairly good terms with Eddard Stark. Why hadn't Eddard told him last night?
Renly suddenly recalled that when Duke Eddard had returned to King's Landing with the captured nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, the look he had given him seemed to carry some deeper meaning.
Had he discovered something?
Impossible!
Renly went over his plan in his mind. After confirming that he had let no one outside himself and House Tyrell learn of it, he began considering how to approach Duke Eddard again.
Loras was supremely confident that his sister could win the king's favor. He urged, "Why not simply send Margaery to court to attend His Majesty? With all her fine qualities, she could easily win his heart."
Renly shook his head. "No, it's still too soon. Margaery hasn't had her first period yet. Sending her in would only expose her to that