Roland grinned at George coldly.
"I didn't ask for this meeting George. I'd never ask for a meeting for the opportunistic bastard who was looking to sell my wife into sexual slavery, my children in what amounted to child labor camps, and I especially don't need to speak to haughty fucks who think they know everything."
His eyes blazed as he glared at the older man. "You really think I don't see those thoughts behind your eyes you arrogant shit? I have seen murderers with more spine and more honor than you will ever have. Pretending you ever cared about anyone in this house? You're here to try and claim your little piece of me, or my title. Just like always."
Roland stood and moved around the desk, silent as the grave but with speed. he grabbed George by the collar with one hand and hauled him up, lifting the man off his ass, then off his feet, holding him up at eye level easily. he hissed in a low whisper only George and Elizabeth could hear. "I know you think i am brute. an unthinking musclebound idiot. But I will remind you that i just outplayed a king in his own backyard. I ply to win George. And the only reason i don't beat your ass to a pulp is because you share blood with three people I love more than anything else. Now i want you to get your ungrateful, false, and conniving ass, out of here. and say nothing else. Because i have the letters."
The letters in question were the many many many offers that people had sent to George offering payment in his help in forging alliances with the powerful Lady of Salisbury, either through marriage, friendship, the marriage of her children, or simply by necessity. Roland had no proof if George took these, but the letters did indicate he had, but either way ti did not matter. Roland set him down, glowering at the shorter man. "be lucky i am not like your precious king. i do not bully...though I still owe you for all those lovely insults you heaped on me while i was gone or you thought I could not hear."
He reached behind him and grabbed a sheef of parchment and slapped it onto George's chest before walking away. "This is how i prepare for my 'family' George. imagine what i do for my enemies." The parchment held a list of every person George had meet for the last fifteen years, the length of their visit and the reason. Roland sat down taking his wife's hand. "Just because i was gone and 'dead' does not mean i didn't have my people working, trying to help my wife, and certainly not that i was letting anything of note happen with making records of it."
He smirked at the man with the same cold fire in his eyes. now it was George's play but Roland wondered would see the truth. He had no play. Roland not only had him checkmated but had also taken every piece he had, removed the board, and tied his hands. It was how he approached all battles. Cripple and blind the enemy, make him destroy his allies and himself, assure him of superiority and victory, then tear him apart piece by piece and make sure he never attacked again.
He did have mercy though. This was his wife's brother and children's uncle. "thank you for your concern George. I am certain that Elizabeth is most grateful." He looked at his wife. "Anything to add my love?" he smiled truly now and let her know, both with a gentle squeeze and his eyes that not only did he truly mean she could say anything she wished, even counter his own statements if she wished, but that her words and tongue were everything to him. her wish, her whim were his commands. he made sure George saw this.
Roland did not want a slave in disguise for a wife. He wanted a woman. He wanted Elizabeth as she truly was. And no one was going to prevent that. he kissed her hand but remained silent giving her the decision for what to do with George and in that so much more. His eyes glowed as he watched her and the servants about saw it and wondered at it. The Master was freely giving authority to his wife...it was unheard of.