Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 (20 page)

“Sir Albin, you say?” Justice de Glanville instantly brightened. “And you say he is near death?”

“He will not die,” Lecie replied with clenched fists.

“Sir Albin is overseeing construction of the tower here in Rochester,” the sheriff interjected. “We are still investigating the incident which injured him.”

“I am aware of why he is here, Sheriff.” Justice de Glanville’s smile turned malicious. “I am also aware that Sir Albin has a great deal of enemies that would not grieve his passing. In fact, my good friend Baron Reynold will be most pleased to hear of this latest turn of events. From what he has told me, he himself had an unpleasant encounter with this lady’s husband.”

“Your pardon if you please, Justice de Glanville,” Sheriff Richard spoke with a worried glance at Lecie. “Are you saying that Sir Albin deserved what happened to him?”

“Certainly not.” Justice de Glanville’s smile did not reach his eyes. “Where would the justice be in that?”

“My thoughts precisely,” the sheriff replied.

“Still it is very fortuitous that I have arrived at such a time as this.” Justice de Glanville reached for his cup. “While we await the return of your wife and daughter, I shall hold a court of justice to decide the lady’s fate.”

“May I see to my husband now?” Lecie spoke as if she had not heard the man. “He has been left alone for far too long.”

“You may,” Justice de Glanville conceded. “Enjoy what remains of this day with him. We shall convene court in the village square at dawn on the morrow.”

The sheriff placed his hand on Lecie’s arm as she moved to rise. “Justice de Glanville, if you would allow me to explain the case to you, I am quite positive a full court will not be necessary. Both Lady Lecie and Sir Albin confided in me that the deceased threatened harm to the lady’s younger siblings should she deny his marital intentions.”

“If that is true, how did the
lady
end up marrying a knight of the realm?” Pinning Lecie with his gaze, he slowly appraised her. “She is naught but a commoner. The tapster would have been better suited to take her to wife.”

“Be that as it may,” the sheriff continued. “Since the lady married Sir Albin, I am of the belief that the deceased returned here bent on revenge. I was simply recording the accounts of all involved as required of me before passing final judgment.”

“You say that Sir Albin confided this threat to you?”

“He did.”

“How convenient he is unable to verify your account.” The justice eyed the sheriff shrewdly. “I am well aware of how people in small villages protect their own. I take it you are well acquainted with this woman?”

“I was present the day she entered this world.”

“Is there anyone else who can vouch for what Sir Albin told you?”

“Sir Talan is also aware of the threats,” the sheriff replied, refusing to back down.

“And where is Sir Talan?”

“He has journeyed to Castell Maen to summon assistance for Sir Albin. From what I have heard, Lady Reina is skilled with medicine.”

“What of the village physician? Can he not attend Sir Albin?”

The sheriff hesitated with a look of remorse. “Lady Lecie does not approve of the leech’s bloodletting treatment.”

“I see.” The justice brightened instantly. “The
lady
is not only accused of outright murder, while her husband lay dying she takes it upon herself to command a knight to journey afar while an able physician is beyond her very doorstep.”

“My lord justice, if you are bent on denying my account of the threats from the deceased, why do you not ask Lecie for yourself?”

“She is a woman and the accused. I have no doubt she will swear to anything if it were to save her pretty little neck from the noose.”

“It is also obvious the tavern wenches are in collusion,” Leofrick spoke up. “Were the one named Harsent pressed, I have no doubt she will tell the truth.”

Sheriff Richard bent a disapproving look on Leofrick as Justice de Glanville responded, “I did not know your son advanced to your position, Sheriff.”

“I apologize for my son, he spoke out of turn. However, I stand behind what he said. If we were to separately question the women, I am sure their stories would change.”

“If that is true, we shall sort it all out on the morrow.” Flicking his eyes to Lecie, the justice added, “I am weary and have need of your best chamber.”

In response, Lecie stood to address Leofrick. “Will you please inform Winifred of the request? I must tend to my husband.”

“I shall do that and anything else you require of me.” Dipping his head, Leofrick turned on his heel.

“Thank you.” Holding her head high, she bravely faced the justice. “If that is all you require of me at this time, I shall go.” 

His eyes narrowed, Justice de Glanville steepled his fingers. “I can see you are an independent woman.”

“A trait required of anyone who runs an establishment such as this.” Her thoughts on returning to Albin, Lecie shifted uneasily.

“It is not an admirable trait in a woman.” Waving her off with the flick of his hand, Justice de Glanville picked up his cup to drain it.

Lecie briefly met the sheriff’s worried gaze with one of her own as she lifted her skirts to ascend the steps. Come what may, her fate was out of her hands now.

Relieved to find that someone removed Hamon’s body from the master chamber, she eyed the blood-soaked flooring. She began to breathe rapidly as she relived the moment.

Her hands trembling, she realized her body was not reacting to any feelings of guilt or remorse for slaying Hamon. It was relief that she had arrived in time to save Albin’s life.

Tears flooded her vision as she turned her eyes heavenward to give thanks.

Albin’s low moan brought her back to the present. Once again burning with fever, his lips were white and cracked.

Perched on the bed beside him, she trickled water into his open mouth. 

She glanced up as Winifred came rushing in. “Leofrick told us they are holding a court of justice in the square on the morrow, my lady.”

“Lecie,” she gently corrected. “It appears the king’s man does not think very highly of me.”

“The truth will come out,” Winifred searched Lecie’s eyes for confirmation. “Surely, he would not take the law into his own hands?”

“I know not.” Lecie smiled sadly. “He seems bent on revenge for a past slight to his friend, so anything is possible.”

“What could the justice possibly have against you?” Throwing the shutters wide to allow the cooling breeze into the room, Winifred returned to the bed.

“Nothing at all that I am aware of.” Lecie shrugged. “He has only just met me recently at the festival. It is for other reasons he will use me.”

“What other reasons? Is he perhaps acquainted with Hamon?”

“I would not involve you, Winifred.”

“And I will not see you wrongly convicted.” Spotting the blood on the floor, she disappeared through the door for a moment. Coming back in, she perched her hands on her hips.

“You can refuse to tell me, yet I ask what other reasons would the justice seek to find you guilty of outright murder?”

“My husband had a run in with one of the justice’s friends at court,” Lecie hesitantly confessed. “The friend also happens to be a baron who holds a personal grudge against Baron Erlegh. Through me, it appears the justice can kill two birds with one stone for the benefit of his friend.”

“The justice is a man of great power.” Tears filled Winifred’s eyes. “He has the ear of the king himself. What can we do?”

Touched by Winifred’s loyalty, Lecie reached out to clasp her hand. “I am afraid all we can do now is pray.”

“How can you remain so calm?” Winifred pulled away to brush at the tears on her cheeks. “If found guilty…” she trailed off.

“I will hang tomorrow,” Lecie finished for her. “I am afraid it is out of my hands now.”

“There is still no evidence against you. Surely, the justice would not risk his position by falsifying evidence against you. Hamon was a thief with no business being here. He has no cause to doubt your account.”

“Gunilda and Harsent swore they saw me attack Hamon without cause.” Lecie sighed heavily. “It is their word against mine.”

“The justice will heed the word of two women of fallen reputation over yours?” Winifred’s look was incredulous as she stiffened angrily. “It is not to be had.”

“You are not to involve yourself, Winifred.” Smoothing a curl at Albin’s temple, Lecie smiled sadly. “Whatever happens on the morrow, I need you to see Albin through and look after the children.” Fighting tears, she added, “Would you please do that for me?”

“Aye,” Winifred responded softly fighting tears herself. “Come what may, I shall do all I can for them.”

Averting her face, Lecie nodded her thanks. “Would you leave me alone with my husband for a time?”

“Betta will be in soon to scrub the floor. She did not want you to see it. Summon me should you have need of anything.” Pausing at the door, Winifred turned back. “The lot of us would do anything for you and Sir Albin, anything at all.”

“Thank you,” Lecie managed in a broken whisper.

The moment she heard the soft click of the door, Lecie curled into Albin’s side. Cupping his strong jaw, she felt hot tears slip into her hair. “Come what may on the morrow, I shall never stop loving you. Wherever it is that I may be.”

She gazed at his beloved face until an uneasy sleep claimed her.

* * *

Winifred stormed down the steps intent on confronting Gunilda and Harsent. Justice de Glanville supping alone beside the hearth gave her pause as she entered the common room.

Glowering at the pair of loose women perched on stools at the bar, she briefly met Merek’s gaze as he served them brimming cups of ale.

Tilting his head to her in question, she jerked her head towards the kitchen as she passed.

“Has Mary returned with the children?” Winifred startled Anne, kneading dough on the table, with her abrupt entrance.

“The children are beside themselves with worry, so she took them to look for berries in the forest. They have yet to return.”

“What of William and Simon?” Pulling out a chair to wait, Winifred dropped into it.

“They carried the tapster’s body to the stables.” Anne nervously eyed the back door. “I expect they shall be returning soon.”

“What reason would they have to remove Hamon to the stables and not the churchyard for burial?”

“The king’s man ordered it,” Anne whispered. “He wants the body to be presented on the morrow as evidence against our lady.”

“How do you know of this?”

“I overheard a conversation the sheriff had with the king’s man before he and his sons took their leave,” Anne confided. “From the look on the sheriff’s face, I fear for our lady.” Breaking into soft sobs, Anne covered her face with her hands.

“As do I,” Winifred responded softly. “However, the day has yet to be lost.”

They both looked up as Merek entered the kitchen laden with a full tray of empty cups. Setting the tray on the table, he glanced back the way he had come. “What is it you have planned, Winifred?”

A soft smile played about Winifred’s lips as she met her husband’s gaze. “You know me too well.”

“Aye, I do and I suggest you be explaining afore I am missed by the justice,” he responded solemnly. “He is a suspicious one.”

“You are aware the foul man is bent on finding our lady guilty?”

“Hush, woman, or he will hear you,” Merek hissed. “I am as aware as we all are. What could the lot of us possibly do about it?”

“Plenty,” Winifred spat. “The two
women
out there are prepared to bear false witness against our lady and we can stop them. Gunilda lost her lover and will stick to her story, yet I believe Harsent will tell the truth if pressed.”

“You are asking me to force Harsent into confessing to a lie?” Merek shook his head slightly. “I would not know where to begin.”

“No, you misunderstand,” Winifred corrected. “Harsent is overly fond of drink, and I have seen the results after an eve of overindulgence. I would ask you to ply her with enough drink on this night to keep her off balance in the morn. Then the truth shall be easily pried from her.”

Relieved, Merek relaxed. “I can do that easy enough.”

“Then have at it, husband.” Winifred smiled. “I shall thank you properly at another time.”

Merek returned her smile on his way back to the bar. “I shall hold you to it.”

“Do you really think Harsent will speak the truth?” Anne broke the silence when they were once again alone.

“Aye, I do.” Winifred spoke with determination. “I am amazed she has kept to the lie this long.”

They sat pondering their own thoughts until the door opened to admit Simon and William.

One look at his wife’s face had William questioning Anne. “What has occurred in our absence?”

Filling them in, Winifred added Merek’s part.

“What would you have us do, Winifred?” Simon spoke for the first time. “Lady Lecie and Sir Albin are owed a great debt of gratitude for what they have done for us.”

“Come what may, the children need to have no part in the events on the morrow,” Winifred replied. “Do you think you and Mary can take them out of the village for the day?”

“Consider it done.” Simon dipped his head. “Pack us some food and we shall take them upriver for a spot of fishing.”

“What of us?” William spoke from beside Anne. “What can Anne and I do to lend assist?”

“Lady Lecie’s mind will rest easier knowing Sir Albin is being cared for.” Winifred looked at Anne. “That is where you come in. Should he stir, send Joseph to summon me in the square at once. Mayhap he will be well enough to testify as to what really happened.” Meeting William’s gaze, she continued, “Sir Talan is long overdue and I fear Sir Albin’s only chance of survival rests with the skills of her ladyship Reina. At first light, I would ask you to ride to the south in search of them. The rain has eased, yet if they travel by wagon it could be bogged down somewhere along the way.”

“Do you think Sir Albin would mind me riding his horse?” William questioned nervously. “I would hate to be accused of thievery.”