“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.”
“William,” Anne admonished. “Think of what you just said. You are attempting to save the man’s life. Why would he accuse you of theft?”
“Oh, right.” William smiled sheepishly. “I suppose the king’s man has me doubting my own honesty.” Slightly shaking his head, he added, “I shall be prepared to ride out at first light, Winifred.”
“You forgot about me,” Betta spoke as she entered. “I have known Lecie far longer than any of you. She is more of a daughter to me than one of my own would ever be.”
Sharing an uneasy look between them, Winifred decided to trust Betta. “Do you think you can speak to Harsent when Gunilda is not about?”
“I can try,” Betta replied. “Gunilda plays on Harsent’s fears of being c
ast out when she is no longer able to support herself. I have no doubt Gunilda made assurances it would not happen were Harsent to do her bidding.”
“Lady Lecie would never be so cruel,” Anne spoke up. “I have not known her long, yet would vouch to that fact.”
“Harsent is decent enough,” Betta said in her friend’s defense. “Unfortunately, it is drink that guides her thoughts and actions these days.”
“Then please do what you can to convince her to speak the truth,” Winifred replied.
“I shall try.”
“On behalf of our lady and Sir Albin, I thank you all.”
SEVENTEEN
The next morning dawned clear and cool as Lecie dressed in a dark brown kirtle and cream chemise. Pinching her cheeks to add color to her ashen face, she smoothed her hair back to plait into a single thick braid.
“The hangman shall prefer it that way.” Strolling into the master chamber, Gunilda’s lip twisted into a snarl. “He will have less of your hair to untangle from the rope when the deed is done.”
“I ordered you to be gone from here,” Lecie ground out as she whirled to face the gloating woman. “Leave now, or by all that is holy I vow to earn the title of murderer.”
“Tis a shame you no longer have the authority here. The king’s justice has ordered me to remain so that I may testify against you.”
“Be that as it may, I suggest you remove yourself from my sight.”
“From what I hear you shall not be seeing anyone by day’s end.” Flicking her dark eyes to Albin resting fitfully on the bed, Gunilda threw her head back with a harsh laugh. “Still, you need not overly fret. Your knight is sure to join you in the hereafter afore long.”
Crossing the chamber in three strides, Lecie hauled back her hand to strike Gunilda across the face. “You conniving whore.” Seizing Gunilda’s shoulders, she pulled her close enough to smell her rancid breath. “Know you this, dead or not, if Albin dies there is no place on this isle you can hide from my wrath.”
“You speak of witchery,” Gunilda gasped.
“Aye, I do,” Lecie agreed with a bitter smile. “By my blood and the heart that pumps it, I curse you, Gunilda. Come what may by the end of this day, I shall not rest in my grave until you have repented and paid for your crimes against my loved ones.”
Gunilda crossed herself as she slowly backed towards the door. “Your words do not scare me.”
“Do they not? Then tell me why you are shaking harder than the leaves even now shedding from the trees beyond yon window?” She clapped her hands loudly together, and Gunilda’s shriek brought a smile to Lecie’s face. “Confess your lies to the justice and I shall remove my curse.”
“You murdered Hamon and deserve to die for it.” Her eyes wide with fright, Gunilda’s voice shook.
“Very well.” Closing her eyes, Lecie held her hands out, palms up. “Do not say I did not warn you.”
“No, you cannot.”
“Get you down below, Gunilda,” Winifred snapped from the doorway. “The justice is requesting your presence.”
Gunilda shrieked as she whirled around. “Lecie has gone mad and sold her soul to the devil.”
“With you bearing false witness against her, who could blame her?” Winifred hissed.
“She cursed me.”
“As will I, if you do not remove your loathsome self from my sight.” Winifred slammed the door before Gunilda cleared it, striking her hard on the backside.
Exhaling heavily, she turned to Lecie with a pleased smile. “I know it is against God’s will to carry hate in our heart, yet I feel some people are deserving of it.”
“Aye, I could not agree more,” Lecie replied. “I do not suppose there has there been any word from Sir Talan or Castell Maen?”
“There has been no word as of yet. Yet I hold to the faith that they shall come in time to save Sir Albin.”
“I am not a witch, you know,” Lecie changed the subject. “I happened to overhear some travelers speak of a bewitched woman in a keep to the north, and sought to scare Gunilda into confessing the truth.”
“You need not explain such to me,” Winifred reassured her. “I would vouch to Gunilda being a witch far sooner than I ever would you.”
“Winifred, I have a favor to ask of you,” Her eyes resting on Albin, tears slipped down Lecie’s cheeks. “Would you hold a message in confidence for my husband?”
“That will not be necessary.” Wrapping an arm around Lecie’s slouched shoulders, Winifred lent her support. “You shall pass your own message to him after all this is over.”
“Forever an optimist, are you not?” Lecie smiled despite the lead weight resting in her belly. “You do so remind me of my mother.”
“And like her and your Da, the rest of us will be with you in spirit this day.” Releasing Lecie’s shoulder, Winifred solemnly met her gaze. “No matter what happens, you must be strong to the end. You are the lady wife of a knight of the realm. Do us all proud.”
“I shall, Winifred.” Lecie inhaled a deep calming breath. “I have done nothing wrong and the king’s itinerant justice shall see no weakness on my part. I vow it.”
“I warrant he shall not.” Winifred smiled. “Finish preparing yourself, I shall await you below.”
Perched on the edge of the bed, Lecie’s resolve faltered as she gazed down at Albin. Shadowing the last days of her father, dark circles beneath his eyes stood out in stark contrast to his sickly pallor.
“You must fight, husband.” Taking his hand, she clasped it tight between hers. “I can bear anything that befalls me this day so long as I know you live on.”
As if in reply, Albin moaned low.
“I love you. I always have and I always shall.” Rising, she bent to kiss his heated brow. “Always.”
With a last look at her beloved, Lecie held her head high and left the chamber to face her fate.
EIGHTEEN
Other than Justice de Glanville, seated at a table, and William standing behind the bar, the sheriff and his sons were the only ones in the common room when Lecie entered.
Acknowledging the sympathetic looks of Sheriff Richard and his sons with a slight nod to each, she stepped before the seated justice. “I am prepared to depart at your leisure, lord justice.”
Steepling his fingers, Justice de Glanville slowly ran his eyes over her apparel. “Do you not wish to break your fast this morn, my lady?”
“I find I am not at all hungry,” Lecie replied softly.
“Troubling thoughts, perhaps?” Picking up his gold hilted dinner knife, Justice de Glanville speared a slice of cold fowl. “I, however, am not afflicted by such. We shall depart after I have eaten.”
“With your permission I will leave you to wait in the kitchen.” Lecie dipped her head.
“No, you shall not.” The justice’s words drew Lecie up short. “I will not risk the chance of you fleeing.”
“My lord justice,” the sheriff spoke. “I cannot fathom such a thought ever entering Lady Lecie’s mind. I will personally vouch to her honorable nature.”
“I shall attend her if it will ease your mind, my lord justice,” Leofrick added.
“I need not remind you, Sheriff Richard, that you answer to me just as I answer to King Henry himself.” Justice de Glanville spoke around a mouthful of meat. “Do not make me remind you again that it is I who am in charge here.”
The sheriff dipped his head low yet remained silent.
Averting her eyes from the group, Lecie pulled out a chair at the next table to sit down. Inwardly fighting the temptation to fidget, she stared into the banked hearth and waited.
The silence grew palpable as the justice took his time eating. Calling for more ale, he studied Lecie until she felt his regard and flushed with color.
Briefly meeting his unwavering gaze, she focused on the door, willing Sir Talan to walk through it with her ladyship Reina. When it actually opened inward, she nearly came out of her chair with a small gasp.
Recogniz
ing the pair of women who entered, she stood the rest of the way. She was pleased to see Mylla being escorted by her mother.
“Lecie,” Mylla exclaimed. Rushing over, she threw her arms around her only to draw back to search her face. “We heard word of such awful things, we came back at once. Are you and Sir Albin both well?”
Lightly patting Mylla’s back, Lecie eased from her embrace. “My husband is gravely ill and as for me, I shall know my fate soon enough.”
“You cannot mean to say the rumors are true? You stand accused of murder?” Turning to her father, Mylla spotted Justice de Glanville for the first time. Quickly averting her eyes, she moved closer to Lecie.
Hastily brushing his hands together, Justice de Glanville stood with an appraising smile. “It seems your daughter has returned earlier than expected, Sheriff.”
“So it does appear,” Sheriff Richard replied with a frown towards his wife. “Regardless of what you may have heard, your duty is to your ill kin, Emmaline.”
“It was my doing, Da,” Mylla spoke from her place beside Lecie. “I begged her to return after hearing Lecie has been charged with murder. Surely, this cannot be true?”
“I am afraid it is true, my lovely,” Justice de Glanville replied. “Since you are here, you can see me dispense the king’s justice firsthand.”
Mylla’s eyes widened at the endearment as she acknowledged the justice. “My lord justice, there has to be a mistake. I have known Lecie all of my life and she would never harm another unless it was warranted.”
“In that, we shall see.” Shoving his chair back, the justice presented his arm to Mylla. “Come, I shall escort you to the square.”
Leaving her no choice but to accept, Mylla nervously met her father’s helpless gaze as she stepped forward. “I have no doubt Lecie shall be vindicated.”
Justice de Glanville flicked his eyes to Lecie as she stood to accept Leofrick’s arm. “Come what may, justice will be had.”
Averting her eyes, Lecie glanced back towards the back wall where Winifred stood weeping softly beside her husband. Forcing a smile for the pair, she slightly dipped her head.
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