Page 107 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
“Leave him alone!” she cried.
“He’s a traitor and a murderer,” the king said. “We shall treat him as we see fit.”
“He’s innocent!”
“What say you, de Montford?” The king turned to one of Harald’s guards.
“He confessed to the murder,” the man replied. “As to the charge of treason, we’re still—questioning—him.”
Eloise clasped her hands together, as if in prayer.
“Please, my lord, let me speak to my husband. He’s innocent on both counts—he’s committed no murder.”
De Montford prodded Harald’s body with the toe of his boot, eliciting a thick groan. “You lie,” he said. “We have witnesses who swear he entered Beauvisage’s estate, shortly before his body was discovered. The fool would save himself much pain if he confessed to the treason also, but he insists that Beauvisage was the traitor.”
The king let out a sigh. “Tiresome man!” he said. “Very well—I’m minded to show mercy. Let him speak to his wife.”
Two men pulled Harald up and Eloise shuffled towards him. She took his head in her hands and turned him to face her. Tears moistened his eyes, and she wiped them away with her fingertips, smearing blood on his cheek. His brow furrowed in pain.
“Go, Eloise,” he whispered. “This is no place for you.”
She placed a finger on his cracked, bruised lips.
“Hush, my love—my place is by your side.” She kissed his forehead, then stood and addressed the king. “I will explain the truth, with His Grace’s permission.”
“No, Eloise—don’t…” Harald began, then he was silenced by another blow.
“I’ve no time for this. Remove him.” The king sounded bored. The entertainment had failed to meet his expectations.
“I insist you leave him be until you hear the truth!” Eloise cried.
Whispers echoed around the court at her discourtesy, for which she would likely be punished. But she had nothing left to lose. She met the king’s angry gaze, refusing to lower her eyes in submission.
“Why do you continue to defy us!” William roared. “Your life will be forfeit.”
“Then my life is forfeit,” she said. “If you want the real murderer brought to justice, then I beg you to release my husband, for ’tis not him.”
The king rose to his feet. “Foolish woman! You shouldn’t interfere in matters which don’t concern you. Why risk your life to save the man who betrayed both my trust and yours?”
“He’s a good man, my lord.”
The king gave a bark of derision. “Do you know what he did before he was arrested at Wildstorm? My men tell me that spent the night rutting the village whore.”
He gestured toward her swollen belly. “Return to Wildstorm while you still can, and raise your child in peace. I’ll find you another husband to give your brat a name.”
Eloise shook her head. “I want no other husband.”
“Ye gods, woman!” he cried. “Do you wish to be slain here? My respect for your family counts for nothing—I’m your king, and youwillobey!”
“I only wish to tell you the truth!” she pleaded. “Let me speak—then I give you leave to do what you want with me.”
The king shook with fury, but the queen placed a placating hand on his arm, and they exchanged a glance. When he resumed his gaze on Eloise, some of the fury had left his eyes.
“Very well,” he said. “Tell me what you came to say, then begone. I take it you know who murdered Baron Beauvisage?”
“Aye, I do.”
“If it wasn’t Harald of Wildstorm, then who?”
