Page 23 of The Knight's Pledge
“Sir Lucan Montague, you will take custody of Euphemia Hargrave at once, and together you will locate Thomas Annesley and return him to court to at last receive his punishment.”
“What?”Effie breathed.
“Should she escape you, I will not hold it against you—after all, she has already tried to kill you once. If you must act in self-defense, well, so be it. It will mean that much less for me to decide upon your return.”
Effie realized her mouth was agape as the king turned his attention to her and she pressed her lips together, trying to stay theirsudden tremble.
“As for you, Euphemia, I shall not punish the son—or daughter, in this case—for the sins of the father. There is little doubt in my mind that Thomas Annesley killed Cordelia Hargrave. Whether or not you are complicit in his later crimes is another thing, entirely. If you return with Thomas Annesley, dead or alive, you shall face the charges against you and be tried fairly. If you are as guilty as I suspect, you shall have no qualms about escaping Sir Lucan’s chaperone and abandoning your own child at my court, and the Crown shall have adequate reimbursement for its aggravation.”
“Please, I’ll not leave him here, my lord. I cannot.”
“You can and you shall. He is happy enough here, are you not, George? Would you be happy to wait here for your mother to return from her duty to me?”
George’s little face scrunched in a confused frown. He looked up at Effie.
“You would come back for me, wouldn’t you, Mama?”
Effie crouched down and grasped her son’s thin shoulders, looking into his eyes through hershocked tears.
“I will always come for you, George Thomas. Nothing could keep me from you. Nothing, do you understand?”
George nodded and some of the anxiousness fell from his face. He turned back to the king.
“I would rather go with her, if it should pleaseyou, my lord.”
“I’m afraid that isn’tpossible, son.”
“I see.” George looked up at Effie, and this time, it was he who gave her hand a shake. “Don’t worryfor me, Mama.”
“If either of you—Euphemia Hargrave or Lucan Montague—fail to return with Thomas Annesley, the child heretofore known as George Thomas Annesley shall become a ward of the Crown, to be raised as I see fit. And both Darlyrede House and Castle Dare lands will be forfeit.
“Do not, under any circumstances,” the king warned, looking down his nose at them, “returnwithout him.”
“But, my lord,” Lucan began.
“Are my instructions unclear, Montague?”Henry snapped.
Lucan paused only a moment. “No, lord.”
“Good. I will have this business resolved one way or the other. It has been too long, and I tire of it. Padraig Boyd,” he called out suddenly. “As Thomas Annesley’s only legitimate heir, and the one in most recent acquaintance with him, it only makes sense that I place you in custody so as to preclude any misguided ideas of aid for your errant sire. As your loyalty remains in question, your petition to enlist yourself in my army is denied. Believe me when I tell you that it is for your own good. A charge of treason is difficult to overcome. You are to remain within the apartment I have provided you, under guard. You shall not emerge lest you wish to take up residence in oneof the cells.”
Henry looked to the other men, bristling at the word of the forced captivity of their brother. “As for you, Lachlan Blair and Tavish Cameron, although you have no relationship with the accused, you are hereby officially warned against interfering. Do not misunderstand—I recognize you as Scots who have thus far committed no crime against me. Yet I feel I must avail of yours and your lovely wives’ patience as my royal guests until Sir Lucan returns. I’m certain you shall continue to be quite comfortable in the same apartment, although, as you are guests, I will of course extend you the courtesy of freedom of Westminster grounds after SirLucan departs.”
Effie didn’t hear the last of the king’s placating niceties as her face turned slowly toward the smirking, shriveled old hag still sitting before the dais. A murderous rage bubbled up from her guts, her breaths came in pants, and she felt her muscles gathering, readying…
But hands were on her biceps gripping her in the instant before she lunged, and Lucan Montague held her easily in place. The momentary madness left her with an icy rush.
What would have become of George Thomas had she acted so rashly?
“Are you well, Euphemia?” the king inquired sharply.
“Yes, lord,” she choked out. “Quite well. Forgive me.”
“Then kiss your son, and be gone from myhall at once.”
It was too soon. Too sudden. These few moments with George Thomas were not enough to sustain her on this fool’s journey.
Shemust be strong.
