Page 96 of The Knight's Pledge
Henry beckoned to his intendant and spoke quietly to him for a moment. The intendantstraightened.
“The king will enjoin ashort recess.”
Those seated rose while Henry made his way from the dais and away into the doorway inthe rear wall.
Effie’s breath rushed out of her, and she stumbled back to sit on the bench while her half-brothers crowded around her.
“This isn’t good,” Tavish remarked darkly.
“I’ll kill her,” Effie whispered, staring through the bodies standing about her, seeking a glimpse of Caris Hargrave. “I’ll kill her rather than let her get away with this. Before the king returns, if I must. Someone, give me a blade.”
“Stop it, immediately,” Glenna Douglas commanded. “Get hold of yourself.”
Her sanity was spiraling away from her, Effie knew. She felt a hand on her back and turned to see Lucan.
“You must tell him about the Warren. We should bring them in. James could go—”
“Are you mad?”Effie demanded.
“Henry won’t ignore them. Chumley, and Gorman, as Rolf’s son—Caris can’t deny her own steward. And Gorman and Kit Katey can testify to the nightmare ofElsmire Tower.”
“You’ll have us all hunted, Montague,” James accused in a harsh whisper. “You’ve no idea whatyou’re saying.”
“The king will rule justly—”
“The king will rule in favor of those who have filled his coffers,” Tavish interjected. “James Montrose is right, Lucan. You’ve always had the protection of your title. You don’t understand what it’s like for a common man. We’ve no guarantee of justice because we cannot afford it.”
“I’ll tell him myself,” Lucan volunteered. “I’ve nothing to lose.”
His words slicedEffie’s heart.
“No,” Padraig said quietly. “He suspects you’ve been taken in by Tommy now. He won’t believe you. All you’ll succeed in doing is forfeiting Castle Dare.”
Effie held up her hands. “Am I the only one who has noticed that the satchel is on the dais? Where didit come from?”
“Everything we’ve said—and more—is confirmed in that portfolio,” Iris said. “If Henry’s seen it, hecan’t deny it.”
Finley frowned. “Perhaps it’s empty. Or had things removed.”
Effie looked up at where her father sat, still guarded by the two men. He was handing a goblet back to a guard with a smile of thanks. His attention turned back to Effie, and he saw her watching him. He nodded, his smile remaining.
“If you don’t tell him, Effie, Thomas will hang.” Lucan’s insistence cut through her attentionon her father.
“Come off it, Montague,” James scoffed. “He’ll hang anyway. You knew that when you agreed to drag him back here the second time. You’re not fucking all of us.”
Lucan lurched toward James, but Lachlan and Padraig intervened, pullingthe pair away.
The short trill of a horn announced that the recess was over, and everyone gained their feet once more as Henry made his way back to his chair. He spoke briefly with his intendant before sending the man to the front of the dais.
“Hear ye, hear ye, His Grace will now give his ruling. Thomas Annesley, remain standing.” The intendant waited patiently while Thomas gained his feet once more; he stood straight and tall, his chinstill lifted.
“On seven counts of murder of one of rank, you are guilty.” The crowd gasped, but the intendant continued, only raising his voice. “On thirty-two counts of murder of common folk—both named and unnamed—you are guilty. On two counts of arson, you are guilty. On thirteen counts of robbery, you are guilty. On two counts of larceny, you are guilty. On three counts of treason, you are guilty.”
Effie’s vision grayed and she must have wobbled, for Padraig and Finley were at once at either side of her, bolstering her with their hands.
“Your sentence shall be announced at forenoon on the morrow, with the punishment carried out immediately on New Palace Yard. Alleged heirs and issue of the guilty, please come forward.” The intendant stepped back deferentially to the king’s side.
“Tavish Cameron and Lachlan Blair,” the king said. “You will take your households and depart back to Scotland at noon on the morrow. If you are found in England again, I will have you arrested and tried in abetting this farce.”
