She ignored his qualification. 'I wanted to tell you earlier,' she began.
'You were going to tell Nicholas, too, weren't you?'
'Yes,' she replied. 'Why did you stop me?'
'Because Nicholas isn't just your brother, he's also an English baron. If he were to hear unsettling news regarding his overlord's behavior, he might be forced to act upon it. No one's going to unseat John now; and if Nicholas tries, he'll get himself killed.'
She hadn't considered the possibility that Nicholas might feel compelled to challenge the king. She was thankful now Gabriel had stopped her from telling what she knew.
'How did you come to guess-'
He didn't let her finish. 'I have but one question to ask you, Johanna. Your answer won't leave this chamber.'
'I'll tell you anything you want to know.'
'Did the king kill Arthur or did Raulf?'
She didn't hesitate in giving him her answer. 'I believe Raulf killed him, but the order came from King John.'
'You're certain?'
'Oh, yes,' she whispered. 'I'm certain.'
She was so relieved to finally share the burden she'd been carrying around, tears came into her eyes.
'How did you come by this knowledge?'
'I heard the king's messenger reading the order,' she explained. 'Raulf didn't know I was listening, but the messenger spotted me in the doorway. I don't know if he told my husband or not. I'm certain he told the king. Raulf left shortly before Easter. He didn't come home until the middle of the summer. A scant month later I heard the rumor that Arthur had disappeared. Years later, after I'd been told of Raulf's death, I was ordered to London and kept under lock and key. The king came to see me several times, and during each audience, he would deliberately bring up Arthur.'
'He was fishing to find out what you knew,' Gabriel speculated.
Johanna nodded. 'I pretended ignorance, of course.'
'Who was this messenger the king sent to Raulf with the order to kill Arthur?'
'Baron Williams,' Johanna answered. 'John certainly wouldn't have trusted a court messenger. Williams and Raulf were the king's closest confidants. Yet the two barons didn't trust each other.'
'You were damned fortunate the king didn't kill you. He took a chance letting you live with the knowledge.'
'He wasn't certain I knew anything,' she argued. 'Besides, he knew I couldn't give testimony against him. Women aren't allowed to make any accusations in court against anyone but their own husbands and then for only a very few offenses.'
'Baron Goode believes you know something, doesn't he? That is why he tried to talk to you.'
'Yes,' she answered. 'All the barons were aware of the relationship between John and his two favorites, Raulf and Williams. As we now know, Raulf left England just before Arthur disappeared. Goode is guessing there might be a tie between the two. He probably wants to question me about the dates involved. He couldn't know I overheard anything.'
'I want you to listen carefully,' Gabriel commanded. 'You will not tell anyone what you overheard, not even your brother. Give me your promise, Johanna.'
'But there is one person I really must speak to,' she whispered.
'Who?'
'King John.'
He caught himself before he shouted, 'It's out of the question.'
'I believe I can make him listen to reason. It's the only way, husband. I don't want a war.'
Gabriel decided to use logic to make her understand her jeopardy. 'You've just told me you can't testify against the king. If you think you can threaten him with the promise you'll tell the barons what you know and ignite a rebellion against the crown, John will simply silence you before you can carry through your plan.'
A long minute passed in silence. Gabriel believed Johanna was finally realizing the foolishness in her wish to speak to the king.
'I hadn't considered that plan of action,' she whispered.
'Then what in God's name was your plan? Did you think you could gain John's sympathy?'
She shook her head. 'No,' she said. 'I just thought I would mention the message he sent Raulf.'
'And how would your reminder help?'
'He sent a written message, Gabriel, in his own hand. Raulf believes he burned it.'
Gabriel went tense in anticipation. 'Didn't he?'
'After Williams read the order to Raulf, he placed it on the table and took his leave. That is when he spotted me. I nodded to him and continued on across the entrance and then went down the back corridor. I wanted Williams to believe I had only just gotten there, you see.'
'And then?' Gabriel prodded, impatient to hear the rest of the tale.
'Raulf accompanied Williams outside. When he returned to the hall, he picked up the scroll and tossed it into the fire. He stood there and watched until it had been completely destroyed.'
A hint of a smile changed Gabriel's expression. God, he was married to a clever woman.
'What did he burn?'
'One of Bishop Hallwick's important sermons on the inferiority of women.'
'Raulf didn't know you could read, did he?'
'Oh, no, he didn't,' she rushed out. 'He would have beaten me if he'd known I'd deliberately proven him wrong, for he told me again and again I was too ignorant to learn how. Of course, he beat me because I was ignorant, too, so I don't suppose…'
It was the very first time she'd spoken so openly about the beatings, and although he'd known the truth for a long time now, it still shook him to hear her say the words.
'Don't suppose what?' he asked, his voice gruff with emotion.
She squeezed herself closer to him before she answered. 'I don't suppose he ever needed a reason to beat me,' she whispered.
'He'll never touch you again,' Gabriel promised.
The fury in his voice was chilling. 'I know you will keep me safe,' she said.
'Damned right I will,' he countered.
She wasn't upset by his harsh reaction but comforted. He was outraged on her behalf.
'You took a terrible risk when you switched the scrolls,' he said then. 'What if Raulf had decided to reread his king's command?'
'I believed the risk was worth it,' she replied. 'It was an important paper to save. John's signature appears at the bottom, and his seal is affixed.'
'He was a fool to put his name…'
'He believes he's invincible,' she said. 'And I think he knew Raulf wouldn't believe Williams without a written order. Time was important, though I'm not certain why, and surely that was the reason King John didn't summon Raulf to London and tell him what he wanted done.'
'Where is the scroll?'
'I wrapped it in soft cotton cloths and hid it inside the altar of the chapel Raulf had just had built for the bishop. It's wedged between two marble squares.'
Gabriel felt her shiver and tightened his hold on her.
'Do you know I almost destroyed it just before I was told Raulf was dead. Then I changed my mind.'
'Why?'
'I wanted someone in future to find it and know the truth.'
'I'm more interested in keeping you safe, Johanna. I will not allow you to talk to King John.'
'I don't want war,' she whispered.
She sounded close to tears. He kissed her forehead and demanded she quit worrying.
'I'll convince England's king to leave us alone.'
