Hugh sat on the dais with Will beside him, drumming a beat on a trestle table stripped of its usual finery, and on the other side sat Eleanor, resplendent in a green wool dress and a simple cream veil with the intricate Tallany silver circlet on her head.
Not that Hugh understood why his wife insisted on being present at his questioning of the two traitors. She shouldn’t be here—it wasn’t a place for a woman. He had complied with her wishes in a moment of weakness and he didn’t want to quarrel with her—especially now that he was beginning to win her trust. But he didn’t have to like it.
Lord knew, he shouldn’t expect anything less from Eleanor; his wife was unlike any woman he had ever met.
The steward was standing with a few of the Tallany knights in the corner, and he caught Hugh’s eye and nodded.
Hugh stepped down and stood in front the two beleaguered men, their hands bound behind them, kneeling in the middle of the floor on newly strewn rushes.
‘I want you to think very hard about what I am about to ask,’ he ground out in a clipped, low voice. ‘Give us the information we seek about the outlaw bandits you’re involved with.’
One of the accused men raised his sagging head and shook it with effort. ‘Please, milord, me and Godwin, here, we know of no outlaws—you have to believe us!’
‘I don’t—as you well know.’
Hugh fixed his gaze on one man and then the other. There was moment of silence which he allowed to stretch as he towered over them, his hands on either side of his waist.
‘Well?’
‘I beseech you milord...me lady. We know nothing—on my honour.’
‘You think you have honour as thieves? I don’t believe it.’ Hugh knelt on one knee and spoke quietly. ‘Osbert, blacksmith of Spalford?’ He continued when the man nodded without looking up. ‘We know of your involvement with the group as you were chased by us. Come, man, let’s put an end to this.’
‘It was a misunderstanding, milord. We were at the wrong place at the wrong time. We thought it was due to the late scutage.’
‘Why are you protecting your leader? Le Renard is a thief, a cheat and a wanted man. Your whole group is wanted.’
‘No, Your Lordship, no—you must believe us. We knows nothing of him or them outlaws. We ain’t p-part of them,’ he stammered.
‘If you give us names, locations and the whereabouts of your leader, you and your friend will be spared.’
There was a movement at the back of the hall, making the little hairs on the back of Hugh’s neck stand on edge. Someone had entered the fray, causing the flames in the sconces to flicker and flare.
‘Will they? By whose authority?’ a voice filled with arrogant self-importance retorted, interrupting the proceedings.
The company assembled in the hall shuffled and peered to see who had spoken. The voice belonged to a man of medium height who had swept into the hall dressed in chainmail, ready to do battle with a dozen soldiers by his side.
‘By mine. Who are you, sir, and what the devil are you doing here?’ Hugh roared as the small group made their way towards him with purpose.
The man inclined his head. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir Hugh. I am Lord Balvoire and...’ His lips curled. ‘Ah, Lady Eleanor? What a surprise. Delighted to see you, my dear.’
‘Whilst I’m sure the pleasure is ours, sir, you have no business here.’ He glared down at him, with his arms crossed over his chest. ‘And it’s Lord Hugh—of Tallany.’
‘I do apologise, my lord,’ he said sardonically. ‘And I must beg to differ. My dire warnings to King John about the outlaws who have plagued your land and mine have effected a decree from our Sovereign.’ He clicked his fingers and one of his entourage stepped forward, handing him a scroll. ‘For immediate retribution.’
A muscle twitched in Hugh’s jaw. God’s breath, this was the obnoxious prig who had sent him his complaints on his wedding day, and now here he was, gloating about whatever it was he’d managed to wheedle out of John. Not that the King would necessarily hold firm with this abominable ass. Still, he would do well to be cautious.
‘So, you see, my lord, your business and mine are sadly entwined until we have hunted these disgusting animals down. The reward for their capture is a sweet incentive.’ Balvoire grunted. ‘And as it happens, I have made a start on the hunt.’
Another man stepped forward and handed Lord Balvoire the large sack he was holding.
‘Let’s call it a belated wedding present.’
He emptied the sack and two decapitated heads rolled out and fell on the ground in front of Hugh and the two prisoners, who started to tremble uncontrollably. There was an audible gasp, and behind him Hugh heard a soft sob coming from Eleanor. He turned, and to her credit she stilled instantly, swallowing down her distress. He hadn’t wanted her exposed to any of this, but he could never have imagined this man’s intrusive appearance.
‘I do not condone your methods, Lord Balvoire, they are unnecessary before any verdict is made.’ He scowled at him. ‘I am judge and overlord of Tallany, and as such I will establish a fair system of justice.’
‘Let’s hope that as judge you will show your mettle, my lord.’
‘I do not need your advice, Balvoire. And you’d do well not to cross me.’ Hugh glowered.
The older man chuckled. ‘Really, we are on the same side, my lord. The side of justice, the iron rule of the land and our Sovereign King, may God protect him,’ he said, crossing himself. ‘I come in peace.’
‘And now that you have delivered your wedding present, as you call it, you may go in peace.’
‘You may believe yourself to be above taking advice from me,’ said Balvoire, ‘but let me remind you that I carry King John’s approval for
