‘What the hell are you talking about, Balvoire? I have not had any word of this.’
‘Haven’t you? Oh, how remiss of me.’ Lord Balvoire raised the scroll and handed it to Hugh. ‘King John wants a clear, resounding message sent to anyone either involved with or harbouring the outlaws. It makes no difference to him either way.’
Hugh knew exactly what that meant and ground his teeth. How in God’s name was he supposed to establish fairness in the rule of law if the King sought such brutal retribution? This was not how Hugh wanted these matters to be resolved in Tallany.
He squared his shoulders and glared at Balvoire. ‘We have not yet found out anything in relation to the outlaws from these men—nor have we established whether they’re even involved.’
‘No trials, no verdicts, Lord Hugh. That’s what King John has decreed. We are to do what is necessary, and you’d do well to remember that, my young lord. Besides, these men are nothing but worthless peasants.’ He flicked a glance at Eleanor and sneered. ‘As the previous Lord Tallany knew too well.’
By God, he’d had enough of this loathsome man.
Just as Balvoire walked behind one of the bound men, drawing a dagger, clearly about to demonstrate the expected ways of governance, Hugh was there, looming over him, in two easy strides.
‘That’s enough, my lord. You overstep yourself.’
‘Be careful, Lord Hugh,’ Balvoire said quietly. ‘One would think you value these cockroaches. Besides, the King has requested we work together to capture the outlaws. Mayhap I can guide you?’
‘I thank you—but, no,’ Hugh said in a low, menacing tone. ‘These men are in Tallany, and as judge in this domain I will decide. They will be imprisoned until further hearing. Now, Lord Balvoire, I believe you have exhausted your welcome here.’
Eleanor felt as though all the blood in her veins had turned to ice. She screwed her eyes shut and tried to blot out everything she had witnessed as her husband continued in his altercation with the vile Lord Balvoire.
She was vaguely conscious of Sir William’s hand covering hers, giving it a squeeze of reassurance, which prompted her to open her eyes and nod her thanks at Will’s concern. She was well—or as well as could be expected—but those two prisoners...her friends, men she felt responsible for...were far from it. Not to mention the two other men whose severed heads lay at their feet.
God, how depraved was Lord Balvoire—as was his King...
She stared in horror at the two men crouched on the ground, both shaking violently. Despite the threat of execution, they hadn’t given her or the others away—not that she had ever doubted them. Poor brave, selfless men. All of them. It made her stomach recoil, and want to empty itself, but she couldn’t betray the feelings of helplessness and guilt that washed over her.
She rubbed her clammy forehead, knowing she had to get out of the hall, and stood abruptly, hoping her feet would carry her. But just as she took a few shaky steps she caught Hugh’s anxious eyes and swayed.
‘My lady, you do not look well,’ he said as he moved towards her with urgency. ‘Eleanor?’
She opened her mouth to speak but no words were uttered. It was dry—far too dry. If only she could get something to drink...anything would do...anything to help her regain her composure. Strangely, her body felt as though it didn’t belong to her, seemingly drained of life.
Before she could ponder on this, or know what was happening, darkness consumed her.
Eleanor’s eyes fluttered rapidly, as she roused herself into consciousness. She felt as though she were floating through clouds, cocooned by a tower of warmth and strength. Ah, blissfully safe...
But then the inevitable jolt of memory flooded her senses with the horrors of what she had witnessed in the great hall.
A feeling of disorientated panic suddenly engulfed her as she pondered on the terrible events and the length of time that had passed since she had fainted.
She didn’t know that, or even where she was, so she peered from under her lashes and found that she was in the protective arms of her husband. He was carrying her up the cold spiral stairwell towards their solar. But they were not alone.
‘You’re right, Hugh, there’s no choice in the matter. It is the only way to smoke the outlaws and The Fox out of hiding and get that fool Balvoire off your back,’ Will muttered.
He was following them up, lighting the way with a torch.
‘The plan would allow a decoy entourage of knights to go ahead with you whilst I, along with a few retainers, guard the actual strongbox and follow, with a measure to separate us. That way, if you are ambushed, we can assist from the rear once we catch up with you. Thus securing the revenue and making sure the outlaws are caught,’ Hugh explained.
‘That sounds good, but there is a problem. Balvoire has insisted that I impress his demands upon you.’
‘Oh? And what does that bastard want?’
‘He’s an ambitious ass—which makes him dangerous, Hugh. I’m not sure whether you know or not, but he had been petitioning the King for Lady Eleanor’s hand after Millais’s death, angling for the huge chunks of Tallany land that border his. King John had been close to conceding.’
‘And that’s so like him to change his mind. And in this case, I’ll admit that I’m very glad.’ Hugh sighed. ‘Which is one reason why the Barons never know where they stand with John.’
‘Precisely. And whilst Balvoire has the King’s ear he has something to prove—so watch your back, my friend. He means to accompany you with the strongbox to Winchester, so he can—and I quote—“make sure you know what you’re doing”.’ Will hissed as he spoke.
Hugh swore under his breath. ‘As long as he understands that I am in command then I don’t care—especially as his men will swell our numbers, which
