‘You have my promise, Aedith. Do you have any idea who did this?’
‘It were no one local, if that’s what you be thinking. And I don’t care what anyone says—it weren’t The Fox neither.’
Hugh frowned. ‘If not them, then who?’
No one spoke as they all looked from one person to the next.
‘Couldn’t say for sure, me lord,’ a young man said, looking away.
‘I can,’ Aedith said.
The young man shook his head and cautioned her not to continue, but she took no heed.
‘I’m an old woman, so I don’t care what happens to me, and I will say what I needs to.’ She gave the young man a reproving look and flicked her eyes to Hugh. ‘I saw one of that Lord Balvoire’s men—he was involved with all this.’
‘That’s quite an accusation.’
‘I only knows what I knows... I saw ’im a few times in the village—fancy, too, with Lord Balvoire’s colours. He were sweet on our Agnes, you see, and I don’t forget a face. I recognised ’im again when they were doing their looting, pretending to be The Fox’s men.’
Hugh clenched his jaw. ‘Thank you for telling me. And before any of you ask, I promise there won’t be any recriminations. You are all under my protection.’
Hugh turned away and rubbed his chin. He could well believe the old woman’s assertion that Balvoire’s men were involved. The bastard was dangerous, capable of anything to feather his nest, and would grasp what he wanted at any cost.
And what he wanted, since he had been unable to press his suit for Eleanor’s hand, was the huge piece of Tallany land that bordered his. Catching a few outlaws was only a means to an end for Balvoire, which was to be in King John’s favour.
Needless to say, Hugh needed to tread carefully, as it seemed that every path led to a perilous quagmire that he could easily fall into.
He looked again at the miserable faces of the people huddled together.
‘There is something more.’ He turned and fetched a small leather pouch from his saddlebag, returning to press it into her wrinkled hands. ‘I want you to give silver to everyone in recompense for their loss, Aedith. It’s all I can do for now.’
The old woman stared in astonishment at the pouch of silver in her hands and then looked at Hugh and smiled. ‘I weren’t too sure ’bout yer, with your good looks and being a southerner. Didn’t know whether you were good enough for Lady Eleanor. But you’ll do. You’ll do verra well.’
Hugh’s lips twitched. ‘I’m glad you approve.’
‘One more thing, me lord. There’s a rumour that the outlaw Anselm has been caught and is ready to be hanged at Tallany Castle.’
Hugh exchanged a look with Will. ‘And do you know who caught the outlaw?’
‘I do. Lord Balvoire it was—’im again.’
Indeed...him again.
Hugh, followed by Will and his men, left Ulnaby, riding fast through the forest to reach Tallany Castle. His anger was mounting with every pound of the horse’s hooves. Damn Balvoire’s interference! But Hugh knew that John had given him the authority to be as much of a puffed-up, meddlesome ass as he chose to be.
They reached the castle keep and came to a halt. Will and his men ushered their horses beside his, forming an impressive single unified line. The scene in front of him made Hugh gawp and curse aloud. He pushed forward, shaking his head, a muscle leaping in his jaw.
There outside the castle wall was a temporary wooden canopied dais, where Edmund Balvoire was sitting with all his pomp and self-importance, surrounded by a handful of his men on either side, bearing his standard. To one side were the Tallany men, the new steward and the old, and many of the hearth knights Hugh had left behind.
Hugh darted a look at the Tallany priest, Father Thomas, who had stepped out in front with four guards on either side of the prisoner—the outlaw Anselm. They all stopped, surprised at their arrival.
‘Would someone like to tell me what in God’s name is going on here?’ Hugh bellowed.
Balvoire stood and extended his arms. ‘Ah, Lord Hugh. You are just in time to witness the execution of an outlaw—and not just anyone, but Le Renard’s right-hand man. The big outlaw Anselm.’
Hugh glanced at the gallows, erected in his absence and surrounded by a crowd of villagers and local folk. And then he looked to the old steward. ‘Is everyone safe, Claymore, with these recent disasters that I have only just been informed of?’ he asked, before locking his eyes firmly on Balvoire’s.
‘Yes, my lord. A missive has been sent to notify you about our troubles.’
‘I received no such thing,’ he said curtly. ‘And my wife? Is she...is she well?’
It seemed so long since their parting and now Hugh had to wait to see her.
‘She is, my lord, and is inside the castle. She will be glad of your unexpected arrival.’
Balvoire flicked something off his surcoat. ‘Yes, it is a shame that Lady Eleanor won’t be attending. With the public hanging of such a notorious criminal she really should do so—especially in your absence. Well, never mind... Now you’re here, my lord.’
Hugh glared at him. ‘Lord Balvoire, can you explain to me why you feel you can march into Tallany and throw your weight around like this?’
‘I’m only doing my duty, my young lord, as a good neighbour should—especially with all the difficulties here whilst you were away,’ he said wryly. ‘And anyway, you will remember that the King asked us to work together.’
‘Not like this,’ Hugh said through clenched teeth, reining in his anger. ‘I thank you for your assistance whilst I have been away on the King’s business, but this is a matter for me—not you.’
‘Oh, you are full of self-importance, are you not?’ Balvoire chuckled softly. ‘And I disagree. This is a matter for all of us.’
Hugh dismounted and strode to the dais, growling as he
