“If you recognize him, do you know who hired him to kidnap your wife?” Lothar asked. When Chetwynd turned toward Lothar, the king took a step back and continued. “It wasn’t me. I never saw the man before.”
“I doubt if anyone hired him. I’m sure he believes he has sufficient reason of his own for what he did. Isn’t that right, Cecil?”
“You ruined my life, damn you,” the outlaw muttered. “I lost my position with Malorvic and never got another one. It’s only right that you should pay.”
“You ruined your own life when you attacked an innocent maiden,” Chetwynd said. “I just saw that you didn’t get away with it.”
Jerome had been watching the exchange attentively. When Chetwynd’s squire remembered the story Isabel had told him and understood who Cecil was, he swung his fist at the outlaw, knocking him to the floor and following him down before anyone could stop him. It took Justin and Chetwynd working together to pull Jerome off the man. Ingram stood back, grinning his approval at Jerome.
Isabel had backed away from the struggle, and Chetwynd pulled Jerome over to where she stood. “Jerome, do something useful. Give Isabel your arm for support until we can finish with this matter.”
After Ingram pulled the kidnapper roughly to his feet, Lothar moved forward to question him. “You had better explain yourself quickly, or I’ll put you in a cell with Chetwynd’s two men. They don’t seem to be too happy with you.”
The kidnapper looked from Jerome to Ingram. Then he began talking. “When I kidnapped Chetwynd’s woman, I had no intention of harming her. My plan was to ask for a ransom. Lord Chetwynd ruined my career, Your Majesty. After he got me thrown out of Malorvic’s army, I was reduced to robbing travelers to survive. He deserved to pay.”
Lothar ignored his rationale. “Why were you in the queen’s party?” he asked. “Were you also working for her when you took Lord Chetwynd’s wife?”
Puzzled by the question, Cecil shook his head. “Taking Chetwynd’s wife had nothing to do with the queen. I know a serving woman in the queen’s employ. She gives me information from time to time about travelers, and I give her a share of the take.”
From Lothar’s expression, it was clear he was disappointed to hear the queen wasn’t involved. This fact was not lost on Cecil, who said, “I have some interesting information I can give you about the queen.”
Lothar looked at the man with distaste. “I don’t have anything to do with men who prey on young maidens. Guards, take him away to the dungeon.”
“You’ll want to hear what I have to say, Your Majesty,” the man shouted as he was being hustled away.
Lothar and Chetwynd found themselves standing side by side watching Cecil disappear. There was silence in the chamber, and Chetwynd sensed that everyone was nervously waiting to see what would happen next. Chetwynd turned to face Lothar. “I’m sorry I thought you were involved in the kidnapping of my wife, Your Majesty.”
The look of surprise on Lothar’s face made the effort it took Chetwynd to apologize worthwhile, and he relaxed.
“Your concern for your wife is understandable, Lord Chetwynd. She is a remarkable woman. I hope we can forget about our differences and get along better in the future.”
The right words had been spoken, and the two men looked at each other as though wondering what to do next. Justin stepped forward, eager to separate Chetwynd and Lothar while they were still on good terms. “I think you should take Isabel to your chambers, Chetwynd. The rest of us can take care of things from here. Perhaps Gilda will help you with Isabel.”
“I’m sure Chetwynd and Marianna are quite capable of caring for Isabel,” Gilda pointed out to Justin. “I’d like to speak with King Lothar about sponsoring a memorial for Gerberga. I think it would be fitting to set up a fund to help the many women who will miss the services Gerberga provided them.”
Justin frowned. “I don’t think this is the time or place . . .”
As Justin and Gilda began to argue, Chetwynd led Isabel from the room. She looked back at the pair who stood toe-to-toe and smiled at the sight. They made a striking couple, Gilda’s golden locks contrasting with Justin’s dark hair.
Back in their chambers, Isabel sat on the bed and watched Chetwynd washing himself. She had used her one good hand to help him wash the blood from his hair, and afterwards he had insisted she sit on the bed while he finished up. She could see bruises on his chest and back, but they didn’t mar his beauty. She remembered that was how Emma had described him to her all those years ago. At the time she had protested, not realizing a man could be beautiful.
“I think Cecil was implying that he knows something about the queen that Lothar would find interesting. Do you think Lothar is going to seek him out to hear his story?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Lothar will use anything he can against the queen. He distrusts her, perhaps with good reason. One thing is sure. Lothar has a soft spot in his heart for you, Isabel. It’s one reason I managed to keep from attacking him.”
“I think Lothar may be a little mad, Chetwynd. After the physician had given me a potion, I remember him pacing the floor and muttering about legends and someone writing a song about me. He even compared me to Roland.”
“Did he now? He always did like a good story, and apparently the tale of your escape from the kidnappers has been widely repeated.”
“Before the physician arrived, he did wrap my hand and stop the bleeding. He was quite upset at the sight of my blood.”
“And so he should
