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Authors: Alyssa James
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to the marriage between his ward and Lord Collins. The banns have been posted. So, unless—”
The knight made another gesture with his hand and the priest stopped mid-sentence as a squire hurried to the earl’s side and handed him a scroll.
“This scroll bears the king’s seal.” Lord Romsey held the scroll up for all to see.
Again, the crowd jostled and there were exclamations of incredulity as all awaited the outcome of the knight’s allegations. The gossips would have a field day after these events.
“’Tis by King Henry’s authority that I arrest Lord Collins for the murder of his third wife, Lady Catherine of Lichfield, and for plotting the murder of Lady Aveline, daughter of the Duke of Devereux.” At his words, two knights from his party seized Lord Collins who was edging away from Lord Romsey. “Lord Collins, you will be tried by King Henry’s court.”
“I’m innocent,” the man protested with an expression of bitter hatred as he struggled fruitlessly against the knights. “Lady Catherine fell into the well—”
“There are two witnesses who will testify that you pushed her,” Lord Rowan told him in a tone that brooked no argument.
Ysabel’s suspicions had been right!
Lisette gave a silent cheer for the Earl of Romsey for seeing that this murderer was brought to justice.
Condemnation erupted from the crowd. A few people shouted out words of scorn for the man who was no longer a threat to them—a man who was now powerless against the mighty knights who held him.
Lisette found herself watching Lord Rowan. She was startled at the heated loathing that blazed from the knight. Any moment Lord Collins may well be incinerated on the spot, but she could find no pity for the evil man.
Collins reeled backward wearing a shocked expression. He stammered, “They..they are l-l-l-lying. Lady Aveline—”
“Fell from her horse after you paid a woodsman to hide along the track where she took her morning ride.” The knight’s eyes became like twin daggers, piercing into Collins with the same deadly accuracy as each word that condemned him. “At your instruction, the man startled her mount and the horse bolted along the path and headlong into an obstruction. You had placed the obstruction precisely so that Lady Aveline was violently and fatally dismounted.”
“Nay! These are all lies!” Collins cried, but his tone was weak and hardly carried over the furore of the crowd.
Lisette found it incredible to witness how a man with a reputation as a ruthless bully turned weak against a much stronger, more formidable opponent—and in the face of what was surely the truth.
“If these are lies, you have naught to fear when you stand before the king.” The knight’s response was bitten out through clenched teeth as Collins was escorted away.
A hushed silence fell upon the crowd. Through her shock at the turn of events Lisette was light-headed as bubbles of joy burst inside her bloodstream. Her marriage to the repugnant Lord Collins would not proceed. The man would stand trial for the murder of at least two of his wives, God rest their souls.
The Earl of Romsey lifted another scroll fixed with King Henry’s royal seal. “’Tis King Henry’s command that Lady Lisette of Bridlemere become my wedded wife.”
Lisette’s heart did another somersault. Surely, it could not be true?
“Give me that,” Lord Blake spluttered.
The king’s first knight ignored Lisette’s guardian and walked forward to extend the document to the priest. “My Liege commands the marriage take place immediately, without the reading of banns.”
While the priest read through the document, Lisette’s head spun. None of this made any sense. She’d arrived at the church expecting to marry Lord Collins. Now this dashing knight, her saviour, was to be her husband. Not an old man, but a young, strong knight. The king’s first knight. Never in her wildest imaginings had she considered that she would make such a match.
Her
The knight made another gesture with his hand and the priest stopped mid-sentence as a squire hurried to the earl’s side and handed him a scroll.
“This scroll bears the king’s seal.” Lord Romsey held the scroll up for all to see.
Again, the crowd jostled and there were exclamations of incredulity as all awaited the outcome of the knight’s allegations. The gossips would have a field day after these events.
“’Tis by King Henry’s authority that I arrest Lord Collins for the murder of his third wife, Lady Catherine of Lichfield, and for plotting the murder of Lady Aveline, daughter of the Duke of Devereux.” At his words, two knights from his party seized Lord Collins who was edging away from Lord Romsey. “Lord Collins, you will be tried by King Henry’s court.”
“I’m innocent,” the man protested with an expression of bitter hatred as he struggled fruitlessly against the knights. “Lady Catherine fell into the well—”
“There are two witnesses who will testify that you pushed her,” Lord Rowan told him in a tone that brooked no argument.
Ysabel’s suspicions had been right!
Lisette gave a silent cheer for the Earl of Romsey for seeing that this murderer was brought to justice.
Condemnation erupted from the crowd. A few people shouted out words of scorn for the man who was no longer a threat to them—a man who was now powerless against the mighty knights who held him.
Lisette found herself watching Lord Rowan. She was startled at the heated loathing that blazed from the knight. Any moment Lord Collins may well be incinerated on the spot, but she could find no pity for the evil man.
Collins reeled backward wearing a shocked expression. He stammered, “They..they are l-l-l-lying. Lady Aveline—”
“Fell from her horse after you paid a woodsman to hide along the track where she took her morning ride.” The knight’s eyes became like twin daggers, piercing into Collins with the same deadly accuracy as each word that condemned him. “At your instruction, the man startled her mount and the horse bolted along the path and headlong into an obstruction. You had placed the obstruction precisely so that Lady Aveline was violently and fatally dismounted.”
“Nay! These are all lies!” Collins cried, but his tone was weak and hardly carried over the furore of the crowd.
Lisette found it incredible to witness how a man with a reputation as a ruthless bully turned weak against a much stronger, more formidable opponent—and in the face of what was surely the truth.
“If these are lies, you have naught to fear when you stand before the king.” The knight’s response was bitten out through clenched teeth as Collins was escorted away.
A hushed silence fell upon the crowd. Through her shock at the turn of events Lisette was light-headed as bubbles of joy burst inside her bloodstream. Her marriage to the repugnant Lord Collins would not proceed. The man would stand trial for the murder of at least two of his wives, God rest their souls.
The Earl of Romsey lifted another scroll fixed with King Henry’s royal seal. “’Tis King Henry’s command that Lady Lisette of Bridlemere become my wedded wife.”
Lisette’s heart did another somersault. Surely, it could not be true?
“Give me that,” Lord Blake spluttered.
The king’s first knight ignored Lisette’s guardian and walked forward to extend the document to the priest. “My Liege commands the marriage take place immediately, without the reading of banns.”
While the priest read through the document, Lisette’s head spun. None of this made any sense. She’d arrived at the church expecting to marry Lord Collins. Now this dashing knight, her saviour, was to be her husband. Not an old man, but a young, strong knight. The king’s first knight. Never in her wildest imaginings had she considered that she would make such a match.
Her
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