walked, they countered by keeping just out of his reach.
It was not something they did to Ronchford. He alighted from his carriage and stormed up the stairs without a care. His face was flushed with temper and the guard remained very close to him, obviously not fearing his ability to lay them low.
The great hall was hushed. Helena heard the whispers rise in volume when they entered. Every set of eyes turned to look at them. Many raised fans to mask their mouths, as if that canceled their gossiping. She walked quickly, trying to keep up with her husband. Keir set a determined pace, intent on reaching wherever the royal guards were taking them. They increased their strides, the sounds of boot heels echoing in the quiet hall.
James Stuart sat on his throne, and Anne was seated on the raised dais as well. The queen sat straight up and her hand held a rare folded fan that she tapped against her loose gown. The guard closed the doors behind them. Helena scanned the other men in the room. All of the King’s Privy Council was present and they were along the sides of the room near the dais, watching Keir and Ronchford. She had never seen so many facing down the receiving chamber. James normally sat on the dais and whoever was in his presence remained facing him.
Alarik McKorey was also in the room. His face was stern but rage flickered in his eyes. She could feel the man’s impatience. He stared at the only other men in the room. There were three of them behind her. Lowering herself, she took the moment to look at them closer. They were dressed rather plainly but their clothing was made of the finest wool, not the coarser sort that was often used by the middle class. Yet it was not dyed any fashionable color. Nor was it black, such as the Puritans chose to wear in order to avoid committing the sin of vanity. Instead they wore a rather pleasant shade of green that was complemented with gray edging.
“We are at an unforeseen crossroads, my lords.” James spoke slowly, shifting his attention between Keir and Ronchford. “Neither of you were found guilty.”
“I should hope not,” Ronchford scoffed.
The king stared at him for a long moment until a slap of the fan against his queen’s skirts broke his lapse.
“It seems new information has surfaced to help us discover the truth of this grave matter.”
James flicked his hands and a servant moved forward. It was difficult to tell what the boy carried until it was closer. The fabric was mangled and filthy, bearing rents and dark smears of dirt so that it was almost impossible to tell that it had once been the golden silk that Queen Anne’s maids of honor wore.
“The most interesting part is that the piece of silk found in Edmund Knyvett’s hand fits up with it almost perfectly.”
Another servant brought the piece forward. He laid it against the soiled dress and the ragged edges met. The hem was stained with Edmund’s blood, which was now dark.
“McQuade has two murders to answer for now.” Ronchford raised his voice and pointed a damning finger at Keir.
“That’s interesting.” One of the men behind them spoke. He moved forward on powerful steps. He was a large man and he kept one hand on the pommel of his sword. Unlike most of the men in court, he didn’t stand poised on one leg with the other placed in a pose of unconcerned relaxation. This man stood like Keir and Alarik, his body weight even and his attention keen. He had dark hair but eyes were as green as spring meadows.
“Interesting in that Raelin tells a story that is different. She says the assassin named Edmund as the man who paid him to wound him and you as the man who paid for his death.”
“Preposterous! Where is the lying wench? I would like to see her say such a thing to my face!”
“Edmund paid his own assassin?” Helena covered her mouth with a hand. Horror flooded her, but she suddenly realized what the man had said. “Raelin is alive?”
He nodded. “Aye, and some place removed from all this evil.”
“More likely she is hiding for fear of not being able to utter such lies in the presence of her betters!” Ronchford had turned red. “Who would believe that Edmund would pay an assassin to attack him? It is ludicrous!”