Chapter 17 #2
Amaury shook his head in reply to both queries.
“He might simply have lied, implying he held the seal but knowing it to be lost.”
“Aye.”
Roland flung out a hand. “And how could we have killed Gaultier? We were here when he died.”
“Someone could have acted at our behest.”
“Edmund,” Roland uttered the name through his teeth. “For what incentive? The man has no loyalty to us, despite Father’s kindness to him.”
Edmund. Amaury would think upon that.
“He might simply enjoy such feats,” Amaury said. “He is not a kind man, I think.”
“What of those from Haniers? They might not have liked Gaultier’s scheme to put aside his wife for their sister.”
“Then they could have simply left Marnis.”
“Ha. You cannot say what the financial arrangements had been. There might have been a rich dowry paid, one that could not be returned.”
They rode for a moment in silence. “And what of Denis? Who killed him?”
“What I cannot fathom is why he was even in the forest that morning,” Amaury said, frowning at the road ahead.
“Did they not say that he sought his destrier?”
“But you had stolen it.”
“Aye.”
“And he knew that, for he witnessed the theft.”
“Aye.”
“So, why search the forest? Were you in the habit of leaving your plunder there?”
“Of course not. It is too close to Chateau Marnis.” Roland was impatient with the suggestion. “And what manner of fool would abandon such a horse in the forest at night?”
“Which means Denis knew he would not find the horse there. Why did he ride out that morning?”
Roland frowned. “You cannot know his destination. You cannot know where he intended to ride or where he had ridden.”
“They said he left at first light, and he was killed at midday. He had time to reach any number of locations, including Montvieux, if that had been his intent.”
Roland turned to study Amaury. “What are you thinking?”
“That there is another detail we do not know.”
“Perhaps he was to meet someone, and that person attacked him.”
Amaury shook his head. “Someone conspires to claim Marnis. Someone allied with Edmund.”
“Someone released him within Marnis’ walls,” Roland ceded.
“It is someone to whom he is loyal in truth.”
“Nay, nay. His choice simply means he fears that person.”
Amaury could see that. “And who would he fear? Who might Denis have met outside the walls, and had a disagreement ending in such violence?”
“You have a notion,” Roland said and Amaury nodded.
“Consider this. I believe Denis aspired to hold Marnis. Of course, he did. He was the sole son of the house and it was a reasonable expectation on his part. What if someone offered to aid him in ensuring that legacy came to his hand sooner rather than later?”
“But truly, that person meant to betray him and claim the prize himself.”
Amaury nodded. “And Denis guessed as much.” He thought of the keys Isabella had hidden on her person and considered the timing of her acquisition of them.
She had not possessed them before she dressed the corpse of her brother.
“And so Denis hid something of value, the better to guarantee his own position.”
“You think he was killed for it.”
“I think he was killed because he did not surrender it. Edmund holds his tongue because he not only knows the villain, but fears him.”
“The villain must be close to him, then.”
“Within the very walls of Marnis.” Amaury nodded once. “It has to be Mallory.”
“The brother of Lady Faydide.”
“What do you know of him?”
“Little enough. He is Faydide’s half-brother. They share a sire in the Duke of Sancerre, but he was the product of the duke’s first marriage. He did seem to be in the confidence of the Lord de Marnis.”
“Have you ever spoken with him?”
Roland shook his head. “I know he is feared in Marnis village, but not why.”
Amaury nodded at the approaching company. Even at a distance, he recognized the count’s insignia on the banners. “The count may have tidings to share with us on that matter. It will give us a topic of conversation as we return to Montvieux.”
Even as he spoke, Amaury wondered what Isabella knew of her uncle.
He thought she would tell him anything she thought to be of import, but there might be a small detail she would not think to share.
He was beyond glad that she was safely away from Marnis, for he did not share her conviction that he had been the intended target of that bolt.
“I still believe we should have conferred with Amaury,” Thierry complained as he rode alongside Isabella. “You might have told him of this scheme before his departure this morn.”
“He would have insisted upon escorting me and he would have been killed,” she replied with authority.
She felt the knight’s sidelong glance as keenly as his surprise. “You expect to be intercepted.”
“I expect to be followed,” Isabella agreed. Her heart was skipping, for the patch of forest where Denis had died loomed ahead. Within moments, she would know the truth, and likely be powerless to do much about it.
She tugged the cord from beneath her chemise, gathered it in her hand and lifted it over her head. The keys strung upon it shone in the sunlight and she knew Thierry saw them. She wound the cord into a coil so it could be hidden in one hand.
“You are going to aid me to dismount,” she said, as if she felt more calm than she did in truth. “When you do, I will slip this into your glove, though neither of us will give any outward sign of the transaction.”
“I see,” he murmured, and she knew he studied the shadows ahead of them. “I believe we are watched, my lady.”
Isabella nodded. “My brother loved to hide his treasures in this forest. I remembered as much last night, for I had forgotten. And he had a place he favored above all others, one he used for his greatest prizes.”
“You think there is something there.”
“I think that what he took from my father’s treasury is there, and if I am right, then one of these keys might open the lock upon it.” She frowned down at them. “I would guess the smallest of them, for it is one that fit no lock I could find.”
“What do you think is there?”
“The treasure that must be found.” She raised a hand before Thierry could protest. “So long as it remains hidden and I am believed to be the sole one who knows its location, I should be sufficiently safe.”
The knight made a growl beneath his breath. “And I am the one who must confess as much to Amaury. I may not survive that errand, my lady.”
She smiled at him. “You will, for he is not unjust.”
Thierry’s brows rose but he said no more. “Will you tell me of our destination?”
“It is on the far side of Marnis village. My mother is buried in the graveyard there. You will leave me there and ride away.”
“But…”
“You will ride back to Montvieux and you will neither halt nor turn around.” Isabella took a breath. “Then later, when the forest is deserted again, you will return. Later today or early on the morrow. You cannot leave it too long.”
“Because they will wrest the truth from you,” her companion guessed grimly. “My lady, you should not take this risk…”
“They will not kill me so long as they believe I know something they do not,” she insisted, hoping it were true.
She dared not recall that long-ago day when her father had willfully injured her, for she might lose her resolve.
“And if they learn of my brother’s hiding spot but then find it empty, I will strive to convince them that they have been betrayed from within.
” Isabella was not certain it could be done, but she would try.
“If I am deemed to be worthless, there is no reason to stain their hands. They will send me to the convent.” She hoped this was true, but she had to convince Thierry to leave her.
“I say you will be in peril, and Amaury will have my hide for it.”
“Listen! On the far side of the trees, the river runs toward Marnis village. This road crosses it in the forest. If you follow the river toward the village from there, it bends suddenly to reveal the mill, just ahead. At that point, on this bank of the river, there is a very large rock with a tree growing atop it. You cannot mistake it, for the tree’s roots twine around it, as gold wires will hold a gemstone.
And if you climb that rock, you will find a hollow hidden beneath the tree’s trunk.
It is only large enough for a man’s fist. You might need Philip to reach within it for you.
But if you stretch the length of your arm into it, I believe you will find Denis’ hidden treasure there. ” She cast him a look. “Guard it well.”
“You dare too much in this, my lady,” the knight growled.
“I would risk this and more to see justice served. Tell him that.” She took a breath. “And if you find what I believe you will, and he holds his sole desire in his hand, remind him of that truth.” She heard her voice harden. “Do not let him surrender the promise of the future for me.”
“My lady!”
“Understand, sir, that he will never be permitted to leave Marnis alive again. Persuade him of this, for the sake of Montvieux and all he holds dear.”
She did not wait for a reply, for she knew the knight would argue with her.
Isabella touched her heels to her horse’s side and the palfrey began to canter.
She could feel watchful eyes upon them, but strove to give no sign of her trepidation.
They passed the forest on the south side, riding toward Marnis village.
She gave no especial attention to the stone she had mentioned and neither did Thierry.
They passed the mill, then circled around the village, coming to a halt at the graveyard.
“Be careful, my lady,” Thierry whispered as he handed her down.
Isabella saw the cord slide into his glove and watched his grip close around it. She gave him the barest nod and assured him that all would be well.
“I shall return at midday, my lady,” Thierry said loudly, then bowed. He swung into his saddle and rode away with speed.