Chapter Nineteen #3
Bruce’s gaze moved between the two men; he had met Breck upon his arrival to Chaldon, a high-strung knight with an unruly mouth. But he had yet to meet de Moray, the accused, and his first impression of the man was one of calm and control. His interest was directed towards the prisoner.
“You are de Moray?” he asked.
“Aye, my lord.”
“The one they call the Gorgon?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Why do they call you this?”
“Because I fly the Gorgon banner.”
“I will again ask why.”
Bose sighed faintly, although no one could hear him.
Still, there was some hesitance in his manner.
“Because the Gorgon is a fearsome female demon from mythology,” he said.
“To me, it represents my former mother in law. You see, my lord, the time when I was beginning my career on the tournament circuit was a particularly vicious period in my association with the woman. My wife had just died in childbirth and Margot blamed me for her death. So I commissioned the Gorgon banner to represent her, as the one who made every attempt to ruin my life. She is still trying. The banner was meant as an insult but it has become my symbol.”
“You draw inspiration from such a thing?”
“It reminds me daily to defeat the obstacles that have been given me.”
In just those few sentences, Eggardon could see that the prisoner was sane and strong. Oddly, he was impressed by the man. After a moment, he gestured weakly.
“I will hear your side of this, Sir Bose.” It was a polite command.
In spite of having spent the past six days in the dungeon, Bose was remarkably groomed and composed.
Thanks to his new brothers-in-law, one of whom had remained constantly by his side as he awaited trial within the bowels of Chaldon, he had been provided with a good deal of comfort and luxuries – clean clothes, a fine bed, and his wife’s constant presence.
The only reason Bose hadn’t asked for Summer’s permanent company was because he could hardly stand to see her within the moss-ridden walls as it was.
Every time she left him, her sneezes threatened to overcome her and his guilt was great for forcing her to endure his terrible conditions.
During this time, Bose had been informed of the entire circumstance regarding Margot’s influence on Edward’s change of heart and in truth, he wasn’t surprised.
There wasn’t anything his mother-in-law would not do to wreak havoc upon him and he did not even find it remarkable that, somehow, she had aligned herself with Breck Kerry.
A good deal became clear regarding the motives behind Edward’s change of mind as Bose came to realize Margot’s involvement.
But that did not matter to him anymore. Nothing mattered any longer but the love of his new wife. Facing Lord Bruce, he found that he was eager to be done with the idiocy at hand.
“’Tis very simple, my lord,” his baritone voice was even.
“I was given verbal permission to marry the lady in the presence of a witness. Before I was able to put the betrothal to paper, Breck Kerry used lies and coercion to convince Lord Edward to change his mind. Even though Breck possesses a written betrothal, it is invalid because the lady was already betrothed to me at the time. Claiming my right, I proceeded to marry her.”
Bruce sighed faintly, mulling over the concise explanation. “You are saying, in fact, that Breck’s written permission was given after your verbal sanction?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“And you have a witness that will attest to this?”
“Aye, my lord. Sir Ian du Bonne will testify on my behalf.”
Seated beside Summer, Ian immediately rose in support of Bose’s claim but Lord Bruce gestured him to remain seated for the moment. Currently, he was involved in the meat of the prisoner’s deposition and continued to focus on the massive knight.
“Even if this is true, Sir Bose, you realize that a written contract is far more binding than a verbal pledge.”
Bose’s expression did not waiver. “Lord Edward gave his word. I consider that as valid as any written pledge.”
Bruce pondered the steady answer. “But if you did not have your witness, it would simply be your word against Lord Edward if he denies having given permission. Who is to say that the tale of a verbal sanction wasn’t something you and your alleged witness invented simply to support your claim to an illegal marriage? ”
The thought had never occurred to Bose. For the first time, he tore his gaze away from the Marquis and focused on Edward, seated next to Margot on an overstuffed chair. “Has the baron, in fact, denied giving me his sanction, my lord?”
Bruce looked to Edward as well, expecting an answer from the pale, overweight man.
Edward, sensing that he had become the focus of attention, shifted uncomfortably in his chair and Bose was not overly astonished when Margot whispered in the man’s ear encouragingly.
In truth, nothing the woman did surprised him any longer.
“My lord,” Edward cleared his throat, his gaze shifty as he struggled not to look at his disgusted, angered sons.
“As I indicated upon your arrival, I was quite drunk on the night in question. Sir Bose… well, he says I gave permission. And so does my son Ian. But, quite simply, I cannot remember for certain what, in fact, happened.”
Sighs of disbelief and concern arose among the listening gallery, including a loud gasp from Summer herself. Ian, his face taut with fury, rose to his feet once more and faced his father across the dimly-lit room.
“I was there, Father,” his teeth were clenched. “You most certainly gave your permission for Bose to marry my sister.”
Edward’s expression was filled with desperation. Clearly, he felt as if he were arguing with an enemy and not a man whom he had sired. “So you say, Ian, but I was drunk that eve and… truthfully, I can recall very little. I do not know if….”
“Then you are accusing me of lying on Bose’s behalf?”
“I did not say…!”
Ian let out a sharp hiss. “For the love of God, Father, have the decency to admit that you verbally pledged Summer to Bose. For once in your life, show your daughter a measure of fatherly support and concern. Admit that you betrothed her to Sir Bose.”
Edward, breathing heavily with emotion, was genuinely distraught. “Ian… I cannot! I cannot recall…!”
Ian abruptly turned away from his father. Focusing on Lord Bruce, he endeavored to keep his manner controlled in the face of his father’s treachery.
“My lord, I fear that my father is under the influence of Sir Breck and the elderly lady seated by his side, both of whom are determined to see Sir Bose and my sister meet with ruin,” he said with control.
“Upon the Holy Bible, I swear that my father sealed a verbal betrothal between Sir Bose and my sister well before his contract with Breck Kerry.”
Bruce eyed the largest du Bonne brother, inclined to believe the young man’s sincere statement. But the fact remained that Edward was apparently intent to deny he had ever give Bose verbal permission to wed his daughter. The betrayal and confusion deepened.
“Please take your seat, sir knight,” he quietly bade Ian to sit, who did so with comforting assistance from his sister. In fact, Ian seemed more disturbed than the lady at the moment and Bruce watched the two siblings comfort one another before returning his attention to Bose.
After a lengthy lull, he sighed heavily.
“Sir Bose,” he began quietly. “Do you see the dilemma I am faced with? ’Tis your word and Sir Ian’s word against Baron Lulworth’s.
Obviously, by the code of ethics and standards, I am forced to believe Lord Edward over the two of you because of his elevated station. ”
For the first time since the trial began, Bose emitted a heartfelt sigh of despair.
Edward’s denial was an element he had not expected, but one he should have been prepared for nonetheless.
With Margot feeding her venom deep into the man’s soul, there was no limit to the betrayal involved.
Margot must have convinced Edward to disavow any knowledge of his permission to further bolster Breck’s cause.
In spite of the unwelcome fabrication, his tone was characteristically steady. “Be that as it may, my lord, I have nonetheless married his daughter. And not even you have the power to dissolve our union regardless of the charges or circumstances against me.”
It wasn’t an arrogant declaration, simply a statement of facts. Lord Bruce was experiencing more fatigue by the moment as he removed his gaze from Bose, focusing his attention on Breck. Immediately, his manner seemed to harden.
“And you? What do you have to say to all of this?”
Breck, smug and vile, drew in a deep breath before commencing his testimony.
“My statement of the situation will be simple as well, my lord. Whether or not Sir Bose has the church or witnesses to support his cause, the fact remains that I alone hold the legal documentation that gives the Lady Summer to me. A legal document that permits me to charge Sir Bose with stealing my intended bride. In short, the man is a thief and I want him properly punished.”
Bruce’s expression was critical. “And are you aware of the punishment if he is found guilty?”
Breck nodded confidently. “Death, my lord.”