"Very well." Edward motioned to Burke, who pulled the man closer to the flames. The rebel screamed and tried to fight back, but was no match for Burke and the guards, who soon positioned both lard-smeared feet against the flames.
The screams echoing in the room hurt Royce's ears. For several minutes, Burke held the captive in place, then gave the signal to pull him back. The Welshman collapsed limply to the floor. The smell of burned flesh knotted Royce's stomach.
"We will continue until you tell me where I can find Godwin and who has been aiding them."
The outlaw remained silent, unwilling or unable to speak. Edward motioned to Burke and the screams began anew.
***
"Could I have been wrong about William?"
Edward didn't wait for an answer, forcing Royce to follow down the narrow corridor. The rebel had lost consciousness before saying anything useful. Edward decreed they would try again. In the meantime, he wanted the other rebel hanged. Immediately.
The king continued to speak. "His wife was Welsh, distantly related to Llewellyn and his brothers. William said she'd been renounced by her family, and she's been dead for many years, but..."
"As you know, Sire, I have had doubts about Gillian myself. I will continue to work to learn the truth. She has always claimed innocence, but she's also kept many secrets."
Were there more? He couldn't be sure. He gave a moment's consideration to sharing what he'd learned from Gillian, about the truth of her mother's ancestry. Would the revelation of additional lies help, or make things worse? Edward's next words extinguished the idea.
"And if we learn she is indeed a traitor? You know what must be done."
Royce understood the king's meaning clearly. The thought of his wife executed left him cold, but if he discovered she had indeed betrayed England, he would not hesitate to hand her over. An image of her on the ramparts, bow in hand, calmed his worry. If she meant harm to England, she would have killed him. Instead, she'd saved his life. Her actions spoke more than any monk could record in his lifetime.
"She defended Lyndon, Sire, and saved my life during the raid."
Edward nodded. "'Twould seem to indicate she is innocent."
Another possible suspect arose. While Royce had wanted to share this latest with the king in private, he realized he must do so now. Why did the urgent need to defend his wife guide him now?
"Sire, did you receive a letter from William before he passed?"
"Nay, though 'tis possible Burnell has it. Why?"
"Gillian has a brother."
Edward gaped at him, anger reddening his face. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't know ere last night. She admitted it. He's abastard. Never acknowledged."
Edward's eyes turned contemplative. "I see. Mayhap he is angered over that."
"Could be."
"Mayhap he is traitor."
Royce nodded. "Mayhap."
The idea made more sense with each second. Who was Simon's mother? If he was indeed the traitor, 'twould explain much. And Gillian would be free of suspicion. The relief he felt startled him. He told himself 'twas only because it would save him the shame of having a traitorous wife.
"I have told him I will require his aid in securing Lyndon. He will bear watching. I will set him to tasks so that Burke and I can do so easily."
Edward nodded. He stepped aside as two of the guards dragged the bloodied rebel from the chamber. Royce half-dreaded the next hour.
***
Gillian heard the commotion in the bailey and excused herself from Thomas. There would be time for the ledgers later. She lifted her skirts and strode down the steps, surprised to see so many people milling about the tall oak near the smithy. Royce stood nearby, Edward before him. To the side, Eleanor and her ladies stood, whispering. She hurried across the bailey, pushing her way through. When she reached the tree, she froze.
One of the captured rebels, his face bloodied and bruised, knelt in a wagon underneath the lowest branch. His hands were bound behind his back. The horse harnessed to the cart shifted, and the wagon lurched. The rebel swayed but held his position.
