David didn’t say anything until he pulled him into the solar and quietly shut the door. When he faced Gart, his expression was serious.
“He is in the reception hall with Father Mellitus, a canon at Westminster.” David ran a hand through his blond hair in a nervous gesture. “Gart, we have sent for Father Jonas. I believe we may need him.”
Gart didn’t like the sound of that at all. “Why?”
David lifted his shoulders, unsure where to start the sordid tale he was coming to understand.
“Because somewhere, somehow, Buckland has become a cunning opponent,” he replied. “He knew that all of the posturing and aggression in the world would not force us to turn Emberley over to him. Somehow, he figured out that I was involved in the ambush on his escort. I am not sure how he knew, but he did. You said that you left no trace? No survivors?”
Gart shook his head. “Nothing at all. We killed all of the witnesses and stripped the area of any identification. There is no way he could have known I was involved.”
David shook his head. “It is not you at all,” he said. “He believes that I am involved solely, assisted by de Lara. Your name has not even entered into the conversation yet, but I am sure it will at some point, especially when Father Jonas arrives.”
Gart was increasingly apprehensive, a big, hollow weight in the pit of his belly that was causing him to feel ill. “How does he know Emberley is here?”
“Call it a historical assumption. He may be an idiot, but he is not a fool. Somehow, he figured it out for himself.”
“But he has not seen her yet. Perhaps there is still time to escape unseen.”
David shook his head. “Papal guards are all over the grounds. There would be no way to remove her unseen.”
Gart couldn’t imagine how the man knew Emberley was at Bellham but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was why he had come.
“You still have not told me why Buckland is here with a Westminster canon,” he said quietly.
David sighed heavily, turning to look at him but fearful of what he would see when he explained their purpose.
“Because Julian has gone to the Church to demand his wife returned to him,” he said after a moment. “Father Mellitus is here to take possession of Emberley and return her to her husband. You know as well as I do that we cannot refuse the Church– to do so would have unfathomable consequences.”
Gart stared at him, shocked. “Surely you cannot be serious.”
David cocked an eyebrow. “I am afraid I am.”
Gart continued staring at him, shocked. He needed to clarify to make sure he heard correctly.
“Buckland has asked the Church to intervene?” he finally rasped.
David nodded slowly, feeling so very sorry for Gart. “He has,” he replied quietly. “I have asked for a delay until Father Jonas arrives to mediate.”
“Mediate?” Gart repeated, incredulous. “What is he to mediate? There is no question that Emberley will not go with Buckland. She stays with me, Church or no.”
David sighed heavily. “Gart, do not make this more difficult than it already is,” he said. “If the Church demands Emberley, we cannot refuse.”
Gart began to feel the warmth of rage starting in his feet, moving its way up his legs, causing his palms to sweat as the heat entered his chest before moving to his head. Sweat popped out on his brow and, as David watched apprehensively, Gart began to work his massive fists. David knew that gesture, having seen it many times before. It was the catalyst to an explosion of epic proportions.
“They cannot have her,” he growled. “I will not let them take her.”
David put up his hands, trying to soothe the rage before it exploded.
“That is why I have sent for Father Jonas,” he said. “If anyone can help us work through this, he can. Until he arrives, you and I will remain here in this room while my brother watches over Julian and Westminster. We are going to stay right here until Jonas arrives.”
“Father Jonas be damned!” Gart roared. “I will kill Buckland before I let him take her!”
David moved to him, putting his hands on the man to ease him.
“Gart, you must control yourself,” he pleaded. “You must stay calm if there is any hope of allowing Emberley to remain withyou. If you fly into a rage, the Church will see you as a madman and remove Emberley for her own safety. Do you understand me?”
Gart was struggling to control himself, more than he ever had in his life. He knew David was right about maintaining his control. He didn’t want to appear insane, as much as that reputation had been to his advantage in the past. This is one time it would not work in his favor.
