“There is nothing in here.” Esme’s shoulders sagged.
“Keep looking.” Adam’s fingers itched to conduct the search himself, but he dared not step away from the knight.
Jonah seated himself back down at the table and took a swig of ale, his hands shaking. If Adam had entertained any doubts as to his loyalty to his sister, they were now assuaged.
“There is a letter.” Cheeks flushed, Esme rose to her feet and carried it over.
“Give it to Adam,” Jonah said, surprising them both.
Adam took the parchment with one hand, his other still holding his sword at Crispin’s chest.
Was this a test, to see if he was able to read?
Rory Baine had his faults, but he had ensured that Adam’s early education was on parr with Callum’s.
Adam squinted at the cramped handwriting. The message was short, and the ink blotted, as if it had been written in haste.
“The letter states that Crispin should flee for his life,” he finally said.
“Please, can I see?” Without waiting for his answer, Esme took the parchment and stared down at it. His heart clenched to see how her shoulders shook.
“Roger Mortimer is arrested,” she murmured. Her gaze lifted to her brother’s. “This is the news you brought us last night.” As he nodded in agreement, she looked down at Crispin. “Why should that affect you so? Why should you flee for your life because the pretender to the throne has been arrested?”
Realization dawned across her pretty face just as Adam also slotted the puzzle together. Jonah slammed his cup down onto the table.
“God’s blood, the man’s a traitor,” he half-whispered.
“You left Wolvesley to attend Roger Mortimer?” Esme’s voice dripped with scorn.
“And Queen Isabella.” Crispin, to his credit, did not cower. “They were at Nottingham Castle. I was riding to their aid. But the dratted young king got there first.”
“You will speak of the King of England with respect.” Jonah pushed back his chair, his face weary now. “Ye Gods, my father will be shocked at this. For how long has he entertained a traitor in his ranks?”
“Roger Mortimer came once to dine at Wolvesley.” Esme gasped. “In the early days. Was that when you met him?”
Crispin’s face twisted with scorn. “My family has long been aligned with his.”
Adam cared little for the loyalties of the English aristocracy. He renewed his pressure on the sword, gratified when Crispin’s eyes traveled to its tip.
“This is why you have become so intent on marrying Lady Esme. ’Tis because your family will soon be branded as traitors to the throne, and you wish to enjoy the protection of the Earl of Wolvesley.”
“That is exactly the case.” Jonah nodded his agreement. “Had things gone differently, you would have left my sister high and dry.”
Esme sniffed. Adam thought she was about to say that might have been a better outcome.
“It seems you will get your wish, after all, Crispin de Gough,” Jonah said. “You will have your chance to speak before my father. You will do so in chains, as a traitor.”
“This changes naught,” Crispin tried one last time.
Even Esme laughed. “It changes everything,” she chimed in. “Do you think anyone will believe the desperate rantings of a traitor?”
Walking rather unsteadily, Jonah came to join them. He folded his arms and looked down at Crispin, before his gaze passed over Esme and Adam. “Let us have the carriage made ready at once,” he murmured. “We will all travel to Wolvesley.”
Chapter Nineteen
Of all things,Adam had not anticipated travelling to Wolvesley Castle in a stately carriage, with gilt on the windows and plush velvet on the seat cushions.
Not had he anticipated being seated beside Jonah de Neville, who occasionally turned his pale blue eyes toward him in an assessing manner.
