Page 26 of Lord of the Forest

“Then he presumes too much. No bodies have been found, and ’tis too soon to declare them legally dead.”

Well, wasn’t that just typical of Walter de Glanville! She’d known he was a snake. The man had doubtless lied to her father to bolster his value as a prospective son-in-law. He would inherit Clairbourne Manor once he married her, so, even though it was worth very little, he’d have something to fall back on if his hopes of Emborough Hall came to nothing.

Lancelot’s voice broke in on her thoughts. “What are the names of the missing heirs?”

Sir Kester looked at the paper again. “The elder son was called… let me see… Paris. The younger was Hector.” He looked up and met Lancelot’s eye. “My correspondent notes that a rumor abounds in Suffolk that the younger brother may have done away with the elder. Though I can substantiate none of this, I heard from another justice of the peace that the younger son, Hector, was built like a lion and could strangle a man with his bare hands. Also, that he had something of a temper on him.”

“And what reason, pray, might a man have to kill his own brother?” Lancelot kept his voice level, but Clemence could tell from the flexing of his fingers that he was deeply troubled.

“To inherit Emborough Hall, I assume. As he was the younger son.”

“Surely it takes more than that to incite one man to murder another? Especially when Hector hasn’t claimed the manor. How long ago did they vanish?” Lancelot’s expression was fierce.

Exactly the question she’d wanted to ask.

“Let me see. It would be two years ago, at least.”

Her mother suddenly spoke up. “Then it is to be hoped that the rumors about one brother killing the other have died a death. ’Tis cruel to vilify a man when he’s not present to defend himself—and if both brothers have died through misadventure rather than murder, the family name of de Glanville should remain untainted.”

“There will always be speculation and gossip, Wife, in the absence of evidence.” Clemence’s father took a turn around the room, then went to stand beside Sir Kester’s chair.

“Alas, that is ofttimes the case.” Sir Kester gazed intently at Lancelot again. “The only way to scotch a vicious rumor, and put an end to surmise, is to publicly deny it. And support that denial with irrefutable evidence.”

Clemence chewed on her finger. “I can’t imagine Master de Glanville will appreciate it if we delve into his affairs.”

Sir Kester looked at her. “But he can’t prevent the upholders of the sovereign’s justice from making an investigation. In fact, I think that is exactly what we must do.”

“Do you truly think this man may be one of the two missing brothers?” Her father waved a hand in Lancelot’s direction.

Clemence thrust out of her chair and went to stand beside Lancelot. “Had you not better ask him if he wants this investigation to take place? What if it does more harm than good?”

Lancelot laid a hand on her shoulder, warm, reassuring. She glared a challenge at her father, ignoring his frown of disapproval.

Everyone was staring at them now. Whatever decision Lancelot made, she would support him. To be the center of such attention must be hard for a man who’d clung so long to anonymity and privacy. She placed a hand over his and felt him draw in a deep breath.

He inclined his head toward her father. “Master Fitzpayne—do you uphold your decree that I should marry Clemence? If she’ll have me, I’ll gladly undertake your investigation, wherever it may lead.”

Her heart swelled, and her eyes were moist. No one else knew how much he was risking to protect her good name—how high the stakes might be. He was surely the best of men—the noblest and most selfless. His nightmare must be no more than that—a nightmare. His haunting vision could surely be satisfactorily explained away. She couldn’t believe he’d killed anyone.

“Of course, I’m prepared to take you. And I’ll stand by you, whatever happens.”

His fingers gripped her shoulder, but she couldn’t allow herself to exult. She, too, was taking an enormous gamble. It was as if everything she’d ever hoped for had been ripped apart and thrown up in the air—who knew how the pieces would fall?

“So, what happens now?” Her father stared at Sir Kester, who was drumming his fingers on the table, apparently lost in contemplation.

“There’s only one thing we can do. We must take Lancelot to Emborough Hall.”

Lancelot’s fingers dug into Clemence’s shoulder. “May I request that Mistress Clemence accompany me? She’s been a pillar of support in troubled times. And I don’t want Walter de Glanville informed of our visit. Should I turn out to be one of the lost heirs, I’d rather my claim be well established before locking horns with the man. He’ll doubtless fight me with all the determination he can muster.”

“We shall appoint a lawyer for you, sir. I recommend Master Hardy, of Coggeshall. He’s a fair man, and most skilled in inheritance matters. If you wish, Lancelot may stay with me until we’re ready to depart for Emborough. If Clemence is to join us, you have my word that I shall care for her as if she were my own daughter. As, indeed, she might one day have been, had it not been for Simeon being taken before his time.”

Clemence noticed a twitch in her father’s jaw, and her heart sank. He was going to refuse to let her go, deny her any further part in this adventure. She was about to speak, but a warning squeeze of Lancelot’s fingers silenced her.

“If Clemence goes, we all go,” her father announced. “As you can see, Sir Kester, there is already an understanding between my daughter and this fellow. If they are to marry, I have every right to see what he can offer her.”

“Very well.” Sir Kester pushed away from the table and stood. “I shall have my steward alert Master Hardy and arrange for him to meet us in Milforde. We can take lodgings in the Black Bull, which keeps a good cellar, and there remain until matters are settled to your satisfaction. What say you, Fitzpayne?”

Her father surprised her by smiling. “Thank you, sir. You are a good neighbor and friend, and I’m grateful for your assistance. Though I cannot say I approve this fellow’s behavior beneath my roof, I don’t begrudge him the return of his fortune, or his place in society. But if there is any hint of foul play, I’ll withdraw all support, and Clemence shall never see him again.”