Page 56 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“I am just across the hall. I will come if you need me.”
He released her hand and walked to the door.
“I know you will, Devlin. I know.”
Devlin was again shocked at the goodness she saw in him and the trust that showed in her eyes.
In the hallway, the guards barely acknowledged Devlin as he left Rosalind’s chamber. If they had any opinion of his spending the night with a titled lady that was under suspicion of treason, their faces didn’t betray their thoughts. Regardless, Devlin shot each of them a piercing glance for good measure, then entered his own room.
Just as Mr. Kelley promised, a meal was brought to his chamber. His appetite was nearly non-existent, but he ate. And then he waited. By mid-morning, he paced the floor, much like he’d seen Rosalind do before.
Stop your hand-wringing!
Finally, he heard a knock at his door.
A young man with a nasal voice entered his room and announced, “The king will see you now.”
Devlin followed the man to the hall. The first thing he noticed was that the door to Rosalind’s chamber was open, and her room was empty.
“Where is Lady Rosalind?” Devlin asked calmly, but his stomach reeled at the thought that the king might be questioning her without him.
A guard cleared his throat. “The king’s man, Kelley, escorted her to the king’s cabinet room.”
“How long ago?”
“Not long, sir. Only a half hour or so.”
Devlin was angry, but there was some small comfort that Mr. Kelley had fetched her himself. Devlin wasted no time making his way to the king’s cabinet room. His escort had difficulty keeping up with him and had to run the last few steps to get ahead so that he could announce Devlin to his liege.
Devlin sighed but allowed the formality of his introduction before barging in. He noticed right away that Lady Rosalind was not there. The king and two of his advisors were the only ones present. There was no Kelley and no Rosalind, and he had nearly forgotten where he was. He quickly took two steps forward and bowed to his king.
King Charles sat behind a long, polished wooden table, the fire in the hearth casting flickering shadows across the room. Though slight in build, his neatly trimmed brown beard, and dark, contemplative eyes lent him an air of quiet authority and intelligence. Devlin was relieved to find the king dressed in more casual attire—a dark velvet doublet worn over a crisp white linen shirt, paired with simple breeches that seemed to soften his regal demeanor.
“Ah, Devlin. Come forward, please. It’s been some time since we’ve had a chance to speak.” He smiled.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. But I am happy to be able to be here and assist in resolving this unfortunate matter concerning Lord Edmund Capell and his niece, Lady Rosalind.”
“No one wants to get to the bottom of this more than I and what I learned from Mr. Kelley about my so-called trusted and loyal lord shocked me. But I have to follow the trail, you see. I have to root out and punish anyone who would sympathize withthose who seek to usurp me, even if that person is a pretty young lady.”
“Agreed.”
“I value your opinion, Devlin. Before the lady in question arrives, I must know your feelings on the matter,” King Charles commanded with piercing eyes. “You were at Capell Manor for several days, conducted the investigation, and lived with Lady Rosalind. Do you believe she conspires against me?”
Devlin exhaled. This question he could answer truthfully with not an ounce of doubt. “No, Your Majesty, I am certain she knew nothing of Edmond’s complicity with the Parliamentarians. Edmond’s books and records showed clearly that she never saw a penny of the funds you sent for her care and upkeep. And the state of the manor house, the furnishings…and the way Lady Rosalind was dressed, you would have no doubts that Lord Capell hoarded all the funds, gambled them away, or sadly, provided for your enemies.”
His liege sat in silence and seemed to accept Devlin’s answer, but then he asked suddenly, “Did she kill him, Devlin?” He stood and walked around his meeting table and paced slowly across the room in front of his knight. “Mr. Kelley told me that Capell offered her as payment in a game of cards. And I understand, the night Edmond disappeared, he had been abusive to Lady Rosalind. What do you say? Survival is a powerful motive, after all.”
Devlin watched his king’s movement carefully as he spoke. “I agree with your assessment of the situation, Your Majesty. Lady Rosalind’s life with her uncle was quite challenging, to say the least. However, I found her to have a gentle spirit and not inclined to anger or violence. And I found no evidence that she was involved in Lord Edmond’s death.”
The king started to speak, but the door to the council chamber opened and Mr. Kelley, with Lady Rosalind on his arm,entered. Rosalind’s face was pale as milk, but her head was held high and her steps sure and straight. Mr. Kelley escorted her to stand across from Devlin. He gave her arm a reassuring pat and then joined the other advisors at a seat behind the table.
Rosalind stepped forward. With a steadying breath, she gathered the folds of her gown in both hands and gracefully dipped into a deep curtsy. Devlin detected a slight tremor in her stance. Her head bowed, and her gaze fixed on the floor as the weight of the king’s stare pressed upon her, but she held her posture. After a moment, she rose carefully and waited for the king to acknowledge her.
“Lady Rosalind, do you know why I called you here today?” His words were not necessarily unkind, but the lack of any exchange of pleasantries indicated he meant to conclude this business as quickly as possible.
“Yes, Your Majesty. You want to question me about my uncle’s involvement with traitors and also his death.”
“I have questioned Mr. Kelley and Sir Devlin and heard their reports. However, while I may be convinced that you do not and have not ever lent your support to those treasonous bastards that threaten the continuation of the monarchy, I am not so sure that you are completely innocent in the matter of your uncle’s tragic demise.”
