Edward let out a long sigh. “We keep watch as we’ve done. Guard him closer. And when he’s fully recovered we gently approach him about the possibility of putting further measures into place if the time should ever come that the spell occur too often and pose too much of a danger.”
That sounded reasonable. “The king claims to have put the paper in his nightstand that night. Perhaps Stratmore took it and burned it because he knew it could harm the king? We all agree it should be destroyed.”
Edward hit his open hand with his fist. “Yes, we all agree, but none of us would take the paper and destroy it without the king’s permission. It ishispaper. He gives the orders. If Stratmore stole the paper then he committed an act of theft and deliberately disobeyed the king we all vowed to protect always and serve forever. Let us hope the king destroyed the paper and forgot when he was overcome by the next dark spell. He fell ill right after Stratmore’s visit, did he not?”
“He did.”
“Did you notice any tension between them when you were with them?”
“Only the tension brought on by what the king wrote.” Grey shrugged. “They argued, but if it was over the paper, I couldn’t say.” The dire implications for Madelaine’s future if her father was named a traitor to the king made Grey’s gut twist. “If Stratmore did take the paper, do you think the king would forgive him if the duke assured him he was simply trying to protect His Majesty from himself?”
“It’s hard to say. They’ve been lifelong friends. Yet I don’t know any man, let alone a king, who’d be happy to think he needs to be protected from himself. And as I’ve already said, it’s our sworn duty to obey the king’s orders.” Edward made a guttural sound in his throat. “What a mess. The kingcouldforgive Stratmore or he could just as soon hang him for treason. Let’s pray the king remembers he burned the paper or finds it before a choice of the duke’s life or death must be made. Is there anything else you remember about that meeting?Anythingunusual?”
Grey thought for a moment and almost felt foolish to mention Constance, but surely Edward would want to know every detail. “There was a chambermaid in the room. Constance. She bribed one of the guards to let her in to finish her work.”
Edward waved a hand. “That’s normal. I’m forever running into maids here in places they shouldn’t be. They sleep too late or work too slow and then have to find a way to sneak and catch up because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble. Forget her. She’s trivial.”
Grey’s face burned with embarrassment. He’d have to do better. “She’s forgotten. But I must say I had no idea you understood the minds of the staff so well.”
Edward scowled. “There’s a great deal you don’t know about me, Grey.”
Grey clenched his jaw on harsh retort. Fighting would do no good. “So we proceed as if he’s committed treason, even though we don’t think it so?”
“Yes. We may not think it’s so, but until we’re certain it’s not, he’s an enemy of the Crown. Proceed as if he’s a thief or worse.”
Grey frowned. “What do you mean, “‘or worse?’”
Edward held himself stiff as he answered. “I mean we must consider all possibilities. Even the worst ones such as Stratmore is not only a thief, but perhaps a traitor who is working to overthrow the king.”
Grey grimaced. “That’s absurd.”
The corner of Edward’s mouth jerked with a tick. “You’re wrong. It’s not absurd. It’s being cautious. And caution will keep you alive. Don’t forget that.”
Grey nodded. Perhaps Edward was right. He’d been a spy far longer than Grey. “I won’t forget.”
Edward’s shoulders slumped. Had his brother been expecting a fight? Grey was heartily glad he’d listened for once in his life. Edward waved toward the door. “You two better get going. The sooner this nasty business is behind us the better.”
Grey couldn’t agree more. Madelaine would have enough reason to hate him, but if she learned he was responsible for taking her father to the tower on charges of treason, she’d hate him even more. He wanted things settled, preferably in the duke’s favor.
“Are you ready,” he asked Gravenhurst. “We’ve a hard ride ahead of us, and an even harder confrontation. There’s no doubt in my mind Stratmore won’t like being hauled to the tower by us under suspicion of treason, and the duke already has a mild dislike of me.”
His brother blinked at him. “Why’s that?” Edward asked as he sat down.
“It doesn’t matter. The situation he disliked is no longer.” Grey narrowed his eyes at Gravenhurst, a silent warning to keep what he knew to himself. Gravenhurst gave a barely perceptible inclination.
“You’re sure?” Edward prodded.
“Yes,” Grey said in a tone he hoped Edward would recognize as final.
“All right then. You two be sure to keep Stratmore’s imprisonment in the tower a secret. No one is to know but the three of us, until I or the king say otherwise.”
Grey didn’t like the way Edward was barking orders at him as if he were dull-witted. “I read the letter, Edward, and Gravenhurst did too. We know the king’s wishes.”
“Sorry,” Edward said. “It will take me a while to be used to being in charge without being overbearing.”
“In charge?” Grey repeated.
“With Father dead, Stratmore imprisoned, and Pearson missing for the moment, I’m, by default, the leader of our little circle.”
