He snorted incredulously. “Lord Draven in love? Do you honestly expect us to believe such? As you pointed out, we have known him most of his life. Never have we witnessed him do anything without calm, deliberate contemplation without the interference of human emotions. Now you offer up some misshapen excuse for his betrayal?”
“But ‘tis true, Majesty.”
Henry laughed bitterly. “We believe you love him, for women are prone to such romantic notions. But Draven is a warrior through and through. We find it impossible that he could feel such. Nay. We will see him punished in the manner in which we promised him should he touch you.”
“And his punishment?”
Henry cocked a brow at her. “Did he not tell you?”
“Nay.”
“When he comes on the morrow he is to be hanged, drawn and quartered for treason.”
Emily felt as though she had been struck. Indeed, she wasn’t even sure how she continued to stand, for her knees were weak and her legs trembled in fear.
“Nay!” she gasped. “You cannot be serious.”
“Aye, but we are. He knew the consequences.”
Emily closed her eyes and gulped for air.
“Please, Majesty,” she implored him. “Do as you will with me, but harm him not. I beg you. You cannot do this to him.”
But he didn’t speak.
Emily sobbed out her misery as she sank to her knees in despair.
“What have I done?” She wished she had never contemplated Draven’s seduction.
“On your feet, lady.”
Emily wiped her tears away and bit her trembling lip, then rose slowly to her feet.
“You truly love him?” Henry asked.
“Aye, Majesty. More than my life.”
Henry sighed as he paced before her. “You are aware of your father’s accusations regarding Draven’s activities?”
“Aye, Majesty, but I know Draven didn’t do it.”
“And how do you know it?”
“I was with him the night Keswyk was attacked.”
“Have you proof?”
She looked to her belly.
Henry laughed. “Aye, we believe you do.”
For several minutes he paced in silence as she clenched her hands together in fear of what he might say to her, or do to Draven.
Just when she was certain her nerves could take no more of the sound of Henry’s shoes clip-clopping on the cobblestones, he spoke, “Very well, milady, we say this to you, your love of Draven is plain. If on the morrow we see proof that he loves you as well, and that his love was what motivated him to betray us, we might be swayed to mercy.”
Emily looked up as her spirit lifted.
“But,” Henry cautioned, “if we see none of it and Draven shows himself to have done nothing more than use you while you were in his care, we will see his punishment met fully and swiftly. Is that understood?”
