Page 120 of A Knight’s Vengeance

“What do you mean?” The baron looked baffled.

“My daughter guessed the common thread in this mess that I could not. You blackmailed the Earl of Druentwode.”

Sedgewick’s mouth pinched.

“Answer me,” Arthur snapped.

To Elizabeth surprise, the baron laughed. “Elizabeth’s assumptions are wrong. I will not confess to what I did not do, and what cannot be proved.”

“On the contrary. The earl sent a box of Geoffrey’s possessions to Wode. The earl did not destroy the writ that exonerated Edouard, as his blackmailer had demanded, but kept it safe. He also enclosed a letter telling how, fraught with guilt over Edouard’s death, he had secured the pardon so that Edouard’s sons would not bear the shame of believing their father was a traitor.”

The baron spat on the ground. “So?”

Arthur’s jaw tightened. “I saw your reaction when Elizabeth spoke of blackmail. She was correct in guessing your guilt. Why, I asked myself, would you have wanted the writ destroyed? Why would you wish to keep Edouard’s innocence secret? ’Tis clear to me now. You framed Edouard.”

Elizabeth gasped.

Fury sparked in the baron’s eyes, as though he could no longer maintain that he was guiltless. “And if I did? Edouard, the fool, would not listen to me. I risked much to take him into my confidence and ask him to support rebellion. He refused and ordered me⁠—”

“The feast!” Elizabeth cried, remembering. “Geoffrey told me that one evening, his father told visiting lords to leave Wode because they tried to sway him to treason.”

Sedgewick’s gaze slid to her. “That night, I saw the depth of Edouard’s loyalty. I knew he would feel honor-bound to betray me to the king, so I betrayed Edouard first. I shed doubt on his allegiance. I convinced the king to order the siege.”

“And I was the ignorant pawn,” Arthur muttered.

“I wanted the honor of leading the siege. Yet, the king chose you, an unknown in his court,” Sedgewick said with a scowl. “I knew Edouard, and sought him out during the battle. I had the pleasure of running him through with my sword.”

“Oh, God,” Elizabeth whispered.

The baron made a sound of disgust. “Was I rewarded for helping the king vanquish a traitor? I asked for Wode. The king, however, granted all of Edouard’s properties to Arthur.” Sedgewick’s eyes hardened. “I was denied what I deserved. I waited for the right opportunity to claim it. When Geoffrey de Lanceau threatened Wode, I seized that chance to realize my desires.”

Frowning, Elizabeth said, “I do not understand. How could you blackmail the earl? Why could he not expose you as a traitor?”

Sedgewick grinned, clearly delighted by his own cleverness. “He attended the feast that evening at Wode. For a brief while, he planned to side with the king’s son, but in the end refused. That in itself was enough to ruin him. Yet, I also learned he sought a pardon for Edouard and intended to prove my duplicity. Using my contacts at court, I had significant documents destroyed. I also pressured the king for the earl’s daughter’s hand in marriage.” Sedgewick smile turned wicked. “The earl loved her very much. With her, I ensured his silence.”

“She died not long ago,” Arthur said. “That left you free to pursue a betrothal to Elizabeth.”

“Without his daughter’s safety to consider, and when he realized he was dying,” Elizabeth continued, caught up in her father’s train of thought, “the earl could at last send the writ to Geoffrey and let him know the truth about Edouard.”

A lewd grin tilted the baron’s lips, and he held Elizabeth’s gaze. “A shame, my love, you had to fall in love with de Lanceau. It would have been simpler for us all to let the past lie.”

“Enough.” Arthur signaled to his men. “Save your breath for the king’s courts. You will need it to convince the jury to spare your head. Till then, ’twill be my pleasure to see you rot in my dungeon.”

With a strangled squeal, the baron tried to run, but Dominic stepped forward and shoved the tip of his sword against Sedgewick’s belly.

Dominic pointed to the keep. “I believe the dungeon is that way.” Smiling, he stepped to one side and let the armed sentries haul the baron, kicking and begging for mercy, toward the keep.

Arthur blew out a long sigh. Elizabeth turned to him, tears of gratitude stinging her eyes. “Thank you, Father. Dominic. How did you know I was walking in the garden?”

“One of the servants told us she saw you heading across the bailey.” Arthur returned his weapon to its scabbard and clasped her hands. “I apologize for not interceding sooner. As I left the forebuilding, a guard intercepted me and told me he had overheard you speaking with Sedgewick. I ordered him to get reinforcements while Dominic and I made our way to the garden. At first, I did not want to intrude upon your conversation for fear the baron would not finish his confession, but then…” He raked his hand through his silvery hair. “Then he assaulted you.”

Wiping away tears, she said, “I am not harmed.”

“I am sorry for being such a rotten judge of character. How could I have thought the baron was a suitable husband for you?”

She went into her father’s arms and hugged him. “I forgive you. Please, we must find Veronique.”

“Aye. I will order the keep searched, and will post guards outside Geoffrey’s door day and night. If he dies, ’twill not be from the baron’s poison.”