De Montfort Residence
Paris, Kingdom of France
“What are you doing here?”
To say Marcus had been stunned to find Lord Charles at Sir Denys’ residence would be an understatement. To find them both alive and unharmed, was an even bigger shock. Yet here both men were, clearly not on friendly terms, though calmer than he would have expected under the circumstances.
“Much has happened since we last spoke, Sir Marcus,” replied Charles. “Sir Denys paid me a visit to explain his side of things, and after some discussion, I agreed to come here to see this portrait.” He gestured toward the portrait of Denys and the imposter. “This is clearly not my wife, and is definitely the young woman you brought to my home earlier. I am confident now that Sir Denys did not have an affair with my wife, despite the charges that have now been laid.” Charles glanced behind Marcus and Simon. “Where is the imposter? She must be brought to justice.”
“She’s dead.”
Denys gasped, grabbing at his chest before collapsing into a nearby chair. “What? How?”
“Miss Girard was shot by an arrow the moment she stepped from her carriage. I gave chase, but the murderer had planned his escape well.”
Denys grabbed at his hair, clearly overcome with grief. “I can’t believe it!” He stared up at the others, his eyes red with tears. “I loved her!”
Charles was unsympathetic. “You mean you loved my wife!”
Denys shook his head. “No, I loved her. Who she pretended to be, I don’t care. I cannot believe she didn’t share my feelings. I confess, at first, I merely toyed with this woman I thought to be your wife, as I thought I might be able to use her advances to further my situation, but in time, real feelings developed. I love her, I mean, I loved her. I don’t care who she actually was.”
Charles sneered. “I should run you through for what you thought you were doing, but the Court will dismiss you as an idiot for having been deceived.” He handed a piece of paper to Marcus. “But something more is going on. Several wives of the Court have been arrested for adultery tonight, and they are looking for mine. I think we have both been set up as part of whatever this is. My wife is innocent, but someone clearly wanted me and the Court to think otherwise. I have little doubt that when I return home, I will find members of the King’s Personal Guard there to arrest her.”
Marcus finished reading the message listing the charges, then handed it back to Charles. “Fortunately, no one knows where she is beyond those you sent to my farm.”
Charles glanced away, a frown creasing his face. “I’m afraid that isn’t actually true.”
Marcus tensed. “What do you mean?”
“After our initial meeting, I immediately sent one of my servants to find out who you were. The Templar headquarters confirmed your identity, and your current location as Crécy-la-Chapelle, where my men had pursued my wife based upon her chambermaid’s confession.” He drew a deep breath. “My servant would know this, and perhaps has repeated it to others. As well, any number may have overheard him telling me what he found.”
Marcus suppressed a curse. “So, if your staff are challenged as to her location, any number may reveal it.”
Charles bowed his head. “Exactly.”
Marcus pointed toward the door. “You must get home at once and prevent this, otherwise your wife’s life may be forfeit, and if there is one innocent in this entire affair, it is her.”
Charles turned to leave when Marcus interrupted him.
“And Lord Charles?”
“Yes?”
“I think you’ll agree that your wife’s chambermaid did nothing but save an innocent woman from becoming a victim of a jealous husband’s revenge?”
Charles bristled, then nodded. “You are right, of course. I shall have her released at once.”
Charles departed, and Marcus turned to Denys. “You said your artist drew sketches of Miss Girard in secret, in order to create the portrait.”
Denys looked up at him, wiping his tears. “Yes.”
“Do you have any of these?”
“Of course, I have them all. Why?”
“We have need of them.”