De Montfort Residence
Paris, Kingdom of France
“Are you sure we can trust him?”
Marcus eyed the heavy security now in place at Sir Denys’ residence, pleased to see the man was taking their warning seriously. Lord Charles had also increased the guard, though it appeared not to the extent that now greeted them. He glanced at Simon, riding beside him. “Yes, I believe so. He’s just a patsy in this.”
“Are you sure?”
Marcus frowned. “I’m not sure of anything, but I believe he was being used to draw Lord Charles into the scandal to discredit him as well, so the conspirators could remove four influential members of the Court in one fell swoop.”
“They should have stuck with three.”
Marcus chuckled. “Perhaps. Though should we have not become involved, Lady Joanne would have been arrested, and Sir Denys shortly thereafter. She would proclaim her innocence, as the other wives would have, but no one would believe her, especially after the three men turned themselves in and the other wives were tortured into false confessions.” He sighed. “Her fate would have been sealed with the others, as would his. No, I think he’s perhaps the only person we can trust.”
Sir Denys appeared surprised to see them, greeting them with a broad smile as they entered his office. Much had happened since they had last seen him at Lord Gaspard’s, and Marcus had no intention of sharing the plans now unfolding, even if he did trust him.
The fewer who knew, the better.
“Gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company? I pray you have news?”
Marcus bowed. “None that we can share at this moment, though I do have a favor to ask of you.
“Anything.”
“I’m happy to hear you say that, sir. It is my sincere belief that all will be revealed tonight. In order to see this through, however, I will need a significant contingent to make the arrests, warrants sworn out by the Court, and the Court assembled tomorrow morning so the charges and proof can be presented.”
Denys’ eyes were wide, his eyebrows high. “You already know who is behind this?”
Marcus raised a precautionary hand. “I have my suspicions, and am confident they will be confirmed in short order.”
“Who, pray tell? I’m dying to know!”
Simon grunted. “So am I.”
Marcus smiled. “Neither of you would believe me if I told you, and we cannot have them named on the warrants in case someone at the Court warns them. For now, they must be nameless warrants. I will explain everything. There is much to do, and little time.”