Ranulf cleared his throat, trying to think before he spoke. “It isn’t for me to approve or disapprove.” He rubbed his temple. “Sir Clement …”
“Yes?”
“The young maiden, Annabel, has revealed some important information to you, I believe.”
The coroner blinked, his face suddenly alert and trained on Ranulf. “Indeed.”
“Under distress, she has divulged that she saw what happened to the bailiff and the person responsible.”
“True.”
“But she did not betray the person who struck the bailiff, whether accidentally or intentionally, though she claims it was accidental.”
“That is correct.”
“Now, it would be important to you, would it not, to find out the identity of this person?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Since I would prefer that no one harass or harm my servant, I ask that you not breathe a word of what she has told you, or insinuate that she knows aught. Meanwhile, I shall try to extract the information from her myself.”
Sir Clement’s eyes narrowed. “I see.” He looked away, staring out the window at the gray mist.
It had been a chilly day. Autumn was getting nearer, and the rain, which had been so scant for a year, had been threatening to fall all day.
“You are right to try to protect her this way.” Sir Clement turned on his heel. “But the truth must come out, and if you’re unable to extract it from her, I’m afraid I shall be forced to ask the jury to question her.”
So he was agreeable to the plan. “Of course, Sir Clement. I understand.”
Sir Clement crossed his arms in front of his chest and a strange smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Why don’t you just marry the girl, Ranulf? She’s of age.”
Ranulf swallowed hard. When he was able to speak, he asked, “What do you mean?”
“She’s a lovely one and would make a sweet wife.”
His face went hot. “I don’t wish to discuss this with you.”
“Oh, come, Ranulf. I mean no harm. We’re old friends and should be able to speak freely with one another. Unburden yourself. My lips are secure, you know. Why don’t you marry her?”
“She doesn’t love me, and it’s none of your business.” He didn’t care if his voice sounded gruff.
“How do you know that? She’s a kindhearted girl. She’d come to love a good man like you.”
“Like me?” Ranulf felt the ire rising in his throat and spun away from Sir Clement, staring now at the shadowed wall and trying to calm himself before he said things he would later regret. “I do not wish to marry again.”
In a suggestive voice, the coroner responded, “I suppose you wouldn’t have to marry her.”
Ranulf turned and glared at Sir Clement. “Sir, you are determined to anger me.”
“Nay, nay.” Sir Clement smiled and shook his head. “Forgive me. My task makes me prone to say the very thing that will elicit the most information. Forgive me, my friend. I am merely trying to understand.”
“Understand this. Annabel doesn’t love me and isn’t interested in men or marriage. And I will never again marry a woman who doesn’t love me.”
Sir Clement’s face sobered. He pursed his lips in a frown. “I do understand.”
Yes, he surely did. The rumors had spread far and wide about how the young lord’s beautiful bride had scorned him for the company of the third son of a baron, whom she’d been in love with before she agreed to marry Ranulf. Everyone had known of her affair — except Ranulf. Once they were married, she made no secret that she despised his scars and didn’t love him. At first he believed he could win her heart — and then he’d caught them together.
And what had she done then? Laughed.
His gut twisted at the memory.
“But I think you are wrong about one thing.”
Ranulf looked at him wearily. “And that is?”
“You said Annabel wasn’t interested in men.” He tapped his chin with his finger and watched him. “Most men, perhaps, but … she trusts you.”
“All my servants trust me.” A flicker of hope ignited inside him. I am a fool.
“But not all your servants look at you the way she does, I’ll vow.”
Sir Clement hadn’t seen the way she’d looked at Ranulf when he embraced her after the viper frightened her. She’d looked horrified, repulsed. She did come into his arms willingly enough this morning. But she doesn’t love me.
The coroner tapped his chin again. Abruptly, he turned to face Ranulf. “I will do as you have asked and not speak of what Annabel knows. And I will expect to hear that you have found out the mysterious attacker’s identity.”
“Of course.”
Annabel tried to avoid Lord le Wyse’s gaze at supper, but she knew she would need to change his bandage after the meal was over. Once the table was cleared, she took the honey flask and bandages and waited beside his chair. He waved her to a stool and she sat.