Sir Aymon ignored him and faced Pickering. “Master Pickering, I was set upon on the old road near Saint Kenelm’s chapel while carrying letters from the queen’s household.”
The hall went quiet. Royal letters had their own gravity. Men who would argue about stolen grain or forged seals lowered their voices when the queen’s name entered the room.
Sir Aymon continued. “I was beaten, bound, and left for dead. Lord Ashcombe came upon the chapel, fought the men who held me, took two alive, and recovered one packet beneath the broken altar where I had managed to hide it.”
Pickering’s gaze sharpened. “The other letters?”
“Taken. Along with my purse, ring, and a packet bearing Lady Eleanor’s seal.”
“Lady Eleanor?” Walter whispered.
Sir Aymon glanced at Thomas. “The queen’s lady. Her letter named Ashcombe.”
Thomas felt Amelia’s hand tighten on his sleeve.
Pickering’s eyes moved to Belmaine. Belmaine’s face had gone careful. Too careful.
Sir Aymon drew a strip of cloth from inside his tunic, folded around a scrap of murrey wool.
“One of the men wore this beneath a plain cloak. Belmaine’s color. Another had this in his purse.”
He placed a ring on the table.
Belmaine’s signet.
THOMAS
Belmaine’s hand twitched toward his own belt, where the matching seal had hung before the orchard.
Sir Aymon smiled faintly. “A careless habit.”
Belmaine’s voice went hoarse. “My ring was stolen.”
“From you?” Pickering asked.
“Aye.”
“Reported?”
Belmaine said nothing.
Walter pounced. “I have no note of such report made to the hundred court, nor to Master Pickering’s clerk, nor to any neighboring steward.”
“You would not,” Belmaine snapped. “You are not my steward.”
Walter drew himself up. “I thank God daily.”
Amelia murmured, “Honestly, same.”
Thomas looked down at her. She gave him a look that saidwhat, this is tense and I’m helping.
He nearly smiled.
Pickering tapped the ring with one finger. “The captured men?”
Hob stepped forward. “Held in the stable. One with a split lip, one with a conscience that leaks when poked.”
Pickering looked pained. “Have they spoken?”