Chapter 11: Sabelle Speaks

The next day was the open court, when anyone in Caldermere could bring a petition to the throne.

I sat at the king's right hand with a hundred people in the hall.

The list held a baker's quarrel, two land disputes and a widow's pension.

Edmar sat beside me, pale from a night without sleep.

He had not asked about the vestry.

I had not found a way to ask it.

Lady Sabelle came in near the end, when the last petitioner had bowed out.

She wore pale blue, with a ribbon in her golden hair, and she carried a small velvet bag.

The Dowager walked two steps behind her.

"Majesty," said Sabelle, and curtseyed to the king, perfectly.

"Forgive me. I would not trouble the court, but my conscience will not let me be silent."

"Speak, Lady Sabelle," said Edmar wearily.

"It concerns the Queen."

A murmur went round the hall.

"I was in the east gallery yesterday afternoon, which is near the royal library," she said.

She smiled sadly at me.

"The storm was so loud. I went to see that the windows were shut."

I felt the blood leave my face.

"These were left behind."

She opened the velvet bag and tipped it into her palm.

A dozen steel hairpins, bent and shining, fell in a little heap.

They were the plain black pins I wore every day.

Everyone in the hall knew them.

"I will not say what else I saw," Sabelle said softly. "I think the hall can guess."

The hall made a sound.

"Her Majesty was alone in the library with the Keeper of Names," said the Dowager, in a voice like a cold iron gate.

"By the law of the realm, a queen who lies with another man is struck from the throne."

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