“Randolph Harby was no spy,” he said. “You held this gentleman hostage for your cousin’s life?”
“I did make that offer,” Brilliana admitted. The King frowned now.
“And yet he still lives. I thought this was called Loyalty House.”
“Disloyalty House it should be called now,” Rufus taunted. Brilliana turned upon him fiercely.
“You lie! you lie! you lie!” she hurled the words at him, hating him. Charles held up his hand.
“Peace! This is not the welcome I expected here. We did not think to find rebels tendered so delicately. Sir Rufus, we give you charge of Harby and of this gentleman. We will consider his claim presently, for we would deal honestly even with our enemies.”
He looked at Evander.
“But we can give you little hope, sir. Prepare to die.”
Fretfully he addressed Rufus.