Noah straightened his back and met the King’s hard stare. ‘Your Majesty, Samuel Carter is innocent of the murder of James Villiers.’
‘Hmm.’ He tapped his fingers on the desk. ‘We have already sent an equerry with an order to commute the sentence to beheading.’
We all gasped, and then Susannah began to weep. Noah was clearly fighting to keep his temper. I touched his arm. He must do nothing to anger the King further.
Charles growled a long sigh before dipping a pen to sign a document prepared ready before him. ‘This is an order for his release, but he must leave the country immediately. In this we are unequivocal.’
Noah grinned, bowing. ‘He shall, Your Majesty. Arrangements are already in hand. He shall be away today.’
‘Very well.’ He gestured impatiently for us to leave him.
And we d
