“She went up there for a reason,” Thomas said. “Looking for something. And she found it. I know not what it was. She didn’t wish me to see it. But she picked up something and hid it in her hand.” Thomas stopped a moment and turned to look at him. “Philip, that stone didn’t fall on its own. I’d wager my last crown on it. It had help.” “Do you propose to me that Lady Mary went up there and pushed the stone over on me?” Philip asked. Thomas winced at his doubt. “Nay, my lord, she could not have done it herself. The stone was no small weight. But she commands the loyalty of nearly everyone in this household. She could have had one of her own men do it. And did he lose something up there, she would go back to retrieve it.” Philip shook his head. “Nay, I cannot credit it. What reason would she have?” “She ruled this manor herself before you arrived. She’d do so again with you gone.” Philip wasn’t ready to share with even as good a friend as Thomas why he believed Mary loved him and wouldn’t endanger his health or safety.
