Her Grace turned slowly.
"To execute a man lawfully cannot be done in minutes. His Majesty is absent from the realm. Only the king may command such a sentence outright in this matter. A man in my position would require proper examination, sworn testimony, and the agreement of all members of the council."
Theodora's mouth tightened.
Geoffrey leaned forward. "As it stands, Lord Henshaw lies on his deathbed. Until he dies or rises, neither of which he appears prepared to do with useful haste, the full council cannot be properly assembled. His heir has not yet taken his seat, and I will not convene a butchered council. We either wait until the council is in order, or we wait until the king returns."
For one bright, deeply satisfying instant, Geoffrey saw defeat in Theodora's eyes. She had expected him to bend beneath the threat of the Church.
"For someone so determined to rule England," Geoffrey added, "one would have thought you might open a law book once in a while."
