Emmaline tries to ascertain the Bishop's seriousness

"If this is a joke of some sort, I should say that I find it to be in very poor taste." Emmaline said, then considered her approach again. Perhaps it was best to stay polite. She couldn't let her unrestrained tongue be the thing that sealed Caroline's fate, or jeopardized the mission "I fear that you may have been misinformed. It is simply unthinkable that my sister might have committed some heinous act-- she simply doesn't have it in her! Why just minutes ago she was lecturing me on better following the proper demeanor of a lady," she lied.

"I do not wish you to think that my judgement is clouded on this, but I'm afraid you must be mistaken." Emmaline took another sip of wine, trying to calm herself before she over spoke. She could feel her cheeks becoming heated, a slight panic building in her chest as she considered what she might do if the Bishop was serious and determined. With so many important people in attendance, **** wasn't really an option, but there was no way in the Hell that Emmaline was handing her sister over to a church inquisitor.

"I'm afraid that a sense of humor is not an attribute of my character, my lady," the Bishop smiled sadly, turning his gaze back on Emmaline. "And as to being misinformed, it is by Lady Caroline's own hand that she stands accused. Some of her correspondence has come into the possession of the Holy Office, in which she alludes to various heretical beliefs and expresses sympathy with certain discredited opinions. More than enough to bring her to inquisition. And from there, pending the outcome of such inquisition of course, to trial and sentence. A pity. A great pity. But as you said a moment ago, one cannot make exceptions in pursuit of honesty and to protect against heresy and evil."

He took another sip of wine, then spoke again before Emmaline could muster her thoughts. "The lady Caroline would seem a practiced deceiver. But fear not, my inquisitors will question her thoroughly. Root out her secrets and lay bare her deceits. Once again, my lady, I thank you for your sage advice." He raised a hand as if to wave her off, and for the first time, it occurred to Emmaline that she had almost certainly wandered directly into his carefully placed trap.

***

This chapter was co-authored by Shandy (https://chyoa.com/user/Shandy) through a Roleplay! Shandy is the author of Fox in the Henhouse and The Peril's of Lisa-- please check out his stuff! :)