A Year & a Day (50 page)
Authors: Virginia Henley
"But didn't they send for Prince Edward?"
"Yes, the king had a seizure and his son came immediately. Never have I witnessed such a fucking poor excuse for a prince in my life!" Robert scorned.
"Young Edward was always spoiled and effeminate, but I haven't seen him for a couple of years. I hoped he would improve with age."
"He's totally unsuited to kingship. He's an immature fop who surrounds himself with male lovers.
Edward must run mad every time he sets eyes on his heir."
"Such a feckless ruler would make things infinitely easier for you," Lynx said quietly.
"Aye, I would be more afraid of the bones of the father dead, than of the living son!"
"I have the governor upstairs in bed with an ague, coughing his lungs up. He rode in yesterday to tell me of a rumor Wallace had been taken."
The Bruce raised his eyebrows in consternation. "So that's what brought about Plantagenet's rapid recovery! The king is suddenly well enough to return to London."
"If it is true, Wallace will be tried and condemned to death. There will be no pardon for the king's enemy," Lynx declared.
"Ironic, that such a valiant and brave warrior will be condemned, while false traitors like Comyn will thrive and prosper," Bruce said bitterly.
"Mayhap the time is ripe," Lynx said quietly.
Bruce's dark brows drew together, as he brooded over his friend's words.
"The Scots will never accept English rule, nor will the Church of Scotland ever submit. Someone will rise up to take Wallace's place and the battles will go on until Edward is dead. Then the son will lose all that the father has gained and the fighting and killing will all have been for naught. I am tired of war,"
Lynx said bluntly.
"If I took up arms against the king," Robert said low, "would you oppose me?"
Lynx shook his head. "I would return to my lands in England."
Bruce raised his eyes to the stairs. "And the governor?"
"His health is failing. I think I could persuade him to relinquish his office and retire to England."
Jory, who had been reading to her uncle, came downstairs to join them. She searched Robert's face, wondering if he had reached a decision about the private matter they had discussed. His face was dark and closed, telling her nothing.
Robert picked up his riding gloves. "I cannot stay. Will you ride out with me a short way, Jory?"
"With pleasure, my lord." Her face lit up with delight, pretending their time together would be infinite.
In the stables, the Bruce saddled Jory's palfrey and lifted her into the saddle. Then without a word they galloped swiftly to beyond the first dense copse of trees. They reined in, vaulted from their mounts, and fell into each other's arms. He kissed her until her lips felt bee-stung. Finally Jory pulled away from him.
"Did you speak with de Burgh?"
He searched her face with desolate eyes. "Beloved, why are you urging me to this action when you feel such passion for me?"
"Because I want you to fulfill your destiny! Let me make this noble sacrifice. Did you see de Burgh?"
"Yes. I did not broach this matter, but I invited him to Lochmaben."
Jory went on tiptoe to kiss him again. "I love you so much; you are doing the right thing, Robert."
He wrapped his arms about her and held her enfolded against him for long minutes. "You always smell of freesia," he murmured.
"Freesia is my favorite scent."
His face was bereft as he reached into his doublet. "Will you give this letter to Elizabeth? It is from her father, asking her to join him at Lochmaben."
Jory took the letter and in return gave him a radiant smile. It prevented the scream that was building in her throat from escaping.
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she measured out a generous dose of syrup made from speedwell and angelica to ease his coughing.
"You are an angel of mercy, my dear, I am so fortunate to be here at Dumfries with my family. I shudder to think what would have become of me if I'd stayed in Edinburgh."
Marjory came into the chamber and put into words what Jane had been thinking. "You shouldn't go back there. You've served the king your entire life, to the detriment of your own health. It's time your heavy responsibilities were shouldered by someone else."
"My dear Jory, I spoke at length with the king at Falkirk; both of us are feeling our advanced years. I believe he will soon appoint a board of commissioners to govern Scotland. One man cannot do it all."
"That is marvelous news, my lord, now try to get some rest," Jane pleaded.
Jory followed Jane from the chamber. "I have a letter for
Elizabeth from her father. Will you come with me while I deliver it?"
Jane's eyes filled with speculation. Jory's tone made it clear she needed moral support. "Of course I will."
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Ulster. When she read its contents, she was ecstatic. "Oh, my father is visiting the Bruces at Lochmaben in a sennight and wants me to join him there!"
Jane saw Elizabeth's cheeks blush a pretty pink. "Oh, I will need a new dress," Elizabeth declared breathlessly.
As Jane looked at Jory, their eyes met in understanding.
"Not just one dress, Elizabeth, you must have a dozen new gowns," Jory insisted. "Don't forget that Robert Bruce is Scotland's most eligible bachelor."
Elizabeth de Burgh's face turned scarlet, but she fairly bubbled with excitement. "I must tell Maggie and Molly, they will be in a tizzy! Jory, will you come with me to Lochmaben?"
"What nonsense! I've taught you all I know. Didn't I teach Jane to be Lady Jane Tut? Now it is time for you to unfurl your petals and bloom, Elizabeth."
When the young girl ran off to find her women, Jane looked at Marjory with profound admiration shining in her eyes. "Oh, Jory, how selfless and generous you are. I don't think I'd have the courage to do what you are doing."
"Now you are spouting nonsense. Where do you think I learned such things, Jane, if not from your glorious example?"
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sedition and homicide, including putting to death old men and young, wives and widows, children and sucklings, and priests and nuns.
Since King Edward had declared him an outlaw, Wallace 387
was not allowed to defend himself. He was immediately found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.
When eyewitness accounts of William Wallace's execution reached Scotland, however, English as well as Scots were outraged at the unspeakable butchery. Wallace's body was bound on a hurdle and dragged at the tail of horses through the city of London from Westminster to the gallows at Smithfield. He was hoisted with a noose about his neck, but let down while he was half-living. Next his genitals were cut off. Then his bowels were torn out and burned in a fire while Wallace still lived. Only then was he beheaded and his trunk cut into four pieces.
His head was spiked on London Bridge; his right leg was sent to Berwick, his leftto Perth, his right arm to Newcastle, and his leftto Stirling.
Hatred toward Edward Plantagenet deepened over such barbaric butchery of the brave knight, especially since time and time again the king had forgiven the treachery of Scotland's nobles.
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Braces and the de Warennes in particular, for suddenly they were out of favor. The king sent an official notice that John de Warenne had been removed from the governorship of Scotland and demanded an accounting of monies. In his place the king named four guardians, but Robert Brace, Scotland's premier earl, was not one of them. To pile insult upon insult, King Edward appointed a new sheriff for Lanark and demanded the Brace repay debts owed by his grandfather from two decades earlier.
Robert Brace ground his teeth and wondered if documents taken when Wallace was arrested implicated him in any way. He knew such damning evidence would prevent any secret alliance with the Irish Earl of Ulster. But when Edward de Burgh arrived at Lochmaben for his promised visit, the Bruce heaved a sigh of relief.
He was gratified to learn that the Irish palatine found Edward Plantagenet's treatment of Wallace beneath contempt. The Bruce lost no time proposing a betrothal between himself and Elizabeth de Burgh, in exchange for Ulster's backing when Bruce made a bid for the throne.
"Baliol is dead and we both know King Edward's days are numbered. His heir is no threat to any save himself," Robert pressed.
"You will have to fight Comyn. In the end it comes down to the two of you. Did you know he is claiming all Baliol's possessions because of their kinship?"
The Bruce laughed sardonically. "I cannot see Edward Plantagenet taking kindly to such a claim."
Ulster agreed. "No, at the moment Comyn too is out of royal favor."
As the two men talked long into the night, Edward de Burgh, with an eye to the future, saw that the advantages of Bruce's offer outweighed the risks. It did not take much persuading for the powerful Irish earl to agree to the secret betrothal.
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The documents were drawn up and signed and Elizabeth de Burgh almost fainted at the midnight ceremony where Robert Bruce plighted his troth to her, under the watchful eye of her stern father.
At the end of the week when the visit was over, they escorted Elizabeth back to Dumfries before Ulster took her home for a quick trip to her beloved Ireland. Young Elizabeth was in a complete state of euphoria, even though Robert hadn't actually begun his wooing yet.
AtDumfries after all in the castle had retired, Lynx and Robert spoke quietly. "John looks much rested, but from what he said at dinner he is livid about his shabby treatment by Edward."
"It's obvious one of our enemies has the king's ear," Lynx cursed. "I suspect Fitz-Waren; he could very well be in England.
If he is, I will find him and kill him. John and I have decided to return to our English estates. That way when Edward orders us to put down a Bruce rebellion, we will be far removed from Scotland and can turn a deaf ear to the call to arms."
"I am convinced the time is right. If I don't act decisively now, it will be too late. I've never been so far out of Edward's favor, and for once, my enemy Comyn is in like case," Robert Bruce added with amused irony.
"How so?"
"Comyn is claiming all that was Baliol's."
Lynx whistled. "Christ, that's a deal of estates and possessions. Between the two of you, that's half of Scotland. Too bad you can't join forces against Edward."
The Bruce smiled.
Lynx refilled his friend's goblet. "You cunning swine, what plot are you hatching?"
"Comyn is close-by at his castle of Dalswinton. I'm going to send him a proposition. One of us will support the other for the crown. The loser receives the winner's lands and castles. What do you think?"
"It's brilliant! It's an offer he can't refuse—there is no real loser."
"It's time I acted in my own interests."
Lynx grinned, wondering when the hell he'd ever done otherwise.
"There is no trust between Comyn and me. I won't go to Dalswinton and he won't come to Lochmaben. We need a neutral meeting place."
"You are welcome to use Dumfries," Lynx offered.
The Bruce shook his head. "I don't want you involved in this. I want you safely on your way to England before any bond is signed."
"How about the Franciscan monastery? Both of you would be safe in sanctified surroundings."
"Your suggestion is sound," Robert agreed. " 'Tis sad you must leave Dumfries, but when I am king and our countries live in peace, you must return."
"My wife and my son are Scots. We shall return to Dumfries someday, never fear."
"Is Jane unhappy?" Robert asked with concern.
"No, bless her heart, she is willing to do my bidding, even though the thought of England frightens her a bit."
"She has no idea of the luxury of the de Warenne estates in England?"
"Of course not, do you think she wed me for my wealth?"
"Why else would she wed an ugly brute like you?"
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door, he slipped inside. "My own beloved heart, I have come to say good-bye."
Jory went into his arms, determined to shed no tears. She wanted him to remember her radiant smile. "Robert, my love, you'll be a part of me forever."
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As well, John de Warenne had his own army who would accompany him back to Surrey. It was decided they would leave in stages, with John and his personal guard departing first, then in a few days the Welsh foot soldiers would follow, and the last to leave would be Lynx de Warenne accompanied by his knights, squires, and family.
Each army had its own baggage train of horses, armor, weapons, and supplies that would have to be transported in stages from Dumfries to their castle of Wigton near Carlisle, then to Lancaster and Chester on the border of Wales and so on to the vast de Warenne estates in the south of England.
Lynx found the services of Dumfries' steward so invaluable
he offered to take Jock Leslie and his entire family to England with them. Jock shook his head.
"We are castle keepers, my lord, and we will keep Dumfries running smoothly for you until you return."
"Jock, that may not be for years," Lynx urged, "and Jane will miss you sorely."