All things come at their appointed time. Isabelle’s vengeance will be justified. “I will write to you in Paris and let you know what is happening in England.”
“Yes, I can trust you to tell me the truth. I will write to you also, Brianna. Shall I send the letters to Hedingham or to your castle at Farnham?”
“It will be far safer to send your letters to Flamstead. That way they will not fall into the wrong hands. I love you, Isabelle.” Brianna embraced the queen. “Go with God.”
The day after Isabelle left Windsor, Brianna spoke with Simon Deveril. “I have begun to pack. Tomorrow we will go to Flamstead. The de Warennes have returned home from Scotland, so we must go to Hedingham without delay.”
“Very good, Lady Brianna, I will be ready.”
“Simon, I haven’t told anyone except Lincoln Robert, but I intend to break my betrothal when we go to Hedingham. I wanted to do it months ago, but he persuaded me to wait until Jane had enjoyed her visit to Dumfries.”
“Do your own parents know?”
Brianna shook her head with regret. “I had every intention of telling them before I left Warwick, but then I got the urgent letter from the queen to come back to Windsor, and somehow I couldn’t find the right words.”
“They will understand that your heart lies elsewhere.”
“Hell and Furies, am I so transparent?”
“Like calls to like. You and Wolf Mortimer have the same indomitable spirit.”
The following morning before Brianna left Windsor, she received a letter from her mother telling her that they were leaving Warwick for Flamstead to make preparations for the wedding. Brianna felt more than a twinge of guilt that they would have the journey for nothing. Father loves Flamstead. He will be eager to be with his beloved horses. Her brows drew together in consternation. Don’t excuse yourself. He won’t be eager to hear the news of your broken betrothal.
That same afternoon Brianna, riding Venus, and Simon Deveril, leading a packhorse with her baggage, left Windsor for Flamstead. The autumn weather was still glorious. The trees had turned vivid yellow, orange, and red, and the leaves had begun to float to the ground and create a rustling carpet for their horses’ hooves.
Brianna unpacked and retired early, and she spent the following day reuniting with all the equines at Flamstead, most of which had been bred there. She created names for the dozen colts that had been born in the spring. She talked endlessly with the horse handlers about winter fodder, broodmares, and cures for various ailments. Realization dawned that she much preferred life at Flamstead to being at the Queen’s Court of Windsor. A year was long enough to be a lady-in-waiting and get it out of my system.
That night as she readied for bed, she decided that tomorrow she must go to Hedingham and face the music. If she waited any longer her mother and father would be arriving, and in all conscience she owed it to Jane and Lynx to tell them first. When she blew out the candles and got into bed, her thoughts drifted to Isabelle and her reunion with Roger Mortimer. She smiled into the darkness. It will be one of the happiest times of her life and she deserves to enjoy every moment of it.
“When I saw you this morning, my heart stopped. When you did not greet me, Roger, I thought I would die of unhappiness.”
“Isabelle, beloved, my heart pounded like a sledgehammer.” He took her hand and drew it to his chest. “Feel—it’s still at it.” He captured her lips and a dozen fevered kisses followed before he withdrew his mouth and explained things to her.
“We must be discreet at all costs. Your reputation must be unsullied, Isabelle. If fate had not conspired, I could not even be here in Paris. I’ve been in Hainault with the count, who is helping me raise troops for the invasion of England. Your cousin, the Countess of Hainault’s father, has just died and I escorted her to Paris for his funeral.”
“Roger, I don’t want to be discreet, I want to shout to the entire world that I love you!”
Roger threw back his head and laughed. “Little wanton. I know what you need…what we both need. The time is not for talking, but for loving. Let me undress you.”
“Yes, please. Hurry, I am starving for you.”
Roger Mortimer was an accomplished lover and he knew there was no need to waste time on foreplay with Isabelle tonight. It would have been cruel to prolong the anticipation. Her eager hands helped with her disrobing, and then he swiftly stripped off his own clothes. He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed, where he unleashed the fierce desire that had been riding him for months.
Isabelle was so aroused she began to bite him and left a row of teeth marks along his shoulder. When he brought her to her first climax, she screamed over her release. Her sexual relief was so great she began to sob and covered his heart with her tears.
He held her possessively. “You are my woman, Isabelle. I will never allow you to go back to Edward.”
Isabelle thrilled to his dominance, his assertiveness, and his strength. Roger Mortimer was the only man she would ever love.
They mated a second time before he began to talk and tell her the things she must do and the things she needed to know. He was shrewd enough to keep part of himself from her while demanding that she yield all. That way, the beauteous Queen of England would always do his bidding.
“Your reputation must not be despoiled by the vile sin of adultery, Isabelle. We must never flaunt our relationship. The people love you and we must do nothing to tarnish that love.”
“I feel we commit no sin in the eyes of God, Roger.”
“Perhaps not, but in the eyes of the Church and State our sin would be considered abominable.”
Isabelle sighed. “I will try to be discreet.”
“In public, we must be formal with each other at all times. I want you to accept the offer of an alliance with Hainault. It is a prosperous country that will give England trading advantages.”
“I am sure that Charles will also help us.”
“He has assured me that he will, but he cannot do it openly. Invading England with a French army would lose you the support of the English. Charles will form a secret alliance with Hainault to mount a joint invasion of England. In diplomatic negotiations you must pretend that your goal is to remove only the Despencers. Vengeance against your husband would risk society’s condemnation.”
“I feel only revulsion for him,” she said passionately.
“My love, we have both been victims of his evil malice.”
“He took everything from you and forced you into exile.”
“He did the same to you, but never fear, Isabelle, I shall restore us both to greatness.”
“You have all my trust as well as all my love, Roger.”
“There are many English exiles here in France. They are all enemies of Edward and Despencer, who have scores to settle. You will attract them like a lodestone. They will surround and support you. The moment Henry Beaumont was released from prison he came to France.”
“Henry has always been loyal to me, and I have the allegiance of the Earl of Richmond, who came to France with me.”
“I have already won over Edward’s half brother, the Earl of Kent. He wants to wed your lady-in-waiting, Marguerite Wake, who happens to be a cousin of mine.”
“I didn’t realize Lord Wake was related to you.”
“The Mortimers are connected, one way or another, to most noble families in England.”
“I doubt that is coincidental.”
Roger laughed, pleased that she recognized his shrewdness. “’Tis the result of careful planning.” He brushed the pale strands of disheveled hair from her forehead and kissed her deeply. “I have no idea when we will have the opportunity to be together again, Isabelle, but remember that the bond we have forged can never be broken.”
She clung to him fervently, secure in his strength, his powerful determination, and his love.
“Simon, I truly appreciate your vigilance in looking out for me this past year. I’m sure you would have preferred Warwick.”
Brianna and her escort were almost at Hedingham.
“Being at a royal castle broadened my knowledge of human nature, as I’m sure it did for you, Lady Brianna.”
“Indeed. Oh dear, we are almost there. I wish I didn’t have to hurt the people I love. Jane has always been so good to me, and Lincoln Robert is loath to break our betrothal.”
Deveril kept a wise silence as they rode into Hedingham Castle’s courtyard. He helped Brianna from the saddle and took the horses to the stables.
Brianna was surprised to see Lincoln Robert appear from nowhere, almost as if he had been watching for her. She girded herself for her betrothed’s protestations.
“I’m glad you’re here. There’s something important I want to ask you. Let’s walk to the orchard where we can talk in private.”
If you ask me to marry you one more time, I will scream. Brianna pulled her cloak about her to keep warm, yet knew it was a defensive gesture. “I hope you enjoyed Scotland.”
“I had a marvelous time.” Lincoln took a deep breath. “Brianna, I want you to speak up immediately and tell my parents that you have decided to end the betrothal.”
“I am glad you have come to terms with it. It’s best to get it over and done as soon as possible, I warrant.” She held out the betrothal ring.
He took the ring. “Yes, that is best. I have proposed to Blanche FitzAlan and she has agreed to marry me.”
Brianna’s mouth fell open.
“It would embarrass you if I cried off. I’d rather play the gentleman and tell my parents you wish to break it off.”
“A gentleman indeed. Do you know, Lincoln Robert, I believe you and the Earl of Arundel’s daughter were made for each other.” A bloody match made in heaven and here’s me feeling guilty as sin. Brianna didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry and suspected before the day was over, she would probably do both.
Brianna gave Lincoln credit for escorting her into the castle. She thought he might bolt at any moment and leave her to it.
Jane greeted her with her usual warm enthusiasm. “Brianna, how I wish you had been with us when I visited my family at Dumfries.”
Brianna listened attentively as Jane described her great adventure in detail. When Jane was done, Brianna said with sincerity, “I’m glad you had a marvelous time. You truly deserved it after waiting all those years.”
When Lynx joined them in the solar, Brianna was relieved that she could deliver the news to both at the same time, yet was slightly intimidated by his grave air of authority.
“I congratulate you on negotiating the peace treaty between England and Scotland. I won’t plague you for details, since you likely consider it men’s affairs.”
Lynx’s mouth quirked with amusement, which vanished the moment Brianna made her announcement.
“Jane…Lynx…I have something to tell you. I am asking you to release me from my betrothal to Lincoln Robert.”
“Oh, Brianna, is it because of Rose?” Jane asked with concern.
“Rose?” she asked blankly. Oh my God, Lincoln Robert is the father of Rose’s child! “No, no, I assure you it has nothing to do with that. I have come to realize that what I feel for Lincoln is the love of a cousin, not of a wife.”
Brianna could see that both Jane and Lynx were trying to understand what she was attempting to convey. They stared at their son, but he remained silent. “I made the decision before you went to Scotland, but Lincoln begged me not to speak of it until you returned. And in all conscience, Jane, I realized it would be cruel to spoil your visit.”
“Are you sure about this, Brianna?” Jane asked quietly.
Brianna nodded. “I think the idea of becoming your daughter and being part of your family appealed to me more than becoming Lincoln’s wife. It would be completely unfair of me to marry him when I feel this way.”
Lynx stared at his son. “Don’t you have anything to say?”
“I am in complete agreement with Brianna.”
“Thank you, Lincoln.” She could not keep the irony from her voice.
“What about Jory and Guy? Do they know about this?”
“No, Jane. They are on their way to Flamstead to make preparations for the wedding. I thought I should tell you first.”
“There will be a wedding,” Lincoln Robert blurted. “I’ve asked the Earl of Arundel’s daughter to marry me.”
“Blanche FitzAlan?” Jane sounded mystified.
“I see,” Lynx said dryly.
“Please don’t hate me,” Brianna said softly.
“We love you…We could never hate you, darling,” Jane said.
“Broken off your betrothal to Lincoln Robert? Jane and Lynx will hate you, Brianna. What maggot has gotten into your brain?” Jory stared at her daughter as if she had lost her senses.
“Lincoln and I were childhood friends. I love him like a cousin and that isn’t nearly enough for me.”
“It’s a simple case of wedding nerves. I’ll speak with Jane and Lynx and smooth everything over.”
“Jory, you are not listening to her,” Warwick declared.
Jory took a deep breath and smiled at her daughter. “I’m sorry, Brianna. Tell me everything.”
“The young devil has thrown her over and she is trying to put a brave face on it,” Guy de Beauchamp said to his wife when they retired to bed that night.
“Throw over Brianna for Blanche FitzAlan? You must be mad.”
“The Mad Hound of Arden—I’ve been called that before.”
“I think our daughter is enamored of someone else,” Jory said.
“Enamored? To be determined enough to break off her betrothal, she must have experienced the grand passion.”
“How exciting! I wonder who it could be.”
“Don’t pry. She’ll tell you when she is ready.”
“Me, pry? Wherever do you get such notions?”
Warwick bit his tongue and pulled her into his arms.
Chapter 26
“I will never forgive Edward for executing my brother,” Henry Plantagenet declared to Wolf Mortimer. “Our father was a royal prince and Edward our cousin. I will not be avenged until he is dethroned.”
“Thomas’s murder will be avenged with Despencer’s blood. My father is raising men to invade England, and once they arrive, we’ll need your support to remove Edward from the throne.” Wolf Mortimer gazed about the Great Hall, thinking of the momentous events that had happened since he was last at Kenilworth.
“Once they land I hereby pledge my unconditional support.”
Wolf, determined to make Henry keep his pledge, held out the infallible bait. “If young Prince Edward is crowned King of England, you, as highest noble in the land, will be his official guardian.”
Used to being deprived of any royal prerogatives, Henry had not aspired to such heady heights. “I am your ally—I swear it!”
“Before the month is over, I intend to visit Lincoln Castle, which legally should be yours.”
“It was appropriated by Despencer. You take a great risk.”
“I wager the castle keepers of Lincoln will not be loyal to the hated Hugh Despencer.”
Wolf stayed at Kenilworth for a few days, enjoying Henry’s hospitality; then he departed and rode to the City of Chester. Chester Castle had been used for over a century by the Marcher lords and by England’s barons to mount raids into Wales, and Wolf knew that the Earl of Chester had always been a staunch ally of the Mortimers, and would need little persuasion to back them now.
Wolf, in Chester Castle’s map room, pointed out the earls and barons who had pledged to a secret alliance with the Mortimers.
“You have wrought a miracle, uniting so many,” Chester declared with approval.
“All are angered by this hateful regime and have endured Edward and Despencer’s evil overlong. They are desperate for a strong leader willing to take up arms.”
“November arrived with a vengeance in these parts. Allow me to offer you the hospitality of Chester Castle.”
“I appreciate your generosity, my lord earl, but I am on my way to Lincoln and warrant I had better set out before the winter weather worsens.”
“I understand that Despencer now owns Lincoln Castle. I advise you to break your journey at Bolsover Castle. At least you will receive a warm reception there.”
Wolf’s secret visit to Lincoln Castle proved worthwhile. When he departed and rode south, the late November weather was much improved and when he arrived at Cambridge, it had turned mild.
He met up with the de Bohun brothers, who told him that the Earl of Surrey had returned from Scotland and had successfully negotiated a truce with Robert Bruce for King Edward.
“Lynx de Warenne is not a known king’s man,” Wolf stated, “but he and the Bruce were childhood friends. No doubt Edward took advantage of that when he pressed him into service. Since Hedingham is only a few miles from here, I shall ride over and recruit de Warenne to our cause.”
“De Warenne’s heir was wed yesterday. Most likely the celebrations will last for days. You can join the revelry.”
Humphrey de Bohun’s words pierced the iron carapace Wolf Mortimer wore to shield his emotions. He abruptly excused himself from their company, mounted his horse, and rode into the countryside. His senses were drenched with Brianna and he knew physical exertion was the only antidote.
Just before the afternoon light faded, he spotted a small boat. He dismounted, tethered Drago to a tree, and with Shadow sitting before him, Wolf rowed out into the Cambridge Fens.
“She married him!” Shock was followed by anger. When he finally worked off his fury, Wolf felt bereft.
Shadow watched him closely; her ears lay flat against her head.
Wolf rested the oars, and stared off into the darkness. He wondered when night had fallen.
“Fuck it all. I’ve done everything I can for the cause. Tomorrow we’ll go home to the Welsh Borders. I’ve had enough of these civilized English ladies and gentlemen.”
Shadow howled her approval.
“That was quick. I shall refrain from using the word unseemly.” Jory handed Brianna the letter from Jane telling them that Lincoln Robert had wed Blanche FitzAlan. She watched her daughter’s face closely to gauge her reaction. When she discerned neither sorrow nor joy, she prompted, “What do you think?”