His Runaway Maiden (12 page)

‘It is indeed impressive,’ answered Rosamund. ‘I cannot wait to see what it is like inside.’

‘There is much to see that is fine.’ She added in a low voice, ‘There are those who say that the King is miserly but, believe me, he was not frugal when it came to decorating Richmond. It is now the finest palace in the kingdom. I was here with my kinsman and his mother, the Countess of Beaufort, for poor Prince Arthur’s wedding. Now that was a sumptuous affair. Whilst I doubt that Henry will part with as much gold and silver as he did then, nevertheless, I am certain he will not stint on spending what is necessary to impress our Scottish neighbours.’ She indicated that they ride beside her litter and so they led her entourage along the red-brick outer wall to the main gateway that looked out over the Green.

Men-at-arms stood on guard, but as soon as Lady Elizabeth was announced, she and her party were allowed inside the walls. It seemed no time at all before an official was welcoming them and minions were summoned to attend to their needs. Lady Elizabeth asked whether certain people had arrived and the replies she received seemed to please her. Then she asked if a chamber could be made available for her troupe to rehearse in that evening.

Rosamund lost sight of the Baron in the throng and
decided he would be able to find his way to the suite of rooms set aside for Lady Elizabeth and her entourage. A servant showed her to the bedchamber that was to be the Baron and Baroness Dalsland’s for the duration of their stay. Rosamund experienced that odd sensation at being addressed as Baroness again and thought, for the first time, that along with her title came responsibility. She now had the power to help those so much poorer than herself. Lady Elizabeth had put one of her maids at Rosamund’s disposal and she felt slightly ashamed of the few clothes she had for her to stow away in the oak armoire and chest. She thanked the girl and dismissed her.

Then she spent a few moments admiring the craftsmanship of the beautifully carved furniture and richly embroidered hangings and coverlet on the bed. A fine bed. She eased off her boots and hung up her cloak and hat before lying down. She decided the mattress must be stuffed with feathers and fell to dreaming of her husband making love to her as she listened to the crackling of the log fire. If only he really could love her, then she would be happy. But of course, their marriage was no love match, but one conveniently arranged by her godmother.

‘Are you comfortable?’

Rosamund started at the sound of her husband’s attractive tones and sat up.

‘No, don’t disturb yourself.’ Alex tossed his hat on a chest and removed his outer clothes and boots before lying down on the bed beside her. Rosamund was intensely aware of him and felt her insides quiver as he reached out and took her hand. ‘Your godmother plans to take a nap before the evening meal. She has decided we will take our
meal here in her own apartment and it will be prepared by her own cook. She has already discovered that the King and Queen are to sup with their Scottish guests in their private apartments, no doubt in preparation for the ceremony tomorrow. After supper there is to be rehearsal for the performance the day after tomorrow.’

She glanced at him. ‘Did you tell her that my stepbrother is here?’

‘Didn’t you?’ He rolled onto his side so that he faced her.

‘No. There was no opportunity to have a private word. She was speaking to her servants and having them take messages to the troupe and the musicians.’

‘Then we will tell her later. In the meantime, perhaps we should also rest after our disturbed night—’

Alex drew his wife towards him. He was expecting a little resistance on her part, but she snuggled up to him like a kitten. ‘Rest, you say,’ she murmured, tentatively placing an arm across his chest. So trusting, he thought, stroking her hair and fondling her ear. After the shock of seeing Fustian, he had immediately wanted to challenge him and fight with him to the death. Instead, he had known he must wait until he got him alone.

He planted feather-light kisses down the side of her face and then kissed her mouth in a leisurely fashion. She returned his kiss and then rubbed her cheek against his unshaven one. He sensed she winced and reminded himself that he must shave later. He lightly touched the outline of her breast in the blue gown. He felt the peak tighten and he plucked it gently. A sleepy sigh escaped her and he unfastened the buttons on her gown and slid his hand inside and caressed that perfectly shaped orb. Several moments
passed before he realised with a rueful smile that she had drifted into sleep. He made himself comfortable and within a short time he also was asleep.

Rosamund woke slowly and realised with part of her mind that someone was moving about in the bedroom. She sat up suddenly and cried, ‘Who’s there?’

‘No need to fear,’ said Alex, coming and sitting on the bed. ‘It’s time to get up and join Lady Elizabeth for supper.’

Rosamund yawned and stretched. ‘How long have I been asleep?’

‘Do you feel rested?’ he asked.

‘Aye.’ She stared up at him with a puzzled expression.

‘Then you have slept long enough.’ He smiled and helped her off the bed. ‘Do you wish to change your gown?’

‘Perhaps.’ She glanced at the bed and wondered. ‘Did you sleep?’

‘Aye.’

Supper was almost over by the time Alex and Rosamund had finished telling Lady Elizabeth about Edward Fustian’s arrival at Richmond Palace.

‘He will not be the only one hoping to gain the prize of Lord Mayor of London,’ she wheezed. ‘Several will have paid a pretty penny for the honour of attending the celebrations in the hope of winning that role. You can be sure that the King will be watching them all and have courtiers strategically placed to listen to conversations, so as to deduce which of them is willing to pay the highest price for such a position.’

‘The Baron thinks that he and I should keep out of
Edward’s sight until we have proof of his infamy,’ said Rosamund.

Lady Elizabeth’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. ‘Don’t tell me you suspect Fustian of having something to do with the other business, Baron?’

Alex and Rosamund exchanged looks.

Immediately, Lady Elizabeth said, ‘Forget what I said. Time is moving on and we have the rehearsal to attend.’

Easy enough to say
forget
, but Rosamund could not do so. Her husband had asked for her help and she intended giving it to him. She resisted looking his way as they rose and left the apartment to go to the place where several musicians were already in position and tuning up their instruments. The room was adjacent to a much larger chamber from whence came the sound of laughter and loud voices.

‘I wonder what is taking place in there?’ asked Rosamund of no one in particular.

‘Go and see, my dear, and come back and tell me,’ said Lady Elizabeth. ‘Then we shall close the door so we will not be disturbed.’

Rosamund did so and decided that it was another party rehearsing for their part in the pageant. She noticed the livery on a banner and closed the door and turned to see her godmother in a low-voiced conversation with the Baron.

Rosamund sat down a little away from them, close to a curtained alcove. She tapped her foot in rhythm to the music and tried not to feel excluded. After all, her father had not shared every part of his life with his wives and had often spent time away from home. Besides, it was possible that Alex was telling Lady Elizabeth what they had discussed earlier or perhaps not. She felt insecure again, but
waited until she was certain they had finished their conversation before making her way towards them.

‘The company next door have a banner displaying the livery of the Royal Guild of Mercers,’ said Rosamund.

Alex glanced at her. ‘Did you catch sight of Fustian?’

‘No, although, perhaps he will attend later.’

Alex nodded. ‘We will just have to stay alert in case he should pass through here.’

‘I have heard that the Mercers’ Guild is financing a grand finale to the pageant,’ said Lady Elizabeth.

‘I wonder what it will entail,’ said Rosamund.

‘There is bound to be a tournament with young knights joining the lists to prove how brave they are,’ replied her godmother. ‘I have never particularly cared for jousting since my brother was killed.’

At that moment members of the troupe began to arrive.

‘Where is Lord Bude?’ asked Lady Elizabeth.

‘None of us has seen him,’ said one of the ladies. ‘What shall we do?’

‘We shall go on with the rehearsal without him,’ said Lady Elizabeth. ‘I will sit out and the Baron will partner my goddaughter.’

The lords and ladies lined up for the dance.

Alex took Rosamund’s hand. ‘You remember the movements of the dance?’

‘I am certain you will put me right if I have forgotten them,’ she replied.

He gazed at her intently. ‘I deem you are vexed about something?’

She almost said,
how perceptive of you
. Instead, she shook her head and then gazed down at her feet.

Alex drew in his breath with a hiss, but there was no chance to sort the matter out. The musicians struck up. This time when they danced together she went through the motions without enthusiasm. She expected her husband to mock her performance, but he did not say a word.

‘Excellent,’ said her godmother, stifling a yawn. ‘Perhaps a little more picking up of the feet, Rosamund. But no doubt you are tired. There will be too much making ready for the proxy ceremony in the morning for another rehearsal. And by evening, I doubt any of you will be fit to dance after the celebrations. So we will have a dress rehearsal the following morning.’

They all agreed and the musicians and the troupe drifted away.

Lady Elizabeth turned to Rosamund and Alex. ‘I was too kind to you, my dears. Both your performances were leaden. Why do you not go through the steps again? There is plenty of space for you to practise now the others have left.’

Alex raised his tawny eyebrows. ‘Well?’ he said.

‘It is what Godmother wishes,’ replied Rosamund, her cheeks flushed.

So once again they performed the movements of the dance and this time Rosamund concentrated on picking up her feet and humming the music. Her husband surprised her by beginning to sing in his own language and slowly she relaxed and began to enjoy herself. They repeated the dance until she was quite out of breath and then he called a halt.

It was in the following silence that they heard voices on the other side of the door. Alex caught his wife’s eye and suddenly he seized her hand and drew her into the alcove close by and pulled across the curtain. She stood trembling
in the curve of his arm with her cheek pressed against his chest. She could hear the steady thud of his heart as the door opened.

‘So you agree the plan should work if the other fails?’ asked Edward.

‘I don’t see why it shouldn’t, laddie. I shall have a wee word with yer kinsman. He feels much the same as we do about this damned alliance—and there are others who share his sentiments and will do what they can to prevent it from succeeding. But if we can put some money into our own pockets, who is to gainsay—?’ The voice stopped abruptly. When it spoke again, it was in a whisper. ‘Who’s this?’

‘I can’t say, but she looks a perfect fright,’ sneered Edward. ‘Although…wait a moment. This must be Lady Elizabeth Stanley. I have heard that she paints her face.’

‘Do yer think she might have heard us talking?’ hissed the Scotsman.

‘At her age—she’s probably as deaf as a post. I did hear that she would be here,’ muttered Edward.

‘Why’s that?’

‘She’s kin to the King’s stepfather, as well as being godmother to my stepsister. Mother was supposed to deal with Rosie, but I will have to do the deed myself.’

Rosamund drew in her breath and instantly Alex pressed her head against his chest.

‘What was that?’ asked the Scotsman.

Rosamund could scarcely breathe and was aware that Alex was reaching for the dagger at his belt.

B
efore Alex could release Rosamund and face the two men, there came a sudden break in the snoring and a sleepy voice said, ‘Where am I? You—you two men! Who are you?’ wheezed Lady Elizabeth.

‘You are in the Palace of Richmond,’ said Edward loudly. ‘Am I correct in believing that you are Lady Elizabeth Stanley?’

‘You are. But you have not answered my question. Who are you?’

‘Ma name is Sir Andrew Kennedy,’ said the Scot.

‘You are a Kennedy. Now why does that surprise me?’ said her ladyship in a vague tone. ‘And you, sir, are obviously English. Have we met before?’

‘No, Lady Elizabeth,’ said Edward.

‘Well, it is of no matter. You can help me up, seeing as how they all appear to have gone.’

‘Who have gone?’ asked the Scot.

‘My troupe of dancers. You will see them perform the day after tomorrow.’ There was the sound of rustling silk
and Lady Elizabeth’s rasping breath. ‘Now you, Sir Andrew, can give me your arm. When you get to my age, a woman needs a man to keep her on her toes.’

There was the sound of retreating footsteps and Lady Elizabeth’s breathless voice and then silence. Rosamund tugged on Alex’s arm and looked up into his shadowy face. ‘We must follow them. What if they were to hurt her? You heard what Edward said.’

Reluctantly, Alex set his wife aside and opened the curtain. ‘We will not approach them unless it is absolutely necessary,’ he said firmly. ‘We are Fustian’s intended victims, so I doubt they will hurt her.’

‘They might do so if they decide she heard them plotting,’ said Rosamund, glancing at her husband’s face in the light of the wall lantern. ‘I wonder to what plan they were referring. If Godmother had not chosen that moment to wake up, we might have found out.’

‘She deliberately made a show of being wakened to distract from the noise you made,’ said Alex, leading the way along the passage. ‘I wonder if your stepmother’s treacherous kinsman is another McDonald, working for the previous chieftain of the clan, John of Islay, one time Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross? I doubt the present lord would be involved in such a plot.’

‘How do you know of these people?’ whispered Rosamund.

‘I keep my eyes and ears open,’ he said smoothly. ‘You know how to do that, do you not, Rosamund?’

‘By not asking so many questions, but just staying quiet and listening,’ she murmured. ‘There are more people who
wish England and Scotland to stay divided than I thought. What do you deem is their plan?’

‘That is something we have to find out,’ said Alex, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand.

‘We?’ she asked. ‘You still want me to help you?’

He nodded. ‘Although there is a certain amount of risk involved.’

‘It cannot be any more dangerous than Edward plotting to get rid of me.’

Alex nodded. ‘We will discuss this later.’

Rosamund felt a lift of the heart. It seemed that he was going to take her into his confidence after all. Right now she was curious to know why her godmother had considered it strange to see a Kennedy at Richmond.

They arrived at the apartment to find Lady Elizabeth sitting in a chair, drinking from a steaming goblet with Hannah in attendance. She looked up and smiled. ‘So there you are, my dears.’ She turned to her maid. ‘I’ll call you when I need you.’

‘I am so glad you are safe,’ said Rosamund, kissing her godmother.

‘You are a good child.’ Lady Elizabeth stroked her cheek. ‘So smooth.’ She sighed. ‘I presume you two were hiding behind that curtain and heard what took place?’

‘Aye,’ said Alex, closing the door and putting his back to it. ‘How much of their conversation did you hear?’

‘We decided that you were only pretending to be asleep when those men entered the chamber,’ added Rosamund.

Her godmother did not answer, but took a sip of her potion before saying, ‘What an ill-mannered fool your stepbrother is to insult me and to talk so openly about his
plans for you. I will speak to Derby about him and he will quash his ambitions.’

‘Not yet,’ said Alex firmly. ‘We need to discover what his and the other’s plans are.’

Lady Elizabeth deliberated. ‘The King could have them tortured,’ she said with relish.

‘But surely that would damage the peace agreement and play into their hands?’ said Rosamund. ‘Too long our countries have waged war across our borders. We are neighbours and should be allies.’

Lady Elizabeth sighed. ‘You are right.’

‘Tell us what you know about this Kennedy,’ said Rosamund.

‘I think you should go to bed,’ said Lady Elizabeth, ‘and leave this to the Baron and I.’

Rosamund glanced at her husband.

‘I say she stays,’ said Alex.

His wife gave him a dazzling smile and he felt a catch at his heart, wanting to take her into his arms again.

Lady Elizabeth frowned. ‘But what about her safety? What about the child?’

Rosamund was about to say there was no child when her husband indicated with a slight shake of the head that she be silent. ‘A man should not have secrets from his wife,’ he said smoothly. ‘I see no harm in Rosamund knowing what you have to say.’

Lady Elizabeth appeared slightly flustered by that remark. ‘If that is what you think, but I am depending on you to keep them both safe.’

‘Trust me.’ He waved Rosamund to a settle and sat beside her. ‘Begin,’ he said.

Lady Elizabeth sucked in her cheeks, cracking her paint. ‘The King of Scotland has a mistress, Janet Kennedy. No doubt her family would rather a proxy marriage did not take place between James and Princess Margaret. Perhaps in their wildest dreams the Kennedy clan imagine that the son Janet Kennedy bore King James could follow in his father’s footsteps. After all, the King has given the boy the title of Earl of Moray.’

Rosamund glanced at Alex to see what he thought of this information.

‘I doubt King James would legalise his affair with Janet Kennedy. To favour them would cause war amongst the clans,’ he said.

Lady Elizabeth nodded. ‘You are probably right. I have heard that she has had other lovers amongst the Scottish hierarchy. One of the powerful Earls of Douglas has been rumoured to have shared her bed.’ She fixed Alex with a stare. ‘One wonders if he could have fathered more than one bastard.’

Alex scowled at her. ‘I think it would be best if we did not discuss the Earls of Douglas.’

‘Why? It was your grandmother who insisted that she was the best person to—’

‘Enough, Lady Elizabeth,’ said Alex, ruthlessly cutting through what she had to say. ‘This has naught to do with the matter under discussion.’

‘Is it possibly that the Kennedys, Douglases and McDonalds might work together to destroy the peace?’ asked Rosamund.

Alex sighed heavily. ‘Definitely not. It was a McDonald chieftain, the previous Earl of Ross, who behaved trea
cherously towards the border Douglases in the present King of Scotland’s father’s reign. The McDonalds committed murder after signing a treaty with the Yorkist King Edward. They would help him regain his throne and in return he promised to help them defeat the Scottish king, as well as give them land and gold. Edward never kept his side of the bargain and the Earl of Ross suffered defeat at the hands of the present King of Scotland, lost his lands and title and vanished into obscurity. It is possible that he is behind this plot to destroy this chance of peace between England and Scotland.’

‘Such intrigue between our countries,’ said Rosamund, shocked, but fascinated none the less. ‘Do either of you believe that my stepbrother and Kennedy’s plan is to prevent the proxy wedding taking place?’

Alex shook his head. ‘It presents too much of a risk with so many people around. Kennedy spoke of them lining their pockets. It sounds to me that our plotters’ aim is not only to destroy the peace pact, but…’ He paused for several moments before continuing, ‘Let us consider the costly gifts that King Henry will give to his guests. The plot could include them relieving the homebound Scots nobles of those treasures.’

‘But that might not destroy the peace,’ said Rosamund.

‘That’s true,’ muttered Alex, ‘and from what the Kennedy said about lining their pocket, that was just an afterthought.’

The three of them fell silent, pondering on what their enemies’ plan might be. Then Rosamund said, ‘The marriage!’

Alex stared at her. ‘What do you mean the marriage?’

‘If the marriage was not to take place, the alliance would
fall apart,’ she said. ‘I mean the proper marriage between the new Queen of Scotland and King James. Where will it take place?’

‘Edinburgh,’ informed Lady Elizabeth, her eyes gleaming. ‘Are you saying their plan could be to prevent Margaret from ever being joined to James?’

‘She could mean murder,’ said Alex, gazing at his wife as if bewitched. ‘They could be planning an attack on the young Queen’s train as soon as they cross the Scottish border. Her murder would destroy any chance of peace between the two countries. Either side of the border would do to destroy the peace pact. I am stunned, wife, by the sheer breadth of your imaginative powers.’

Rosamund beamed at him. ‘Then I haven’t wasted the time spent locked up by my stepmother, when all I could do to occupy myself was to think and think and dream of what I would like to do to her if I was free.’

‘We should inform the King,’ gasped Lady Elizabeth, who was looking exhausted.

Alex shook his head. ‘We have no proof. It is naught but guesswork on our part. We must wait and find out when the journey to Scotland is to take place and set a trap.’

‘If you insist, Baron. I am for my bed,’ said Lady Elizabeth, ‘but I tell you now that I might have other ideas on the morrow.’

Rosamund rose to her feet. ‘I am sorry that we have kept you awake. You’ve had an exhausting day.’

‘It cannot be helped, my dear.’ Lady Elizabeth patted her hand. ‘God put me in the right place so that we could hear those villains plotting. If you could assist me out of this chair, Baron. And, Rosamund, please, call Hannah.’

Alex helped Lady Elizabeth to her feet and Rosamund summoned her maid to come and attend to her. Immediately Hannah came running. Alex and Rosamund went to their bedchamber. There a fire still glowed on the hearth and several candles provided more light.

Alex locked the door, thinking that this would be the first night they would spend together as husband and wife. He watched Rosamund wander over to the bed and push aside a hanging. Then he heard her draw in her breath noisily.

‘What is it?’ he asked, alerted by that sound to reach for his dagger.

‘Someone has been in here.’

He hurried over to her.

Rosamund laughed. ‘I don’t think you will need the dagger. Most likely it was the maid who put the costumes on the bed.’ She held up a black gown and flourished a black mask. ‘Yours is here, too. Shall we try them on?’ she asked.

‘No. It is late and we will be able to see more clearly how we look in daylight.’ Alex tossed his costume on a chest at the foot of the bed.

Rosamund placed hers beside his and then shot him a tentative glance. He interpreted that look as one of nervousness and thought how she would have delayed getting into bed with him by trying on the costumes. It was going to be a long day tomorrow and they would need to have their wits about them.

‘What would you have me do on the morrow?’ she asked. ‘Would you like me to pay heed to Kennedy’s whereabouts and with whom he talks and eavesdrop on their conversation?’

Immediately alarm bells rang in Alex’s head. ‘No, I
would not. You will stay with Lady Elizabeth and keep out of trouble. ‘You heard what she said about not risking your life and that of the baby.’

Rosamund’s face fell. ‘But there is no baby, so you do not need to worry too much about me. What about these Earls of Douglas? If you point them out to me, then perhaps—’

‘No. They are not here.’

‘Is that because King James is not pleased about having a rival for Janet Kennedy’s favours and does not trust them?’

‘I am not in the Scottish king’s confidence,’ rasped Alex, turning his back on her.

Rosamund stared at his back and wondered what she had said wrong. Slowly, she began to undress. ‘Is it that you do not approve of the Douglases? This talk—’

‘Enough, Rosamund!’

‘I don’t understand. I thought you trusted me now you’re allowing me to be involved in gathering information?’

He did not respond, but blew out the candles and marched over to the bed. Disappointed, it was several minutes before she joined him there. He had allowed her the same side as that which she had occupied during their journey to London and he was not facing her. She swallowed a sigh and climbed into bed. She remembered now that he had cut off her godmother when she had been about to say something about the Earls and their bastards, which meant that it was not only herself with whom her husband was annoyed. Hopefully he would be in a better frame of mind on the morrow and she might discover what it was about the Douglases that put him in such a mood.

Alex was furious with himself. Why couldn’t he just accept that his father had not wanted the inconvenience of
a baby bastard son after his mother had died? It was not as if he had suffered because his grandparents had provided for all his needs. He should not have behaved so ill mannered either to his wife or Lady Elizabeth. Her words about keeping his wife and baby safe played over and over in his head. He felt a sudden longing for it to be true that Rosamund was carrying his child. He thought about his doubts about her chasteness when Lady Elizabeth had spoken of Rosamund carrying a child. How many times had Rosamund denied the truth of her godmother’s words? Surely there would be no need for her to do so once she had his ring on her finger if all she had wanted was a father for Fustian’s child?

He turned over, but Rosamund had wrapped herself so tightly in the bedcovers that it was obvious that she did not wish to have aught to do with him that night. He sighed and knew that he would have to wait until tomorrow to sort the whole matter out.

Rosamund was the first to wake. Perhaps it was a cock crowing that disturbed her. Instantly, she was aware that her husband was snuggled up against her back with his arm about her. So he had recovered from his bad mood and she rejoiced in it. She remembered longing for him to hold her like this on the journey to London and relaxed against him. She realised he was wearing his shirt, but it had ridden up so that she could feel his naked thigh pressed against the back of her thigh. It gave her a delicious thrill. She had no idea when the proxy wedding would begin, but was certain her godmother would tell the maid to wake them in plenty of time.