In Bed With A Stranger (26 page)

Bonnie stood quietly on the steps, waiting to be told what to do.

Helen did not worry that the mistress had retired early. Her time was growing near, the babe taking more of her energy. News from her mother had no doubt made her teary as well. Tomorrow she’d try to keep the mistress away from herding geese. Soon it would be time to have Agnes moved into Sterling. The arrival of first babes was always hard to anticipate, but if the mistress was taking to her bed, the time must be growing near.

Motioning to the maids, she hurried them from the chamber. The fire popped and crackled. Helen shut the door to leave the mistress in peace.

“Och now, she’s sleeping already. I’ll see to settling ye and ye may spend tomorrow chatting.”

Bonnie let the kind hands of the maid shepherd her to a bed. Horror and fatigue made it impossible to think. All that mattered was that she and Anne were sleeping someplace far removed from Cameron. She fell into a fretful sleep.

Cameron pressed his men to ride through the night. The trip was faster because a good amount of it was downhill. Anne did not care for she wouldn’t have slept anyway. Not with having witnessed the unseemly lust in Philipa’s lackey’s eyes. Instead, she noticed the stark difference between her two journeys. Brodick’s retainers with their honest service and Cameron with his bullies. She had willingly stayed near the kitchens at Warwickshire because Cameron’s group of men were known for debauchery. Philipa never reprimanded them because they did her bidding, no matter how foul.

They crossed onto English soil shortly after dawn. Anne tightened her hands on the saddle. By night, she’d be standing in Philipa’s presence again.

Sterling

Helen screamed for the first time in years. She ripped the bed curtains as she tried to find her mistress. It made no sense!

The maids flew from the chamber, their shrieks awakening the manor. Retainers rushed in from the yard, hesitating for a moment when they realized the commotion was coming from the mistress’s chamber.

“The mistress is missing.”

Helen shouted, pulling on her hair. “I dinnae ken. She mussed the bedding to look as if she were there. I should have checked.”

“You cannot blame yourself.” Bonnie’s soft voice froze everyone in their tracks. She stood at the door, her face shining with tears. “Philipa has always hated her more than any other.” She shuddered, hugging herself. “But my sister is the kindest soul, always thinking of others first.”

Captain Murry gripped her by the upper arms.

“Tell me where the mistress is.”

Bonnie recoiled from his touch, her heels sliding on the stone floor as she tried to escape. Panic held her features as she pushed and struggled. The man looked confused by her reaction.

“Don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me.” Bonnie’s voice was a thin wail that stirred pity in everyone in the room.

“I’ll let ye loose if ye tell me what goes on here.”

Bonnie bobbed her head up and down. The captain released his grip on her, careful to do it slow enough so that she didn’t fall in a heap. He placed his body between her and the door, making it clear that he would get what he wanted.

“Philipa has ordered her back to Warwickshire else she will set our brothers to sea for the New World.”

“That’s insanity. There is nothing across the ocean save death for those foolish enough to sail toward it.” Helen shook her head and even made the sign of the cross over her body.

“That’s why Anne went. She knows that Philipa means to do it if Anne does not return.”

The Captain held up a hand for silence. “Did ye say brothers?”

Bonnie nodded. “We are two sisters and three brothers born to the Earl of Warwickshire’s leman. Philipa sent Anne in her daughter’s place to conceive a child because Mary did not want to marry. Anne was ordered to return when she was with child or Philipa would turn our mother out. When Anne still didn’t return, Philipa grew angry and sent Cameron here with new threats to force Anne to obey her. Philipa married me to Cameron because she knew Anne would protect me, as she always had.” Silent tears glittered on Bonnie’s cheeks.

There was silence. Helen grew pale but she suddenly snarled like a angry bear.

“Captain Murry, fetch the mistress back.”

The captain seemed unsure. He looked at Bonnie and back to Helen.

“If she is nae the Earl of Warwickshire’s legitimate daughter, she’s nae the lord’s wife.”

“Nae his wife? Are ye daft, man? She’s round with his son.”

“His bastard.” One of the maids spoke the words. Helen rounded on her like a storm.

“She was pure when the lord took her to his bed. She is also the Earl of Warwickshire’s daughter. Mark my words. It will be the legitimate daughter who suffers for nae taking her place. The earl’s wife stood there and sent her as the bride. They are both daughters of the earl, the proxy will hold up in court because our lord was deceived. The Church will annul the first proxy and then the lord can marry the mother of his child.”

Captain Murry nodded slowly. “I see yer thinking, Helen, but there are those who will nae agree.”

“There is no time for debating now. Ye need to ride after her.” Helen wrung her hands.

The captain shook his head. “No time at all. They’re too close to England by now. The mistress planned this well enough. I might have caught her if she’d been discovered missing yesterday.” The captain shook his head, his hand tightening on his belt. “We need the earl to settle this matter. They’ll nae even open the gates for us at Warwickshire, much less admit to such a deed now that the proof is in their hands.”

“That babe will be born inside a fortnight.”

Murry paused at the door. “Then I shall ride through the night to alert the lord.”

He quit the room, his men following close on his heels. There was no hint of reluctance in any of them. Helen looked at the chamber, tears of sadness in her eyes.

“Och now, how did such a thing happen?”

“Love is a curse.” The same maid spoke once more. “My sister has a bastard because of falling under love’s spell.”

“’Tis not always a bad thing.” Helen just wished that she believed her own words, but they sounded hollow. The entire chamber echoed with emptiness. She felt the chill of it creeping across her skin.

Warwick Castle

“Y
ou are disgraceful.”

Philipa spoke slowly, allowing each of her words to fall and impact before the next one crossed her lips.

“Clearly you care for no one save yourself.” The mistress of Warwickshire pulled a letter from her writing desk. She snapped the paper against her palm.

“Your sire did not return for quartering day.” Triumph shone in Philipa’s eyes.

Anne stood steady. She stared straight at Philipa, refusing to lower her eyes. She would not be giving blind respect to the lady of the manor anymore. Philipa frowned when she remained steadily staring her in the face.

“It is a good thing that I had the forethought to marry your sister to a man who will keep her in check. The very fact that you penned this letter proves that you and all your siblings are tainted with the lack of respect that your mother has shown me by giving my husband sons.”

Anne smiled softly. The expression angered the mistress of Warwickshire, turning Philipa’s face red.

“My sister is in Scotland.”

“What?” Her lips twisted into an ugly scowl. “I commanded that she return.”

“If I only cared for myself, I would still be at Sterling, far from your reach.”

“Watch your mouth, girl, I am your mistress.”

Anne didn’t back down “Not any longer, you aren’t. You sent me away, gave me to another noble. My loyalty belongs to Sterling’s master now.”

A flicker of fear crossed Philipa’s face. She looked stunned by the emotion, her lips working without sounds for a few moments, her hands closing into fists.

“You shall obey me,
bastard
.”

“Or what?” Anne wasn’t as sure as her voice sounded, but she was finished holding her tongue. Being obedient to Philipa had not rewarded her with fairness as the Church preached. Keeping to her place would never mean anything if the woman she offered her loyalty to did not remember her duty to her own servants. That was the lesson she’d learned from Brodick. He was a leader because he considered it a duty, not just tribute given to his name, something he received but did nothing to earn.

“I shall have your mother put out.”

Anne didn’t waver. “It is no longer winter.” Philipa gasped at Anne’s audacity. “Yet maybe it is better that you should. When she reaches the next shire, there will be an end to this farce. I do not think my sire will be pleased when he learns of this deception.”

Philipa stuck her finger out, trying to impose her will with the stern gesture. “You will do as you are told,
bastard.
”

Anne simply laid a hand on the top of her belly. Philipa looked at it hungrily. For a moment she resembled someone addicted to wine, all weak-willed and unable to stop her own destructive behavior.

“I carry the Earl of Alcaon’s child. If you are just, you shall dissolve my sister’s marriage and send my brothers to serve at court with their sire to, possibly with God’s good will, better their lot.”

A lump tried to form in her throat and Anne suppressed it. She did what was most important for her babe. Sacrifice was the proof of a mother’s love. “You shall not have my child for nothing. My brothers know nothing of this. Send them today.”

“Or what…bastard?” Philipa smirked. “Hmm? You have so much to say, but I am mistress here. The gates only open when I say they shall.”

A moment of uncertainty filled her and Philipa must have sensed it. She smiled, the expression unpleasant.

“I have heard that in Scotland being born bastard means very little. But this is England…
bastard
.”

A sharp slap hit Anne’s face. Philipa did not stay her strength. Anne’s neck whipped to the side with the force of the blow.

“Here, you will keep to your place. That had better be a male child.”

Philipa paced back across the chamber. She sat in an ornately carved chair, arranging her skirts as if she were royalty. Mary moved to stand behind her mother. They looked every inch the noble, powerful women they believed themselves to be.

But they didn’t compare at all to Brodick.

“You shall occupy my solar until your time comes. I will be gracious and allow your mother to attend you.”

She paused to gloat with a few amusing sounds sent toward her daughter.

“Of course you many persist in this defiance and your child will be born exactly as you were…illegitimate.”

“I am here.” What else was there to say? Philipa did know what she was speaking of. The world was not forgiving and it was not interested in how things happened. Born out of wedlock, her child would be a bastard.

“Exactly. There is some part of you that is not mesmerized by the lust that Scot no doubt stoked inside you.” Now Philipa’s expression turned to one of revulsion, her lips thinning with distaste. “I had little doubt that you’d enjoy his carnal demands. You are very much like your mother.

“Still, it is what was needed.” Philipa reached for a goblet. She took a long sip, fully expecting everyone to wait on her while she pampered herself.

“You will remain in the solar. That is the only way that we shall be able to make everyone believe that Mary has birthed that child.”

“But how long, Mother? I’m tired of being locked up.”

Philipa frowned. “Has the world gone mad? Why is there no respect in either of you? Here I am working so diligently to make everyone happy and both of you argue with me.”

Mary pouted but she didn’t look like a child who knew she was defeated. Instead her face brightened with her desire for retaliation.

“You will have to remain in bed after the child is born, Mary, acting your part as the one recovering from childbirth. It sounds to me as though you might put that time to good use learning to be thankful that you do not have to face the pain of labor. She might die before pushing the child into the world and then we shall have a true mess to sort out.”

Mary’s nose wrinkled. “You mustn’t die, Anne.”

“I shall endeavor not to.”

Mary shrugged while rolling her eyes, clearly unconcerned with anything more than what she wanted. The child inside Anne kicked as if he understood that he was being fought over. Anne refused to weaken. Her son deserved to be born to the full station he had been conceived under.

May Brodick forgive her.

“What has that woman’s spite done to you?”

Ivy Copper entered the small solar, but she only had eyes for Anne. She swept her daughter from head to toe and back to swollen belly.

“Never once might I have suspected that she would do so horrible a deed.” Ivy flew across the room, folding Anne into her embrace.

“I have missed you, Mother.”

And she had. But the steady beating of her mother’s heart was sweet reassurance. Life. That was what she had left Warwickshire to ensure. It was also what she’d brought back with her.

“It was not awful. He is a good man.”

Her mother made a low sound. She stepped back to fix Anne with her mother’s eye.

“Please tell me that you did not fall into love’s trap. Anne, I warned you about it. You are saddled with the burden of having my tender heart. Both you and Bonnie.”

“But it’s not a burden, Mother.”

Ivy sighed, but a smile decorated her lips. She cupped both sides of her daughter’s face, tenderness in her voice. “Well, sweet Anne, you have gone and done it now. Placed your hand into the foolishness of love. I can no more scold you for it than stop loving your father. Forgive me for setting such a poor example for you.”

“Do you still love him, even now?”

“You mean at my age?” Ivy turned, looking around the solar. “It’s the truth that I do.”

Her mother surveyed the chamber. It was round because it was the top of one of Warwickshire’s towers. There were costly glass pane windows here because it was Philipa’s solar. There were three expensive chairs near the windows, their backs and arms ornately carved. A tapestry loom stood threaded and waiting for the lady of the house to work. Anne had never known Philipa to labor at such a task.

She ran a finger over the fine threads. The sunlight danced over them. They almost glowed.

“Silk.”

“Aye,” her mother confirmed. “Your father has always done right by Philipa. He denies her nothing.”

There was a note of envy in her mother’s voice. Anne smiled at her.

“He never gave her his love. That has been yours alone.”

“Just look what that’s done to you.” Ivy shook her head. “She used me against you, didn’t she?”

“Love is not one-sided, Mother. You have made sacrifices for me as well.”

Ivy frowned. “It is not the same, Daughter. This was evil.”

Anne sighed. She gazed out the window and realized that it faced north. Out there was Sterling. Her child belonged there with the kilts and long swords strapped to the men’s backs. Warwickshire was not home. There was no feeling of warm joy here, no comfort.

“I believe that good has already begun to unravel Philipa’s work. I left Bonnie in Scotland, away from Philipa’s reach. It was not a bad experience, Mother. If that is sinful, I am guilty.”

Ivy only shook her head. “I am not in any position to counsel anyone on the foolishness of love.” Her mother laid a hand on her daughter’s swollen belly. “Yet I did wish that your first child would be born in less turmoil.”

“I returned to make sure of that. This child will take his place even if I must allow Philipa to continue her foul scheme. If I speak against her, my babe will be illegitimate. There is no other way. Just as I could not watch Bonnie leave Sterling with Cameron. She is safe now. Brodick is a good man; he will not allow Cameron to take her.”

Anne felt confidence surge through her. She would not fail. There was naught but a curtain hung in the arched doorway between Philipa’s room and the solar. Philipa frowned as she strode into the room. Hatred blazed from her eyes when she looked at Ivy.

“I shall have satisfaction for every year that I have been forced to endure the shame of you giving my husband children.”

Cameron stepped into the room, grinning.

“Step outside this solar, and you shall face harsh consequences.”

Ivy glared at the mistress, her face displaying her contempt for the first time that Anne could recall.

“Wipe that look off your face…slut.” Philipa shook a finger at Ivy. “I am mistress here. You are nothing but the lightskirt my husband used to ease his lust.”

“I am much more.” Ivy raised her chin, defiance filling her voice.

The mistress of Warwickshire didn’t appear to know how to deal with the silent refusal of both women to lower themselves. Philipa shook with rage, her face turning red.

“You’d better remember.”

The curtain hit the wall when she left. Cameron followed her.

“You owe me for the service of fetching her back, since I don’t get the younger one now.”

Philipa argued as Ivy shook her head. But Anne smiled. She had diverted one plan and she would succeed in making sure her child was born to his rightful place. She sat at the loom, gently working it to make sure it was oiled. She needed to create. Her hands fairly itched to begin working. Selecting a thread, she began to weave it.

“I shall show you what he looks like, Mother.”

Anne worked at the loom, willing her memory of Brodick waiting for her in the spring sun onto the growing tapestry. She did not quit until the last rays of light vanished. At dawn she began again. Her back ached but her son kicked. The only thing that she lamented was not being able to fill the chamber with fresh air. She walked around the room to ease the strain in her lower back, but always returned to her tapestry, determined to finish it.

Determined to see Brodick’s face again, even if it was no more than silk.

The days stretched out and Anne didn’t really notice how many passed. She was intent on her tapestry, working hard to finish it. Her mother wrote a list and gave it to Mary, who grumbled about fetching things like a servant. Ivy remained firm.

Cameron had to haul a birthing chair into the solar himself. He dropped it with a sneer.

“Women’s work.”

The man left as Ivy laughed at him. “Selfish man.” She ran a hand over the sturdy chair. The seat was cut into a large horseshoe shape. Such a chair allowed the mother to bear down while having her body weight supported by the chair. It was quite a modern convenience.

Lady Mary threw a book across the chamber.

“Mother, there must be some concoction that you can get old Ruth to fix that will make that baby come today.”

“Stop whining, Mary. For the final time, you shall wait.” Philipa glared at her child. “We have but one chance to secure you in this marriage without risking your life. That child needs to be healthy and strong. Not forced into the world before his time.”

Mary pouted.

Philipa’s eyes narrowed. She glanced behind her toward the curtain. Seeing that it was smoothly draped, she waved Mary toward her. Her daughter shrugged and closed the space between them.

“Ruth fixed this for me.”

Philipa raised her hand and showed a small glass jar. Inside was a jumble of leaves and strips of bark. Philipa placed it on her vanity table.

“Seeped in wine, it will send the drinker into a sleep they never awaken from.”

Mary gasped, but a look of savage enjoyment crossed her face. She reached out to touch the jar. “Once the baby is born, we’ll mull some wine and give it to both of them.”

“Exactly.” Philipa looked behind her once more. When she was assured that Ivy and Anne did not hear, she patted her daughter’s cheek. “No more fits from you. It will all be done shortly.”

Mother and daughter shared a smile that was pure evil. The jar sitting on the vanity awaited its moment of use.

Scotland

“Good God, man, ye look exhausted.” Druce stood up, offering his chair to Captain Murry.

The McJames’ retainer didn’t take the chair. He offered Brodick a quick pull on the corner of his bonnet before speaking.

“The mistress was taken back to England.”

“What?”

It was impossible to tell which man spoke first. Brodick, Cullen and Druce’s voices all bounced around the small town house together. Brodick held his hand out, authority rippling out of the gesture.