The Border Hostage (33 page)

Chris indicated the tents. “They'll be gone in a week, and we'll have the meadow to ourselves for a couple of days, before I take you to Bewcastle for our honeymoon.”

Ram Douglas will be attending the Wardens' Court.
Raven bit her lip and stopped her thoughts before they went further. She had vowed that she would not think of Heath Kennedy.

Christopher's lingering glance roamed over her modest neckline, then lowered to her breasts. “When we are married I would like to see you in more fashionable, low-cut gowns. In the not too distant future, we will be traveling to London, to the royal court.”

Valentina's words echoed in her memory.
The royal court is like a dead mackerel on the beach—it shines and it stinks. The English court is even worse.
Raven guessed that her groom-to-be had known his share of immoral court ladies, yet strangely her emotions were untouched by the trivial thought. She had far more important matters on her mind. When Chris took her by the waist and was about to draw her close, she placed her hands over his to stay him. She raised her eyes to his. “Were you on a raid?”

His gray-green eyes widened. “A raid indeed. Two
nights ago we were out on patrol when we encountered such a bloody and vicious raid, it was enough to sicken hardened soldiers. When the Scots pour across the Border intent on plunder, they are like madmen. Nothing is sacred to them, not churches, not even women or children. Raven, I would rather not speak of it; I would shield you from learning of such atrocities.”

“Do these raids happen often?” she persisted.

“Too often. Thank God you are off the beaten track and protected by the marsh at Rockcliffe, but Longtown is constantly set ablaze, and some of the bold devils raid as far as Carlisle.” He pointed through the window. “That bastard Kennedy reived a herd of our horses from that meadow below us. He didn't hesitate to slaughter the guards on the gates.”

Raven closed her eyes. No wonder there was such bad blood between them. “When you are at Bewcastle, do you raid the Scots in retaliation?”

“We are kept too busy patrolling the Borders around Bewcastle, protecting the people who live there.” He did not need to remind her that her grandmother was one of them. “Raven, I don't want you to be sad today.” He cupped her cheek tenderly. “Let's look through all these chambers in this part of the castle and see if there are any furnishings you fancy.”

She smiled brightly to banish the darklings. “We'll go on a treasure hunt.”

“I've already found my treasure.” He dipped his head and kissed her. Raven did not pull away, but she did not respond the way he wished. He wanted her arms about his neck, wanted her soft body to press against his, inviting his advances. Why was she playing the cold little bitch, when even her young sister had hot eyes for him? His gut knotted with jealousy, wondering if she'd played the whore with Kennedy. The filthy Borderer had wanted her, all right, but surely the beauteous Mistress Carleton had too much disdainful pride to stoop so far beneath her. Well, he
would worship at the altar of her beauty until he got the ring on her finger, then he would take perverse pleasure in dragging her from her pedestal to her knees, where she could worship him, and lavish him with the attention he deserved.

Duncan navigated the ship into the mouth of the River Dee and dropped anchor at his brother Donal's tower castle, where the stench of burned wool still hung in the air. A Douglas vessel was docked close by; Ramsay was there to meet the ship, and he went aboard to help Valentina with the twins. “Yer mother's in hysterics, and Meggie hasn't stopped cryin'. Ye'll have yer hands full, my love.”

Splendor of God
, Tina thought,
Mother will have hysterics when she learns that Heath is Father's heir.
Tina did not mention that their baby son had been unwell; Ram had enough to worry him.

“I'll tend to Elizabeth,” Ada said firmly. “I'm used to her ladyship's temperament.”

Rob Kennedy followed Ada down the gangplank with a sure gait, ready to face whatever awaited him.

“Do you have a secure place where I can put Armstrong?” Heath asked Ram.

“Put him aboard the
Revenge;
Jock will guard him overnight. We'll have tae sail tae Carlisle in the mornin'; the Border Wardens' Court starts tomorrow, so we'll miss the first day.” Ram hoisted the empty cradle on a broad shoulder and followed his family into the Kennedy tower castle.

Heath turned Armstrong over to Jock, who manacled the prisoner in the hold of the
Revenge.
“We didna catch any of the English swine, and we have no idea how many sheep and cattle they drove off. All we could do was clean up the mess. Ram brought men from Castle Douglas tae rebuild what's been burned.”

Anger at the English almost choked Heath as he entered
the tower castle. He saw Beth Kennedy and Lady Elizabeth sobbing in each other's arms, while Tina was quietly consoling Donal's young wife, Meggie. Ada pulled Beth's arms from around her mother's neck.

“Come on, my lady, let's get you to bed, and I'll have Mr. Burque brew you a posset to comfort you.” Ada led Elizabeth away and a purposeful Rob Kennedy began to follow them.

Suddenly he turned back to speak with Heath. “Will ye represent the Kennedys at the Border Wardens' Court and lay the charge where it belongs for this unspeakable raid?”

“I am honor bound to do so,” Heath pledged.

Rob unclasped his silver dolphin brooch that bore the Kennedy motto and pinned it to Heath's doublet. His arms went around him for one fleeting moment, then the Kennedy patriarch followed Ada.

Ram signaled to Heath and Duncan Kennedy to follow him. “Lady Kennedy and Meggie couldn't bring themselves tae look at the charred bodies. The two of ye will have tae see if ye can identify yer brother Donal.”

The three men went below to the foundations of the tower castle, where the charred bodies lay on sheets. Four hewn wooden coffins stood against the wall waiting to receive the grisly remains. Heath knelt down and peered closely. None of the bodies had hair left, nor faces that could be recognized. One corpse was bigger than the others, and could have been Donal, but Heath's sixth sense told him it was not his brother.

Duncan, however, identified the body as Donal's immediately. “These boots have irons on the soles; Donal wore boots like these.” Though the identification wasn't positive, the men agreed that the bodies should be buried without delay, and Heath said he'd take care of it. The minute Duncan left, Heath told Ram what he had learned from their prisoner. “He told me a hundred Armstrongs would ride if Dacre paid. I asked about other clans; he
named the Grahams led by Long Will, who'd raid both sides of the Border.”

Ram whistled. “Christ, that's three or four hundred. Dacre would pay them in sheep or cattle, which explains this Kennedy raid.”

“Only in part; we both know this raid is in retaliation for my taking Christopher Dacre. They won't retaliate against Douglas for fear of exposing a connection between Dacre and Archibald.”

“Well, the whoresons will learn that if they strike a Kennedy, ‘tis the same as striking a Douglas! Do ye think we could sail on the evenin’ tide? Will Rob be all right if ye leave him?”

“My father will be fine; he's suddenly become a well of strength and will soon be back to ruling the Kennedy roost.”

“I'll have a word with Tina, then I'll have my mosstroopers start taking their mounts aboard.”

Ramsay pulled Valentina into an empty chamber next to Meggan's. “It's been like a madhouse here. Will ye be all right if we sail tonight?” He took her in his arms and held her tightly.

She pressed her face against his shoulder, and felt his hand stroking her hair. “Father's taken over, and Mother's finally asleep. Meggie is so diverted by the twins, she has temporarily dried her tears.” She raised her eyes to his. “Was it Donal?”

“Duncan thinks so. … Heath does not.”

“Should I have a look?”

“No, Vixen. Heath will have them buried by now. I want ye tae take the babies and go tae Castle Douglas as soon as ye may. The wagons from Eskdale will be arrivin' tomorrow. Don't let yer family drain all yer strength, love.”

Valentina knew that when her father told his wife and Duncan about Heath, there would be hell to pay. The storm he would unleash would be nothing short of tumultuous.
Her mother would be more than hysterical; she would throw a bloody fit, and Duncan would be ready to kill. “Yes.” She smiled gently. “I will go home to Castle Douglas, I promise.”

When Heath took Blackadder from the hold of the Kennedy vessel, he mounted him and gave him a run along the banks of the River Dee, before he loaded him onto the other ship. Heath's eyes avidly scanned the land across the river, knowing that somewhere out there lay his hundred acres. He didn't have time to explore them today, but he promised himself that he would bring his mares to graze on his own acres as soon as it was feasible. It was the first land he had ever owned, and it meant more to him than he could put into words.

That night the wind was with the
Revenge
as it sailed up the Solway, and the pink dawn had just begun to lighten the sky as the vessel entered the mouth of the River Eden. They anchored close to Carlisle and rode into the city, which overflowed with both English and Scottish Border Wardens and their men, who had come to attend the Wardens' Court. It was being held in the great hall at Carlisle Castle, and the streets that ran north from the market cross to the massive red fortress were clogged.

“Way fer a Douglas!” Jock shouted as Ram and his moss-troopers trotted their sturdy garrons over the cobblestones. They were all in Douglas colors today, with their badges displayed proudly on their sleeves. Ramsay was garbed as befitted the wealthiest lord in the realm. Riding beside him, Heath Kennedy, wearing black to signify mourning, rubbed his sleeve over his silver dolphin brooch.

It took the better part of an hour before they dismounted at the castle stables and turned their mounts over to the waiting grooms. Ram dispatched half a dozen mosstroopers to set up tents on the meadow below the castle, as was the custom. Heath's heart missed a beat as he recognized Heron Carleton in the bailey close by the stables. He knew Heron must be here with his father, who was an
official of the court. Without hesitation, Heath strode across the courtyard to greet him.

“Is Raven here?” Heath asked hopefully.

“Yes, but—” Heron looked uncomfortable.

“But what?”

“Raven just became betrothed to Christopher Dacre. They are to wed when the Border Wardens' Court ends.”

Heath's face hardened. The granitelike mask hid the scalding fury that ripped through him. So, the blood-proud beauty had made her choice. She had sold herself to the highest bidder, the one who could give her wealth and a title.
I curse Dacre to hellfire!

T
he Border Wardens' Court met four times a year, alternating between the two largest Border cities, Berwick in the east and Carlisle in the west. Ostensibly, this was where the English met their Scots counterparts so that disputes could be discussed and resolved. The English officials who sat in judgment were Sir Robert Carey, Sir Richard Graham, and Sir Lancelot Carleton; the Scots were James Elliot, David Gilchrist, and Dand Kerr.

Lord Thomas Dacre, Head Warden of the English Marches, lost no time taking the offensive. “Since spring, seven hundred cattle belonging to Dacre tenants have been taken in Scottish raids in the Middle March alone!”

Alexander Hume, Lord Warden General of the Scottish Marches, was on his feet immediately. “They were lifted orderly, accordin' tae the custom of the Borders. An' I warrant fer every beast taken, the English lifted one hundred!”

In an aside, Ram said to Heath, “These two hate each other like poison. At Flodden, Hume kept his Borderers
clear of the fightin', then pillaged and plundered the victorious English of their baggage and horses.”

“Your Border Wardens turn a blind eye to thieving and raiding, Hume. As Warden General your job is to control your Wardens,” Dacre pointed out indignantly.

“Control the likes of Johnnie Maxwell an' Black Ram Douglas? Their idea of law enforcement is three feet of steel, an' a bloody good job it is, when we have tae deal wi' the English, who are all disobedients filled wi' dishonor!”

“Hume, you are the last man on earth who should be speaking of dishonor!” Dacre shouted with indignation.

Ram Douglas was on his feet, looking directly at Dacre. “Nay, that distinction goes to an Englishman,” he said bluntly.

Dacre stared at Douglas, waiting for an accusation, but Douglas sat back down and stared back. The cat-and-mouse game went on all day, but Douglas bided his time. A dozen cases of blackmail, kidnapping, wounding, and raiding were heard, defenses offered, judgments made, and penalties decided. The punishments varied from prison to compensation, unless the offenses were committed in the Debatable Land, which was disputed territory. These culprits were let off “scot-free,” because neither country would take responsibility for acts committed there.

The next day, Ram Douglas accused the English of raiding Annan and a dozen smaller villages. He named an astonishing amount of compensation he was claiming, then addressed Dacre. “These raids were made from the English West March, which you, my lord, are supposed to control. Annan and the other villages were burned to the ground, and lives were lost. Only a coward uses fire on women and children.” Douglas did not accuse Dacre directly of mounting the raids, but clearly he was tightening the screws.

The third day, Douglas didn't say a word; he didn't need to. When he and his men entered the great hall, they had Sim Armstrong with them. They sat their witness
between Jock and Ram Douglas, with Douglas mosstroopers all around him for safekeeping. All day it was clear that Dacre could not concentrate on the cases before the court, and when he did not refute charges brought against his tenants for illegal pasturing and wounding, the verdicts went against him.

That evening, Ram Douglas made a quick visit to the Carlisle goldsmith with whom Angus had left gold on deposit. When Ram assured the goldsmith that he was happy to leave the funds in Carlisle rather than withdraw them for deposit in Scotland, the man confided in Douglas, telling him about a rumor he had heard which the English goldsmith knew would be of great interest to the Scots lord. Ram thanked the man and told him he would make it worth his while if he remained silent and kept the rumor to himself.