The Gilded Crown (33 page)

‘I suppose so,' Agnes agreed, her attention drifting to Margaret Logie. ‘I find it more difficult to recognise honesty.'

Catherine watched as Agnes continued to observe the King's consort.

‘She is not beautiful and he claims he does not love her, yet he will not put her aside,' Agnes remarked spitefully.

‘I have learned that men tell untruths in order to manipulate the women in their lives.'

‘Of course, I do know that,' Agnes huffed, ‘'tis just that I am so much younger and prettier. Why does he not want me?'

Catherine shrugged. ‘I am not the right person to ask.'

‘But you and Lord Wexford are happy and there is a great difference in age between you and him.'

‘Yes, but I do not think that has anything to do with love.' Catherine gently patted Agnes' hand. ‘There are many fine men at court, handsome young knights who would do you great honour. Why set your heart upon someone who is, for all that you say, married to King Edward's sister?'

Agnes' eyes welled. ‘Because I cannot live without him.'

‘Has he made you any promise, given you any indication that he will make you his wife should he be widowed?'

‘No.' Agnes sniffed. ‘He won't even lay with me!'

Catherine was aghast. ‘Am I to understand that you have asked him?'

‘Of course. I thought that if we were together in the flesh we would eventually be joined by the church.'

Catherine stood to her feet so quickly that she had to place her hand on the wall to steady herself. Margaret Logie and her ladies looked across at her and she nodded before making for the doorway. ‘Will you take a turn in the courtyard with me?' she asked Agnes over her shoulder.

Without waiting for a reply, Catherine stepped into the fresh air and began fanning her face. Never had she been so taken aback.

‘Lady Wexford, have I offended you? Are you unwell?' Agnes asked.

‘I am not ill, more that I am shocked!'

Agnes appeared perplexed, her brow furrowed. ‘How so?'

‘Please accept my pardon, but I must be blunt,' Catherine began. ‘Are you so naïve as to assume David will offer you marriage simply because you have lain with him? Surely you must see that many have already done so! How would he be able to choose between you all?'

‘I beg your pardon, Lady Wexford, but I dinna believe you understand the situation.'

‘Then please, by all means, Agnes, explain it to me.'

‘My beloved was married to Joan when they were babes and though they are true husband and wife, he does not love her.' Agnes face was animated and Catherine could see the young woman was becoming excited. ‘Whilst he was a prisoner, in your tower, his wife was not permitted to visit so he took up with a lowly wench for whom he believed he had feelings. In the weeks after her death he was vulnerable and Margaret Logie took her advantage. But withered hags cannot give him a child.'

‘I am told that the English maiden was young and of good breeding.'

‘But she is no more,' Agnes stated callously.

‘Because she was stabbed to death in a muddy field!' Catherine could hear the frustration in her own voice. ‘She was a threat, Agnes, to the stability of this country and the men who control it.'

‘But I am not! I am young and fertile, and more importantly, I am Scottish!'

‘And you think this will protect you?'

‘Of course. I am no English bitch!'

The harsh words hung in the air between them and Catherine could see the regret on Agnes' face. ‘I'm no suggesting that you …' she stumbled.

‘Be still, I understand your meaning.' Catherine placed her arm around the girl's shoulders. ‘I worry for you, as does your aunt. Love often blinds us from the truth and prevents us from accepting the good advice of others.'

‘I can assure you, Lady Wexford, I will act upon good advice, when I receive it.'

‘Lady Dunbar—'

‘Is overprotective and manipulative.' Agnes pulled away from Catherine. ‘You have placed your trust solely in the hands of a woman you hardly know. You gobble up every piece of information she feeds you, never once considering that she has her own secret, a personal motivation for encouraging your friendship.'

‘You are distraught. Lady Dunbar is a kind and gentle woman.'

‘And you claim
I
am blinded? Your dogged admiration of my kinswoman is no different. Be warned, Lady Wexford, not all is as it seems.' Agnes turned and without another word stormed off in the direction of the royal apartments.

Catherine walked towards the outer battlements and looked down on the darkening city of Edinburgh. Drinking in the cool air, she tried to still the erratic beat of her heart. The heated conversation with Agnes had upset her. Not only was the girl immature but hot-tempered and argumentative and Lady Dunbar had every reason to be concerned.

Catherine followed the low wall that ran behind Saint Margaret's Chapel. The Scottish twilight was beautiful; orange and pink hues streaked across the summer sky. If she were to believe Agnes, then she would need to reassess her feelings for Lady Dunbar. What secret could the older lady be keeping from her and why? Surely it couldn't be so terrible?

‘Are you enjoying the view, Lady Wexford?' King David stepped from the shadow of a small stone building, his face stern.

Catherine gasped and her hand flew to her chest.

David smiled. ‘Where is your gallant husband? Dicing with his brother or whoring with the Campbells?'

‘I … I do not think so,' Catherine replied in confusion.

‘Walk with me,' he commanded.

Simon's words sounded like alarum bells in Catherine's ears. He had told her not to walk about the castle unescorted and she had paid him no heed, for here she was, alone, in the dark, with the very man her husband had told her to avoid. ‘Please forgive me, M'lord, but I was about to retire.'

‘I will only be in need of a short moment of your time.'

‘But …'

‘Surely you do not refuse a king!'

Catherine looked left and right but could see no sentries or guards.

The Scotsman moved swiftly and, taking hold of her wrist, pulled her towards him. ‘I insist,' he whispered, tightening his grip.

David strode across the open lawn, dragging Catherine with him. It was difficult to keep up with his long strides and Catherine lost her footing on several occasions before they reached the gatehouse

‘Do you know what that is?' he asked her.

‘The entrance to Edinburgh Castle,' Catherine squeaked, her throat constricted.

‘The gate through which the uninvited enter,' he snarled. ‘But only guests depart. Do you intend to remain here indefinitely, Lady Wexford?'

She swallowed hard. Surely he wasn't expecting her to answer?

‘As my honoured guest I have something else I wish to show you.' David turned towards the base of a short tower and opened the timber door, pulling Catherine along with him. ‘This is to become my masterpiece, my enduring legacy. It will be long remembered for both its height and its strength.'

Removing a lit torch from the wall sconce, David led Catherine down a dark set of narrow stairs that finished directly over a deep shaft, the bottom of which she could not see.

‘My lion pit,' David boasted. ‘Very similar to those favoured by the Romans.'

Catherine quivered with fear as David edged her closer.

‘I heard your little discussion this evening with Agnes. It seems you have much to say on matters that are n'owt to do with you.'

‘I am worried for her, M'lord.'

‘I underestimated you, Catherine. I thought you to be a mousy thing, a shy little nun, controlled by a man who quickly filled your belly with a squawking brat.'

Catherine was shaking and desperately wanted to flee, but no matter how light of foot she may be, it was ridiculous to think she could outrun David.

‘Wexford has much to crow about. A beautiful young wife, a son and another on the way.' David jabbed at Catherine's surcoat, her burgeoning pregnancy obvious to all. ‘Is it so wrong to want the same?'

‘No, 'tis not,' Catherine whispered.

‘I descend from the original rulers of this land. This kingdom is mine to protect and nurture, as are her people. Mine to do with as I please.'

Releasing Catherine he peered into the cavity, allowing her some tiny reprieve but now his anger was returning and he grabbed at her throat, his grip strong and unyielding.

‘You best tell your husband to take care for I willna be crossed.'

‘No, M'lord,' Catherine wheezed and her knees buckled as David held her over the chasm.

‘And keep your advice for your maids, Lady Wexford, else your precious son will be the first to feed my new pet.'

Tears sprang to Catherine's eyes as she gasped for breath. ‘No, please no.'

David pushed her away. ‘Go back to your rooms, Lady Wexford, and see to your family.'

Catherine lifted her hem and dashed back the way she had come, her growing size hampering her progress. She wanted nothing more than to hold Gabby in her arms, to feel his soft skin against hers.

By the time she reached the oak doors, she was breathless. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it would burst. The light streaming from the hall offered safety, as did the presence of several young women who looked her up and down with concern. Catherine straightened her gown before entering.

She gathered little acknowledgement from those within and made immediately for the adjoining building, throwing open the door to the room shared by Gabby and the female staff. Girda was sleeping soundly on the floor by the cot. Catherine tiptoed around her and pulled back the blanket. Gabby's eyelids fluttered and he snuffled gently, hardly disturbed as she placed her palm against his cheek. ‘I think the time has come for us to depart Scotland, my darling.'

Simon returned to their quarters several hours later and discovered his wife asleep on top of the coverlet, the baby cradled beside her. Simon frowned. It was not like Catherine to remove Gabby from his cot and place him in their bed, not now that they had such excellent nursemaids. He retrieved his cloak and covering them both, sat down beside her. A dirty trail of tears snaked across her face. She had been crying for some time. He brushed a lock of hair from her brow and she opened her eyes.

‘What has happened? Are you unwell?'

Catherine shook her head, wiping her cheeks with her chemise.

Simon lifted the baby into his arms. ‘Let me get Girda or Tiphanie …'

‘No.'

‘Why? What is going on?'

Catherine threw herself into Simon's embrace and told him of the night's events. Simon could hardly contain his fury. The bruising on Catherine's neck was dark and Simon could see the imprint of David's thumb on her skin. He wanted nothing more than to find the King and repay the injury in kind but the fear David had instilled in Catherine and the threat against Gabby was real and pointed.

‘We have to leave, Simon. We have to get away.'

‘I agree, it is much too risky to remain. If we make our way back to Craigmillar …'

‘To Walter and Beatrix?' Catherine exclaimed. ‘From one battlefield to another!'

‘But we have something that the Odistouns want. It may just be enough to secure some kind of loyalty.'

‘I don't trust them, Simon.'

‘Neither do I, but what choice do we have? I must return the sword. The longer we are in possession of it, the more likely we are to be caught. Craigmillar is far enough from the capital to offer some protection. Walter will keep his mouth shut if the reward is sufficient.'

‘But what about Robert Stewart? Do you not have an understanding with him?' Catherine asked.

‘I do, and I have written to Gillet on that matter.' Simon kissed her forehead. ‘If we can establish that David did sign his heredity right over to Edward, then Robert has something he can hold over his uncle.'

‘And Robert will help us escape?'

‘That was his offer.'

‘Do you think I should believe Agnes, that Lady Dunbar is deliberately hiding something for me?'

Simon hugged his wife tightly. ‘My dear sweet girl, I know how fond you are of Black Agnes Dunbar but, sadly, I wouldn't put anything past her.'

‘Is there anyone we can trust?' Catherine asked.

Simon shrugged. ‘Only those closest to us.' Turning her face, Simon exposed the ripening bruise and pressed his lips to the damaged skin. ‘If I had my way I would slice off David's balls and feed
them to his lion!'

Catherine smiled. ‘You would do no such thing.'

‘Then you don't know me as well as you thought,' he replied.