The Everlasting Covenant (20 page)

***

Their baggage was loaded on a cart, almost entirely Anne
’
s belongings since Brennan did not keep much at Raedelle. He traveled with a soldier
’
s baggage, light in clothing and heavy in gear. Anne would ride a docile mare and there was no female servant to attend her. Brennan alone would serve her needs.

The Gifford sons, reunited, returned to Raedelle on the very morning that the earl and his bride were to depart. Brennan was in a hurry for London and could barely pause long enough to speak to the knights. Anger still shook him when he thought
of Ferris and the way he died, without his sons to return his body. But they were all gathered in the bailey, the earl leaving, the Giffords returning.

Quentin saluted him and approached, the others hanging back.
“
Have you had word of your father
’
s death?
”
Brennan asked.

“
Aye, my lord, to our shame. We will do a long penance for our neglect. Though Trenton tried to locate Father before Bart and I even left Raedelle, it was not to be. We found Trenton in
the aftermath of Saint Albans –
you had already carried Father here by then.
”

“
Your penance will not bring him back, nor give him the burial he deserved, with his sons crossing swords over his body. It should come as a painful lesson to you.
”

“
A sure and painful one, my lord,
”
Quentin said.

“
I am for London. I am taking my wife,
”
Brennan said, in
dicating Anne over his shoulder. She stood a short distance away, heavily cloaked in a hooded mantle that reached the ground, patiently waiting beside her mare. A look of relief crossed Quentin
’
s features –
Bart came forward with a smile on his lips. Their families had united despite the sorry behavior of the Giffords. Bart was most grateful for that.

“
I would lift a cup with you, my lord, but it is clear you are bound for the road. I am well pleased my sister has wed you,
”
Bart said, looking over Quentin
’
s shoulder.

“
No doubt you are,
”
he said shortly.
“
There may be fighting along the way, but you could join Edward in L
ondon.”

Bart came around his brother, standing beside him
.
He smiled confidently.
“
Perhaps less fighting than you expect, my lord. We have heard that London is barricaded against a possible attack from Margaret
’
s heathens, but the word along the road is that her Scottish soldiers are deserting
--
running home with all the booty they can carry. She thought to entice them with her permission to pillage what they would, but now that their load is heavy, they do not desire more. They care not who is king here. The city should prove to be no problem. I, for one,
would be honored to travel with you. Would you allow us enough time to make fresh packs for travel? We still have to find the sixty men we left with Edward
’
s forces.
”

“
Fewer than sixty now, but you
’
re welcome to ride with this group. Your presence in London might help Edward forget that you left Mortimer
’
s Cross with his hostages. And you might lend your arms to your sister
’
s protection as we travel. That may help me forget how poorly she has been protected here.
”

“
The deFrayne captives? Are they dead now?
”
Quentin asked with some hesitancy.

“
To the contrary, they all escaped. Some trickery with cos
tumes that appeared to be sewn for Ayliffe men-at-arms.
”
Bren
nan
’
s brow furrowed as he saw Quentin
’
s lips tugging at a smile. Bart cursed under his breath, and Trenton, who had been dig
ging in his pack, looked up expectantly.
“
You do not seem displeased by the fact,
”
Brennan said to Quentin.

“
My lord, I was late in coming to good se
nse, but we yielded in the end –
Father was right and we had no excuse for what we did. I am glad there was not an execution. It is the king
’
s business. I am for meeting them in fair contest, whether on tourney grounds or in battle.
”

Brennan lifted a brow and considered the others.
“
And you, Bart?
”

Bart looked at Quentin briefly. He was not the fool to ignore the earl
’
s reaction.
“
‘
Tis a well-known fact that we hate de
Fraynes,
”
he said, shrugging.
“
The argument has engaged our families for a long time, and will endure a long time still
--
but I let it stand in the way of gaining a good reputation with Edward
’
s army for long enough.
”

“
Perhaps there is some hope for you after all. Let
’
s see how fast you can ready new mounts.
”

Quentin gave a sharp nod, walking toward the hall, Bart close behind him. Trenton followed, pausing beside Lord Forbes. His eyes were red and his voice quaked.
“
I will go with you,
”
he said grimly.
“
I would avenge my father.
”

“
You may not find a chance for that if what your brother says about Margaret
’
s forces is true. Just the same, you must pledge
yourself to Edward now, or be too late. Many, I trust, will sing his praises when the fighting is done and he wears the crown. There will be little advantage in that.
”

“
I do not care for advantage, my lord. My father died poorly, we should have been there.
”
He glared past the earl at the backs of his brothers. Then slowly he looked back at Brennan. It was clear the boy struggled with unshed tears.
“
If there is no fight, then I will see my sister safely settled.
”

Brennan was touched and clamped a hand on Trenton
’
s shoul
der.
“
She will be well pleased, son. Get ready then.
”

Bart and Quentin already stood before their mother. Marcella was in the doorway, her hands hidden within the folds of her dark gown, her face grim. Trenton joined them and all three faced Marcella. To watch three grown men fidget in discomfort as if they wished to pass her discreetly told Brennan even more about Marcella
’
s hard hand. He did not listen as the Gifford sons quietly offered their condolences and apologies and ex
plained the need for their quick departure
.

Brennan had said nothing at all to Marcella since his wedding. When she was free of her sons, he faced her, still angry with her, but cautious as he noticed the deep, dark circles under her reddened eyes. He neither trusted nor understood her, but he could not deny a strong curiosity. Had her outburst over the escaped prisoners been an inexplicable, irrational response to sudden shock and pain? And what about Anne?

“
I am sorry to take your sons away again so soon, madam,
”
he said, his voice quiet and controlled.

“
I understand the need,
”
she returned, dry-eyed, her mouth firm.

“
You might have said something of your daughter
’
s condition,
”
he attempted.

He noticed a light come into Marcella
’
s eyes, but he could not tell if it was of glee or fury that sparkled there. He knew by the curve of her lips that it was not embarrassment.
“
My silence at first came from the fact that I strongly desired a marriage to take place
--
and you were smitten with my young
est. Later, I feared to turn you against us by any confession. I
was, after all, severely chastised for the condition of her cloth
ing, a minor infraction in comparison.
”

“
You knew?
”

She gave a slight nod.

“
And the knight was not captured and punished?
”
he asked.
“
Why did you not call your me
n to arms to avenge your daugh
ter?
”

Marcella quickly guessed the lie her daughter must have told.
“
Think you ill of me, my lord?
‘
Tis difficult for a man to un
derstand, perhaps, but to mete out vengeance, Anne
’
s shame would have been made public. Thank me that I did not, for she would have had to go straightway to the cloister, an unfit bride but for Jesu, had her violation been common knowledge.
”
Bren
nan looked away, uncomfortable with the truth to that state
ment. And, in retrospect, Marcella was right. Owning Anne
’
s virginity had never been more important to him than having her for all time, as his very own.
“
Sometimes, for women, silence is safer, if more complicated. But you have been liberal with your complaints, I know you think I am a poor mother.
”

His color deepened, almost in a blush. He bowed before Marcella, wondering if he had misjudged her.
“
Our families are united now, madam. I beg forgiveness and would count the matter of our differences done.
”

She smiled.
“
Succor my daughter, my lord. And my sons, they are loyal to you, York, and their father
’
s memory.
”

“
Aye, madam. I understand.
”

“
My lord, I should like to assure myself that she thrives.
”

“
I
had not thought you very concerned about Anne. ...
”

“
Oh? I think there is much about women, mothers, that you do not understand, my lord. I have five children and many duties to perform. I have worked very hard, and now that my work is nearly done and I can enjoy the fruits of my labors, I am alone.
”

He looked at her closely, there was sincerity in her voice. He had never doubted her hard work. Indeed, he had watched her perform, but while impressed by her determination and energy, he had been highly disappointed in her lack of com
passion for her children. Yet, his own son, pampered since birth, was a disappointment. He briefly reconsidered Marcella
’
s harsher methods.
“
Visit us,
”
he said quietly.
“
And Anne may visit you at any time she desires.
”

“
You are generous. I am pleased for my daughter.
”

A while later, the Gifford knights, ready for travel with new mounts and replenished supplies, bade their mother farewell. And then Anne approached Lady Gifford with a little hesitancy. D
ivina was conspicuously absent –
the sisters had shared no part
ing words.

“
We will depart, my lady,
”
she said nervously.
“
God keep
you.
”

“
No kiss for your mother?
”
Marcella asked.

Anne leaned toward Marcella and brushed a kiss on each cheek. She could not remember another time in her life they had embraced.
“
Thank you, madam.
”

“
I
will expect the debt repaid ... in kind.
”

“
And ... my sister ..
.
?
”

“
Divina will not interfere. You must urge Lord
Forbes to reward your brothers –
he has much influence with Edward.
”

Anne swallowed hard.
“
Yea, madam. It is the least I can do.
”