The Everlasting Covenant (27 page)

Impulsively, she reached out and touched Clifton
’
s hand to respond to him, though she had only half heard. She wished to be finished with the knight so she could speak to her husband. She did not notice that he nearly trembled with delight.
“
I know you did not fail Brainard, sir. He is so unlike his father. He seems to wield a mighty sword
--
I
’
ve watched him practice at games in the courtyard
--
yet the knightly code of chivalry has eluded him completely.
”

Clifton dropped his gaze again. He might be punished for speaking out against the heir, but he could not hold his tongue.
“
He was born in wealth and indulgence, my lady, and thinks himself above all acts of chivalry. I swear, I did try.
”

“
I
’
m sure you did,
”
she said somewhat distantly, glancing over her shoulder toward Sloan. She had to protect Sloan somehow, she had to keep her son safe from Brainard
’
s greed and her mother
’
s interference. Sloan must grow up strong and decisive, and have compassion.
“
This son of mine cannot be reared with neglect for his code of honor,
”
she said almost to herself.
“
There is more to building a lord than giving him a sword to carry.
”

“
My lady, I would do my very best.
”

She looked at Clifton, finally giving him her complete atten
tion. Anne had not heard much about Clifton beyond his knightly prowess, but she assumed his conduct in all matters befitted a knight. He seemed courteous. It seemed he did not take duty lightly. She wondered if his role as Brainard
’
s la
ckey had been difficult for him;
she had not heard that he complained. She had never seen him drunk, nor in a temper, nor taking any unfair advantage in a contest. She had witnessed for herself that he regularly bested Brainard, as well as many of the other knights, though he was not the largest among them. Brennan had said that Clifton was among their strongest and most loyal.

“
To tend my son in his training would make you my right arm, Sir Clifton.
”

“
My lady, there is no greater honor.
”

She sighed impatiently. It had been a draining afternoon. First Marcella and then Brainard. Lord, it made her almost long for Eltham, where she would have only to bear the titters of Elizabeth
’
s waiting women and her small apartments sh
ared with her busy, politically
encumbered husband.

“
I will speak to his lordship, Sir Clifton.
”

“
Thank you, my lady. I will work hard to do you honor in my service.
”

“
Just work hard to be sure Lord Forbes does not have to contend with yet another spoiled, ungrateful churl for a son. Ayliffe deserves more than that.
”

Anne allowed Brennan time to cool his temper, and then she visited him in his writing closet. He looked up, smiling, as she entered, and then returned his eyes to his ledger. She went to stand behind him, putting her arms around his neck and resting her cheek on the top of his head. His ciphering stopped. She saw a letter from Bart lying open on the stack of correspondence.

“
Brennan, Sir Clifton said something about the way you dealt with Brainard that gave me an idea,
”
she said quietly.
“
Bart is not unlike Brainard.
”
She felt her husband stiffen as if his anger might return.
“
He wants a great deal, but he is not a very willing vassal. He is more interested in wealth than work. His ambition sometimes worries me.
”

Brennan disengaged himself from her arm and turned around, looking up at her.

“
My mother is requesting brides and fortunes for her sons, and even though you have already given her much, she will not be still until she has everything she desires. Trenton is content to serve you, and Quentin, I think, is little interested in brides. The Earl of Raedelle seems to like his lot. But Bart ... is much like Lady Gifford, he wants power, but he does not reckon its responsibilities. He wants a larger estate, though he barely man
ages his small one. And his loyalties seem not so fierce and firm as those of the other Gifford sons. He has been known to be unfair.
”

“
What is your idea? What did Sir Cliff say?
”

“
Only that Brainard has what he wants in Ramsford. That he wishes to rule, and so he will, but there will be little time for brooding and complaining. He can do little damage.

“
Bart has made no secret of the fact that he thinks his barony not large nor rich enough, he dislikes it and wants more. Give him more, Brennan. Petition to extend his boundaries, perhaps through a marriage, or ask His Majesty to declare an earldom and name you as his overlord. I know what has delayed you in settling with Bart, you cannot justify an influential seat for him because he has done so little with what you
’
ve already helped him accrue. But do you see, Brennan? Give him exactly what he requests, just as you have Brainard, and keep control. He will find himself working harder than ever.
”

Brennan laughed and gave her a quick kiss.
“
Your politics never fail to astound me.
”
He pulled her onto his lap.
“
If I can help get Bart an earldom, what can Lady Gifford do but thank me?
”

“
Just a few weeks ago Sloan pestered Mistress Kirsten for a plate of marchpanes and she told him he might have one.
”
Anne laughed at the memory.
“
He had a most fitting tantrum, for he wanted to eat as many as he liked. Mistress Kirsten told him he might eat one or the whole plate, whichever he chose
--
but only those two choices. Of course he is greedy, he ate them all. He was quite ill. He might have learned that to insist on having everything he desired has its consequences.
”

Brennan howled with laughter, giving his wife a squeeze.
“
Perhaps if mothers ruled the country, we would be better for it.
”

Anne smiled.
“
Lady Gifford would like that, Brennan. Will you suggest it?
”

“
I will learn to be less impetuous with my remarks,
”
he said, sobering at the mere thought.

***

Lord Forbes wished to have his wife travel with him to Lon
don, but Anne excused herself. She promised to join him there within a few weeks, before the weather and roads became a hindrance. Brennan could not delay, for Edward needed him.

But Anne wanted to see the harvest in and her home settled before departing for several months. She knew she would return to Ayliffe with a second child, and there were things to prepare.

Lord Forbes had been away only a few days when a messenger brought a letter from Bury Saint Edmunds. Anne
’
s fingers trem
bled as she unrolled it. She had hoped that one day Divina would respond to her. But the letter was from the mother su
perior, and Anne
’
s trembling was of another sort. Divina was dead. The sisters could not name a disease that took her, they blamed melancholia. A broken heart.

Anne went directly to her mother. Marcella was immersed in letter writing, her favorite pastime. She had made friends at court who thought her wealthy and influential by way of the earl, and she enjoyed a great deal of visiting and letter writing.

“
Madam, I have had a letter from the nuns of Bury Sa
int Edmunds. Divina, Mother ..
.
”

“
What about Divina?
”
Marcella asked, not looking up.

“
She is dead.
”

Marcella finally gave Anne her attention. Anne walked across the chamber to hand her mother the letter. Marcella took her time with it, shaking her head now and then.
“
Well, Anne,
”
she finally said,
“
now there are only you and I.
”

“
Madam?
”

“
Divina will not betray you. I suppose you are relieved.
”

Tears smarted in Anne
’
s eyes suddenly.
“
Your daughter is dead,
”
she cried.
“
Of a broken heart!
”

“
Nonsense. I assure you, if one could die so easily of a broken heart, many of us would be long since gone.
”

Anne stared at her mother in wonder.
“
You have no heart at all,
”
she said quietly, the shock of her mother
’
s indifference never failing to astound her.
“
My God, madam, do you not grieve for anyone?
”

“
Of course I am sorry she is dead, but what purpose will my grief serve her now?
”

“
I know you only use me,
”
Anne said.
“
But once I thought you loved her.
”

“
You speak so often and passionately of love, daughter. Was
it not your
‘
love
’
that made it necessary for Divina to go to the convent? Come now, you
may admit to me that you are re
lieved.
”

Anne slowly leaned forward to place her palms on Marcella
’
s writing table, her eyes so startled that she did not even blink away the swelling tears.
“
Had there been any love at all in our family, any loyalty between sisters or even between you and me, we would have all rejoiced that we were spared the con
sequences of a misdeed. But what we have instead is a pact of dishonor, silence for gain, secrets kept for largesse. My God, it cost a life.
”

“
Be careful, Anne.
‘
Twas you who sinned against so many. Do not expect anyone to glorify your sin.
”

“
Or forgive it, madam? You
’
ve made your purpose more than clear, you will protect me from disgrace as long as I make it possible for you to keep adding to your wealth and influence. You already have far more than you deserve ... do you not even grieve for the daughter you sacrificed to this end?
”

“
It was for you,
”
Marcella said slowly.

“
Nay, you have never done anything for me. It was for your
self! You could not betray me because to do so would leave you far outside the earl
’
s generosity. Oh, and he has been generous, though you are never satisfied. Madam, you are in a dangerous position, I assure you. You may find me willing to do without this luxury while you still crave more.
”

“
I highly doubt that, Anne. Not while you are busy bringing your son into manhood.
”

Anne backed away from the writing table. Why did Marcella never say it? She meant to hold Sloan
’
s birthright over her head like an ax. Sudden fury engulfed her.
“
It was a child you first threatened, madam, but I am a child no more
.
And you are correct, I will do anything I have to do to protect those I l
ove. You had better hear this tru
th, though: your secret is valuable only as long as I keep it as well.
”

“
As if you would tell the truth now,
”
Marcella said, dropping the letter onto her stack.

“
You may be assured that Lord Forbes would take my word
over yours, madam. I warn you, do not test the matter. You might find yourself without resources.
”

“
When you think this over, my dear, you will realize how foolish your suggestion is.
”

Anger shook Anne so severely that she could not keep her hands still. Her face was red with fury. She struggled to keep her composure when she felt co
mpelled to strike that indiffer
ence, that dispassionate countenance from Marcella
’
s face.
“
You could have had so much more had you been gentle and kind, had you done things differently. All
I
ever wanted was your love. All Divina ever wanted ...
”
Anne
’
s voice cracked and she stopped.