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uler. Henceforth, I designate you my heir, Robert. You are a strong man and would undoubtedly be the strongest king Scotland has seen in an age. Please do not thi nk badly of me. I must follow my heart, no matter where it leads me. In two days, another messenger will arrive with the location of the surrender. W e will meet there at sun-up where I will give you my crown without malice and regr et. Your humble servant, Catherine, Duchess of Kent. Duncan's voice pierced his veil of thought "What does my sister say?" Robert's heart filled with an unabashed excitement. "She will not be returning t o Scotland." Duncan pounded his fist against the table, the hollow thud resounding through th e hall. "I knew it! We will have to take her back by force and get the Church to a nnul that facade of a marriage of hers!" Robert drew his hands together slowly, crunching the dry, brittle parchment THE WARLORD S WOMAN Tracy L. Ranson between them. "You do not understand, Duncan. She is turning her crown over to m e in a week hence. She prefers to stay in Kent and be known as a Duchess rather than a Queen." Duncan's blue eyes widened in surprise. "Surely you do not mean she wants to stay with that heathen?" He nodded, his mind whirling on the news. With Queen's designation and her crown in his hand, all contenders for it would quickly slip away like thieves in the night. "Aye, that is what it means, my boy. Her heart does not belong to Scotland anymo re." Duncan said nothing and sulked in his seat, preferring to stare out the window t o conversation. It was just as well. He had his own thoughts he had to contend to as well as man y other things such as what to do about Wallace and his rebel army as well as the rest of the nobles. After all, it would not do to have his new kingdom in chaos, would it? **** Days passed quickly as Alexander healed a little better each day. He awoke on th e third day and remained conscious only for a bit. During this time, she finalized her plans with Longworth to meet the Bruce for the surrender of her crown. Part of her wan ted to tell Alexander exactly what she was doing but she knew he would be taken complet ely by surprise at her sacrifice. Finally the time arrived. She was sitting next to Alexander and wiping his forehead when Isabeau entered the room. "'Tis time, my dear," she said softly as she entered the room amid gentle swishes of velvet across the floor. "I will sit wit h Alexander." Catherine brushed the cloth through his hair one last time. "Please take care of him until I come back," she pleaded as she reluctantly arose from her seat next to the bed. "Only if you promise to take care of his child growing in your belly," Isabeau s aid with a gentle smile as she removed the wet cloth from Catherine's hand. She brushed a quick kiss across Isabeau's cheek. "Much thanks for all you are doing for me, Mother." "I am in great debt to you, child," Isabeau answered as she lowered herself to t he chair amid a plume of purple velvet. "What ever for?" Isabeau wiped Alexander's forehead and he stirred for a moment before going back to sleep. "You have given my son back to me, Catherine, and for that, I am ever grateful," she confessed, her loving gaze locked onto Alexander's sleeping form. Fighting the lump in her throat and not knowing what to say next, Catherine left the room, dabbing her eyes with the corner of her sleeve. She had never felt as though she was anyone special so Isabeau's words had a deep impact on her. For the first ti me in her life, she felt as though she truly belonged somewhere. THE WARLORD S WOMAN Tracy L. Ranson **** Clouds blocked out the sun, turning the sky to a light gray blanket. Soft winds pervaded the valley, lifting her hair from the back of her neck, reminding her o f Alexander's touch and caress. Instinctively, her hand went to her belly. What I do now is for all of us, she told the growing child. I hope you will understand what I am doing someday. "Are you ready, Catherine?" Prince Kendrick's voice broke through the logjam of her thoughts, making her turn to face him. His ebony hair, streaked with gray, s treamed down his strong shoulders and danced in the wind as well. The deep blue of his e yes still brimmed with life though the depths of the lines around them increased. Even for a man his age, he was very handsome, giving her a glimpse of what Alexander would look like when he reached his father's age. "I have never been more ready in my life, Father," she said as the tears emerged again. "I know that in my heart, this is what I wish to do." Kendrick's gloved hand covered hers warmly. "Then that is what I will help you do, my dear. Now remember, Longworth and I will be not far behind you should you need us though I doubt that you will if this Bruce is half the chivalrous man that he is purported." "He is most honorable, Father, and would do nothing to harm me. Without my surrender and blessing, he would have to fight the others for it. Robert is not a man to engage in a fight he may not win." Catherine reassured him with the tame pressur e of her free hand over his. Kendrick leaned up in his saddle and looked to Longworth who sat ahead of the large garrison that would accompany them to the appointed place. "Are you in rea diness?" Longworth nodded. "Of course, sire." "Let us proceed then." With a swift kick in the horse's flanks, Catherine started down the hill toward the field where her life would change forever, a far cry from where the first change came about. At least, this time, she surrendered without regret. **** The field was barren except for a few tents as well as fires glowing. The smell of roasting meat rose through the air, making her belly clamor for food despite the fact that she had eaten at least two quails along with a large host of vegetables and brea d before she had left. Horses milled around, munching the last of the summer grass in the last stages o f turning brown before the winter swept in like an avenging angel. Men, in various states of THE WARLORD S WOMAN Tracy L. Ranson dress, were scattered around the makeshift camp with ale mugs in their hands. She halted at the edge of the clearing. Lumps of fear curled in the pit of her b elly, lying in wait as if they were a snake ready to strike. Would Robert be chivalrou s and not kidnap her back to a place she did not clearly want to be? Taking her hand, she adjusted the golden crown above her head, a gift from Isabeau. Once the task was complete, she smoothed down the folds of her dress, m aking her composed. After all, she wanted Robert to know that this decision was not ma de under duress. It was made out of love. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a bearded man emerge from one of the tents, an ale mug in his hand. He was about to take a drink when he spotted her. Quickly dropping it, he fell to ground on his knees. "Hail to the Queen!" The rest of the men looked to her and followed suit, their heads bowed. She rode in the circle of grass, followed by a small sliver of men while Kendrick and Lon gworth waited not far behind in case she needed them. She strode in a slow gait past them all until she reached the one man in particu lar she wanted. "Rise, Robert," she commanded. "This is an honor, your Majesty," Robert replied as he rose from the ground, adjusting his leather tunic. "Please help me down from my horse," she ordered and held her arms out. "So that we can discuss matters at hand." He nodded and bowed to her again before coming to her side and helping her to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |