His Captive, His Conquest by Ashe Barker

Chapter Eighteen

They descended to the hall together, leaving Alister in the care of a maidservant who would bring him to them should he wake and need feeding once more. The rest of their household was already assembled at the high table, breaking their fast on porridge, bread, cheese, and fruit.

Stephen took his customary place at the top and settled Flora beside him. He bowed his head to the three Scots ranged along the table.

“I trust you slept well and that your accommodations were satisfactory.” The earl had been offered the bedchamber which he had convinced Flora not to move into, and Duncan had been found a spot in the hall. Charles had shared his wife’s chamber. Stephen noted that the pair of them looked content if not especially well-rested.

“Aye. We were comfortable, thank you. Your hospitality has been most generous.” The earl addressed his final remark to Katherine and lifted his mug to salute her. “You run a fine house, my lady.”

Katherine murmured her thanks, but her slight flush at the praise did not escape Stephen’s notice, either.

The earl continued, now speaking to Stephen. “I am only sorry we cannot enjoy your welcome for longer, my lord, but we must return to Roxburghe this day.”

Flora started. “But you have only just arrived!”

“Aye, but there are pressing matters to be seen to at home. Our clan has been without a leader, effectively, for many months now. Squabbles break out, as you will appreciate, and disputes must be settled. Angus was not especially diligent in collecting tithes, so our coffers are depleted, and I am by no means certain that our supplies are sufficient to see out the winter, or that our defences are secure.”

“But, surely—”

“I was away too long. I see that clearly now. Much has happened in my absence which should not have, and I mean to see our affairs put to rights.”

“Your will not be returning to France, then?” Stephen enquired. “I was under the impression that you had been abroad on a mission for your king.”

“My task was completed, more or less. Others can take over. My priority now is to see my own house in order, starting with the matter of your marriage, wee Flora.”

Stephen waited. He would allow the earl to speak first, then respond as needed.

Robert contemplated the bowl before him for several moments, then, “The prospect of a truce is not unappealing. We all prosper more if we do not squander our energies on one border skirmish after another. The toll is too high. Homes destroyed, crops burned. Lives lost. I have my doubts regarding a lasting alliance between my people and the English, but… I am minded to try.”

Flora jumped to her feet. “Then you will approve of my marriage?”

The earl nodded. “Aye, I will. But I have some conditions of my own.”

“Tell us what you want, my lord.” Stephen remained calm. The deal was by no means struck, not yet.

“A binding peace agreement must be drawn up and sanctioned by both your monarch and mine. If this treaty is to be robust, it must be endorsed by Westminster and Holyrood.”

Stephen looked to his brother, who had listened in silence up to now. “What say you, Richard? Will Henry agree?”

“I believe he could be persuaded. His objective is peace along his northern border. I do not believe he will much mind how it is achieved.”

Stephen nodded, then returned his attention to the earl. “You expect King James to agree also?”

“I do. I have the ear of the king and I believe he will listen to my representations. He will, however, likely conclude, as I have, that a marriage between yourself and my sister, whilst offering a decent foundation, will not be sufficient to cement the bond.”

“What more will he require? Gold? The promise of military support?” Stephen could, if he had to, augment the deal somewhat.

Robert shook his head. “No, none of those. James has wealth enough, and the might of the clans at his disposal. It will require a second dynastic alliance to sufficiently forge the necessary allegiances.”

“Another alliance? You mean, another marriage, as well as ours?” Flora reached for Stephen’s hand. “But, who else…?”

“My second condition is that, in addition to the treaty I mentioned, you will grant me the hand of Lady Katherine Bramwell in marriage.”

The earl’s demand was met by silence. Total, stunned silence, punctuated moments later by a small gasp from Katherine herself.

Stephen looked from the earl to the lady who had become his friend and confidante in the past year. He would have offered almost anything to secure this agreement, but he could not throw Katherine to the wolves. A gently reared English lady, to be married by force to their enemy, however noble and intelligent the man in question might seem… it was unthinkable.

“My lord, I fear I—”

“Very well. I accept.” Katherine met the earl’s gaze, her chin high. “I shall marry Lord Robert.”

Stephen was astounded and outraged in equal measure. “Katherine? You do not have to do this. I would never expect—”

“I have said I will, have I not?” Katherine turned to him, her expression resolute. “Lord Robert is right. We must all do what is necessary to secure peace between our peoples.”

“You cannot realise what you are saying. Why, you barely know the man.”

“Do you think me simple-minded? That I cannot make a perfectly straightforward decision for myself?”

“You know I do not. It is just…” Stephen appealed to Robert instead. “My lord, you must see how… how unsuitable this match would be.”

The earl merely smiled and arched an eyebrow. “That is rich, coming from you, Otterburn. I had thought we might be beyond such considerations by now. If it is fitting for you to wed my sister, having first started to fill your nursery, I might add, then surely this proposal is no less seemly.”

“I—”

“He makes a fair point, brother,” Richard observed drily.

Stephen could not entirely deny that, but even so…

“May I assume the matter to be settled?” The earl leaned back in his seat. “I really am most anxious to return to the pressing issues which await me at Roxburghe.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Stephen and Katherine both spoke at once, but it was she who got to her feet. “If I am to marry, I have preparations to make. Flora? Frances? May I call upon your assistance?”

“Of course.” Frances beamed at her. “I shall be glad to be of help, whilst my husband is away.”

“Away?” Stephen looked to Richard for clarification.

“I assume I am to go to London with all haste to secure Henry’s consent,” his brother announced. “I shall leave within the hour.”

Robert also rose. “My thanks, Your Grace. I shall speak with King James myself.” He moved around the table to where Katherine stood and took her hand. He bowed and kissed the backs of her fingers. “I believe we should allow one month for the preparations and necessary formalities. Would you agree?”

“I am not sure?” She turned to Stephen. “My lord?”

“God’s balls.” Stephen glowered at his soon-to-be brother by marriage. How had they arrived at this? “Katherine, come with me.”

“Why? Where are we going?”

“Lord Robert found it necessary to speak privately with Flora. I find myself in a similar predicament.” He gestured to the stairs leading up to his solar. “If you please…?”

“So?” He rounded on her as soon as they were alone. “What are you thinking?”

Katherine regarded him with an obstinate glint in her eye. “I am thinking, my lord, that I am to be wed.”

“To a Scot?”

“That is certainly his nationality, Stephen.”

“A Scot,” he repeated. “You would have to leave Elborne. Your home.”

“Your home,” she corrected him, “and Flora’s.”

“There will always be place for you here.”

She shook her head. “You would never ask me to leave, but that is not the same. Flora will be mistress of Elborne. This is her place, not mine.”

“I will not see you forced into a marriage you do not want.”

She laid her hand on his arm. “I know that, and I am grateful for it. You are my true friend, and I have enjoyed your companionship. Flora’s also, and now we are to be sisters, of a sort. I am content with this arrangement.”

Content?He did not much care for that as a basis for marriage, though he appreciated that most settled for far less.

“Are you? Honestly?” He peered into her eyes as though the truth might be discerned there. “You may tell me if it is not so. You must tell me.”

“I am. I shall be Countess of Roxburghe, and that is what I want. I… I believe I shall be happy.”

Stephen took her in his arms and hugged her to him. “I hope so, Katherine, if this is genuinely your choice. But just in case, be aware that there is always a welcome for you here. If you ever need to return…”

She reached up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Thank you. I hope that will not be necessary.”

Me, too, my friend. Me, too.

“So, it is agreed.” Stephen regarded those assembled in his solar to settle upon the final details. “Both weddings will take place here at Elborne, one month from this date.”

“Aye, subject to the necessary royal assents,” Robert confirmed. “I shall return for the celebrations, accompanied by a respectable representation of the MacKinnon clan to witness the event.”

“It must be a peaceful gathering,” Flora warned. “Please make sure they understand…”

Her brother grinned at her. “There is never any guarantee of that, but I shall insist that any skirmishes are between themselves. I trust you will do likewise with your people, my lord.”

Stephen flexed his jaw. This alliance promised to be a rocky one from the outset, but he was determined to do all in his power to make it work. “There will be no trouble. We shall start as we mean to go on.”

“I shall send word to you from Edinburgh once I have spoken with James, and I will expect to hear King Henry’s response once your brother returns from London.”

“Of course.” Richard had already departed on his stallion, with a small body of men as escort. He would make all possible speed, and provided the weather remained fine, he was expected to reach the capital in perhaps four days. Allowing for the time required to properly acquaint the monarch with events at Elborne, and assuming that Henry was minded to approve the plan, Richard was expected to arrive back at Elborne in about ten days’ time.

“Flora should return to Roxburghe with me.”

“No!” On this Stephen would not budge. “Flora remains here, with me. Alister, too.”

“Hmm. I thought that would be your response. Very well, but I would like you both, and members of your household, to join us at Roxburghe for the Easter celebrations. This will afford my people an opportunity to meet their new ally and begin to become accustomed to the notion of peace between us.”

“Oh, could we?” Flora beamed at him. “Please, Stephen. It would be wonderful to see everyone once more. And I could pay my respects at the crypt.”

He considered the matter briefly. “We accept your invitation, but Alister will remain here. Until such time as I am quite convinced that no residual animosity remains towards him, I shall take no chances with my son’s safety.”

Robert bristled. “Alister will not be harmed, I can assure you.”

“I do not doubt your intent, but those are my terms. When you have sons of your own, you will understand.”

The earl’s eyes narrowed, but he gave a brief nod. “Very well.” He picked up the quill which lay on the table and put his name to the parchment they had drawn up between them. Stephen did likewise, signing below Robert of Roxburghe. Now, the marriage contract just remained to be sealed, and the peace treaty likewise, once both monarchs had given their consent. The document would remain at Elborne until then.

“I shall see you on Good Friday, wee Flora.” Robert kissed his sister on the forehead, then turned to Katherine. “And you, likewise, my lady.” He bowed over her hand and touched his lips to her fingers.

“Go safely, my lord.” Stephen extended his hand. “This has been a most interesting visit. I look forward to our next encounter.”

The earl grinned. “As do I, my lord. Until Easter.”

One month later

“He is sighted.”

Stephen set aside his accounts when Flora burst into the solar. She rushed to where he sat and flung her arms around his neck.

“Robbie is just crossing the river now, along with a hundred of our kinsmen. He will be here within the hour.”

A hundred? Stephen had hoped for a more modest turnout from across the border. Still, he must make the best of it. At least he was back on his home turf once more.

He had found the visit to Roxburghe harrowing, though there had been little in the way of overt trouble. The MacKinnons had been, for the most part, delighted to see Flora back among them, but had eyed him and Katherine with varying degrees of mistrust and hostility. Stephen had commented on the less-than-pleasant reception and again questioned the wisdom of sending Katherine to live among their enemies, but Flora assured him all would be well.

“I was nervous at first. Remember, that day you had to accompany me to the fair, because I was afraid the English would attack me? You protected me, and Robbie will see to it that no harm comes to Katherine. Soon, she will win the clan over for herself. Why would she not? Everyone loves Katherine.”

He knew she was right, and he also realised that he must stop thinking of his bride’s kin as their enemies. If he could not set an example, how could he expect others to follow? If this accord he had worked so hard to win was to mean anything, the new order had to start with him.

Two copies of the treaty itself, drafted by Henry Tudor’s own personal secretary and each sporting the English royal seal, lay upon a shelf behind him. Richard had delivered them just the previous week. Next to it sat the marriage contract they had signed a month ago.

Robert of Roxburghe would bring with him two similar documents, sealed by James of Scotland. They would be exchanged, and one copy of each would be despatched to London and to Edinburgh. It was the start of a new era.

Stephen got to his feet. “Within the hour? Then we should ride out to meet them. We must afford our new allies a proper welcome.” His good intentions would start here.

Stephen woke and stretched out his hand but found only a cold, empty space. He knew a moment’s alarm, then recalled that Flora had spent her last night as an unmarried woman with Katherine. He would next see her at the doors to the tiny church at the edge of the village.

He sat up, rubbed the heels of his hands in his eyes, then swung his legs from the mattress. He ambled over to the window to pull back the shutters. Sunlight streamed in.

It was a good omen. A fine, early summer’s day. An excellent morning for a wedding.

The door opened, and Richard strode in. “Ah, you are up.”

“Aye.” He yawned and peered at his brother. “What are you doing here?”

“I am here to get you ready. Frances sent me. Hurry, we have much to do.”

“Do we?” He had been under the impression that all was in readiness. “Do we not merely have to stroll down to the church, and—?”

“Well, you may stroll if you wish, but if you do it is likely that your bride will arrive before you. I cannot recommend that.”

He swung around to once again squint out of the window. The sun was already higher than he had realised. “What hour is it?” he demanded.

“A quarter after eight. You are due at the church in fifteen minutes.”

“Sweet Jesu! Why did no one wake me?” He dived across the chamber in search of his clothes.

“No one thought it needful. You do not normally laze in your bed until this time.”

“No. I usually have a hungry two-month-old son to hand to see to that problem.” He grabbed his undershirt and dragged it over his head. “Where are my boots?”

“Here.” Richard crouched to drag them from beneath the bed. “And your breeches, too.”

Stephen flung his clothes on, then buckled his sword belt around his waist. “Did you say Flora is already on her way?”

“She would have been, but when Frances realised that no one had seen you this morning, she suggested that perhaps a different headdress might be more suitable and suddenly recalled a necklace she wanted to lend to Katherine. She persuaded both brides to return to their chamber for more primping and sent me in search of you.”

“I always said you married well, my brother.” He sat on the edge of his bed to pull on his boots. “I assume Lord Robert is present and accounted for.”

“He went to prepare the horses. Our mounts should be saddled and waiting for us in the bailey. Are you ready?”

“Aye.” Stephen sprinted from his chamber and down to the hall.

The servants were already laying out the wedding breakfast, the feast which would be consumed when they returned from the church. He dashed past and out into the morning sunshine.

“Ah, you have decided to join us after all.” Robert tossed Stephen’s reins to him then swung up onto his own huge grey stallion. “Is that the ladies I see, just emerging from your keep and doubtless wondering what you and I are doing still loitering here?”

Stephen slanted a glance back at the door, to find it empty. “Scottish half-wit,” he muttered and leapt into the saddle. Moments later, he was cantering down the rutted lane in the direction of the village, Robert on one side of him and Richard on the other.