Notorious (17 page)

Isabelle shook her head. “No—not Hugh.” She let out a shuddering breath. “I've always been cautious speaking of Edward. I've thought it, but not said it because it is treasonous to speak ill of the King of England. But if I don't spew the venom that is building inside me into someone's ears, I will die of the poison!”

Brianna went down on her knees before the queen. “You can say anything to me, Isabelle. I will never betray your confidence.”

“I loathe Edward Plantagenet with every fiber of my being. As a bride of thirteen, I fell in love at first glance. He starved me of attention and lavished it upon Gaveston, his lover. Edward allowed, nay, encouraged him to feed my jealousy until it ate into my soul and shattered my heart.

“Edward was so obsessed by his pretty plaything, he allowed Gaveston to make my life a living hell. He and his entourage of Gascons bled the treasury dry. Edward was so weak, he became addicted to venery and sexual perversion, and his lover was able to lead him about by his prick! He abdicated his role as king and allowed the country to fall into chaos, while he and his lover indulged in pleasure and slaked their lust.

“When Thomas of Lancaster executed Gaveston, not for crimes against me, but against the kingdom, Edward turned to me for solace and companionship. He begged me to forgive him for the sins he had committed against me and asked that I be his friend. A tiny flicker of hope rekindled inside me, and even though I knew he was flawed and weak and immoral, I swallowed my hurt, my humiliation, my pride, and finally became his wife. I could not bring myself to love Edward, though I became a dutiful wife and accepted him as my husband. And there is no denying that I love and adore the children he gave me.

“When Hugh Despencer became chamberlain of the royal household and I learned Edward had gone back to his old habits, I was stunned. The thing that devastated me, and for which I will never forgive him, was that he shared my bed and used my body at the same time he was being intimate with Hugh. He fathered my last child before I learned of his debauchery. Edward dishonored me and covered me with shame and humiliation.

“To add injury to insult he permitted Hugh Despencer to become the uncrowned king. Edward allowed him to treat me like a serf, rather than a Princess of France and the Queen of England. Despencer sent away my ladies, packed my servants off to France, and took away my dower castles, so that I was penniless. But it was the whoreson
Edward
who permitted this to happen. He is unstable. He disgusts and repulses me and I
abhor
him!

“Roger Mortimer released me from my purgatory and got Hugh Despencer banished. Now Edward not only has had the banishment annulled, he has delivered Mortimer to his lover so he may take his revenge. Edward Plantagenet, I spit upon you. I
curse
you!” Isabelle broke down and began to sob.

Brianna, totally caught up in Isabelle's vehemence, wrapped her arms about her. “Get it all out. Don't let the poison fester.”

When Isabelle's tears became dry heaves, Brianna said, “Once you are all cried out, you must make a vow to yourself that you will never cry again because of Edward. It is good that you got mad and your anger exploded, but now you must get even. You must be avenged for the wrongs done to you, Isabelle. The only way you can do that is by becoming stronger. Each day you must strive to become stronger than the day before. All things come at their appointed time. You must have infinite patience, but when the opportunity comes, you must be ready.”

Isabelle raised her tearstained face. “I feel so guilty. I started all this trouble when I went to Leeds Castle. It is my fault that Roger Mortimer has been taken prisoner!”

“It is
not
your fault. King Edward is to blame. I, too, am heartbroken that Roger Mortimer has lost everything, including his freedom. I cannot bear the thought that his sons have been taken into custody. But neither one of us must let anyone know our true feelings. Not by look or word must we appear to be anything other than indifferent. Never let anyone see a chink in your armor, or they will strike you to the heart. Promise me, nay,
promise yourself
, Isabelle!”

“I do so promise…I
swear
it!”

“Both the king and Despencer have sown the seeds of their own destruction by these unlawful acts against the Marcher barons. Their enemies will be legion. England will cry out for justice.”

 

That night in bed, Brianna could not sleep because of the heavy thoughts that pressed down upon her. It was untenable to think of the gallant Roger Mortimer in prison. Even worse, the thought of Wolf's incarceration was unbearably painful.
He has a natural wildness. It will be unendurable for him to be fettered or caged.

Brianna's chest began to tighten. She tried to breathe deeply, fighting the hands that squeezed inside her chest. The old terror from her childhood stole upon her. The children at her eighth birthday party had been playing hide-and-seek and she had hidden in a heavy oak settle. She had been trapped for hours in the dark, confined space that had no air, and imagined she was going to die. Panic began to slowly choke her. She couldn't move. She couldn't scream. She couldn't think. She couldn't
breathe
!

Brianna's eardrums began to pulse and gradually, she realized it was the sound of rain against her windowpane. It broke her trance and she shot up out of bed and drew in gulps of air. She remembered that it was ten-year-old Lincoln Robert who had freed her from that heavy oak settle, and knew that was the moment she had begun to love him.

Brianna still felt too confined and was compelled to go outside. She put on her dark cloak and went up to the crenellated castle roof. In the lovely fresh air, she lifted her face to the raindrops and breathed deeply. She felt better, but sad thoughts of Wolf Mortimer's confinement lingered.
I cannot free Wolf, but tomorrow I will visit Shadow and make sure she has a day of freedom in the forest.

 

“Margaret, I cannot tell you how happy I am to have you and James here at Warwick. I know you must be sick with worry for your husband, but knowing you are safe here with us will lessen Hugh's burden.” Jory had always loved Princess Joanna's daughter.

“I wish we had news.” Margaret's voice was apprehensive.

Jory too was anxious about the Marchers. She was especially worried about the Mortimers and her husband's son, Rickard de Beauchamp. Guy had been unusually silent and somewhat remote during the fortnight he had been back at Warwick and Jory assumed it was caused by anxiety for his son and heir.

Jory gazed from the tower chamber window, scanning the horizon for a nonexistent messenger. Her eye was drawn to the figure of her husband. He walked alone, save for his ever-present companion Brutus. The tall wolfhound and Guy had been inseparable since his return from the Marches.
They communicate without words. A touch is all that is necessary between them.
Jory smiled.
Rather like Guy and myself.

That night, when they retired to their bedchamber, Guy became particularly attentive to his wife. He cupped Jory's face with loving hands and gazed down at her as if memorizing every detail, treasuring her delicate beauty, appreciating the feel of her soft skin, cherishing the caress of her silver-gilt hair as it brushed against his fingers, inhaling her intoxicating woman's scent, and savoring the feel of her lips against his. “Have I told you how lovely you are, my beauty?”

Jory smiled up at him. “Incessantly, but I never tire of it.”

His fingers brushed the tendrils back from her temples, and then he traced her brows and her cheekbones. “I'm the luckiest man alive.” He drew a fingertip down her nose and outlined her lips. “You look exactly the same as the day I first saw you.”

She laughed softly. “I'm forty years old.”

“Jory, to me you will never grow old.” He picked her up, carried her to bed, and made gentle love that lasted for hours.

For the next few nights, it became a ritual, beginning with Guy cupping Jory's face to gaze down at her, and ending with hours of lovemaking. During the day, Jory watched her husband with adoring eyes, and slowly, it came to her that he was keeping a secret.

A few days later, Rickard rode in alone. Guy was in the stables, and his wolfhound began to bark excitedly. “It's someone you know, Brutus.”

“Father!” Rickard embraced Guy and scratched the grinning hound's ears. “My news isn't good, I'm afraid.”

“Well, it isn't all bad. At least you're safe.”

Rickard quickly told him what had happened, and Warwick shook his head with regret at the injustice of it. “We have no choice—we have to tell Jory and Margaret Audley what has happened. Guy Thomas has taken young James hunting. In spite of the news they'll all be happy to see you. Lead the way—come, Brutus.”

Jory's face became stricken as she listened to Rickard catalogue the disastrous events that had come to pass.

“Margaret, your husband, Hugh, is safe. He is in hiding with some of his men. Roger Mortimer told us to leave before he surrendered to the king. Sadly, the Crown has confiscated your home and your lands.”

Margaret burst into tears and Jory put a comforting arm about her. “Audley's not a captive, Margaret. You and young James must make your home with us, for now.”

“I too have a force of men. We will bide our time and wait upon events. None know I have returned from Ireland, and I want to keep it that way. Roger will expect me to recruit an army in the Welsh Marches and be ready to strike, if he gives the signal.”

Rickard gave Jory an intense look that told her he wished to speak with her in private. “It's good to have you home at Warwick, if only for a little while. Come, we'll find Mr. Burke and have him plenish your old chambers for you.”

As soon as they were alone, Rickard took Jory's hand. “I absolutely implore you to do everything in your power to keep Father out of this. He will want to right this injustice, but he must not draw attention to himself. If the greedy Despencer fancies Warwick or any of our other castles, Edward will confiscate them in an instant. If he challenges the king, he will throw him in prison. You must convince him to lie low and stay at home. You are the only one he might listen to, Jory.”

They entered Rickard's old bedchamber and Jory closed the door. “Warwick won't be rushing off to avenge anyone, my dear. I promise you he will lie low and I will keep him at home with me.”

He let out a long breath. “Christ, that eases my mind, Jory.”

She shook her head. “No, it won't ease your mind, Rickard. I'm afraid Warwick is going blind.”

He stared at her in horrified disbelief. “Are you sure? He recognized me instantly and had no trouble making his way from the stables into the castle.”

“He recognized your voice. Brutus leads him everywhere. He thinks I don't know. His towering pride wants to keep it secret.”

“Jesu, in combat in Wales, his helmet was cleaved in two. He took a terrible blow to the head and the next day his eyes were full of blood.”

“I assumed he'd taken a fall. If he tells you, don't let on that I know. Blind, the Infamous Warwick thinks himself less of a man. He will tell me in his own good time.”

Rickard enfolded her in his arms. “Of course he will. Father knows how lucky he is to have you.”

“I
sabelle, on the ride back from Chertsey, a daring idea came to me.” Brianna was in such a hurry to speak with the queen that she hadn't yet changed from her riding dress.

“Accompany me to the wardrobe chamber and help me select material for the new gowns I've ordered. If Despencer is back and orders economies, it will be too late to affect the way I dress.”

Brianna gave her a look of approval. “You are learning expedience. My idea is also expedient. We know the Mortimers will be brought to the impregnable Tower of London, where their loyal friends cannot free them. I remember you told me the Queen's royal palace apartments there are in sad disrepair with leaking ceilings. Why don't you have them plastered and painted and refurbished? That way you will have need to visit the Tower as often as you wish without arousing suspicion. You could even take up residence there from time to time.”

“Brianna, that's a brilliant idea! I shall set the wheels in motion today.”

Brianna pushed away her feelings of guilt. She knew that she was manipulating Isabelle, but it was the only way she knew of perhaps being able to see and speak with Roger Mortimer.

“The Tower has a new constable. I shall order my barge to take us downriver so I can make the acquaintance of Sir Stephen Segrave and inform him of the repairs I am ordering.”

The following day, the royal barge arrived at the Tower and Queen Isabelle and her ladies alighted. She was swathed in her ermine cape and Brianna wore her sable cloak, lined with blue velvet.

The constable's sublieutenant, Gerard Alspaye, had alerted him that the royal barge was approaching, and the two men rushed down to the Coldwater Gate at the Tower Wharf to greet the queen.

Brianna and Isabelle had concocted a plan to dazzle, flatter, and seduce Segrave with their considerable feminine wiles so that each would hold him in the palm of her hand.

Queen Isabelle raised the constable from his deep bow. “Sir Stephen, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. 'Tis obvious you are a gentleman, unlike the coarse fellow you replaced, who was sent packing for dereliction of duty and displeasing his queen.”

“Your Grace, I am honored to be of service. Permit me to introduce my sublieutenant, Gerard Alspaye. He has strict orders to accommodate you and your ladies and fulfill your wishes.”

The queen then introduced her ladies, further dazzling the two men with their noble names. “Sir Stephen, lend me your arm and escort me to my royal palace apartments.” The constable was stunned at the intimacy.

Brianna gave young Gerard Alspaye a radiant smile and tucked her arm beneath his. She could almost hear his heartbeat quicken.

The queen's royal apartments occupied the upper floors of the Hall Tower, so named because it gave access to the Great Hall. The lower floors held the guardrooms. Isabelle removed her arm from Segrave's and pointed to the damp marks and chipped plaster on the ceilings. “My lovely royal chambers are going to wrack and ruin. I have ordered the entire place be redone. When my plasterers arrive, I am sure you will allow them free rein, Sir Stephen.”

“I shall put Alspaye in charge. He will accommodate them in every way, Your Grace.”

“Splendid. Once the place is refurbished, I shall take up residence for a time, and since you will be my host, so to speak, you must take supper with me on Friday evenings.”

Segrave was flattered beyond reason. “You do me great honor, Your Grace.”

Brianna spoke up. “Queen Isabelle, you wanted me to remind you to visit Saint Thomas's Tower where the Royal Wardrobe is housed.” Saint Thomas's Tower also held the king's royal apartments.

“Thank you, Lady Brianna. The Wardrobe is a repository for furniture as well as royal robes and garments, to say nothing of my jewels. I would like you to do an inventory of the furnishings we may use in my chambers.”

Segrave bowed again. “Alspaye has the keys. I'll let the lieutenant do the honors.”

“I mustn't keep you one moment longer from your important duties as constable. Good-bye, Sir Stephen, until we meet again.”

When the queen and her ladies arrived at the Wardrobe, and Alspaye selected a key from the iron ring that hung at his belt, Brianna murmured, “Gerard, perhaps you could have a duplicate key made for me, so I may come and go without…disturbing you.” The intimate smile she gave him told him she was quite aware that she already disturbed him.

The Tower Wardrobe proved to be a treasure-trove. Not only was it a repository of wine, foodstuffs, and furniture, but it stored royal garments, furs, footwear, bolts of plush French velvet, cloth of gold, silk, satin, and brocade. Isabelle took what she fancied. “I shall soon be back for more. If I don't claim these luxurious items, others, who shall remain nameless, will do so.”

The queen saw two black velvet cloaks. She chose the one with red satin lining and gave the one with fuchsia lining to Brianna. Isabelle also took her own jewels and put the gem casket that held them in Brianna's keeping.

On the barge ride back to Windsor, Brianna urged Isabelle to share the news with her other ladies.

“I am sorry to tell you that Roger Mortimer and his uncle of Chirk are prisoners of the king.”

Marguerite Wake gasped and went pale.

“I know your father, Lord John, is Mortimer's cousin. I hope and pray he is not made to suffer for it. The king also has brought the Despencers back from exile.”

Arbella Beaumont looked stricken. Hugh Despencer had dismissed her mother from the queen's service and her father was an enemy of Despencer.

The queen continued. “I refuse to be in Hugh Despencer's presence. If Edward brings him to either Windsor or Whitehall I shall withdraw to the Tower. Marie, have you not heard from Pembroke about any of this?”

Marie blushed. “I have not heard from my husband since he left for Cirencester. He but follows the king's orders.”

And the whoreson king follows Despencer's orders
, Brianna thought angrily.

Isabelle patted Marie's hand. “At least you know Pembroke is safe. Apparently there was no fighting.”

Maude FitzAlan flushed. “My brother Arundel also is with the king's royal forces.”

“Aye, unfortunately the barons' allegiance is split, but that is no reason for us to be at odds. I know I have your loyalty.”

As they disembarked, Isabelle took Brianna aside. “When we visit the Tower, it would be safer to leave Marie and Maude at Windsor, so they can carry no tales, inadvertently or otherwise.”

Brianna gave Isabelle a look of admiration. “You grow wiser and stronger every day, Your Grace.”

 

A few days later, Marie displayed a letter she had just received from Pembroke and she read out parts of it to Isabelle. “My husband is sorry, but he won't be coming home. He says the king has ordered a general muster of men at Coventry at the end of February to march against the Scots.”

“That's an ambitious undertaking,” the queen declared. She gave Brianna a look that said:
It will keep him away from me, thank God!

Brianna bit her lip. It seemed that her worries were multiplying. Neither her father nor the de Warennes would ever support the king against the Scots. Lynx and Jane were friends of Robert Bruce, and her mother had once loved him.
Coventry is near Warwick. I hope Father doesn't quarrel with the king over this.

Marie read from her letter again. “The Mortimers are being sent to the Tower until their trial. The sons of Mortimer and Hereford are to be confined here at Windsor.”

Brianna was astonished.
Here at Windsor? Hell's teeth, I had a strong premonition that I would see Wolf Mortimer again soon. I must learn to trust my instincts.

“Hereford's sons, John and Humphrey de Bohun, are the king's nephews. I am relieved they are being sent to Windsor. Their freedom will be confined, but their living quarters will be suitable for young men of royal blood.” Isabelle turned to Brianna. “I don't believe I've met Mortimer's heir, but I did meet his second son when we rode to Saint Albans. He had a dark, proud and fierce look about him.”

A picture of Wolf came full-blown into Brianna's head, and her pulse quickened.

“Mortimer's heir is wed to Badlesmere's daughter,” Marie said.

“Yes, he will fare better at Windsor than his poor wife who is imprisoned at Dover,” Isabelle said with relief.

“Poor wife, indeed! I don't know how you can have sympathy for anyone named Badlesmere,” Marie declared.

“She is a young bride…Nothing that happened at Leeds Castle was her fault, Marie.”

I will keep watch for Wolf Mortimer. I must find a way to communicate with him
, Brianna vowed.
I will convey this news to Simon Deveril. He will learn where the four are to be housed.

 

On her next visit to the Tower, Isabelle again took all of her ladies. The plasterers were busy repairing the ceilings and resurfacing all the walls and Marie could not hide her utter boredom. This was the effect Isabelle was hoping for, so that next time she could leave the Countess of Pembroke at Windsor.

Brianna made sure that she spent time alone with Alspaye so that she could cultivate his friendship. She was just going to bring up the subject of Roger Mortimer when the sublieutenant spoke to her in confidence.

“We are about to receive a pair of most exalted prisoners, Lady Brianna.”

“Really, Gerard?” She gave him her undivided attention.

He lowered his voice. “Roger Mortimer, Baron of Wigmore, and his uncle, the Baron of Chirk.”

“May I confide in you, Gerard?” She knew he would be flattered to share confidences with the Earl of Warwick's daughter.

“Absolutely, my lady.”

“Roger Mortimer was present the day I was born. I have known him all my life. He is the most gallant gentleman you will ever meet. He is an outstanding military leader who faithfully served the king as Justiciar of Ireland, but that counts for naught now that the king's favorite, Despencer, has been recalled.”

“I did not know he had been recalled, my lady.”

“I hope I may trust in your discretion, Gerard?”

“You have my word on it, Lady Brianna.”

“Where will the Mortimers be held?”

“It hasn't yet been decided. Since there are two and their noble status will allow them a servant, it will have to be one of the larger cells. Sir Stephen Segrave will make the final decision, but I warrant he will listen to my recommendation.”

She smiled at him. “He trusts your judgment, as do I, Gerard.” Brianna said no more. She was laying the groundwork for some contact with Roger Mortimer.
A delicate touch will serve me better than a heavy hand.

 

When Brianna arrived back at Windsor, a letter awaited her from Lincoln Robert. She opened it eagerly and read:

Brianna set the letter down. She thought it was a wonderful idea that her betrothed was moving to Farnham Castle. It would be no small undertaking to run the large estate that had belonged to the late John de Warenne.

She found it strange that Lincoln Robert made no mention of the dreadful events that had befallen the Marcher barons and the cold-blooded revenge the king had taken on those who opposed him. That the Mortimers were imprisoned in the Tower of London and had all their castles and lands confiscated was a monumental injustice that consumed her thoughts.

Perhaps Lincoln is wary of putting things down on paper. The retaliation of the king and the Despencers is so vicious that all the barons must be cautious.

Though Brianna acknowledged she would like to see Farnham Castle, she hoped Lincoln would not press her to visit any time soon.
My life has become so involved in Isabelle's affairs, I am strangely reluctant to leave. Farnham Castle seems a world apart from the queen's court here at Windsor.
Brianna immediately felt guilty.
How selfish I am! It would be too unkind to refuse the man who loves me.