The Everlasting Covenant (32 page)

Marcella
’
s letters had been frequent since Anne
’
s angry de
parture from Ayliffe. To Anne
’
s complete surprise Marcella had stayed at Ayliffe even through the Christmas celebrating, though her letters clearly begged for an invitation to court. Anne finally relented when Deirdre was born, knowing she would have to face her mother again eventually. She hoped Marcella had given serious thought to their conflict and changed, especially since Divina
’
s death.

Deirdre was a month old when Marcella looked over her grandchild and the gifts that had been received. Her face turned chalk-white with rage. She turned on her daughter.
“
So,
‘
tis
true. They are back and you helped them. It was rumored so, my friends write to me that my daughter did her part to restore them.
”

Anne knew at some point she would have to deal with her mother on this issue. She tried to remain calm.
“
Your argument with them is over, madam. Even Lord Forbes is glad to have the knights home.
”

“
How pleased would he be if he knew,
”
she threatened in hushed tones.

Anne struggled for composure she did not quite feel.
“
He would not believe you, madam. Be still!
”

“
Ah? And if I point out to the fine earl how like Dylan deFrayne his firstborn looks? Do you think you can hide it forever?
”

“
Sloan is Brennan
’
s son,
”
she said.

Marcella laughed wickedly.
“
You will perhaps betray your husband with success, daughter, but you will not turn on me so easily. I will find a willing ear unless you do as I say.
”

“
Why do you pursue this?
”
she asked.
“
‘
Tis done, Mother. Leave them be. They only wish to live, as the rest of us do.
”

Marcella fingered the beautiful tapestry, but her eyes were glassy with hate.
“
It was she, wasn
’
t it, daughter? She made the costumes that were used to trick me. Well, it will take more than a skilled needle to trick me again. I will not let her win
.”

“
Who, Mother? Madam deFrayne? Win? What more could you want? She has suffered enough, and for nothing
“

“
Get me Heathwick,
”
Marcella said.
“
I know you can
.
I would be the Countess of Heathwick for my youngest son.
”

The color drained from Anne
’
s face. She knew the deFraynes petitioned the king for the restoration of their family lands, thus far unsuccessfully. Sir Trenton Gifford did not yet have any demesne, but being unmarried still and the youngest of three sons, he had plenty of time. Yet Marcella
’
s demand brought to light something Anne had never before considered.
“
It is so,
”
she said in a hushed whisper.
“
All these years, has it been only Daphne deFrayne you truly hate?
”

“
That bitch has had more than I for long enough.
”

“
That
’
s absurd, madam! You have had far more than she! Of
everything, of wealth, offspring, influence close to the queen
’
s
ear ..
.
”

“
That
’
s what little you know of it. I want Heathwick for my home and I will be silent.
”

“
All these years
I
thought it was wealth you craved. It is more than that. You use me to
--
”

Marcella tore her wimple from her head, exposing her gray hair.
“
I am done with black. I w
ish to wear gems and colors ..
. and I wish to reside as dowager countess in Heathwick Castle. Does she wear black? Nay. Do that for me, daughter
--
get me Heathwick and I will leave the earl to think he has a son by you.
”

Anne reached out to her mother.
“
Madam, why do you hate her so? What has she done to you?
”
Marcella only stared at her as if she would stare through her. She lowered her voice to a whisper.
“
Would you hurt your own grandchild, madam? Bren
n
an will see to your comfort ..
. but I fear you will lose all if you betray us now. He will have no place for you if he casts me aside. I beg of you
, let this revenge die now ..
.
”

“
They may be home, these dastardly deFraynes, but I will not be silent while they are restored to their former wealth and influence and with your help!
”

“
Trenton will not want Heathwick, Brennan has better for him if he can be patient.
”

“
I want Heathwick. I want to live there and wear jewels again. I have been in mourning long enough. Daphne does not mourn him.
”

Anne shook her head in confusion.
“
Who, madam?
”

“
Will you do as I say?
”
Marcella asked, refusing to answer the question.

Anne watched her mother
’
s glittering eyes, she had seen this often enough. Marcella was fixed on an idea and would not let it rest until she had what she wanted. Why it was so important to take something away from Daphne, Anne had no idea.
“
And if I can arrange for your residence in that castle, you will cease in such demands? Do you swear?
”

“
Aye, daughter. But do not delay.
”

“
You will be less often at court. ...
”

“
I want to be dowager countess for my son, for Trenton.
”

“
And if he does not want Heathwick?
”

“
I don
’
t care,
”
Marcella said firmly.
“
He will take it for me. I will not be still until it is done.
”

***

Anne used the six weeks before she was able to travel to Ayliffe to arrange her mother
’
s strange request. She conferred with Elizabeth, who was barely up from childbed herself, along with Anthony Woodville. Then she spoke to her younger brother, Sir Trenton.

Anne felt confident of Trenton
’
s loyalty to her in all things but this. He admired and respected Lord Forbes and she was frightened that he would be ashamed of her, that he would shun her and refuse to help. It was with great caution that she ap
proached him, praying she was right to assume he cared deeply for her.

“
Our mother wants Heathwick and title on your behalf, Tren
ton. She demands this.
”

“
So?
”
he replied.
“
She has always hated them. She ...
”

“
Trenton, the deFraynes have never been all the evil things that madam insisted. Lord Forbes welcomes the knights home and our anger with them is done. They are good men, they have suffered enough. But our mother will never be done with hating them. She threatens to tell Lord Forbes that Sloan is not his son.
”
Trenton gave a short laugh of disbelief, but when he saw the serious expression on his sister
’
s face, he quickly sobered.
“
She threatens to say that Dylan deFrayne was my lover while he was a prisoner at Raedelle and that I b
rought his child to my marriage.”

“
Anne …
?
”

She lowered her gaze, for tears gathered in her eyes.
“
This is her threat, Trenton.
”
She braved a look at him.
“
There is no question that madam would get the attention of the gossips if not the earl
.
Please, Trenton, take her for me? I have endured her for five years at Ayliffe, and she is a hard woman to please. I cannot change her mind. I cannot let her hurt my son.
”

“
Anne, do you think it will stop if she has Heathwick? Soon you must answer to these ...
”

“
She is determined to do whatever damage possible to the deFraynes, despite the fact that the earl respects them and would have the hostilities end. And she is furious that I used my influence with the queen to have the deFraynes brought home.
”

“
Why? Why would you do that?
”

She did not answer him, but only looked into his eyes, praying he would not hate her. There was a long silence.
“
She will hurt me, Trenton. She has never loved me.
”

A muscle moved in Trenton
’
s cheek. He could not dispute that simple fact. He had seen his mother
’
s behavior toward Anne often enough over the years.

“
I do not understand how you have let this happen, Anne.
”

She shook her head.
“
Nor do I, Trenton.
”

He touched her hand.
“
I will not let our mother hurt you. But I do not want Heathwick. I did not earn it. I would do any chore the earl demands, I would act as his seneschal if need be. I am ashamed of the way madam uses your marriage with the earl.
”
He sighed deeply.
“
As for the deFraynes ..
.
”

“
Trenton, I beg of you, let us bury the hatred. Father wished it, Lord Forbes wishes it, and
I
wish it. Even if you cannot befriend any deFrayne, even on my account, you need not be enemies. Despite all that has happened, despite Wayland
’
s death at Raedelle and Dylan
’
s imprisonment there, he does not hate us all.
”

“
How do you know, Anne?
”

“
I
know,
”
she said meekly.

“
I will not let her hurt you,
”
he said.

She smiled in relief.
“
For this, Trenton, you have earned your place in my heart for all eternity. Thank you. And thank you for not asking me.
”

“
Don
’
t thank me, Anne,
”
he said, concern showing in his eyes
“
I did not have to ask.
”

“
Maybe someday, Trenton my love, you will understand. For now it is enough that you love me and will help me.
”

Anne spoke to Lord Forbes, who did not understand, but
showed the same patience he had over the years. Finally, in a dark gallery at Eltham Castle, a few words were exchanged with Dylan. To her surprise, he only smiled. She had expected him to rage.
“
Silence her,
”
was all he said.
“
She is old and mean. She will not live long. Poor Trenton.
”

The entire family and all the staff was occupied with packing for the move to Ayliffe, with Marcella present, when Lord Forbes brought a document bearing the royal seal.

“
You are fortunate to have such a clever daughter, madam,
”
he said to Marcella.
“
Heathwick will be your home, with a stipend of one hundred pounds a year for sustenance.
”

“
Mine?
”
Marcella beamed.

“
More or less,
”
Brennan said, bending to his table to affix his own seal with candle wax to the thick vellum document.
“
Sir Trenton, of course, is the guardian, but you will gain the title you requested.
”