A Rough Wooing

by Virginia Henley

“You’ve led me a merry chase, Douglas. I tried to woo you when you were at Court in Edinburgh, but all you did was cocktease and say no.”

  “I did no such thing, sir! You are the reason I left the Queen’s Court in Edinburgh.”

  Hume grabbed her and brought his mouth down on hers. He held her imprisoned against him. “You play a high-stakes game, Douglas, holding out for marriage with a Hume.” He squeezed her bottom. “If I can’t have you any other way, I warrant I’ll have to offer for you. How about a foretaste? If you are generous, I will help get your brothers released.” His hand slipped into her décolletage and cupped her bare breast.

  Douglas raked her nails down his cheek. “Take your lecherous hands from me, pig!”

  Two of the ladies who were sharing the chamber with her entered. They saw the couple struggling, and stared at the man’s bloody cheek.

  Alex Hume stepped back from Douglas, but before he left his eyes narrowed with thwarted anger. “Since you are a ward of the Crown, I shall speak with the king.” Hume added another threat. “One word from my family could get your brothers hanged if you don’t change your tune.”

  Douglas blushed as she explained to the ladies, “His attentions are unwanted. I thank you for saving me.” She hung up her new gown in the large wardrobe. Alex Hume had taken the joy out of her purchase with his threat to her brothers’ safety. He may look like an effete popinjay, but he is deadly dangerous. I must tell Jock what he is threatening. But Douglas was loathe to leave the safety of the chamber tonight. She removed the blue brocade gown and hung it beside the new one. I’ll tell him first thing in the morning.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Douglas was glad she awoke at first light. She had been having a nightmare that King James had consented to her marriage with his Treasurer’s brother, and Alex Hume had come to claim her. In the dream she had not dared to refuse him because her brothers’ lives hung in the balance. She had been trapped with no way out, and as she donned the pale green velvet, and brushed her hair, she sent up a prayer for divine intervention.

  She hurried down to the dining hall, assuming she would find Jock at breakfast. “Will, I must speak with my brother, has he eaten yet?”

  “Ye just missed him. The king and the Border Wardens are holding Court in the Great Hall. Today and tomorrow the Carlisle prisoners will be tried and sentences pronounced.”

  “Dear God, I hope Jock gets Gavin and Rob released before they go on trial.”

  Will made room for her at the table. “Sit down and eat. It’ll be a long day.”

  “I couldn’t eat a thing. My stomach is knotted with worry.” Douglas hurried in the direction of the Great Hall. Suddenly, to her horror she saw Sir Lancelot Greystoke striding toward her. The thunderous black look on his face, made her step back in alarm.

  “Douglas Elliot, you are a thief and a liar.” His accusing eyes swept her from head to foot. In the pale green velvet, her fiery hair looked like flames, and her exquisite beauty infuriated him. “You are a manipulative little bitch, who deserves to be locked up with your thieving brothers. You are damned lucky I am late to Court, but rest assured that when today’s trial is finished, I shall find you, and lay charges against you.”

  She was trembling as Greystoke strode off, his spurs striking sparks on the flagstone floors. The antique mirrored pendant pinned inside her gown felt as if it were burning a hole in her flesh. She wanted to flee to the safety of the bedchamber, but the thought of being cooped up all day in the small room, worrying over her brothers’ fate, and now her own, was unbearable to Douglas. She hurried back to where she had left Will, but when she saw that he was no longer sitting at the trestle table, she felt faint.

  To give her courage, she drank a mug of small ale, and took an oatcake from a huge platter. It seemed as if the walls were closing in on her, and she found it so difficult to take a deep breath that she felt as if she were suffocating. I must get some fresh air!

  She found the massive oak doors to the keep and went outside. She was stunned to see that the sun was shining and she could smell the sweet green grass from the outer bailey. The red sandstone castle was such a formidable stronghold, the rays of the sun never penetrated its seven-foot thick walls.

  Douglas hurried to the outer bailey and walked through the sweet spring grass. She nibbled on the oat cake and it seemed to settle her stomach. On impulse she departed through the main gate and when she found herself outside the castle walls, an overwhelming desire to flee came over her. The April weather was lovely and she longed to be riding through the incomparable beauty of the hills and dales of the Borders. I cannot leave my brothers behind. I must find a way to help them.

  She looked up and saw the spire of Carlisle Cathedral. She picked up her velvet skirts and hurried toward the medieval church that had been built in the twelfth century. It was rather small, as cathedrals went, but inside there was much to look at and occupy the senses. She gazed up at the barrel-vaulted ceiling, amazed at the skill of the craftsmen who had created such a magnificent building.

  The stained glass window was larger and more vivid than any she had ever seen before. There were images of the twelve apostles, and she stopped before each one and said a prayer for her brothers. Finally she sat down on a hinged seat, known as a misericorde, and gave herself up to a higher power.

  God helps him who helps himself. The words came to her as clearly as if someone spoke them aloud. Douglas searched inside herself for an answer to her family’s dilemma.

  A solution did not come, but she vowed before God and his Apostles that she would be willing to do anything to gain her brothers’ freedom.

  ~~~

  In the late afternoon, Douglas made her way back to the castle with reluctant steps. If sentence had been passed on her brothers she was reluctant to hear it, but she knew she had no choice. By the number of men streaming from the Great Hall, she knew today’s Court must be over. She saw Jock and hurried to his side.

  Jock looked down at her and shook his head. “They weren’t brought before the Court today, so it will likely be tomorrow.” He saw the relief in her eyes. “I had a chance to talk with Gavin and Rob at dawn today. The young fools told me they ignored my warning about reiving. You deceived me, Douglas. You led me to believe they were falsely accused and arrested.”

  “They didn’t find Greystoke’s thoroughbreds at Castle Elliot!” she cried.

  “Nevertheless, they were the ones who lifted the horses. Tomorrow, Greystoke will be in Court, and when he brings the charges, it will be up to the king to decide their guilt or innocence. I shall have little say in the matter.”

  Tears flooded her eyes, as guilt washed over her. “I’m so sorry, Jock. Will you escort me upstairs to my chamber? I don’t feel safe walking alone.”

  “Come on, my wee lass. Why don’t you have a lie down? Yer pale as a ghost.”

  Douglas did lie on her bed, but she was far too restless to stay there for long. She got up and began to pace, as her thoughts chased themselves in ever-defeating circles. I’ll go to Alex Hume and beg him to ask his brother to have a word with the king. His Majesty will listen to his Treasurer and will mayhap take his advice. She tried to push aside the price she would have to pay. In the cathedral I vowed I would do anything. I mustn’t be a coward.

  She took up the brush she had brought with her from Langley and began to brush her hair. She knew a female must look her best if she wanted a favor from a male. As she stroked the brush through her long tresses, a measure of calm descended. Douglas gathered her courage and formed a far different plan. She unpinned the priceless antique pendant from inside her gown, and wrapped it with care. Then she sought the castle chamberlain and asked him to direct her to the chamber of the man who held her brother’s fate in his hands.

  ~~~

  Douglas knocked on the door and when it was opened she asked, “May I come in, my lord?”

  Lance Greystoke’s dark face looked as hard as granite. He stood immobile for a full minute before he open
ed the door wide and motioned for her to enter. He did not offer her a seat, but loomed above her, waiting for her to speak.

  Douglas licked dry lips, and cleared her throat. “I am the one to blame. The day we met, I was deliberately looking for Beaumont Hall. When I saw your thoroughbreds, I coveted them, and when I got back to Castle Elliot I told my brothers about them and urged them to ride into England and steal them.”

  Greystoke remained silent, his dark face a mask of contempt.

  Douglas swallowed the lump in her throat and continued. “My brother Jock, who was in Edinburgh with the king, sent his lieutenant home to tell us that the Queen of England had died, and that King James was now King of England as well as Scotland. He warned us that the king was determined to make it all one country, and we were to bury the quarrels between England and Scotland.

  “But all the Scots Borderers thought it a God-sent opportunity to pay the English back for all the raids they’d carried out in Scotland. The Johnstons and the Maxwells, and every other Border family planned to ride into England. I told my brothers they should ride to Beaumont and get their hands on your thoroughbreds.

  “They didn’t know it, but I too went on the raid that night. I planned to steal the jeweled pendant that I saw on your desk. I smashed your library window and was about to climb in, when I realized that if I took the priceless artefact, you would guess it was me, and you would realize it was the Elliots who had taken your thoroughbreds.”

  She glanced up at Greystoke’s face, but it was closed against her. Douglas swallowed the tears that gathered in her throat, and continued her confession. “When Cumberland’s men came and arrested us, my bravado deserted me. When they locked me in the storeroom here in Carlisle Castle, I was terrified for my brothers, and afraid for myself. When you rescued me, I realized you were as chivalrous as your namesake.”

  She raised her lashes and her eyes met his. “That night there was an unspoken bond between us. Then I betrayed that bond.” She lowered her lashes. “I am shamed.” She unwrapped the pendant and held it out to him. “This is yours, my lord.”

  Greystoke took it from her hands. “You also stole one of my mares.”

  She nodded. “She’s in the stables.” Douglas bit her lip, then continued, “If you would withdraw the charges against my brothers, it would save them from hanging.”

  “You come to me as a penitent, begging favors, thinking to manipulate me all over again. I am not such a bloody fool, Douglas Elliot. Do you truly think your beauty blinds me to your treachery?”

  His words pierced her like sharp arrows, because they were all true. Her heart spoke to her and she admitted that she had given herself to Greystoke because she had been deeply attracted to him and cared for him. She took a deep breath, raised her lashes and told him the truth. “With all my heart I wanted to stay with you, but that morning all I could think of was finding my brother Jock to let him know that Gavin and Rob were prisoners.”

  “There was one other thing you thought of.” He held up the mirrored pendant.

  Douglas stiffened. She had humbled her pride and thrown herself on his mercy to no avail. She raised her chin, and shrugged a shapely shoulder. “Forgive me for taking up your valuable time, Sir Lancelot.”

  ~~~

  Douglas lay on her bed with her arm thrown over her eyes. For hours she had tried to find the courage to seek out Alex Hume, but something inside her recoiled. In the late afternoon she was distracted from her dilemma by the sound of bagpipes. The skirling got louder and then she heard a commotion. She got off the bed and opened the chamber door to investigate. A castle steward, accompanied by two pipers, was making his way through every story of the massive keep, heralding that King James commanded everyone to assemble in the Great Hall.

  Her heart sank. The trials must be over and I warrant the king intends to make a royal proclamation. I’ll go down to the Great Hall and see if I can find Jock. I will need his strength to face hearing Gavin and Rob’s sentence.

  Douglas washed her tear-stained face and brushed her hair, then she made her way with many others down to Carlisle Castle’s Great Hall. The chamber was packed with people, and their collective voices made a loud cacophony that echoed about the high walls. It took her a long time to locate Jock, and when she finally saw him she pushed her way through the crowd toward him. When she reached him, she slipped her hand into his to give her strength. Then she saw Alex Hume standing a few yards away. When he saw her, his hand went to his face to touch the cheek where she had raked her nails. His smile was half leering and half promising revenge.

  A hush fell over the Great Hall as King James entered with his royal attendants and climbed onto the dais. He stood before the throng and raised his voice.

  “I ha’ the unifying task o’ uniting the two great countries o’ England and Scotland. I am determined that the old quarrels will be buried, and fro’ now on, I charge ye all tae keep the peace! I intend that these heretofore bloody Borders will be a fit place for decent folk tae live fro’ this day for’ard. By the king’s order ye are tae turn in yer arms. Any mon, be he English or Scot, who breaks the law, will be punished by exile or the gallows. I hae appointed a Border Commission to deal wi’ the malefactors.”

  James hawked and spat to emphasize his royal decree. There was a low murmur of dissent, which he silenced by a fierce glare at those assembled.

  “As a royal gesture o’ goodweal, I hereby proclaim a general pardon fer the unlawful activities an’ atrocities committed during ‘ill week’. All those imprisoned in Carlisle’s dungeons are tae be released!”

  A deafening cheer went up from the crowd and lasted a full ten minutes. Douglas looked up at Jock with a joyous look of disbelief. “Will Gavin and Rob be pardoned?”

  Jock nodded and grinned down at her, overjoyed that James was showing mercy.

  The king held up his arms for silence, and the crowd gradually complied, eager to hear what else their monarch had to say. “There is no finer way tae cement our two countries than by marriage. I ha’ been asked fer the hand o’ one o’ ma wards, and I ha’ given ma royal consent tae the match!”

  Suddenly, Douglas went cold. Her glance flew to Alex Home, as her heart plummeted. My nightmare is coming true! The swine carried out his threat. He asked the king to consent to our marriage.

  “I ask that Lady Douglas Elliot come tae the dais.”

  She clutched her brother’s hand, as the roar in her ears deafened her, and she felt as if she would faint.

  An excited cry went up from the crowd: “Douglas! Douglas! Douglas!”

  Jock loosed her hand and urged her toward the king.

  Her legs were trembling so badly, she would not have been able to arrive at the dais if the laughing crowd had not propelled her forward. King James himself, took her hand and helped her up the steps. I will die before I marry Alex Hume! Douglas opened her mouth to protest to the king, but once again he held up his arms for silence.

  “I ask that Sir Lancelot Greystoke come tae the dais.”

  Douglass stared in disbelief as the English noble strode to the dais, and the crowd went wild. Lance Greystoke asked the king for my hand in marriage?

  Greystoke, bowed his head to the king, then murmured low to Douglas, “I knew His Majesty would consent to a marriage between us, because it symbolizes the union of our two countries. I don’t want to be your enemy, Firebrand, I want to be your husband, if you’ll have me.”

  Her heart lifted and she gave him a radiant smile. “What makes you think husbands and wives cannot be enemies, my lord?”

  King James overheard her and chortled. “The lassie has the right o’ it, ye ken.”

  Greystoke said gallantly, “Douglas, I’d rather have you for enemy, than any other woman for friend.”

  “Then my answer is yes, I will have you.”

  King James slapped Greystoke on the back. “We’ll ha’ the weddin’ tonicht. The Bishop o’ Carlisle will officiate. All here are invited tae the celebration. I predict t
his’ll be the first o’ many unions betwixt English an’ Scots.”

  ~~~

  “Who giveth this woman to this man?” the bishop asked.

  “I do.” Jock Elliot placed his sister’s hand in that of her English groom.

  Douglas, wearing pale green velvet with its sleeves embroidered with English roses and Scottish thistles, looked into Lance’s eyes as he gave his solemn vows.

  “I, Lancelot Greystoke, take thee, Douglas Elliot, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

  Douglas repeated the same vow, Lancelot placed a ring on her fourth finger, and the Bishop pronounced them, “Man and wife together.”

  The bride and groom dined at the king’s table. So many toasts were offered to the newlywed couple, that most of the celebrants were legless with drink by midnight.

  Gavin murmured to Douglas, “Ye got the thoroughbreds after all, lass.”

  “Not without paying an exorbitant price,” she teased.

  Greystoke hid his amusement, as he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “The time has come to pay the piper, Firebrand.”

  The couple ran from the hall. “Firebrand be damned. My name is Lady Greystoke.”

  Lance grinned as he swept her into his arms and carried her up the castle stairs “Aye, I swore I’d make a lady of you.”

  ~~~

  Hours later, as she lay in his powerful arms, her heart overflowed with love. “I want to go home to Beaumont Hall tomorrow.”

  His lips brushed the fiery tendrils on her temple. “You’d rather live in the Borders than follow the king to London?”

  “A thousand times over.”

  He kissed her tenderly. “And that’s exactly why I love you.” He picked up the exquisite mirrored pendant from the bedside table and handed it to her. “Since you have a fascination for priceless objets d’art, I want you to have this.”