The Mark of Salvation

by Carol Umberger

  Richard cleared his throat. “No, not at all.”

  Silence.

  “I thank you, Richard, for allowing Iain and Mary and me to live in such a lovely place. We quite like it here. Although I do miss having visitors.”

  Silence.

  Alice raised her cup of tea and sipped from it.

  Orelia thought she detected a glazed appearance in Alice’s eyes and wondered if the woman felt ill. Did Richard not notice how strangely the woman had behaved earlier?

  Very deliberately, Alice set her cup down. “We are expecting visitors of our own soon but regretfully, you will not be joining us.” She looked at Richard as if daring him to contradict her.

  Richard explained. “We are having a celebration of young Richard’s first birthday and have invited quite a few friends. From London.”

  His meaning was quite clear to Orelia, even without Alice’s hostility. The guests must not see either her or Iain. If someone should happen to see Iain, they might remark upon his resemblance to his late father. Such a remark could very well be repeated—the idea of John’s wife bearing him a child after his death would be an interesting topic of conversation that could eventually make its way to King Edward.

  Richard could probably explain away his earlier assumption that the child was the result of “an unfortunate incident,” as he’d put it. Few would doubt his word on that. But how would he explain that after seeing the child he continued to insist the child was not his brother’s?

  The answer would be obvious—they wanted the title. And while Orelia wasn’t sure how convinced Richard was, Alice had never hidden her desire to have her own son become the earl.

  But Iain would have to live long enough to be identified. Orelia’s blood chilled at the thought. She considered confronting Richard and Alice with her suspicion, but feared their reaction.

  Alice’s facial expression became cool and she looked at Richard. Some sort of understanding flowed between them. “The boys look nothing alike, Richard. I don’t know what all your fussing is about.”

  Richard looked uncomfortable but remained silent.

  Alice went on, “Still, Orelia and her . . . son must remain hidden until our celebration is over and the guests have left. I think they would be more secure in the main house.”

  Orelia couldn’t believe Richard was nodding, agreeing with Alice’s absurd statement. She did not want to stay in the main house. Here in her own little cottage she had control of her life and of Iain’s. In Radbourne Hall, Alice controlled and manipulated the inhabitants. Who knew what Alice might do in order to remain the Countess of Radbourne?

  Panic nearly undid Orelia. She must dissuade them, if only for a short time. “That isn’t necessary. I will ensure that your guests don’t even know anyone is in this cottage. There is no need for us to stay in the Hall.”

  With calm assurance, Richard set down his cup. “I’m afraid I must insist.”

  Orelia’s cup rattled as she placed it on the bench beside her. “If Iain isn’t John’s child, why concern yourself with what your friends think?”

  Richard eyed his wife. “Come, Orelia. Surely you can see that the child looks like John, just as I do. But everyone . . .” He seemed to search for the right words and failing, simply looked away to the window, misery on his face.

  “Everyone believes that you both died,” Alice put in. “We can’t have your ghosts scaring our visitors.”

  “Wh—what?” Orelia fought for breath. “You’ve told everyone I died?”

  Alice rose. “We had to tell them something. There were too many inquiries.” A catlike smile grew across her face. “The whisper of a horrible illness, spreading like wildfire in Scotland, and how you apparently succumbed to it explained your quick demise and the reason we did not have a public burial. People were actually relieved to have not been exposed.”

  Alice bent, took a sip of her tea, and stared at her husband but spoke to Orelia. “Your son will never take his father’s place at Rad-bourne. It belongs to young Richard.”

  Not bothering to hide her trembling, Orelia stood. She was enraged and terrified at the same time. These people would do anything! They could kill her and Iain now at any time and no one would ever ask! How could she have become so cornered? How could she have been so foolish, thinking she could remain here and some day they would do the honorable thing?

  “You . . . acknowledge Iain as John’s son?”

  “What difference does it make? The lie is told and I’m not about to have you return from the dead,” Alice said.

  Richard made a sound as if he was choking, and Alice gave him a sharp look.

  Something wasn’t right between these two, and again Orelia felt reluctant to leave the cottage. “So you will lock us away in the tower room?”

  Richard looked directly at his wife before returning his gaze to Orelia. “You will remain in that room, yes. But if you give me your word to stay there, I won’t lock you in.”

  Alice said, “Well, I think we should lock the door.”

  Alice,” Richard warned. “

  Alice stood abruptly. “Fine. Now that everything is settled to Richard’s satisfaction, I shall leave.” Alice stalked out the door.

  Orelia considered trying to escape from Radbourne rather than submit to this new form of imprisonment. Richard and Alice might lock her away permanently. Or worse.

  Richard shoved his hands through his hair. “Orelia, I’m sorry. Please be patient with Alice. She has not been herself since the boy was born. I keep hoping she’ll get better.”

  Richard’s confession astonished Orelia, and his distress was not feigned, of that Orelia was certain. She felt as if she had been hit; her head spun. Was this man friend or foe? Was there still hope that he might do the right thing? That this was all Alice’s idea? “She doesn’t seem quite . . . rational, Richard. Have you talked to the healer?”

  Richard stood and paced in the small space before Orelia’s fireplace. “Yes. Alice is taking some potion that is supposed to calm her nerves but . . . you saw her. She is either angry or anxious, rarely at ease. And I fear for my son if she doesn’t stop coddling and spoiling him.”

  Should she believe Richard? Or flee Radbourne? Everything in her said she should leave as soon as possible, that Alice meant her and her son harm. But Richard might be willing to protect her. “When your guests have left, will we be allowed to return to the cottage?”

  “Yes, of course. I mean to right this wrong I’ve done to you and my brother’s son, Orelia.”

  “What?” Astounded at his words, Orelia had to remind herself to close her mouth.

  “Let me explain. When you first arrived home Alice convinced me that your child wasn’t John’s. She said at best you and John had agreed to allow someone else to father a child on you; at worst you’d been raped by some Scotsman.”

  Orelia couldn’t find her voice to answer such an outrageous accusation. She stood and faced Richard, checking her desire to slap his face. “How dare you—”

  “Calm down, Orelia. I’m trying to apologize for entertaining such thoughts. Although it pains me to admit it, if Iain didn’t look so much like John, I might still believe Alice and not you.”

  “But you do believe me?”

  “Yes.”

  Orelia shook her head in disbelief. “You will truly acknowledge Iain as John’s heir? Even though you’ve told the king and everyone else that I died?”

  Richard appeared chagrined. “I will throw myself on Edward’s mercy, explain that I feared for my wife’s . . .” He paused, put his hand to his forehead and rubbed it. “You’ve seen Alice. I fear for her mind. That will help explain our lie to some extent, but I am ready to face the consequences of my own actions.”

  “But why, Richard? What do you gain from this?”

  Richard’s expression became grim. “Even though I have not behaved as such, I am a man of honor and no one, not even my wife, will force me to continue in such a reprehensible fashion. But please, Orelia, I b
eg you not to say anything of this to Alice. I fear . . . I’m not sure what she’ll do from one day to the next. Let me see to things.”

  “Would she harm the children?”

  He swallowed so hard Orelia could see his Adam’s apple bob. “I honestly don’t know the answer to that. She has said she’d rather see Richard dead than see him denied the title.”

  Orelia gasped. “ ’Tis worse than I thought.”

  Once again he ran his fingers through his dark, wavy hair. “Much worse than I would have believed possible. I can’t go to London to see Edward and leave her here unsupervised, so I’ve sent for Alice’s cousin, George of Wellsey.”

  With delight she said, “John’s squire.” She hadn’t seen George since he and John left the tent that day of the battle. “How is he? I had heard he suffered a wound at Bannockburn.”

  He waved his hand. “A minor injury—he’s fine.”

  John had trusted George with his life, so Orelia felt sure she could trust George with Iain’s.

  “She’s always been fond of the man, and he’s agreed to watch over things here while I go to London. He’ll keep her calm while I see the king and locate an appropriate healer for Alice.”

  “Why not wait until Alice is better to see the king?”

  “I have waited long enough. The lie doesn’t get any easier to defend the longer it lives. Best to clear this up and see to Alice’s malady afterward. Then you can resume your life, once you are brought back among the living.”

  He gave her a rueful smile, and again Orelia saw his resemblance to her dead husband. The likeness among the Radbourne men was truly uncanny. Irrefutable. Orelia stood and went to Richard, giving him a hug.

  Though he resisted at first, he obviously needed comfort and soon wrapped his arms around her. “Can you move to the tower by tomorrow, Orelia? Placate her on this?”

  “Yes, I will do it for you.” She pulled away. “Thank you, Richard. For doing the right thing when it means losing so much.”

  He dropped his arms. “If I had only—”

  “Let me finish. The title means little, but your acknowledgment of Iain as John’s true son . . . your nephew . . .” She wiped away a tear. “That means all the world to me. Thank you.”

  “I am only sorry it has taken me so long. Just take care while you’re in the house; keep away from my wife.” He glanced outside. “I’d best go find her.” Richard left the cottage and Orelia stared after him, lost in thought.

  Smiling, she rose and carried the cups to the kitchen area of the small hut. Her prayers had been answered! Soon she and Iain would be free to live where they chose—Radbourne Hall or perhaps she would inquire about the availability of her grandmother’s cottage near Bolton.

  A scream split the quiet morning. A woman’s scream.

  Mary!

  Orelia jumped up and nearly flew out the door in the direction of the pond.

  She heard Mary shouting for her as she drew closer to the spot where a wooden pier jutted into the still waters of the fishing pond. Mary came running toward her, a wailing Iain in her arms. Not the worst, praise God.

  “Oh, my lady. He fell on the pier and gashed his head.” Mary stopped in front of her.

  Blood poured from a cut on the child’s forehead. Orelia gently pushed his hair back and took a closer look. The injury was not nearly as bad as the amount of blood indicated.

  Someone came up behind her, and Orelia turned to see Richard, his expression questioning. Behind him Orelia could see Alice walking away from them and toward the cottage.

  “Is he all right?” Richard asked. “Shall I carry him?”

  “It’s kind of you to offer, Richard, but I think Iain will resist going to anyone but me just now.”

  “Ah, yes. You’re right. Shall I send for a healer?”

  Orelia took her sobbing son from Mary and began to walk to the cottage. “No, Mary and I have the skill and supplies to take care of him.” She smiled at Richard, grateful for his concern, especially in light of Alice’s evident lack of the same.

  Richard addressed Mary. “How did this happen?”

  Orelia looked at Mary, but the woman would only repeat that Iain had fallen. Mary refused to look at Richard.

  “I’m sure it was an accident, Richard.” Although if that was true, why hadn’t Alice stayed to reassure them? What was she trying to hide? Or was Orelia letting her imagination get away from her now that Richard had confessed to Alice’s unbalanced behavior?

  Richard watched his wife before saying to Orelia. “I’m going to take Alice home. Please send word if Iain requires anything, anything at all. Otherwise I’ll see the three of you tomorrow.”

  Richard left while they tended to Iain, and Orelia observed Richard and Alice walk up the path to Radbourne. She and Mary took Iain inside and soon his wound was cleaned and bandaged. Mary took him to the bedchamber to change his bloodstained clothing.

  Orelia followed them. When his clothing was changed she held him in her lap, something Iain rarely allowed anymore unless he was tired or in need of comfort. She kissed his forehead. In addition to the cut, he was scraped and bruised from his encounter with the wooden piling. But it could have been so much worse.

  Mary fussed about them, bringing Iain his favorite toy and a cup of tea for Orelia. As she set the cup beside Orelia, Mary said, “I’m so sorry, my lady. I should have been more vigilant. I should never have let Lady Alice hold his hand.”

  Immediately alert, Orelia said, “She was holding him?”

  Mary clasped and unclasped her hands. “ ’Twas Lady Alice’s idea. I protested but she insisted.”

  Alice had insisted? “Are you sure it was an accident?”

  Mary shook her head. “I’m not sure at all.”

  Suspicious she said, “What do you mean?”

  “I can’t swear to it, my lady—I was distracted for a moment. But I believe Lady Alice pushed the child. I grabbed him just in time to keep him from going in the water.”

  “Dear God in heaven.”

  Silence grew between them as each woman thought of the child being lost in the depths of the murky water.

  The idea of living in closer proximity to Alice took on a more sinister cast. However, she’d promised Richard. “Mary, we must move to Radbourne Hall for a short time.” She told Mary about Richard’s plans.

  “I’m glad to hear the man will make things right. But if we take Iain to Radbourne Hall, the lady may try to harm him again.”

  “I feel the same way. But I promised, so we must. If we do anything else, Alice might . . . We can trust no one but each other, Mary. I think that as soon as Richard returns with the king’s seal on the paperwork we must leave Radbourne altogether.”

  Mary nodded. “Where will we go?”

  “My grandmother’s cottage is but a day’s walk north. That is far enough away to be safe from Lady Alice and still close enough to be in touch with Richard.”

  “But until then we are to stay in the tower?”

  “Yes. Richard said we won’t be locked in, but we shall certainly lock Lady Alice out!”

  Orelia placed the sleeping Iain in the cradle for a nap. He would soon outgrow the small bed, and she would not be able to rock him anymore. Mary left and Orelia sat down and rocked the cradle with her foot. The boy fussed and began to cry, and she realized the cradle was rocking in time to her agitated thoughts. Gently she pushed the cradle with her hand, soothing Iain back to sleep.

  Yet her thoughts were anything but soothing. She stood up and went to the small casket where she kept the sealed parchment Ceallach had given her. Do not open it unless you have need of me. When you read my words, you will know that I will help you no matter what your need.

  Did she need him? Was her situation desperate enough to ask Ceallach for help? No.

  No matter what happened—and no matter that Orelia wanted to know what he’d written—she would never ask him to come to England. She would not ask him to face the risk of capture, no matter what the par
chment said. She put his letter back into the casket, unopened.

  Orelia feared the worst was to come. She shuddered at the thought of spending the rest of her life—and Iain’s—locked in a room at the top of Radbourne’s tower. And if anything should happen to Richard, Orelia suspected that being locked up would be the least of her worries.

  FIFTEEN

  Brothers shall always travel in pairs when "Brothers will refrain from boasting outside the Order. past prowess or brave deeds."

  —from the Rule of the Templar Knights

  Ihave joined Bruce in another raid on England for purely selfish reasons. I hope to get close enough to Radbourne to obtain news about Orelia. I don’t understand my feelings for the woman. One would think that after all this time the thought of her would not draw me so. Perhaps knowing she is well and happy will put my fears—and my unwanted emotions—to rest.

  Fergus and Morrigan have joined us on this raid. I admire Fergus and his easy way with Morrigan. She is strong enough to wield a sword, yet I have seen her defer to Fergus with charm and grace. This seems to be a match made in heaven.

  Heaven is much on my mind these days. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9 I want to believe that God will be there when I need him.

  DESPITE HER MISGIVINGS, Orelia did as Richard asked, clinging to his assurance that he would acknowledge Iain as John’s son and the rightful heir—in spite of Alice’s displeasure.

  Perhaps, in time, Alice’s health would return and her mind would be more stable. It was one thing to covet the title, a vastly different thing to actually inflict harm on a child to get it. Orelia had heard of such strange behavior before—it seemed to occur after childbirth in some women and was but a temporary condition. Once Alice had regained her health they could all live at Radbourne without the animosity and conflict her condition had wrought.

  But for now, Orelia felt a terrible sense of foreboding. An undercurrent of tension between Richard and Alice permeated the castle.