Richard sat back, crossing his arms his blue eyes ran over Broderick as he sat back and pondered his answer. “Is she with child?” He asked, his agitation beginning to wan as his face softened after asking the blunt question.
“I certainly hope so.” Broderick replied, smirking at his king with a knowing smile.
With his arms still crossed, King Richard leaned forward and gravely asked, “Would you care to explain why you did not seek my permission to marry her?”
Leaning forward to meet the king’s ice-cold gaze and posture, “I was not aware I required your permission to marry.” Broderick could feel the tension rise as the king slowly unwound his arms and placed them on the table, cocking his head to the right.
“She did not tell you, did she?” Richard asked, his voice low and warning, a mysterious smile crept upon his face.
“Before coming, my wife informed me she made a promise to you, a vow. A vow she could not tell me, she begged me to understand. She hoped that you would share the information as she was unable to disclose it to me. She sent me with a letter for you.” He admitted with arrogance, he knew Richard was searching for information. He saw the King of England soften when he mentioned the word wife. Richard’s reaction intrigued him, instead of sitting on the letter; Broderick let his hand be known. He was very curious as to what his little wife could say to sway such a notoriously hotheaded ruler like Richard.
“Where is it Broderick?” Richard asked, sitting up straighter.
“She said I was to give it to you in the event our meeting turned sour, curious, isn’t it? What would my wife have to say to you, our King that would ever sway your mind?” He speculated. He was determined to figure out the secret, come hell or high water.
Sitting back, Richard rubbed his hands as he looked at Broderick. “Let me read her letter, and I will tell you.” He countered; sitting back he extended his hand, waiting for the letter.
Broderick handed the letter to his liege and watched him open it; the King’s eyes read the short note. Broderick noticed a smirk upon Richard’s face as he finished the letter. It made him extremely curious to read what Elisabeth had wrote the most powerful ruler in the world.
King Richard looked up from the parchment and continued to smile as he explained, “Your wife, the lovely Elisabeth is my cousin. She is the hidden heir to my throne. You married my heir Broderick; you married the potential future Queen of England. If I die before siring my own heir, my country and my throne are hers. The only other people who knew, perished when the Douglas clan attacked that night, Elisabeth and I are the only ones who know, save the Church records.”
Broderick’s jaw dropped; never had he imagined such shocking news. He understood immediately. He understood the secrecy; he understood why his wife could not tell him. He understood so much.
“She was sworn to secrecy of our blood connection her entire life, with Duncan dead, she is my sole heir. Years ago her father and I attempted to explain that her husband would be selected for her due to being a royal heir. Obviously, you know her, and her attitude; she would have none of it. King or not, she told me to kiss her arse. It has always been one of the reasons she is my favorite, I admire her spirit.”
“She told me she won an archery bet with her father for the right to choose her husband, she never mentioned you.” Broderick offered, reeling at the information his liege had just shared.
Nodding in agreement, “Aye she did, she won the bet from both of us, which was the second part of her secret she could not tell you. She challenged both her father and me to produce our best archers, and if we won, she would accept the husband we would choose for her.” Richard leaned forward and handed the letter to him so he could read it, adding, “She beat our archers easily, we were honor bound to allow her to choose her own husband on her own time. It appears she made a fine choice, I approve of your marriage to my beautiful cousin Broderick, as it appears she is in love with you. I could not be happier with her choice of a husband, or that the woman finally found love.”
Grinning, Broderick took the letter from his liege and read the short missive.
My most beloved King Richard,
Before you is the man I have rightfully chosen as my husband.
I beg you to honor our marriage and to approve of my husband, there is no one more suited to be at my side than Broderick.
I love him with everything that I am.
In blood, forever
Elisabeth Rosslyn MacMillan
“She has chosen well Broderick, even without her letter I would have still approved of you. Knowing that she is happy makes me pleased. I will charge you with her protection and well-being, should you fail, you will answer directly to me, is that understood?” Richard asked.
“Aye, but if you would have approved anyway, why did you call me to you in the middle of winter?”
Clearing his throat, “I needed you to know of her connection to the crown, it is vital that you knew, something I could not send by messenger in the event the letter was stolen. I always knew she would never divulge that secret, she is far too loyal. Now that you are her husband, I knew I had to tell you. Also, I needed to see what you planned to do about Kincaid. Laird Douglas must be dealt with, I would rather my army stay out of it so I can appear impartial. Elisabeth’s mother was my Aunt; I want revenge for Elisabeth and her family.”
Hearing the inflection of emotion in Richard’s voice, Broderick replied, “I left my brother and Elisabeth to plan our attack on the Douglas lands upon my return. We plan to leave as soon as the thaw gives way. The icy grip of winter has delayed taking my army south, but vengeance has always been at the forefront of our minds.” He answered honestly, around them servants began to deliver trays of fresh sweet breads and warm food fresh from the kitchen.
“Eat Broderick, and let us talk. We have much to discuss you and I, for you are married to my little cousin, I have much to tell you.”
The following days Broderick and King Richard talked over politics and the future of Scotland. Although Broderick wanted nothing more than to head home, he knew his time with the powerful ruler was important and vital to his future as well. He was intelligent enough to know not to rush his liege; he bid his time carefully as he shadowed the ruler during his time at Inverness. His wife was the potential future Queen of England; he needed to know everything King Richard had to share.
During his time with the powerful ruler, he was updated on the current most happenings Richard had privy to. King Richard asked his opinion on many matters in both England and Scotland. It was a very insightful and intriguing week he spent with his liege. At the end of a long week, eventually King Richard gave him permission to head north to Castle MacMillan. He had now been away a full fortnight before finally preparing his men for the trip north to his lands. By the time they made it home, it would almost be a month he was away from his wife.
Broderick and his men bid farewell to King Richard and rode hard out of Inverness and into the frozen abyss towards Castle MacMillan. All were ready to be home, none more than Broderick.
Chapter 15
Elisabeth had felt Broderick’s absence take a toll on her. She was lethargic and moody, something she had never experienced before. Her emotions had begun to run rampant as she worried about her husband. The lack of sleep was apparent on her face. Everyone was worried about her, which irritated her even more. She had never felt so unlike a warrior in her life. Warriors’ dinnae cry this often.
Kendrix had continually assured her that the earliest he expected Broderick home would be within the week. It seemed like forever to her. No messenger had arrived to tell her Broderick had gotten to Inverness safely, surely Broderick would have sent a messenger? Kendrix once again assured her that Broderick had never had to send notice back to his castle, he was used to traveling with anyone he needed to converse with. He continually calmed her upset as each day passed. She was sure Kendrix was getting quite annoyed with her daily hysterics, even though he did tend to laugh at he
r more than he ought. Always in fun, he had begun to tease her like a normal older brother would.
Waking up early as usual from a restless night of sleep, Elisabeth prepared to take the hounds outside so they could relieve themselves and run before she trained with the warriors. She hadn’t felt well the past week; a wave of dizziness rocked her as she walked towards the door. Clinging to the doorframe, the room spun as she blinked, shaking her head she gave herself time to adjust. Sighing, she walked over to her wardrobe slowly and donned fresh tights, a warm gown and wrapped her fur securely around her shoulders. Stepping into her new boots that required no lacing, she called the hounds and unlocked the door before throwing it wide.
Walking out of her door, she noticed a letter lying on the cold stone floor in the hallway outside her door. The hounds ran past her down the stairs as she bent down to pick up the letter, curious who left the letter there she scowled. Tucking it in her belt, she followed after the hounds, shutting and locking her door behind her.
Since Broderick’s absence, she made a habit to lock their rooms when away.
The mysterious letter had no name upon the front; searching for Kendrix she opened the front doors and let the hounds run around the bailey. The cold winter air greeted her as it did every morning. The courtyard glistened with a fresh layer of ice from the night storm. Walking down the front stairs she made her way to the stables, it was where Kendrix could normally be found before early morning drills.
The castle bailey was still quiet, the sun had just risen and many were still asleep. Crossing the snow covered courtyard she gingerly made her way to the busy stable yard. Her arms wrapped around her for warmth. She watched as her burly hounds ran and played with each other, thoroughly enjoying their morning run. Spying Kendrix talking to the patrol guards, she waved to him as he spotted her as she drew near.
“Good morrow Sister, what pray tell brings you out so early this cold winter morning?”
Pulling the letter from her belt, she held it up for Kendrix to see with a questioning glance, “This letter was outside my door, do you have any knowledge of this?” She asked.
“Nae Sister, shall we see what it says?” Crossing his arms, his face turned serious as he realized someone had delivered her another missive. She heard him sigh in discontent as she lowered her eyes to the letter. Breaking the seal, Elisabeth opened the missive and recognized the familiar script once again. Kincaid struck again.
“Tis from Kincaid.” She muttered as she read his vile words.
“How and the hell does he get his communications through our defenses? What are we missing? What does the letter say Elisabeth?” Kendrix asked, around them the stable hands continued to work.
“Another threat, he knows Broderick isn’t here. He’s trying to scare me. How did this happen again?” She asked, looking up at Kendrix, the paper shaking in her hand.
“I know not Sister, but I will find out, never fear.” Snatching the letter from her hands, Kendrix read the missive.
Elisabeth,
I am coming for you.
Kincaid
Watching Kendrix’s face distort in anger, she quickly proposed, “Have the guards doubled, I will go speak with Rhona to see if she saw anyone traveling the tower stairs, I’ll go check on Isobel. I’ll see you in a while for drills.” Turning to go, she heard him ask a question that stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Are you okay Elisabeth? You do not look well.”
Turning, attempting a brave smile she nodded, “I miss your brother, I have not slept well since he’s been gone.”
Kendrix simply nodded at his little sister and watched her walk back to the castle. The past week she had greatly deteriorated, however it wasn’t all impart to his brother being gone. He would bet his life that she was with child. She had the same signs his late wife had when pregnant with Isobel. He had yet to ask her, he wasn’t sure she was even aware. Before Broderick left, he had divulged to Kendrix that he thought Elisabeth might be with child. He had asked Kendrix to keep watch for the signs, and if necessary, prevent her from getting hurt. He knew she couldn’t have been very far along, as her stomach was still as flat as the day he first met her, but her fatigue was most apparent. True, she probably did have sleepless nights without Broderick, but he had noticed subtle changes in her through the past weeks. She was off, nothing substantial, but to the trained eye, he saw the difference in her.
Each day, Kendrix waited for Elisabeth to realize she was with child, and as each day came, so it went. He could tell she was clueless of her condition, Rhona refused to say anything. Which left the task to him, within the following weeks they would ride to Douglas land, with Elisabeth carrying the heir to Clan MacMillan, she would be forbidden to ride. The sooner she came to terms with it the better.
Days later he saw The Warrior Queen reemerge from her docile state.
On his way to Broderick’s study in the north tower he heard a commotion ensuing in the kitchens, screams could be heard echoing the cold halls. Women yelling, and a blood-curdling scream penetrated the walls of the castle.
Running towards the screaming, he stopped dead in his tracks as he ran into the kitchen, Elisabeth had her lethally sharp dagger held to Siobhan’s neck as Isobel was holding her eye crying. Pinning Siobhan against the wall of the kitchen, Elisabeth’s voice rang with imminent danger. Watching the scene before him, he took quick stock of the situation.
“You were warned you bloody bitch, how dare you hit my niece!” Elisabeth’s voice was eerily calm as she held her dagger upon Siobhan’s throbbing neck.
“She’s not innocent, she’s a brat! Get that damn knife away from me ye whore!” Siobhan shrieked, desperately trying to move from Elisabeth’s vice like grip with little results.
“YOU DID WHAT?” Kendrix’s voice boomed throughout the small kitchen, demanding everyone’s attention.
Turning her head to see Kendrix, Elisabeth offered bitterly, “I walked in to see her backhanding your daughter!” She continued to keep her blade pressed against Siobhan’s throat as she watched the younger MacMillan brother approach.
Walking across the stone floor, Kendrix eyed the women as he came up flush with Elisabeth, “Gather your belongings Siobhan, you are officially exiled from this clan. Go find a new home, you are no longer welcome here!”
Gasping at the harsh punishment, “You cannae do that Kendrix, this is my home! Only the Laird can banish me!” She explained righteously struggling against Elisabeth’s tight grip.
Turning around to eye his sniffling young daughter, “Isobel, go find Rhona and stay with her until I find you, now!” He barked, watching her flee at his order.
Elisabeth still held her dagger securely against Siobhan’s throat waiting for Kendrix’s next order.
“Slit her throat Elisabeth, if she willnae leave, she will die.” His voice was ice cold as he made his point very clear.
“I will go, Jesu, I will go Kendrix! Dinnae kill me!” She started to sob as Elisabeth pressed her sharp dagger closer to the pulsing vein in her neck.
Upon hearing Siobhan’s surrender, Elisabeth lowered her weapon, sheathing it in her belt and took a step back. “You have less than an hour to vacate my lands, if you are ever seen here again, death will be swiftly delivered, am I understood Siobhan?” Elisabeth questioned, her voice matched Kendrix tone perfectly. In Broderick’s absence, she made the punishment for returning to these lands significant enough so there was no mistake.
Squinting her eyes in hatred, Siobhan spat a bitter rebuttal, “These are not your lands you bitch. You will pay for what you have done! You will pay!” She screamed the last part as she ran off towards the exit.
Elisabeth was certain Siobhan had been behind the poisoning, and the delivery of Kincaid’s letters, she just didn’t have solid proof. Her senses prickled every time that woman was around. Seeing her smack Isobel earlier had made her see red, before she knew it she had crossed the room and had Siobhan by the throat. Siobhan was very lucky she wasn’t de
ad; she wanted nothing more than to end her life.
Beside her she heard Kendrix’s deep voice, “I will see that she is gone within the hour Sister, thank you for protecting my daughter once again. I am happy to see that evil bitch leave these lands, our drills will be pushed back so that I can see her off these lands personally.”
Elisabeth had never seen Kendrix so riled before. He gave no quarter to Siobhan; she had been dealt with accordingly. Siobhan’s exile suited Elisabeth perfectly, the woman was a snake, and she was pleased with Kendrix’s decision.
Sighing deeply she turned to leave, “I will go find Rhona and Isobel. Please make sure that Siobhan’s family understands why their daughter is being exiled. I want no problems with them, if they take issue, they can leave along with their wicked daughter.” She locked eyes with Kendrix, silently wondering if he would challenge her decree.
“Agreed Sister, I will see it done.” He nodded and turned in search of the newly exiled Siobhan.
The exile of Siobhan swept through the clan like wildfire, within the hour the entire MacMillan clan had heard the story of Siobhan striking Kendrix’s daughter. All were appalled. Not one person, even Siobhan’s family spoke on her behalf, it was clear that Siobhan was barely tolerated on these lands for years. Over the passing weeks, Siobhan’s treatment of anyone in her path was abhorrent. The elders of the clan had scorned her time and time again, yet he snubbed her nose at them. She had cause chaos whenever she could, she was toxic, and the MacMillan clan was elated to see her finally be gone.
It didn’t take long for the bailey to become filled with hundreds upon hundreds of kilted clans people to watch the exile of Siobhan Murray. Standing next to Kendrix on the castle stairs, Elisabeth’s stomach was rolling. The thought of sending an unprotected woman into the wintery abyss made her sick. With the winter still upon them, Siobhan would have to ride for days upon days before she found another living soul to beg shelter. Elisabeth reminded herself of the grievous assaults that Siobhan had taken on her, and Isobel. She knew in her heart that Siobhan was the one communicating with Kincaid.
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