Chapter 23

"Jory, you look radiant." Jane, who had been standing beside Lynx to welcome the Earl and Countess of Warwick to Hedingham, ran down the castle steps in her eagerness to greet her dearest friend. "'Tis obvious that marriage agrees with you." Jane watched avidly as Guy de Beauchamp lifted his wife from the saddle. Pride and love were etched in his face and, Jane also discerned, more than a touch of possessiveness.

The women embraced each other. "Jane, you are absolutely blooming. We brought you a gift." She took the reins of the white palfrey and led it forward. "It was Warwick's idea."

"Oh, she is a rare beauty. I thank you both with all my heart." Jane fondled the animal's nose and whispered something in her ear. "There isn't a chance in the world that Lynx will allow me to ride her now that I am starting my seventh month, but that will give us time to form an inseparable bond with each other."

Lynx joined them and shook hands with Guy. "Welcome to Hedingham. The gift for my wife is most generous of you." He took the palfrey's reins. "Come, I'll show you where you can stable your mounts. Then it will be the dinner hour. My wife is eager to show off her newly acquired skills as chatelaine, and we dare not be late for the meal." He winked. "You know how fiery redheads can be." Lynx beckoned a squire and asked him to show the Warwick knights to their sleeping quarters.

When the two men were alone, Guy asked, "How is John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, faring?"

"Thank you for your concern. His health is much improved."

When Lynx offered nothing more, Warwick abandoned subtlety. "Surrey turned his forces over to Pembroke and now the king has made the earl head general of the army."

"Since Pembroke now commands the most fighting men, John and I expected him to be made head general."

"Did you also expect the king to order the army north?"

"What you are really asking is: Did I know that the Bruce intended to seize the Crown of Scotland?"

"Did you?" Warwick asked bluntly.

"Bruce, Earl of Carrick, is the rightful King of Scotland."

"Your answer tells me that you were expecting it."

"I was, though it came as a shock to Edward Plantagenet. He thought he had conquered the Scots and all he had left to do was appoint English administrators to run the country. As well as fighting in Scotland, I garrisoned a castle for over two years and know the Scots will never bend the knee to Edward Plantagenet. What he did to Wallace will only make them more determined."

"When Edward calls his barons to war, as he assuredly will, I would like to know who will answer the call and who will refuse before I make my own decision," Warwick declared.

"Well, I can tell you flatly that Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, will refuse. When my first wife, Sylvia, died leaving him without heirs, the king declared that the Crown would claim the marshal's landholdings upon his death. On the other hand, I warrant that John de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, and his son, Henry, will answer the king's call to war. He takes his post as England's constable seriously and wants to pass it down to his son and heir."

Warwick nodded. "Will you answer Edward's call to arms?"

"Like you, I would prefer to know what the other barons will do before I make my decision. I am inclined to refuse, since I know it's a losing proposition, but His Majesty can be vindictive and I have a wife, a son, and another child on the way. In the end I will do what is expedient, as I am sure you will, Warwick."

"You may depend upon it. Shall we join the ladies?"

In Hedingham's Great Hall Warwick saw that Jory had changed her riding outfit for a gown of deep violet with a low-cut décolletage to show off her jewels. Her head was uncovered and her silver-gilt hair whispered about her shoulders in a most enticing way. His wife looked dazzling and he saw that he wasn't the only one to notice. He watched closely as she kissed one knight on the cheek and moved into the embrace of another handsome young devil. He strode over so that she would introduce her admirers. His gut knotted. If one of these swines is Robert, he's a dead man!

"Ah, Warwick my love, may I present my brother's squires, Taffy and Thomas? They have always been extremely protective of me."

With difficulty, Warwick managed to be civil to the pair. As he led his wife to the dais, she stopped to greet and bestow her smiles on so many of her brother's men-at-arms that he was grinding his teeth by the time they reached their seats. He made an effort to curb his jealousy and told himself that he had better get used to it—Jory was always at her loveliest when surrounded by admirers. "It appears that every de Warenne male has lost his heart to you, my beauty."

"They are just being polite. To a man, I warrant they have transferred their affection to Lynx's beauteous wife, Jane."

He glanced down at Jane, who sat next to him, and said gallantly, "Lady de Warenne, you grace your husband's hall with your beauty and warmth. He is a very lucky man."

Jane's face glowed. "Jory warned me about your fatal French charm, Lord Warwick."

Jory leaned forward. "Don't tell him that, Jane. His head will swell, not to mention other parts of his anatomy."

"Oh, how I've missed your saucy lessons." She smiled at Warwick. "Your wife taught me the art of seduction. She knows everything there is to know about men and how to manipulate them."

"Indeed?"

Jory's eyes met her husband's and she tried to hide her dismay. "Jane was unbelievably innocent and unworldly."

"Desirable qualities in a bride."

Jory's dismay deepened. Need he point out that she had been neither innocent nor unworldly? She found the courage to answer his words with a jibe. "Warwick's an expert on brides," Jory said solemnly and saw the corner of his mouth twitch with amusement.

Over his wife's head, Lynx looked at Guy with commiseration. "I don't envy you the taming of her."

Jory smiled serenely. "Warwick wouldn't want me any other way."

Guy captured his wife's hand under cover of the table. "That's true, chéri," he murmured.

Jane's hand went to her belly. "Oh, my baby is kicking again."

Guy smiled down at her. "Are you hoping for another boy?"

"I am hoping for a girl this time, my lord."

"That is exactly what my wife is hoping for," he confided.

"Jory, you are having a baby? Why didn't you tell us?"

Jory blushed. "I didn't want to be the center of attention."

Lynx choked on his ale. "You may be able to delude yourself, Minx, but we know better. Congratulations, Warwick. You already have a son, but I despaired of having a child until I met Jane."

Jory squeezed her husband's hand, silently thanking him for making it seem the most natural thing in the world that she was with child. I feel so blessed to have this man. She smiled at Jane. "Now it will be your turn to give me lessons. May I help with the wee lordling's bath in the morning?"

"If you can pry him from his nurse. Grace Murray rules the nursery here at Hedingham, as she did at Dumfries."

"I'm familiar with Edinburgh and Stirling, but not Dumfries," Guy remarked casually. "Is Dumfries Castle in the dales?"

"Yes, it is in Annandale…much wilder countryside than here, but it will always hold a place in my heart," Jane confided.

Annandale is Bruce territory. It is no coincidence that Lynx de Warenne garrisoned a castle there.

Before he retired, Warwick spoke with his knights. "What were you able to learn about the time they spent in Scotland?"

"Because de Warenne's uncle was governor, they were called on to fight in the front lines and chase down Baliol until the wily devil was captured. They said de Warenne persuaded the Bruce to fight on the side of the English many times, though he and his men were reluctant. The Bruce brothers often visited Dumfries, the castle de Warenne garrisoned. During the time de Warenne was recovering from his near-fatal wound, the visits increased. They became thick as thieves and even spent last yuletide together."

Warwick nodded. "Keep your ears open. Good night."

Next morning, Jory was up with the lark. "I'm off for some baby talk with Jane and her ladies. My nephew is the most beautiful child in the world—I can't wait to see how he's grown."

Guy touched her face with the back of his fingers. "Your cheeks have the soft bloom of rose petals this morning. It does me good to see you so happy."

"Thanks to you. All my apprehension about revealing my secret has melted away. You have turned what could have been the most difficult time in my life to the happiest. You are my magic man."

Guy breakfasted in the Great Hall with Lynx and the de Warenne men-at-arms. Then Lynx took him to the castle's armory, where the blacksmiths were forging small metal links into chain mail shirts that were much more flexible than breastplates. When Guy admired them, Lynx made him a present of one.

As Warwick mingled with the de Warenne knights he found himself paying close attention to the names of those who were young and handsome. There was Giles, Bernard, Royce, and Harry, but as far as he could tell, none seemed to be named Robert.

They emerged from the armory into the bailey and saw a tall knight ride in with his squire.

"I don't recognize him," Lynx remarked to Warwick.

"I do," Guy replied. "It's Ralph Monthermer, who became Earl of Gloucester when he wed Princess Joanna." Warwick had met his friend Gilbert de Clare's first lieutenant many times over the years. "He's a good man."

Ralph dismounted and his squire took his horse. Guy greeted him warmly and introduced him to Lynx de Warenne.

"I have a message from His Majesty for you, Lord de Warenne, but I didn't know you would be here too, Lord Warwick. I shall kill two crows with one stone since the king's message is intended for all his premier barons."

Guy and Lynx exchanged a knowing glance. The call to arms had come sooner than either had expected.

"Come into the hall and refresh yourself, Gloucester. Did you ride in from London or Windsor?"

"Neither. King Edward is at my castle of Hertford. He summoned me to bring a force of fighting men from Gloucester."

They took Monthermer to the hall, and the three men were enjoying tankards of ale when Jory arrived on the scene.

"Ralph! Is that you? Oh, I cannot believe it!" She ran to him and the two friends embraced each other. "Are you at your castle of Hertford? Is Joanna with you?"

Warwick slanted a dark brow. "Is there no end to your conquests, chéri?"

Lynx threw him a wry glance. "I'm afraid there isn't."

"Yes, Lady Marjory, Joanna is at Hertford, as is her father," Ralph Monthermer confirmed.

"How wonderful! Will you take me to visit her, Guy? Hertford is within spitting distance," Jory declared.

Ralph looked from Jory to Guy de Beauchamp with speculation.

"I'm the Countess of Warwick. I wrote and told Joanna but sent the letter to Gloucester Castle. Oh what fun…I shall be able to tell her in person. Is baby Margaret well?"

"She is a baby no longer, my lady." Ralph grinned. "I congratulate you on your marriage, Lord Warwick. You must be the envy of every man in England."

Jory gifted him with a radiant smile. "How soon can we go?"

"Since King Edward has summoned our presence, we had best go today." Guy looked at Lynx for confirmation. "The sooner we get it over with the better, I warrant."

Jory glanced quickly at Guy and then Lynx. Stop worrying. They'll both refuse the king's call to arms to fight in Scotland.

"I shall go up and pack immediately. We can leave after lunch. Do you think Jane would like to come with us, Lynx?"

"I'll ask her, but I doubt she would enjoy a visit with the royal Plantagenets."

A few hours later, as everyone assembled in the hall for the midday meal, Jane brought her son to show him off to the guests. "He has his father's long legs and has begun to walk by himself," his mother told Guy proudly.

The boy staggered a few steps toward Warwick, who bent and picked him up. The laughing child immediately grabbed a fistful of Guy de Beauchamp's long black hair and chortled with glee.

"No, Lincoln Robert, that's naughty," Jane scolded. "I'm so sorry, Lord Warwick. His father encourages his antics."

"He's a strong, handsome lad." Guy asked casually, "Named Lincoln after his father, and Robert after a valiant de Warenne knight perhaps?"

"Nay, my lord. He's named after his godfather, Robert Bruce." She took her son from Guy de Beauchamp's arms and turned to see Jory enter the hall. "Here comes your beautiful godmother."

Warwick stood rooted to the spot. Holy Christ, is it possible her lover was Robert Bruce? He felt as if a boulder had smashed into his solar plexus. He stared at his wife. In the azure riding dress with her lovely hair billowing about her shoulders, she was exquisitely tempting. No man could see her and not want her. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Robert Bruce was the whoreson who had seduced her. How could I have been so fucking blind and obtuse? He closed his eyes and saw a sea of dark crimson red. Warwick knew it was bloodlust.

The ride to Hertford Castle took little more than an hour. Jory rode beside Ralph Monthermer, who answered all her questions about Joanna and Margaret. She was completely unaware that Warwick, flanked by his two knights, rode in aloof silence totally immersed in his own private torment.

Raging jealousy almost consumed him. Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, was in his prime, no more than twenty-three years old, the exact same age as Jory. Moreover, he was now a king no less; apparently an exceedingly virile king, who had planted his seed without thought, then abandoned the lady shamelessly because of his driving ambition for a crown. I'll kill the whoreson!

They arrived at the castle, and Ralph helped Lady Marjory from the saddle. Filled with excitement, she lifted the hem of her riding dress and rushed inside to surprise Joanna. A servant directed her to a private walled garden, and as she stood on the steps that led out to a green lawn with a splashing fountain, she saw four ladies playing ball with a little girl, who could only be Margaret of Gloucester. The ball rolled toward her and she scooped it up and tossed it back to them.

"Jory?" Joanna shaded her eyes. "Yes, it is Jory!" She hurried across the lawn with open arms. "I thought you had dropped off the face of the earth." She embraced her friend, then stepped back to observe her from head to toe. "My God, I once predicted that someday you would exude sensuality and, lo and behold, that day has arrived."

"Oh, Joanna, it's so good to see you again and know that you still say exactly what you think."

"I warrant such a transformation must be the result of exploring and indulging your sexuality to the fullest. I cannot wait to hear all the details. Eleanor de Leyburn and Maud Clifford will be grass green with envy."

"Eleanor, Maud, how wonderful it is to see you both again."

"Jory, you look radiant," Eleanor declared.

"How do you always manage to look so elegant?" Maud asked.

The little girl ran up to her. "Are you an angel?"

Joanna hooted. "She does have angel tresses, but the resemblance stops there, poppet!" She took her daughter's hand. "It's been so long, I don't think Margaret remembers you, Jory."

"I remember you, Margaret. How could I forget the prettiest girl in the world?" She still has the dear little freckles.

Joanna turned and motioned for the other female in their group to come forward. "This is Catherine, youngest sister of Roger Mortimer, whom I'm sure you must remember."

"Of course I remember. We attended his wedding at Wigmore. I'm delighted to meet you, Catherine." Her dark beauty is entrancing. She is so young and vividly lovely, I'm surprised Joanna doesn't resent her.

"I remember you from the wedding, Lady Marjory. I was only ten at the time and completely in awe of you."

"Out with it, Jory de Warenne, you are fairly bursting to tell us your news," Joanna guessed shrewdly.

"My name is no longer de Warenne, nor de Bohun. I happen to be Marjory de Beauchamp!"

Joanna's jaw dropped. "Well, I'll be damned. I warrant the infamous Earl of Warwick is the source of your ripe sensuality."

Jory smiled. "If I look ripe, it is because I'm with child."

"At long last, you are getting your heart's desire for a child of your own. Marjory, I am so happy for you."

Catherine gazed at Jory with disbelief, and then she blushed profusely and lowered her lashes. "Is the Earl of Warwick with you today, my lady?"

Jory was slightly puzzled. The young lady looked lovestruck. "Do you know my husband, Catherine?"

"Oh no…I know his son, Sir Rickard de Beauchamp," she said breathlessly. "I met him at Westminster when he was being knighted along with my brother Roger and Prince Edward."

"Ah, you must guard your heart, Catherine. The de Beauchamp men have a fatal French charm that make them irresistible."

"Come, I have just the tower chamber to accommodate the Earl and Countess of Warwick," Joanna declared. "I warrant you have a mountain of luggage and I want to see every elegant garment. Catherine, gather some of those fragrant damask roses for milady's chamber."

When they entered the castle, Joanna dispatched a servant to locate the Warwicks' trunks and deliver them to the guest tower.

As they climbed the tower stairs Jory and Joanna each took one of Margaret's hands to help the four-year-old and all three took delight in counting the steps. "One two, buckle my shoe."

At the top of the steps, Joanna ordered, "Close your eyes." She glanced at Jory to make sure she complied. "Now…open!"

"Oh, my beautiful black swan bathing tub! You brought it from Gloucester Castle just for me."

"Well, not exactly. I had every intention of stealing it for my own use, but with my black hair and dark skin it made me look like a hideous Medusa."

The marble swan sat in a corner of the tower room beside a stone fireplace. The wide bed had royal purple curtains and the walls were covered with rich tapestries that depicted naked nymphs in various wooded settings. "This chamber is rather sybaritic—ideal for you and that dark virile earl you wed, I warrant."

Catherine put the damask roses in a vase beside the bed and their fragrant scent filled the air.

"I shall bathe in my decadent black swan tonight before I retire with the infamous devil. I've quite made up my mind!"