Chapter 10

"H ow on earth did you know where we were?" Brianna was surprised to find her parents in Tonbridge Castle's courtyard when she emerged from the stables.

"The moment Simon Deveril gave you safe escort here, he rode to Flamstead. We were about to return to Warwick when he brought us the disturbing news." Guy de Beauchamp enfolded his daughter in his arms.

Brianna looked up into his face and saw the concern written there. He really does love me deeply.

"Deveril assured us you and Isabelle and her other ladies were unharmed and safe here at Tonbridge, but we had to see for ourselves." Jory kissed her daughter with relief.

"Come, Isabelle will be so happy to see you." Brianna took her parents to the large solar where the queen was writing letters.

"Jory…my lord earl…the news of our ordeal has reached you."

The countess curtsied. "Your Grace, how are you faring?"

"Don't be formal with me, Jory. You are my dear friend. I was in deep shock when two of my grooms were killed before my eyes. We took sanctuary at Maidstone Priory, but your man Deveril suggested Tonbridge Castle would be more suited to our needs. I am most grateful to him."

Over the midday meal, Isabelle, Marie, and the other ladies recounted the events of the fateful afternoon at Leeds.

"As we crossed the Kent border, we encountered Pembroke and an exceedingly large army on their way to Leeds Castle." Warwick noted that though the Countess of Pembroke was elated at the news, Queen Isabelle appeared troubled.

After the meal, Jory took her daughter aside. "I don't suppose we can dissuade you from Isabelle's service, though that was your father's first protective instinct. At least we are satisfied you are in no danger. The entire country is ready to protect the queen."

"Thank you for understanding. Simon Deveril is a most competent guard."

"That's why your father chose him." Jory embraced her daughter. "We won't be with you on your birthday, but at least we know you will be warm." She took a parcel from her baggage.

Brianna opened it to reveal a sable cloak lined with blue velvet. "Oh, it's the loveliest thing I've ever seen." She put it on and pulled up the hood. "I adore beautiful clothes."

Jory winked. "Like mother, like daughter. Enjoy it, darling."

When her parents were ready to depart, Brianna accompanied them down to the courtyard. "Father, Isabelle voiced a secret fear to me that I realize she won't speak of in front of Marie or the others. She suspects Edward lied when he told her Leeds was hers again. She fears the king gave the guards orders to provoke the attack. I don't understand. Why would he do such a thing?"

Warwick's brows drew together. "Such a ploy would split the barons. Badlesmere threw in his lot with Lancaster and the Marcher lords. Most of the earls will take the queen's side. You have given me food for thought, Brianna. Don't fret, the queen is in no danger, though I can't say the same for the Badlesmeres or those who support them."

As Brianna waved farewell, she thought of the Mortimers. When Wolf Mortimer met Isabelle at Saint Albans she said, Please tell your father that the Queen of England will be forever in Roger Mortimer's debt. Yet Edmund is married to Elizabeth Badlesmere. I pray this trouble does not pit brother against brother. Brianna pictured Wolf Mortimer, and she shuddered. He would make a formidable enemy.

"Badlesmere is nowhere to be found. His men struck camp early this morning. Rumor has it there was trouble in Kent."

Roger Mortimer nodded at his lieutenant. "He's no doubt ridden to protect his castle of Leeds." He turned to Hereford. "I'll move farther south in case he needs backup. You need not come."

"We're in this together. There's power in numbers."

Mortimer returned to his tent. "Badlesmere has already left. Wolf, give orders to strike camp. We'll follow the River Thames south to Reading, skirt the Chilterns, and then ride east into Kent. It will take us a few days to get to Leeds Castle."

Wolf Mortimer gave Edmund a piercing glance, then left the tent.

"Father, the military captain who came to Leeds said the queen was seeking shelter. Lady Badlesmere didn't believe it and told him she had orders to permit no one to enter the castle."

"Maggie de Clare doesn't suffer fools gladly. Get some rest, Edmund. We'll be ready to ride in two or three hours."

"You are rather pensive today, my love." Guy de Beauchamp searched his wife's face as they rode side by side on their journey to Warwick. They had spent two days at Jory's Castle of Chertsey before they left for home, inspecting the size of the harvest to make sure the animals had adequate fodder for the coming winter. "Is it because you disagree with my decision to remain neutral and not join Pembroke?"

"If I disagreed with your decision, I would have opened my mouth and said so," Jory declared.

"Your brother Lynx rushed off to Kent to show his support for Queen Isabelle. Are you sure you're not angry with me?"

"Over the years I have learned to trust in your wisdom. You must have just cause for your decision."

"I pledged my word to the Marcher barons. I cannot go back on my word. Mortimer, Hereford, Lancaster, and I swore a bond to stick together. I would never break a pledge. It is a principle I live by and one I have taught my children."

Jory nodded. "We also have a bond of marriage with Mortimer and he has one with Badlesmere. Yet I know you support Queen Isabelle…Remaining neutral is the wisest course to take."

"When we get to Oxford, I'll meet with Mortimer."

An hour later, the Earl and Countess of Warwick saw a large force of fighting men moving toward them. "Hellfire, it looks like Mortimer is on the march. Unfurl our standard," he ordered.

Reading Abbey was nearby and Jory and her serving women went inside to refresh themselves while Warwick, Mortimer, and Hereford conversed in the walled courtyard.

"I'm eager for news. What has happened?" Roger asked.

"On Edward's orders, Pembroke took his large army into Kent and drew up his forces before Leeds Castle. The king has stirred up a vast amount of public support. Hundreds of Londoners, as well as men from the surrounding counties, have all surged into Kent. The earls of Arundel and Richmond, as well as Edward's half brothers, Edmund of Kent and Thomas of Norfolk, have joined Pembroke to avenge the insult and abuse of their queen."

Roger Mortimer's eyes narrowed. "Are you telling me Queen Isabelle truly was at Leeds and Maggie Badlesmere attacked her?"

"You didn't know?" Warwick asked.

"I thought it was merely rumor."

Warwick shook his head. "If you ride into Kent to support Badlesmere you will be defeated and likely charged with treason. The besieging forces must number close to thirty thousand. The entire country is eager to avenge their queen."

Hereford looked at Mortimer. "I warrant Lancaster won't defend Badlesmere against the queen."

Roger Mortimer said decisively, "Nor will I. Out of respect for Queen Isabelle, I won't go to relieve Leeds Castle."

"A wise decision. My brother-in-law Lynx de Warenne is among the thousands who have gathered in Kent, but I have chosen to return to Warwick."

Hereford went to give word to his lieutenants that they would go no farther.

Warwick drew Mortimer aside to impart a confidence. "My daughter was with the queen at Leeds. I rode to Tonbridge Castle, where they are now safely ensconced. Isabelle believes the military escort Edward provided had orders to deliberately provoke the attack on her party."

Mortimer's dark brows drew together. "A clever plan to split the barons. He cares little about Badlesmere. He's after us."

"The plan is too shrewd for Edward alone."

"Christ Almighty, Despencer must be secretly advising him!"

"Exactly. Leeds Castle cannot hold out much longer."

"My son's wife is there," Mortimer said with regret.

"Pembroke is in charge. He is too honorable to harm women."

Mortimer nodded. "I thank you for the news, my friend. We will make camp here and await events." Roger mounted his horse and went in search of his sons.

When he saw Edmund, he was out of the saddle in a flash. He raised his arm in fury and clubbed his son across the side of the head, felling him to the ground. "Whoreson! You knew the queen was at Leeds Castle."

He glanced up and saw Wolf striding across the grass. "Did you know about the queen?" he demanded.

"I did," Wolf said curtly, and braced himself for a blow.

Mortimer took a deep breath, though it did little to assuage his anger. "I won't strike you. Loyalty to your brother is obviously an honorable thing in your eyes." He looked at Edmund, still on the ground. "Where is your bloody loyalty?"

"His duty is to his wife. You cannot fault him for that."

"Can I not? His duty was to bring Elizabeth out of Leeds."

"She was terrified—she refused to leave," Edmund muttered.

" Refused? She's a woman, for Christ's sake! Wolf or I would have dragged her out by the bloody hair if necessary."

Edmund lowered his eyes as shame washed over him.

When King Edward realized the besieging forces surging headlong into Kent numbered close to thirty thousand, he rushed to Leeds Castle to take charge of the siege.

Maggie Badlesmere, badly shaken that her husband had not come to her defense, grew more frantic by the hour. As well as her children, including newly wed Elizabeth, Badlesmere's sister, and her son, Lord Burghersh, were inside the besieged castle. Since his brother had been appointed to the powerful bishopric of Lincoln by the king himself, Burghersh offered to negotiate terms with the Earl of Pembroke.

King Edward, suddenly power mad, refused to negotiate, and in early November, Leeds Castle surrendered. Edward exacted a savage vengeance. He ordered the constable and his twelve archers hanged before the castle gates. Then, over Pembroke's objection, he took Lady Badlesmere, her children, and the other family members into custody. He ordered that they be imprisoned at Dover Castle, whose impregnable walls were twenty feet thick.

The king issued a proclamation: I have made an example of Leeds Castle so that no one in future will dare to hold fortresses against me.

During the following week, all Badlesmere's castles surrendered to the king and the search was on for Lord Badlesmere, who had gone into hiding.

"A great cavalcade is approaching," Brianna announced. "Perhaps it is the Archbishop of Canterbury. The trumpets are sounding a fanfare."

Isabelle rushed to the tall windows of the solar. She and her ladies had been at Tonbridge Castle for more than a month and knew nothing of what had been happening outside its walls.

"It's the king." Isabelle made no effort to hide her disappointment.

Brianna also heard the note of trepidation in her voice. "Don't be intimidated, Isabelle. You should go down to greet him in the Great Hall. If he has to seek you out in the solar, it will look as if you are hiding. We will all remain with you when you receive him, Your Grace."

A half hour later, Queen Isabelle, looking both regal and serene, stood in the Great Hall. The light from the crackling fires in the hall's huge fireplaces reflected on the jewels hastily borrowed from her ladies.

Edward strutted in with a dozen attendants in tow. He beckoned the castle's steward. "Wine for everyone! I have vanquished my enemies and we will drink a toast to my great victory." It was the king's first military success since he had been crowned and he was intoxicated by it and swollen with pride.

Showing great poise, Isabelle bowed her head and her ladies went down in graceful curtsies. "I bid you welcome, Sire."

He spread his arms wide. "I have avenged the brutal assault on you, Isabelle. I have stripped Leeds Castle of anything of value, including its provisions, and I have brought them to lay at your feet in compensation for the vile ordeal you suffered there."

"Thank you, Sire." Isabelle's voice was calm, concealing her inner turmoil.

"When Leeds Castle surrendered, its ownership reverted to the Crown. It is my gift to you."

His attendants applauded his magnanimous gesture.

Not by word or look did Isabelle show the contempt she felt. He had given her Leeds Castle when it was not his to give. Now that it was his, she didn't want it.

"Where's that wine I ordered?" Edward demanded.

A dozen servants hurried into the hall bearing silver trays that held wine-filled crystal goblets, and cheers erupted from Edward's attendants.

"I'm going to faint," Isabelle whispered.

Brianna swept up a goblet of wine and pressed it into the queen's hand. "No, you must not !"

Isabelle took two quick gulps of wine and felt its restorative warmth seep along her veins. She drained the goblet and a red rose bloomed in her breast. It bolstered her confidence and she saw clearly that by the time dinner was served, Edward would be well into his cups, as indeed he was most nights.

That's when I'll ask him if I can return to Windsor because I want to be with the children. I haven't seen them for more than a month and I miss them sorely. If I ask when he is drunk, in front of his sycophantic attendants, he will not be able to deny himself the grandiose gesture of granting me my wish.

The following day, Walter Reynolds, the Archbishop of Canterbury, arrived at his castle of Tonbridge. He had more attendants in his entourage than King Edward.

The queen, with her ladies at her side, kissed the archbishop's ring. "Your Excellency, please accept my deep gratitude for the hospitality you have so generously provided to me, my ladies in waiting, and the people who serve me."

"I am honored that you chose Tonbridge Castle for sanctuary in your hour of need. It is a privilege indeed to offer my humble hospitality to the beloved Queen of England." Reynolds was well aware there was nothing humble about it. "Please stay as long as you desire…My castle is your castle."

The king replied for the queen. "Unfortunately, my wife must return to Windsor tomorrow. She has been away from the children for over a month. The Earl of Pembroke and the other nobles who gallantly rode into Kent on her behalf will assure her safe escort. I, however, intend to enjoy a visit with you here at Tonbridge. I never tire of looking at the treasures you have collected over the years."

Walter Reynolds knew immediately that Edward wanted something. He had been part of Prince Edward's household at Kings Langley when they were little more than boys, and he owed his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury to the king. He knew he would have to accommodate Edward, if he was to continue living in splendor.

Queen Isabelle's party left the next morning, and that night Edward closeted himself with Reynolds in his magnificent library.

"I want you to summon a convocation of the clergy to Saint Paul's Cathedral to formally annul the sentence of banishment on the Despencers."

"On what grounds could it be formally declared null and void, Your Grace?" Walter Reynolds asked carefully.

" You are the fucking Archbishop of Canterbury. I have every confidence that you will find just cause, Walter." Edward helped himself to his friend's imported French wine.

Reynolds steepled his fingers as his mind searched for a religious excuse that would hold water. Finally, he said, "The sentence of banishment could be annulled on the grounds that it did not have the unanimous support of the bishops."

"Brilliant!" Edward refilled the jewel-encrusted chalice and saluted his friend. "Waste no time. Summon them to Saint Paul's by the first of December. I'm sure I don't need to emphasize that until it is a fait accompli, I rely upon your discretion in this sensitive matter, Walter."

"I insist that you ride with your wife, Lord Pembroke. Marie has seen very little of you lately." Isabelle did not want to hear the gory details of the surrender of Leeds Castle. She was secretly appalled that Lady Badlesmere and her young family had been imprisoned and was tired of listening to Marie's righteous insistence that the harridan deserved to be hanged.

Before the queen's party left Kent, however, two more prominent earls, along with their forces, joined the entourage. Richmond and Arundel flanked Queen Isabelle and she graciously thanked them for their loyal support.

By the time they crossed into Surrey, the king's young half brothers, Kent and Norfolk, caught up with them and decided they too would travel to Windsor. Edmund, Earl of Kent, was attracted to the fair-haired, blue-eyed Marguerite Wake, and he maneuvered his mount so that he could ride between Marguerite and Brianna.

"Lady Marguerite, your ordeal at Leeds Castle must have been terrifying."

"Indeed it was, my lord earl. I would have been killed, if Lady Brianna had not snatched my palfrey's reins and forced her back down the causeway."

He turned to look more closely at Brianna and when he recognized her, his eyes widened. "Mistress de Beauchamp, I am delighted to see you back at the Queen's Court." He called to his brother, the Earl of Norfolk. "Tom, come and see who is here."

Norfolk joined them. "Brianna! I had no idea you were back at court. You have blossomed into a rare beauty."

"It's Lady Brianna, if you don't mind, and I can still beat you in a horse race," she teased.

The royal brothers grinned as their hot glances swept over the two ladies in waiting. "Christmas season at Windsor promises to be rather festive," the Earl of Norfolk remarked.

Brianna smiled her secret smile. I have given my heart to Lincoln Robert. Thomas of Norfolk will have to find another lady to amuse him when he learns I am betrothed.

Though the hour was late when Isabelle arrived back at Windsor, she could not resist visiting the nursery wing where her children had already been put to bed. It warmed Brianna's heart when young Prince John threw his arms about his mother and told her he had missed her. Little Eleanor was so excited she jumped up and down on her bed and giggled delightfully when Brianna told her she could jump better than a frog.

Isabelle kissed baby Joan gently. She was sound asleep and her mother did not want to disturb her.

As they left the nursery, Brianna saw the tears glistening in Isabelle's eyes. "Don't cry…They love you with all their hearts."

The nobles who had escorted Isabelle and her retinue back to Windsor Castle took up residence in the chambers that were always reserved for them. The Earl and Countess of Pembroke had a suite of rooms in the Round Tower and Marie had permission from Isabelle to withdraw with her husband for a few days.

When the king summoned Pembroke to Westminster, Marie rejoined Isabelle and the other ladies. She was eager to relate the things she had learned from her husband that the queen was unaware of.

"The Marcher barons left Oxford intending to support Badlesmere, but when Roger Mortimer learned about the attack on the queen, he sent a message to Pembroke pledging that out of respect for Queen Isabelle they would not go to the relief of Leeds Castle."

"Thank God Roger Mortimer is a man of honor. There could have been a terrible battle in Kent if he had brought his forces to aid Leeds Castle," Isabelle said with relief.

"Roger Mortimer's heir, Edmund, is wed to Elizabeth Badlesmere. Their loyalties must be torn." Brianna felt great empathy with the Mortimers. "It must have been a difficult decision to make."

"After the castle surrendered, Roger Mortimer sent another message from Reading offering to mediate for the prisoners, but Pembroke told me the king flatly refused his offer," Marie said.

Brianna was surprised to hear that Roger Mortimer and his forces were at Reading. That's only a dozen miles from here! Brianna pictured him as she had last seen him mounted on his black stallion, and it made her pulse race. Her thoughts gravitated to Wolf Mortimer and she wondered why she and the dark Borderer were always at odds when they encountered each other. The Welsh devil tries to goad me on purpose…and always manages to spark my anger. Brianna's innate honesty made her admit she did the same to him. I made a point of telling him I was betrothed to Lincoln Robert simply to annoy him. She sighed. It hadn't seemed to bother him in the least.

The nobles who were eager to show their loyalty to Queen Isabelle now congregated at Windsor Castle. Richmond, Arundel, and the other married earls were joined by their wives and daughters. In the evenings the Great Hall was filled with music and laughter, and after dinner there was dancing.

The queen and her ladies began to plan for the Christmas festivities, and Brianna was relieved that Isabelle looked happier. "Do you suppose the king will come to spend Christmas at Windsor?"

"Thank heavens, no!" Isabelle murmured. "He always celebrates the festive season at Kings Langley. It has become a tradition."

Brianna knew that Langley had been Prince Edward's residence when he was a youth and could only imagine the debauched atmosphere of the all-male household.

After dinner, the Earl of Richmond bowed to the queen and led her out in the dance. Edmund of Kent immediately asked Marguerite Wake to partner him, and his brother Norfolk managed to persuade Brianna to dance.

"Will you be spending Christmas at Windsor, my lord, or will you go with the king to Langley?"

Tom leaned down to speak in confidence. "Edward isn't going to Langley this year. Now that he has gathered such a large army, he intends to make full use of it. He is determined to reclaim his royal prerogative and deal with the barons who rebelled against him and defied him."

Brianna's heart leaped into her throat. She lowered her lashes so that Norfolk could not see her alarm. Does he mean Lancaster? Nay, Thomas is the king's cousin and has royal blood. Edward is going to seek revenge against Roger Mortimer, who led the rebellion! His punishment will be terrible—he will have no mercy.