Chapter 23

"S imon, may I trouble you to take this letter to Hedingham for me? The de Warennes invited me to sail with them to Scotland and coward that I am, I find it easier to make my excuses in a letter than in person."

"It's no trouble, Lady Brianna. The weather is lovely and I fancy a ride."

"Good. I have every intention of riding to Warwick soon." Brianna's anger and pain had not lessened one whit after she returned to Windsor, and she knew she would find no peace until she journeyed to Warwick and confronted her parents.

When Brianna asked Isabelle for permission to go home for a visit, the queen gave her consent. "I shall try to manage without you. After all, if you had gone to Scotland with your betrothed, your absence from Windsor would have been far longer."

Brianna began to pack. It was a seventy-mile ride to Warwick and would take three days. When Simon Deveril returned, it would take him only a day to ready himself and the horses.

Simon brought her two letters from Hedingham. She opened the one from Lincoln Robert first.

My Dearest Brianna:

I regret that you are not coming to Scotland, but hope the time apart will allow you to reflect upon your foolish decision to break our betrothal. Our families have set their hearts on this marriage and it would be both cruel and selfish to disappoint them. I feel confident that by the time I return, you will have changed your mind.

Fondest regards,

Lincoln Robert de Warenne.

She sighed, well aware that she was cruel and selfish without being told by Lincoln. She opened the letter from Jane.

Darling Brianna:

I am so sorry that your duty to Queen Isabelle prevents you from sailing to Scotland with us. I will miss you sorely, as will Lincoln Robert. As soon as I learned about Lynx being asked to negotiate a truce with Robert Bruce, enabling me to visit my family at Dumfries, I dispatched a letter to your mother telling her that you were coming with us to Scotland. Perhaps you could let her know you were unable to join us.

I am so excited and happy about this visit. For me, it is like a dream come true. I intend to enjoy every moment.

All my love,

Jane de Warenne.

Though Jane was the Countess of Surrey, Brianna noted that she did not use her title to sign her letter. Jane is so unpretentious. I'm glad I kept the news from her about breaking my betrothal. It would have ruined her visit.

As prearranged, Wolf Mortimer met up with his brother, Edmund, the de Bohun brothers, and Adam Orleton in Hereford. Because Orleton was the Bishop of Hereford, it was a safe haven where they could rendezvous.

Since Wolf was usually aware of impending danger, he had deliberately chosen to recruit in the Welsh Marches. He rode at night, often following the royal troops who had been sent to search for and capture his father. Though Edward had given Despencer title to the lands of Mortimer, d'Amory, and Audley, Wolf Mortimer recruited the people who inhabited those lands to secretly pledge their support for Roger Mortimer.

"I also have pledges from Chepstow, Usk, Raglan, Clifford, and Hay," Wolf said with a grin. "I'm working my way north. I'll be visiting our own castles of Wigmore and Ludlow tomorrow."

Edmund shook his head in wonder at his brother's reckless daring. "I believe I have persuaded Aylesbury and Woodstock."

John de Bohun had pledges from Tewksbury and Gloucester, and his brother, Humphrey, had recruited Dorchester and Oxford. Next they intended to recruit in Cambridge, a strategic city, and then secretly contact nobles along the east coast.

"A remarkable achievement for only one month," Orleton praised. "I have been in communication with the bishops of Bath, Lincoln, Norwich, and Winchester. All condemn the tyranny of Edward and Despencer, and fortunately bishops have the powerful protection of the Church and the ear of the pope."

"Rickard de Beauchamp is adept at getting messages to and from my father in France. If necessary, he is prepared to cross the Channel to meet secretly with Roger Mortimer," Wolf told them. "We need the backing of the most powerful earls such as Chester. I will ride there, but first I will seek out Thomas of Lancaster's brother Henry Plantagenet. The king not only executed his brother, but also deprived him of Lancaster's earldom and possessions. He is bound to be bitterly opposed to Edward and Despencer, and lust for their downfall."

"Somehow, sometime, someway, someday!" Wolf Mortimer swore the vow and awoke with a start. Once again he had been dreaming of Brianna. Since the two days they had stolen at Chertsey, when they had consummated their love, her image was ever before him. Last night, as he lay in bed he had tried to conjure her, so he could transcend the physical and join her in spirit, as he had often done before. Since he had returned her touchstone, he possessed no object that held traces of her essence, and no matter how he willed it, a vision of Brianna did not materialize.

His dreams, however, were amazing. Sometimes their lovemaking was highly erotic, like riding wild horses on a magic carpet. At other times it was sweet and gentle, and breathtakingly tender. As he lay with his lips buried in the warm hollow of her throat, it was as if he had found sanctuary.

Last night Wolf dreamed Brianna was at Warwick. Unlike his mystic visions when he experienced true second sight, he knew dreams were unreal and ephemeral, prompted by wishful thinking. Perhaps my dream was trying to tell me something. His longing for her was so great, he decided to stop at Warwick on his way to visit Henry Plantagenet at nearby Kenilworth Castle.

"Wolf Mortimer, it is an honor to welcome you to Warwick." Jory de Beauchamp gave her unexpected visitor a kiss of greeting, and said fervently, "I thank God for your father's escape from the Tower last month."

"I assure you God had nothing to do with it, Lady Warwick."

"Of course you are right," she acknowledged. "It must have taken a great deal of planning by courageous men."

"And women," Wolf added lightly.

"Rickard came for one night and told us Roger had escaped and that you and the de Bohuns had managed to free yourselves from confinement. Guy Thomas had a hundred questions, but Rickard was amazingly closemouthed."

"That is because we are hunted fugitives. If caught, we would all lose our lives, including Rickard."

Jory took Wolf into the hall and poured him ale. "Brace yourself for his questions. Guy Thomas will be overjoyed to see you. He has taken on a lot of Warwick's responsibilities since his father's accident."

"Accident?" Wolf's brows drew together.

"Early in the year, my husband suffered a blow to the head and ever since he has been losing his sight. It is not completely gone, he still can see shadows, but his days of combat are over."

"That is most regrettable, my lady. Please accept my sympathy—I would not dare offer it to Warwick."

Jory smiled. "How very astute you are."

He longed to ask about Brianna, but controlled the impulse. If she were at Warwick, he would soon know. If she is here, I cannot ask her to marry me. I am still a fugitive. His senses became drenched with her. Perhaps I will ask her to wait for me. Wolf's heart contracted painfully. He clenched his fists. That would be totally self-serving. Before we parted I told her I wanted no undying vows. She must be free to make her own choices.

"Here comes Margaret," Jory said. "News of your arrival is spreading like wildfire."

Wolf turned and saw the pale, poignant face of Margaret Audley. Her eyes were wide with apprehension.

He smiled. "I have some encouraging news, my lady. I saw Sir Hugh a fortnight ago and he was hale and hearty."

Her hand went to her breast. "Thank heaven! Can you tell me where he is, Wolf?"

"Your husband has regrouped all his fighting men. He has made secret contact with the people of Audley and has their allegiance, but he is no longer in perilous South Wales. He has gone to d'Amory's Hampshire castle of Odiham, a safe refuge."

At that moment, Guy Thomas came striding into the hall. Margaret's son James was trying to keep up with him. "Wolf Mortimer! I cannot believe you are here in the flesh!"

Wolf grinned. "Are you growing taller, or am I shrinking?"

" I'm growing taller," young James asserted.

"You are indeed. Your father will be most impressed when he sees you." Wolf restrained himself from tussling the boy's hair and treating him like a child.

Guy Thomas said, "He follows me about just as I did with you. I'll try not to ply you with a million questions."

When Warwick arrived with the ever-present Brutus at his side, Wolf bade Shadow, "Stay." She went down on her haunches and made no move toward the black wolfhound.

Guy de Beauchamp shook hands with Mortimer and invited him to the library where they could talk in private. He sat down at the desk and Brutus stretched at his feet. "It's the height of irony that I have one of the best book collections in England that I can no longer read."

"I warrant you've read every book and will retain the knowledge." Wolf took a seat. "My father arrived safely in Paris and received a warm reception from King Charles."

"Undoubtedly it was Queen Isabelle who arranged a safe haven for Roger at her brother's court."

"Aye. Perhaps Lady Brianna told you that he charmed the queen into helping him escape?"

"You mean he seduced her. I hear the censure in your voice. Don't fault him, Wolf, for manipulating her. She is using him too. Isabelle must clearly recognize that Roger Mortimer is the only man capable of ending the tyranny of Edward and Despencer."

When Warwick made no mention of Brianna, Wolf went on to tell him what he and the de Bohuns had been doing since they left Windsor. "Adam Orleton is uniting the bishops and tomorrow I will ride to Kenilworth and ask Henry Plantagenet to pledge to our cause. In theory, he is the highest magnate in England."

"I believe Henry will commit to you. He has petitioned Parliament for his brother's earldoms of Leicester and Lancaster, though he knows it's futile so long as Despencer rules the king. I pledge you my Warwick men-at-arms. Rickard will lead them."

"I thank you, sir. I don't know how we will ever repay you."

"The Mortimers and the de Beauchamps have a bond of blood. Our fortunes are inextricably tied together."

Wolf flushed. The Mortimers have no fortune. We are reduced to beggars.

"I hear the bell summoning us to dinner. Come, Brutus, it would be rude to keep the ladies waiting."

Jory sat at her husband's right hand and placed Wolf beside her. Guy Thomas quickly took the seat beside him.

Wolf held his breath as his glance swept about the hall, hoping that Brianna would show up for the evening meal. When she did not arrive, his hopes plummeted.

In spite of his promise, Guy Thomas plied him with questions and Wolf strived to answer him with honesty and humor.

Halfway through the meal, Jory decided her son had monopolized their guest long enough. "I received a letter from my brother's wife, Jane, yesterday. It seems King Edward has sent Lynx de Warenne to Scotland to negotiate a lasting truce with the Bruce. Jane was born in Dumfries and is excited to visit her family."

"I wonder if Brianna will get seasick," Guy Thomas pondered with little sympathy.

"Brianna?" Wolf's heart thudded as he murmured her name.

"Brianna and her betrothed, Lincoln Robert, have sailed with them," Jory explained. "It will give them the opportunity to visit Wigton Castle, which my brother placed in Brianna's dower."

Wolf's heart stopped and turned over in his breast. His gut knotted with distress. She did not end the betrothal. The expression on his face remained calm, masking his inner turmoil.

"I have no idea how long they will remain in Scotland. When they return, it will be time to make plans for their wedding."

Wolf's food turned to ashes. He set down his fork and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He didn't succeed. Choking might be a merciful death.

He heard no more of the Countess of Warwick's conversation. The loud thunder hammer of his heart deafened him. He stared at her beautiful face, so like the one he loved, except for the eyes.

Jory motioned for his wine goblet to be filled.

Wolf picked it up and drained it. Her family is looking forward to her marrying de Warenne. Brianna could not bring herself to be cruel and disappoint them. An inner voice mocked him. She is quite capable of being cruel. I warrant she is far too beautiful to be kind.

The hour after the evening meal was a complete blank to Wolf. He retired early to the chamber that had been plenished for him. He lifted the jug of wine, then set it down again. Drowning his sorrow was not the answer. Truth must be faced.

Brianna's words came echoing back to him: This short time together is all we have. I'm willing to grab it if you are, Wolf. They had seized the moment passionately, without reserve, and he knew that neither of them would ever regret it. He loved her deeply, but warned himself that his love must not be selfish. Did he love her enough to want what was best for her? He did not know the answer. The thought of her wed to another was torturous.

He picked up his saddlebags on the verge of riding to Scotland, forcing her to end her betrothal, and bringing her back. If you do this thing, you can neither propose marriage nor in all conscience ask Brianna to wait.

He strode to the window and Shadow padded after him. He stared out into the darkness with unseeing eyes, longing for one glimpse of her, aching to hear her voice, craving to hold her, willing her to come to him. Slowly, one by one, he mastered his emotions and accepted the inevitable.

Brianna has made the wise choice. She has not allowed her heart to overrule her head. I made that same choice when I decided we could not marry.

He knelt down and buried his face in Shadow's fur. In that moment Wolf realized he had not mastered all his emotions.

He prowled the room to avoid sleep. The last thing he wanted was dreams. In the small hours of the night, Brianna's bedchamber beckoned to him, luring him to her private sanctuary. Initially he resisted the temptation but finally he gave in and succumbed to the enticement. Silently, he made his way to Brianna's chamber. He laid his hand on her pillow until all his senses overflowed with her essence.

Wolf lit a small candle in hope of finding some object that belonged to Brianna, but her dressing table was bare. He opened her wardrobe and touched her garments. He rubbed his cheek against a velvet cloak and inhaled her delicate fragrance. The intoxicating scent of verbena stole to him, and he realized it was coming from the lit candle.

He snuffed it and removed it from its holder. If Brianna had made the verbena-scented beeswax candle, he knew it would be imbued with her essence.

Wolf returned to his chamber, slipped the small candle into his saddlebag, and with Shadow at his side, made his silent way to the stables. I must not dwell on the past—I will focus on the future. By first light I should be at Kenilworth.

"Brianna!" Jory's face lit with delight at the sight of her daughter. She quickly descended the front steps of Warwick Castle. "This is such an unexpected surprise. Darling, I am so relieved you didn't go to Scotland."

Brianna allowed Simon Deveril to lift her from the saddle and waited until he led Venus across the courtyard toward the stables. "I can well understand your relief, but it will be short-lived." Her fists clenched and her dark eyes glittered with anger.

Jory was immediately wary. "Is something wrong?"

"Something is very wrong." Brianna raised her chin. "You have deliberately deceived me, allowing me to believe all these years that Guy de Beauchamp is my father, when in truth I am the bastard of Robert Bruce!"

Jory's hand flew to her heart. The secret she had guarded from Brianna all her life had been revealed. Her daughter's accusation, though true, sounded so ugly. "Where did you hear this?"

"At Hedingham. I overheard Lynx tell Jane my brown Celtic eyes are identical to Robert's and that he had often suspected the Bruce is my father."

The blood drained from Jory's face, leaving it waxy pale.

"Is it true?" Brianna cried. Please tell me it isn't true.

Jory bit her lip. "Yes, it's true," she whispered. "Guy de Beauchamp never—"

"Never wanted me? Ah, but he always wanted the beauteous Jory de Warenne and the only way he could get you was to take me too."

"Brianna, stop! It wasn't like that."

"It was exactly like that."

At the sound of horses entering the far end of the courtyard, Brianna turned. "Here comes the Infamous Earl of Warwick now."

Guy de Beauchamp, accompanied by his steward, dismounted and almost walked into a stack of barrels outside the brewery. Brutus barked and Guy's hand shot out to feel the barrier; then he stepped around it and patted his wolfhound's head.

Brianna drew in a swift breath. "What's the matter with Father?"

"It's his sight, I'm afraid. It's almost gone."

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Why didn't someone tell me?" Brianna lifted her skirts and ran across the courtyard. Her priorities in life underwent an instant transformation, and were rearranged in order of importance. "Father," she cried, breathlessly. She fiercely dashed the tears from her cheeks, so he would not discern that the sight of him had made her weep.

He held out his arms and she went into them eagerly. She saw the look of joy on his face as he embraced her and lifted her from the ground. "Brianna! You didn't go to Scotland."

"What the devil would induce me to go to that godforsaken place, when I had a chance to come home to Warwick and visit you?"

He set her down and reached out to touch her hair in wonder. "I can see the color of your fiery curls. That's amazing—I usually see only gray shadows." He cupped her face and gently traced her cheeks with his thumbs.

Brianna was weak with relief that she had wiped away her tears. This is the man who lifted me onto my first pony. He taught me how to read and allowed me to tear pages from his precious books. He tutored me in the skills of horse breeding and ingrained in me a love of all animals. He gave me the confidence to be my own woman. He is the only father I will ever want, the only father I will ever need, the only father I will ever love.

"I'm happy you came home for a visit."

She slipped her hand into his. "Father, I missed you so much."

The de Beauchamp family talked and laughed their way through the evening meal, thoroughly enjoying their precious time together. When the candles were lit, Warwick insisted he could see their faint glow, and it brought hope to their hearts.

Brianna promised to ride out with her father in the morning and asked Guy Thomas to take her fishing in their old skiff on the River Avon.

It was late when she retired to her bedchamber. Five minutes later, Jory knocked and opened her door. "May I come in?"

"Mother, I'm sorry for the things I said."

Jory closed the door and shook her head. "As soon as you were old enough to understand, I should have told you."

"Lord, I must be a sore trial to you sometimes," Brianna lamented.

"You've never given me a moment's distress since the day you were born. I'm sorry you had to learn about it from Lynx. I honestly believed Guy and I were the only two who knew. I never told Robert."

"I'm glad you didn't. And Lynx was only guessing. Jane told him he shouldn't say such things—lots of people have brown eyes."

"I forgot how shrewd Lynx is. There's little that escapes him."

"True. He always tells me I am exactly like you."

Jory laughed. "Like two peas from the same disgusting pod."

"Mother, I hope I am exactly like you. I have strived for that goal my entire life."

They embraced and stood holding each other for long minutes.

What a self-righteous wretch I am to condemn my mother for taking a lover, when I did the very same thing.

"I love you, Mother. You are so forgiving and understanding." I long to confide in you that I intend to break my betrothal to Lincoln Robert, but I don't want to upset you, and especially not Father. Perhaps I'll find the right words before I return to Windsor.

As Brianna readied herself for bed, thoughts of Wolf were so vivid, his presence felt tangible. When she looked in her mirror, her imagination conjured him standing behind her. She sighed wistfully. I hope with all my heart that we can be together someday.

Not long after she laid her head on her pillow, her wishes became reality, at least in her dream. She and Wolf rode together, swam together, lived, laughed, and loved together. In her sleep, a secret smile curved Brianna's lips.