Chapter 24

"W horeson! Idiot-brained French frog!" King Edward flung down a letter he had received from King Charles of France. "Because I didn't rush to Paris at his command to pay homage for my French possessions, the avaricious swine has declared Gascony forfeit!" He thrust the offending letter at Hugh. "The only reason I wed his sister was to keep Gascony and Aquitaine!"

"You have the means for revenge at hand, Edward. Isabelle is his sister. Punish her and you punish the King of France."

"You are brilliant! Advise me. What shall I do?"

"Declare all the queen's estates forfeit and take them back in your own name. Sequester her dower lands in Cornwall with their valuable tin mines. The Crown allows her eleven thousand marks per annum for personal expenses—cut it to one thousand."

"Prepare the papers and I'll sign them," Edward directed.

"By Order of Parliament we must banish all subjects of the King of France from your household and that of the queen, and order them back to their own country."

Edward waved his hand. "Do it! You have the Royal Seal."

"We should immediately warn our English subjects in Gascony to arm themselves in the event Charles sends in an army to try to take possession."

Edward appointed his half brother, Edmund, Earl of Kent, as the Lieutenant of Gascony. In early September, he led the English who lived in Gascony in an attack on some masons who had begun to build a fortified town at Agenais and killed a French sergeant. The French people in general, and King Charles in particular, were outraged.

Roger Mortimer instantly offered his sword to the French king, offering to fight against King Edward's subjects in Gascony.

Charles sent a dispatch to Edward, demanding that he hand over the English subjects who had committed murder, and ordering him to come immediately to pay homage for his possessions in France.

When Edward learned that Charles was harboring the notorious traitor Mortimer, his Plantagenet rage was so great he frothed at the mouth. And bolstered by Despencer, he accused King Charles of assisting Mortimer in his escape. Edward refused to turn over the murderous culprits or travel to France to do homage.

King Charles immediately sent an army into Gascony and took possession of it.

Edward flung down the dispatch from the King of France, delivered by an English knight whom Charles had sent.

"Whoreson, scab-arsed baboon! This is an act of war!" Edward's outlet for anger was physical. He picked up a wooden chair and smashed it, then kicked the pieces across the room.

Hugh Despencer's response was cerebral and far more vicious. "Retaliation against the French is now justified. You must issue an order that any Frenchmen left in England be arrested, imprisoned, and their property confiscated."

"Your Grace, I beg you relieve me from your service." Arbella Beaumont clutched a letter from her mother, as tears streamed down her face. "My father has been arrested and thrown into prison."

Isabelle's face went white. "On what charges?"

"Mother says he refused to swear an oath of loyalty to Despencer, but she says the real reason is that Henry Beaumont is a friend of the queen. Forgive me, Your Grace."

"There is nothing to forgive. You must go home to your mother without delay. I'm sure your father's brother, the Bishop of Durham, will be outraged, as am I!"

Later that day, Queen Isabelle was officially informed that everything she owned in England had been sequestered and put into the king's name. She was also notified that her allowance from the Crown had been cut from eleven thousand marks to one thousand per annum. Isabelle demanded to see the king.

The following day Edward arrived at Windsor with Hugh Despencer. As Brianna had taught her, Isabelle arrayed herself in garments that befitted a queen and put on her jeweled coronet.

Being loved by Roger Mortimer had given the queen newfound confidence. Though her knees trembled, Isabelle held out the official paper and demanded in her most regal voice, "Sire, what is the meaning of this?"

"Your brother has sent his army into Gascony and taken possession of it. Gascony is mine! This is an act of war!"

"What does that have to do with rendering me a pauper?" she demanded with daring.

Despencer stepped forward. "Madam, you are a Frenchwoman. You are the enemy."

Isabelle gathered her courage. "I am indeed your enemy. I am the Queen of England. You will address me as Your Grace. "

Edward's eyes blazed. "Madam, you will not speak to my dearest friend with such wanton disrespect."

Isabelle lost control. "He is a prick licker!"

All the royal attendants in the chamber gasped.

Despencer hissed, "You, madam , will swear an oath of loyalty to me personally, here and now, or you will be treated as an enemy of the state."

Fury was the only thing that kept her knees from buckling. Isabelle raised her chin and drew herself up to her full height. "That I will never do. I will die first!"

Livid, Despencer turned on his heel and strode from the chamber. Edward followed him like a lackey and his royal attendants followed silently.

Isabelle sank down on a brocaded couch and Marguerite Wake brought her a cup of wine. "You were so brave to stand up to them, Your Grace," she said, wide-eyed.

Isabelle gave a shaky laugh. "I don't feel brave…I feel exceedingly vulnerable. With Arbella Beaumont gone, we need someone to bolster our ranks. I shall write to Brianna at Warwick and ask her to return to Windsor immediately."

Back at Westminster, Hugh Despencer paced the royal chamber silently raging with spleen, plotting his revenge. The retribution he inflicted on Isabelle must stab her to the heart. Edward trotted after him trying to placate his beloved.

Finally, Hugh stopped in his tracks; a thin smile hovered about his cruel mouth. "As a Frenchwoman, Isabelle could easily encourage her children to commit treason against you, their father. They will have to be removed from her custody immediately for the safety of the realm."

"Are you sure, Hugh? I love my children. I want no harm to come to them."

"It is precisely because you love them that they must be removed from the Frenchwoman's vile influence. They will be given into the care of my dear sister, Lady Monthermer, at Marlborough."

"I must return to Windsor without delay." Brianna handed her mother the letter that Queen Isabelle's messenger, John Sadington, had brought to Warwick.

"Hell's teeth, the hated Despencers did all this before when I was dismissed from court." Jory was filled with impotent rage that Isabelle was again being persecuted. "The Beaumont family has been friends of the queen since she was first wed to Edward. 'Tis pure vitriol that Henry has been imprisoned. Who will be next? Promise me you will be extremely careful, Brianna."

"The queen's lands have been taken from her and her allowance has been cut to a pittance. I know it is Hugh Despencer who is behind all this, but Isabelle blames Edward's weakness, and she is right. King Edward is the root of all her troubles."

"While you pack, I will get you money from your father. Feel free to use it on Isabelle's behalf if she becomes desperate."

"You are both so generous, and I know Isabelle appreciates it as much as I." Brianna hesitated. "There were so many things I wanted to talk about, but our time has been cut short."

"Write me a long letter, darling. By the time you return to Windsor, everything may have changed for the better."

"Taken your children?" Brianna was aghast to learn when she arrived back at Windsor Castle that things had changed for the worse. "I don't understand."

"Because my brother Charles marched into Gascony, Edward says it was an act of war. As a Frenchwoman I am being treated as an enemy of the state. His malice toward me is unendurable."

"What about Prince Edward?"

"Thank heaven, he remains at Windsor. Because he has his own household, they do not fear my influence over him."

"Then they are bloody fools. Who could possibly have more influence than a loving mother?" Brianna asked. "Inform your son what has happened and ask him to make a formal protest to his father. He will be outraged when he learns his brother and sisters have been removed from your custody."

"I'm so glad you are back, Brianna. Your advice is invaluable and your presence bolsters my confidence."

"Have you written to King Charles about all this?"

"I was about to write him regarding my sequestered lands depriving me of my income, when this happened. It was such a vicious blow, I am still reeling from it."

"Write down everything, starting with the children. Tell him of your anguish. Inform him that you are being treated as an enemy of the state. Everything is being taken from you—your children, your income, your friends, and your husband's protection. You have lost your status as Queen of England. It has been reduced to that of maidservant. Be sure to tell him all Frenchmen are being arrested, imprisoned, and their property confiscated."

"I will do it now. We will ask Marie to smuggle it in one of her letters to France."

"No, no!" Brianna protested. "Marie is a Frenchwoman. Her correspondence could easily be seized and examined. I will take your letter and pass it on to someone who can get it to France quickly and safely."

"Brianna, the risk is so great. How do you know we can trust this man?"

"Because the man is my brother, Rickard de Beauchamp. I trust him with my life. He is Roger Mortimer's friend and ally. I have never mentioned his name before, because it is best that none know he is in England."

That he was a friend of Roger Mortimer was enough for Isabelle. She sat down at her desk immediately and wrote her letter to her brother.

Brianna waited until nightfall, and then escorted by Simon Deveril she rode to Flamstead. She was disappointed that Rickard was not there, but a trusty Warwick man rode to the Abbey of Saint Albans where the Benedictine monks provided a safe meeting place for Rickard de Beauchamp and Adam Orleton, Bishop of Hereford.

The following day, Brianna was overjoyed when her brother rode into Flamstead. "Rickard, Queen Isabelle is in desperate need of your help. Because she is French, she is being treated as an enemy by the king. Her children have been taken away from her and placed in the custody of Hugh Despencer's sister at Marlborough. She has written a letter to her brother Charles, cataloguing her vicious treatment, and asks that it be delivered to the King of France."

Rickard took Brianna's hands and led her to a chair. "The queen is indeed fortunate to have such a loyal champion. Give me the letter and I will see that it is put directly into King Charles's hands. However, I want you to know that the King of France is being kept fully informed of all that has happened to his sister, as well as the other French people living in England. Orleton and the rest of the bishops know and they are in communication with the pope."

"Rickard, I am so relieved. Isabelle has done naught to deserve this cruel punishment."

"I know that a reprimand is on its way from the pope to Despencer condemning him for causing hatred between the King of England and the King of France. The papacy instigated the marriage of Edward and Isabelle to ensure peace between England and France. Now the two countries are on the verge of war and the pope will not countenance it."

"I had no idea of the extent of the communication. All those allied with Roger Mortimer are taking great risks."

"It is not solely for Roger that we risk all. It is for England and her people who are being persecuted. It is also for Prince Edward who is the heir to the throne. Mortimer is simply the catalyst—the only man strong enough to end the tyranny of Edward and Despencer. The King of France and the pope both recognize this."

"May I tell Isabelle the things you have told me?"

"Aye. You may also tell her that Roger Mortimer is working tirelessly to gather a great force." Rickard hesitated about telling his sister more, but then he relented. "There is something I'd rather you didn't divulge in case the plan doesn't come to fruition and Queen Isabelle is sorely disappointed. Roger and King Charles are working through diplomatic sources to get the queen to France."

"Thank you for confiding in me, Rickard. I swear Queen Isabelle will not hear it from me. You have reassured me that things are not as black as they seem. You have lifted a great deal of the heaviness from my heart."

Rickard embraced her. "I cannot stay. Look after yourself."

"Before you go, there's something I must tell you. I just returned from Warwick. Father could see the color of my hair, rather than just gray shadows, and the night before I left, he swore he could see the glow from the candles in the Great Hall."

"That's wonderful news. Wouldn't it be amazing if he regained part of his sight? You have lifted some of the heaviness from my heart. Godspeed, Brianna."

"Were you able to put my letter in safe hands?" Isabelle had counted the hours until Brianna's return.

"Yes, I warrant it has already reached King Charles. But I have amazing news. It seems that your brother is being kept fully informed of all that happens to you and to all the Frenchmen who live in England. Adam Orleton has united most of the bishops and is corresponding with the pope. His Holiness has sent a letter of reprimand to Hugh Despencer for the way you are being treated, because it causes strife between Edward and Charles that could lead to war."

"That is encouraging, but it will take more than a reprimand to make Despencer return my children to me."

"Isabelle, if you can somehow endure what is unendurable for a little while, there are secret forces uniting to end the tyranny."

The sadness in the queen's sigh was palpable. "Yes, I must keep hope alive in my heart. It is most gratifying that the good people of England love me enough to risk much on my behalf."

"I also have it on the best authority that Roger Mortimer is working tirelessly to gather a great invasion force."

Isabelle's hand went to her heart. "He does it for love of me. Love is the greatest force on earth. It can move mountains."

Brianna thought of Wolf. If only it were true.

"Jesu Christus! Mortimer is in Hainault successfully raising troops. The notorious traitor intends to invade England!" Edward's hand shook as he set down the letter that he'd received from his English envoy at the French Court.

Hugh Despencer was busy reading an official letter from the pontiff. "I am being accused of instigating war between England and France. The whoreson pope should be strung up by the balls! It is King Charles who is threatening war with England."

Edward almost shit himself as he suddenly realized the prospect of war with France was very real, and now he also faced the threat of invasion led by Mortimer. "I must write to William of Hainault and protest his harboring of the notorious traitor."

"That will do little good. Our relations with Hainault are nonexistent because of trade disputes."

Edward was in a panic. "I think we should burn these letters. I don't want the council to learn there is a threat of war."

King Charles and Pope John, however, made it their business to inform King Edward's Royal Council about the impending war.

The Royal Council held a meeting and an emergency Parliament was called to deal with the critical situation. Parliament decided that any expedient was preferable to the disaster of war. They urged Edward to go to France without delay and pay homage to King Charles for Gascony and Aquitaine to defuse the crisis.

It was now Hugh Despencer's turn to panic. "Edward, my dearest love, our enemies want you to desert me. The moment you cross the Channel, they will descend upon me and hack me to pieces! Promise you will not go and leave me unprotected?"

"Hugh, you are my entire world. I will never leave you. I will suggest that my brother Edmund pay homage in my stead."

The suggestion that the young Earl of Kent represent King Edward was immediately rejected. Moreover, they considered it an insult. Edmund had led the English in Gascony to take up arms against the French, thus alienating Charles and the country.

"Where the devil is Pembroke when I need him? What the hellfire can be taking so long in Scotland? They've been gone over a month. There had better not be trouble brewing there too."

"You are the only man who ever beat me in wrestling." The laugh lines on the face of Robert Bruce deepened as he grinned openly at his old friend, Lynx de Warenne.

"You are being generous. I believe I only bested you twice." Lynx placed his hand at the small of his wife's back and urged her forward. "Here is Jane. She insists she always knew you would be King of Scotland."

Robert did not embrace Jane, but his face was wreathed with smiles as he gazed at her. "In spite of the fact that he made you the Countess of Surrey, you were always too good for him."

Lynx grinned. "Truer words were never uttered."

They were in a private chamber of the king's at Edinburgh Castle. The Earls of Pembroke, de Warenne, and Arundel had been received formally a few days before, but this was the first chance the two boyhood friends and Jane had been alone together.

Today, the Earl of Pembroke had taken to his bed, Arundel had returned to Leith to check on his ship, and it was clear that the peace negotiations would be worked out between Lynx and Robert.

"Congratulations on the birth of your son, Robert. I trust Elizabeth is well?" Jane had always been fond of his wife.

"Yes. She prefers to live at Holyrood Abbey, rather than this barren pile of stone. You must come to dinner tonight. Elizabeth is looking forward to showing off David."

"You chose a braw name for your son. I have a brother by the same name. I shall be going to Dumfries to visit my family."

"How I would love to travel with you and visit Lochmaben. Alas, my duty keeps me in Edinburgh," Robert said ruefully. "Jane, why don't you go and visit Elizabeth now? I'll have you escorted down the hill to the abbey. As soon as your husband and I have thrashed out this truce, we will join you."

Once they were alone, Robert asked, "How many years' truce were you seeking?"

"What would you say to a dozen years?" Lynx asked cautiously.

"Done! In fact, let's make it a baker's dozen."

"Why would you agree to thirteen years?"

The Bruce began to laugh. "Why not? The bloody truce won't be worth the parchment it's written on. I can dishonor it any time I fancy. But if you return with a truce signed for thirteen years it will put that degenerate weakling you call king in your debt."

Lynx laughed. "You always were a wily swine, Robert. I warrant that's what it takes to rule the Scots."

"We'll have the truce drawn up and I'll sign it before you and Jane leave for Dumfries. Will my namesake, Lincoln Robert, be joining us tonight?"

"Aye. Since my elder son was born in Scotland, I brought him to see his native land. Arundel brought his daughter, Blanche."

"Are they betrothed?"

"No. Lincoln Robert is betrothed to Brianna de Beauchamp. They are to be wed when we return."

"Jory's daughter." A faraway look came into Robert's dark brown Celtic eyes. "I warrant she is a rare beauty."