Authors: Virginia Henley
Bruce called for more ale. "On the other hand I don't believe his cause will succeed. He may be able to lead farmers, shepherds, outlaws, the common people of Scotland, but the nobles and clan chiefs will never accept his authority. They enjoy absolute power over their own clans. They'll fight when and where they choose, and accept orders from none."
"You discussed an alliance with this William Wallace!" Lynx guessed.
Robert laughed. "You're a shrewd sod, Lynx. I'll deny it to the death, but we did explore a few . ..
. possibilities. The upshot
is that Wallace supports restoring Baliol to the throne, which goes against my interests, so we formed no alliance."
"No alliance perhaps, but I'll wager you struck some sort of a bargain with the bastard," Lynx accused.
"More of an understanding. He sure as hell won't be raiding any more Bruce baggage trains."
"But he's attacked Percy's steward."
The Bruce shrugged,"Iused to be the warden of Ayr but the king in his wisdom gave it to Percy."
He cocked an eyebrow and leaned in close. "I don't give a shit what Wallace does to Percy, so long as he gives me and mine a wide berth."
"It's been rumored for years you have a secret pact with seven earls to put you on the throne when the time is right."
"That was my grandfather and father before me. The earls change sides more often than they change their underdrawers. I put more faith in you, my friend, than all the earls in Scotland."
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the request of John de Warenne. Though his uncle had a hundred clerks and scribes, it was obvious the governor needed Lynx's aid. Before he did anything, however, he had to clear the air with John. "Did you put Fitz-Waren at Torthwald as a watchdog over the Bruce and myself?"
John looked startled. "Nay, why would you accuse me of such? The last thing I want is bad blood between you two!" In actuality John had dangled Torthwald before Fitz-Waren in order to get rid of him.
The young rogue had swaggered about Edinburgh, lining his pockets, causing him nothing but trouble.
"Since I gave you Dumfries, I thought it only fair that Fitz get Torthwald."
"It's a pile of stone compared to Dumfries, but that's beside the point." Lynx wanted to tell John about the atrocities in Torthwald village, but knew Fitz could easily justify the hangings 237
since his garrison was there to put down trouble. If he accused Fitz-Waren of anything, John would jump in and defend him. It had happened in the past. Nevertheless, Lynx pressed him with a question. "Why did you use one of his officers to courier a message to me?"
"Fitz said he had letters of his own going to Dumfries."
"I don't want him privy to my business. I prefer to use my own couriers," Lynx said bluntly.
"Damn it all, why does there have to be this petty jealousy between the two of you? It's only natural that Fitz be envious of you because you are the heir to the earldom, but I expect better of you. I know he has faults, but I would ask you to overlook them and settle your differences for my sake."
You have no idea what he is, John, Lynx said to himself. You think him merely weak and envious, but I know evil when I see it. John's shoulders seemed stooped beneath his new responsibilities, so Lynx kept his mouth shut.
John sighed heavily. "I've pouches of dispatches from all over Scotland I haven't even opened yet, most of them reporting trouble no doubt."
"I'll go through them and pinpoint the trouble spots," Lynx volunteered. "I do have some good news for you, John. At long last I'm going to be a father."
"Well, congratulations, Lynx! That makes me as happy as it makes you. Are you married yet?"
"Not quite. Mayhap we'll have a Christmas wedding."
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holy days. So many complaints came from Scone regarding William Ormsby, the new justiciar, that Lynx went to investigate. The justiciar had set up his courts in Scone and most of the reports accused him of legalized stealing.
Lynx found the complaints justified. Ormsby was extorting238
money by levying fines on every Scot in a hundred-mile radius. If a man did not pay his fine, he was outlawed. With only a handful of knights, Lynx could do nothing but lay the facts before the governor.
Meanwhile William Wallace was stirring up trouble wherever he could and men were flocking to his cause daily. In Lanark, the sheriff, William Heselrig, who held down all resistance with an iron hand, was killed by Wallace and the English headquarters there were destroyed.
Lynx dispatched his lieutenant Montgomery to Dumfries for more of his men. He also sent letters to his sister, Marjory, to Jane, and to his steward explaining that he could not be home for Christmas, but promising that they would hold the festivities at the New Year, which was in keeping with Scottish custom.
Lynx was almost torn in half, wanting to be at Dumfries, filled with anxiety about the approaching birth of his child, yet knowing his duty took precedence over his personal life. When he reread his letter to Jane, he saw that it was filled with dire warnings, and orders that she must follow. He tore it up and began again, two or three times. Finally he simply wrote that he hoped she was well and begged her not to go into Selkirk Forest because it was crawling with outlaws.
Lynx's search for Wallace was fruitless. The zealous young outlaw was fast becoming a champion of the common people and every household was helping to conceal him. Wallace was especially brutal with English priests and nuns, driving them from their churches with fire and sword, killing any who did not flee. Because of this, Lynx de Warenne began looking at the Church of Scotland with suspicious eyes.
The money to finance this uprising was coming from some source, and none was richer than the church. Moreover, the Church of Scotland had a network of communication with every diocese in the country. Every bishop had sworn allegiance to the king, but Lynx de Warenne was cynical enough to know that beneath their frocks, bishops were men like any other.
Suddenly winter arrived with a vengeance. Snow covered everything and the temperature plummeted to freezing. As a result all attacks and hostilities ceased. Both John de Warenne and Lynx knew it was only a lull; the trouble would start up again as soon as the weather permitted.
Lynx prepared detailed reports for the governor about William Ormsby, the justiciar, and what he had seen in Scone. Then he laid out the many complaints against William Wallace and documented many of his treasonable acts. Lynx also informed John of his suspicions about the involvement of the Church of Scotland. "Will you send these to the king?"
"Certainly the reports on William Wallace," John said firmly.
"What about the justiciar?"
John shook his head, worry lines furrowing his brow. "I know what the king's answer will be. He will tell me I wasn't put here to spy on his English officials, I was put here to govern! Edward Plantagenet only wants to hear that those he appointed are holding this country secure. He won't question the methods."
Lynx informed John that he was going home to Dumfries for the New Year, while there was a lull in the hostilities. He pledged that he would return with enough men-at-arms to put down all resistance and restore peace to the entire Lowlands. "I'm going to ask the Bruce to help us. It might take some persuading, so give me a fortnight or so."
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Fitz-Waren and his knights to indulge in a drunken debauch. The torches in the hall burned night and day as the men indulged in fun and games that ranged from downright childish to depraved.
They brought full-grown rams into the hall for a ram race, then made wagers on who could ride them the longest. When this activity palled, they turned their attention to the female servants
of the castle and the girls from Torthwald village, who were considered fair game to satisfy the sexual appetites of the merrymakers, whether they were willing or no.
Before long, every man in the castle dangled a naked wench from his knee. When the sex games aroused the men's bloodlust, ewes were herded into the hall for a sheep-sticking, and by dawn the flagstones ran red.
The minute Fitz-Waren showed signs of sobering, Alicia lured him to her bed and kept him there for three days. Alicia added her hatred for Lynx de Warenne to Fitz-Waren's and nurtured it until it was full-blown. While she catered to his sick appetites, she planted seeds of discontent.
"Fitz, your father is the Governor of Scotland. Where is your pride? You shouldn't allow yourself to be buried in the wilds, living in this barren pile of rock, among peasants. Your abilities are being wasted here. A man with your talents would be much more suited to the administration of the country.
Think of the fortune you could make!"
"I tried all my life to shine in my father's eyes, but so long as that fucking Lynx de Warenne was around, my father hardly acknowledged my existence!"
"It is not right that Lynx de Warenne is your father's heir. He is not worthy! Why don't you convince your father that Lynx plots against the crown with Robert Bruce?"
Fitz's hand tightened on Alicia's buttock and he squeezed brutally. "Is it true—does he plot with Bruce?"
"Does it matter whether it is true or not, so long as John de Warenne believes you?"
"The old swine wouldn't believe anything I said against the saindy Lynx." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "But the king might believe it."
Alicia fed his vanity. "What a brilliant idea, Fitz! Obviously there's more to you than an oversized cock," she purred. "Discredit Lynx deWarenne and your father mightmake you his heir!" 241
"My father will never make me his heir so long as Lynx de Warenne lives and breathes."
Alicia smiled and cupped his testes. "I'm sure a man with your balls could arrange a tragic accident. Really, Fitz, I can't believe you've let him live this long. Lynx hates you so much, I'm sure he'd eliminate you if he ever got the chance."
Murder was not a new idea to Fitz-Waren, so the seeds Alicia sowed fell on fertile soil. In the meantime he'd join his father in Edinburgh. The governor must send frequent reports to the king. It would be a simple matter to add a few hints about Lynx de Warenne plotting to gain the crown for his great friend Robert Bruce. Such information would not fall on deaf ears, especially if he reminded Edward that when he commanded Lynx's Welsh bowmen they threatened to defect to the Scots.
"Pack your bags, Alicia, we're leaving this stinking midden tomorrow."
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mountains from purple to white and added to the children's enjoyment of the holy days. Marjory de Warenne and Elizabeth de Burgh had accepted an invitation to join the Bruce festivities, which went on for days, but Jane stayed snug at Dumfries, not risking the wagon ride to Lochmaben.
A week after they returned, the women all sat with Jane before a warm fire in her chamber. She had plenty of company these days because her time was drawing close. Her brother's wife, Judith, along with two needlewomen, were helping her sew swaddling clothes for the baby. Jory and Elizabeth were also plying their needles, even though the results of their labor caused much merriment and laughter among the women.
Periodically Jane struggled to her feet and put her hand to her back to ease the dull ache that plagued her when she sat too
long. As she passed the tall window, she paused and gave a little cry.
Jory jumped up to aid her. "Is it time?"
"No, no." Jane pointed through the window where dark riders were visible against the white landscape. "It's Lynx!"
"How can you tell? They're too far away."
"Perhaps it's the way he sits his horse; I could never mistake him for any other."
"Well, it's about time the callous devil returned. I shall give him a piece of my mind!"
Jane smiled at Jory. "Was it not you who told me a man always needs a warm welcome? Was it not you who told me a man hates a shrew and a nag above all things?"
"You actually pay attention to what I say?" Jory teased.
"I write it down in my journal," young Elizabeth de Burgh said solemnly.
Jane had plenty of time to make her way down to the hall. She knew Lynx de Warenne and his knights would see to their own horses before they sought the warmthof the castle.
The men came into the hall together, stamping their feet and brushing snow from their shoulders.
The women were waiting for them. "Welcome home," they chorused and were rewarded by grins of gratitude.
Lynx looked from Jory to Jane. "I'm sorry I missed Christmas and wasn't here to welcome in the New Year."
Jory opened her mouth and the others held their breath. "Don't give it a thought, at least you are in time to celebrate Twelfth Night." The ladies let out their breath and dissolved into laughter.
"I fail to see anything amusing, but it feels damn good to be welcomed with laughter." Lynx took Jane's hands in his as his glance swept her from head to foot. "Are you well?"
"Very well, thank you, my lord."
"Happy New Year, Jane. I've brought a cradle from Edinburgh carved with roses and thistles. Just wait till you see it."