It was then that Edward sought out women from all over the world to marry him. He wanted to be married and he thought that he would acquire a family with one of the ladies that hope to get his attention. Edward was not concerned if she had been a widow with children. He even sought after this type of women. The younger women that he interview never passed his requirements. Word got around among the gentry that Edward was never serious and therefore gossip was passed around throughout Europe that all Edward was interested in was the art of seduction. It was gossip that he also dealt in the darker side of sexual manipulation because of his wounds suffered in battle. He would ruin a woman if she was not careful.
The gossip reached the great houses of Ireland and England, but not the lowly hamlets and towns where Elizabeth grew up and lived.
Servants became suspicious of Elizabeth and they were guarded of Edward because he had been a kind and generous Earl. He could afford to be generous because he controlled over half of the wealth in Ireland. His castle stood near the most fertile lands with generous amounts of water and timber. The castle over-looked beautiful gardens. These gardens were admired by the Queen of England.
“I would like to go to my room Edward. I have had a long day.”
“I will send a maid with you to help you.”
“I don’t need anyone.”
“But I insist, Elizabeth; it is just how things are done. It is expected of the servants.”
“If I must, then I will do as you say.” Elizabeth was in no mood to be disagreeable. Edward kissed her hand and he pulled a velvet cord and a young maid of twenty, with brown hair and round dark eyes came and curtsied. “Follow me my lady.” Elizabeth looked back at Edward who met her green eyes with a large smile of assurance.
Elizabeth trudged up the long gold ornate winding stairs with the servant girl in tow. The maid lived near the small hamlet to which Elizabeth had been born. The girl opened the room and the room was elaborately furnished in silks and satins. The head board was of purple silk with a canopy of supple satin. The duvet was of silk brocade. Elizabeth tumbled face forward on to the bed and the well up tears began to overflow. “What is wrong my lady? If I had mi lord treat me as Lord Edward has treated you, I would be so happy and grateful.”
Elizabeth sat up and dried her eyes, “Please do not share my confidence. Can I confide in you?” She looked closely at the young maid, “What is your name?”
“Beth”
“Beth I want you to accompany me to London. We are the same age and we can be friends.”
“If you are to marry Lord Edward, I cannot be your friend. You will become a lady, a countess.”
“When I marry Lord Edward, and become Lady McHugh then I can do as I wish. I don’t have to listen to anyone. My husband to be is the riches man in Ireland. And I want you as my friend and confidant.”
“I will be pleased to keep your secrets.” Beth smiled broadly and helped Elizabeth untie her top and take off her skirt. “Here is your sleeping gown.” Beth brushed the silk gown as if caressing hair.
“Come sit with me Beth.” Beth sat in the large chair alongside Elizabeth’s bed. “Beth can you keep my secret? I will hold you to your silence.”
“Yes, mi lady. I will go to my grave keeping your secret.”
“I am not in love with Lord Edward. I love his friend…” She paused. “Lord Colum.”
Beth raised her hand to her mouth. “Oh mi lady… you must tell Lord Edward.”
“I informed him Beth, but he said something queer. He said that it did not matter.”
“Lord Edward is a most unusual young man. He loves who he wants.”
“I know that I am a maid and I will be one until I marry Lord Edward. I am to marry him tomorrow. Have you heard anything that would cause me concern about Lord Edward?”
“No mi lady. But I heard the old maid discuss the time he returned from the war. He was sad and would walk all day and then one day his mother sent him to Paris and he came home happy and has been cheerful since. He entertains all the time. We thought he would marry some of the young ladies but after he entertained them then he would send them home.”
“Did you ever hear of him spoiling any lady?”
“No mi lady. But every one loves Lord Edward and he gives away much of his money to the families of the ladies he has courted.”
“Maybe to keep their silence,” Elizabeth said peering at Beth.
“Mi lady you should be happy to become his wife. I can tell that he is fond of you. You are the most beautiful woman that he has ever brought here. All who look on you will see why he is married to you. And Lord Colum will be unhappy many a day that he did not follow his heart and marry you.”
“I love Lord Colum but he does not love me enough to marry me. Lord Colum took my maidenhead.”
Beth lowered her head and tilted her head to one side. “I should not know these things. It could cost me my position in the castle if Lord Edward discovers.”
“I will never tell Beth. I needed someone to confide in. Now I can sleep.”
“Now I cannot sleep, mi lady.” A smile washed across Beth’s face and her eyes sparkled.
Chapter 7
Colum ambled about his large estate. He slouched into the gardens and passed his hands over the roses and smelled the violets. He trudged aimlessly along the path and to the river that meandered around the estate and encircled the castle. He tramped along paths he had when he was a child. When he left it had been dark and fog was heavy, yet he continued walking. He meandered until the moon disappeared and the fog was low and the day was gray.
He found himself near a boat house that he had used on many occasions which provide him a measure of peace whenever his life was difficult. Colum spotted a skiff at the edge of the bank. He pulled the tether and the small boat came floating near. Reaching for it, he climbed into it and began to row. He appeared to be rowing for his life. It wasn’t enough that he had left Mary Francis and her family. He chose to walk in the nearby woods, before he faced Mary Francis, but now he was exhausted from rowing around the lake.
Working himself into exhaustion had always helped him forget his problems. He had problems with his fortune left by his father. He was not a good business man as Edward. Colum would try to employ the entire town and when ever anyone fell sick for any reason, Colum would provide support for their family and extended family.
Colum’s funds were slowly diminishing because his father did not leave him the fortune that everyone thought. He was rich in land and even that was being confiscated by the crown. The marriage to Mary Francis would allow him to keep his lands and bring needed pounds to his estate. But it wasn’t Mary Francis that he desired. It was the young servant Elizabeth. He could not live without her in his life.
His body ached and craved for her sweet youthful smell. Her fresh hair and face aroused him and build his sexual desire for only her until he lost him self and without thought touched her body with his lips in the most private of areas.
After mooring his skiff, he headed back through the fog and found his way into his castle. When he looked up, an old manservant stood in front of him, blocking his path. “Lord Colum, My lady Mary Francis and her family has taken their leave. She said that she understood that you are feeling poorly and that she will see you soon.”
Colum never looked up. He listened with his head bent low and when the servant finished his conversation, he dismissed him with his hand and continued up the stairs to his bedroom. Before he opened his door, he stopped in the room that he had engaged Elizabeth in sexual passion. He could not offer her anything and yet he knew he had taken everything from her. He felt the weight of his decision. He felt the loathing that crept into his soul. He felt the longing for Elizabeth that would not leave him, even as he had tried to walk it away.
He had spent hours wandering through his estate and as the sun disappeared behind the clouds, and the fog settled in, he knew that he could not sleep. He would never sleep until he prevented Elizabeth from
marrying Edward. Walking around like a ghost he commanded his groomsman to bring his horse and pack some meat and fruit for the ride to Edward’s castle.
“My Lord the night is upon us and it is dangerous traveling to Lord McHugh’s castle. The Englishmen are all about and they are not fond of wealthy men. “Then I shall dress in rags.”
The groomsman brought Colum’s black steed, the fastest in his stable. “If you meet any highwaymen or the English soldiers, you can surely out run them, sir,” the groomsman assured him.
Colum mounted his black stallion, dug his heels in its sides and the horse took off into the fog trenched country side. The moon was full and he would have a little light to guide him down the path and into the woods.
Although Edward’s land bordered Colum’s, it would still take many hours to reach the door of the castle, and Colum did not know what kind of welcome he would get.
Colum was half way to Edward’s castle when he saw the lights of the large castle in a distance. But as he rode along, out of the darkness, English soldiers on horses crossed his path.
There were four straddling their horses and blocking his path. “Identify yourself.” One soldier called out to Colum. Then one lit a torch and broke formation to ride to the rear of Colum’s horse. He held up the torch to look in his face and he passed it around his body.
“I am Colum O’Neal, the Earl of Tyrone.”
“What is an Earl doing traveling without an escort this time of the evening?”
“I have important business and that business is my own.” Colum forgot that he was dressed as a beggar.
“If you are the Earl of Tyrone,” the soldier’s men gave a hearty laugh, “I am the Queen of England, and why are you dressed in beggars clothing?”
Colum looked down on his person and indeed he was dressed in brown washed leather that was torn. “You are riding a horse that does indeed belong to a great man, but you are not that man. Take him into custody.”
Column wheeled his horse around and led the horse with his reins into the woods with the four solders trailing behind. The black steed shot off and left the soldiers large slow horses in a distance. The groomsman was right, there was none as fast as his black stallion.
Riding hard, tired, and hungry, Colum finally reached Edward’s estate. Each time he sees it in a distance it is a marvel. It rises out of the distance where it sets high on a hill with the ocean at its back. From all angles there is glorious scenery, mountains on the left, and a forest on the right with game and timber.
As he neared Edward’s door, the sentry knew him as Lord Edward’s childhood friend and they always welcomed him without a question. The sentry waved him in even as he was dressed in his not so regal attire. When he reached the large wooden door for entrance to the castle, he banged on it until the doorman opened it.
The doorman looked Colum up and down. “It is you Lord Tyrone. Lord McHugh and his guest are having dinner. I will announce you.”
“No please don’t. I want to surprise them.”
The doorman allowed Colum to enter into the great dinning hall. He had been there many times. He wobbled in the room and Edward seated near Elizabeth was holding her hand. The table was set for only two and a sumptuous meal of venison and fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese and pies of all kinds set on the table for Elizabeth to gorge on. Anything that was left over would be given to the many servants.
The castle had more bedrooms than any of the castles in Ireland or England and each room had its own maid.
Elizabeth glanced up and spied Colum standing in the door. His look was dark and desperate. It was a look of longing, loneliness, and confusion; it was a look of jealously and need. She did not hate him; she loved him and would always love him because he was her first love. It must have been important for him to come to the castle at nightfall, she thought.
“Oh there you are again Colum.” Edward eyes rose to meet Colum’s. “We appear to be playing musical chairs. But not for long because Elizabeth has consented to marry me and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
“She loves me Edward.” Elizabeth scowled at Colum with begging eyes not to reveal to Edward that they had been intimate.
Elizabeth held Edward’s hand tightly because she knew what Colum would say next. Her eyes pleaded with Colum but he would not relent. He would destroy the union if he could not have her.
“And how do you know that she loves you? She has agreed to never see you again and consent to marry me.”
“Elizabeth does not love you.”
“And how can you say this with such assurance?” Edward tilted his head glaring at Elizabeth.
“Ask Elizabeth!” Colum shouted. She watched Edward and held his hand even tighter. She shook her head. Colum’s steel blue eyes locked on Elizabeth’s soft innocent eyes. “Tell him what happened between us.”
“Nothing, nothing happened between me and Lord O’Neal.” Elizabeth lied. Maybe she lied because she wanted the reality to be a dream.
“Call me Colum. That was the name you called out when you lay with me and I took your maidenhead.”
“How dare you come here and make accusations about Elizabeth. What do you hope to accomplish by sullying her name and ruining our night.”
“Tell him Elizabeth.” Elizabeth lowered her head and tears fell from her eyes and she pulled her hand from Edward’s hand.
Elizabeth stood, “Yes it is true, Edward. I will leave to go home tomorrow morning. I will sleep in the maid’s quarters tonight. I am sorry to have deceived you. I am no longer a virgin and chaste. ” A tear fell from her eyes and splashed on her cheeks.
Edward harbored the most intense loathing for Colum, but not for Elizabeth. When Elizabeth turned to leave, Edward caught her hand and stopped her. Standing facing Colum, he kissed her hand. “Do not leave. I want Colum to know and you to know that I do not give a tinkers dam whether you are a virgin or not.” He looked in Colum’s direction, “You are despicable because you would ruin my happiness and Elizabeth’s because you do not have the courage to take her for your wife.”
“I do want to marry her,” Colum stated.
“When you are ready? What is she to do as you think about whether she is good enough to be the lady of your castle? What is she to do as you ponder what others will say?”
“It is not as you say, Edward. I will marry her.”
“Then ask her to marry you now, otherwise get out of my way.”
Edward led Elizabeth out of the dinning room and Beth met them and accompanied her to her room. Edward returned with Colum standing in the same spot, looking down at the marble floor. “I want you out of my home and you are not welcome here again.”
“I will take my leave, but if I find that you have done anything to hurt Elizabeth, I will be there to protect her. I warn you, Edward.”
“Leave us Colum!” Colum had traveled long and had not slept in two days. He fled to the woods to sleep, where he heard the sound of a stream.
Chapter 8
It was not comfortable sleeping on cold grass and brush in the woods. Colum laid out a woven straw pallet where he would spend a tortuous night trying to sleep and thinking about what a despicable thing he had done to the only person he would ever love. His night was long staring up at the stars thinking about the wrong he had done to Elizabeth. He felt remorse and shame. Not only had he destroyed any relationship he could have had with her, he had ruined a life long friendship with Edward.
Somehow Colum fell into a deep sleep but was awaken by the sun peering through the trees and a saber piercing his cheek that moved to his throat. “Get up. I knew we would find you.” A king’s soldier stated with a mocking grin.
“You are making a mistake,” Colum uttered trying to get to his feet.
“You have made the mistake of running from the King’s soldiers. Move, you vagabond. You probably have a bounty on your head.”
“I am the Earl of Tyrone. I revealed this to you previously my good man. I will see that you are str
ipped of your rank and every thing that you own.” Colum said as he raised his arrogant head and assumed the manner of a gentleman.
“Who do you think you are talking to? I am the sheriff of all this land and it does not matter whether you are the Earl or not. I have your life in my hands.” He gestured to a soldier to tie Colum’s hands. Colum wheeled around and threw a blow to the soldier’s face knocking him to the ground. The three soldiers rushed Colum and attacked him with blows to his head and with the blow of a limb to Colum’s legs he fell to the ground unable to walk or move.
The soldiers hog tied Colum, laid him across his steed and took him away. When Colum woke he was badly bruised about his handsome face, but he could stand and walk. As he was brought into the hamlet, he was recognized as the Earl of Tyrone. His man servant was summoned immediately to collect him and ferry him to his castle. The sheriff ordered that he relinquish a portion of his vast estate for committing an act against the king’s soldiers and fined him thousands of pounds.
He was powerless to do anything at the time. Because England could not station all their soldiers in one country, the sheriff was the only law in Ireland and they had the power to make laws and carry them out.
* * *
Stunned by the level of power the sheriff possessed, Colum could not afford to give his land and money over to the realm. England had confiscated most of his land already, and now it was taking his money as well.
He arrived at his castle with an uneasy feeling. He could recognize the changes that were coming to his beautiful country. In Dublin, there were few gentry with land and money. He and Edward were the last Earls in all of Ireland. Now their powers were being diminished do to the power given to lowly soldiers who was devoted to the crown of England.
Colum had respected the traditions of his gentry but because he was seeing his country being torn apart because of religion, he began to question his loyalties. After a day and night’s sleep, Colum was able to see the limits of his world. He was in a dire place with money and land. What was he to tell the families who depended on him for work and sustenance? Now there would be less cattle and venison due to the confiscation of his land. How was he to tell Mary Francis that her parties would have to come to an end? He would not have to wait long because after he had finished a long awaited breakfast of eggs and ham, strawberry jam, and hot bread, he was informed that Mary Francis was waiting for him in the library.
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