An Earthly Knight

by Janet Mcnaughton

  Isabel said no more. Jenny wondered if she were talking about Cospatric, but it seemed cruel to ask.

  The days that followed were so filled with preparations, Jenny could keep her worries at bay as she worked, but each night they overwhelmed her. If she confessed, her father would probably send her to the priory in spring, soon after the child was born, to hide her shame. Jenny wondered if it might be possible for her to take her sister’s place. But even in Galiene’s care, a newborn without its mother would not be likely to survive, and no one would mourn if it died. No one but Jenny. In spite of everything, she already loved her child fiercely. If this is all I can have of Tam, she thought, I must find a way to keep the baby. If she could only convince Earl William to make the vows soon, she might marry him and pretend the baby was born early. She felt sick to think of the guile it would take to trick a man like that. And then, there was the problem of confession. Could she bring herself to withhold everything that had happened with Tam and put her soul in peril? Yes. She already valued the life of her child above her soul. If she had to lie in confession, she would.

  She had not gone back to Carter Hall since the full moon of August. Jenny’s journey home that night had been so uneventful after she left the river, her absence so completely unnoticed, she suspected Tam’s charm had even worked its way into her father’s bailey. She longed for Tam now, thought of him constantly, but she stayed away. Not because she feared the fairy queen, but because she could not bring herself to add to his troubles. She knew he would blame himself for her pregnancy, though she never would. I will honour his memory by protecting his child, she told herself. That may be all I can do.

  When Eudo arrived the night before the betrothal, Jenny was surprised to find he had come alone. Surely Sir Robert and Lady Margaret would want to witness Earl William’s betrothal. Half of Teviotdale was coming. Jenny noticed that Eudo seemed more serious than usual, but in all the confusion there was no chance to ask what troubled him. Isabel had not seen her brother since Christmas, and she was so happy, Jenny could imagine that nothing bad had ever happened to her.

  As the evening ended, on the way to the bower, Isabel said, “I have a surprise for you, Jenny, a song. At least, Cospatric and I do. If you like, I will sing it again at your feast tomorrow evening.”

  Cospatric seemed a little uncomfortable in the family bower, but he quickly settled himself on a stool and began to play. The song Isabel sang was in his own language, Gaelic. It sounded strange to Jenny’s ears, but Isabel seemed to have mastered it without difficulty. Her voice sounded even more beautiful than usual. Everyone in the bower—her father, Eudo, even Galiene—was captivated. Only Jenny looked at Cospatric, so only she saw his face when he looked at Isabel. In that fleeting glance, Jenny found what she had been searching for all these weeks, a love so deep and honest it almost took her breath away.

  “Cospatric taught me that love song in his own tongue,” Isabel said when they had finished.

  “I would love to hear it again at the feast, Isabel,” Jenny said. She was more deeply touched than she could say.

  When Cospatric left, Eudo said, “I wish to speak to my sister, on this last night that she is truly part of our family. Come, Jenny, let us walk.” Only then did Jenny remember how troubled he had seemed earlier.

  As they walked along the road, Eudo picked up a stick and hit the bushes. He would not look at her. “Isabel seems fine,” he said at last. “I thought to find her greatly changed.”

  “So she was in the spring. You would not have known her then, but she returned to herself, little by little. The music has helped her greatly.”

  “That harper is a wonder. I have not heard the like of his music before.”

  Jenny could not resist praising Cospatric to her brother. “He is a good man, Eudo, forthright and kind, with a heart that would befit a nobleman.”

  Eudo sighed. “You make it easier for me to speak, for that is the very thing I wished to talk to you about. Jenny, many noblemen do not share those qualities of honesty and kindness. If you were to decide against this match, you need not fear for me. If Earl William were to demand his forfeit from the tournament, I would find a way to pay it.”

  Jenny was so surprised she stopped walking. “Eudo. I thought this match pleased you.” She tried to think what might have caused this change. “Has father spoken to you about the moneylenders?” Perhaps Eudo was worried he would lose his birthright.

  “Father told me, but that is not my only concern. Jenny, the more I learn of Earl William’s character, the less I am inclined to trust him. If you feel the position he brings you is worth everything, if you think you could love him, I will never speak against him again. But if you wish to change your mind, I will stand by you.”

  Jenny felt that Eudo was not telling her everything, but she was afraid to probe further. This betrothal was her only hope for the future. She linked her arm with his. “You are a good and generous brother, Eudo. I will always be grateful for your loyalty.” She sighed. “But the die is cast. By this time tomorrow, Earl William and I will be betrothed.”

  That night, for the first time, Jenny dreamed herself back to Carter Hall. She was standing by the well and everything was flooded with moonlight, but she was alone. Even in my dreams I can no longer find him, she thought when she woke.

  Earl William’s party must have left Rowanwald before sunrise, for it was more than half a day’s journey but they arrived at Langknowes just at noon. Jenny was amazed by their number. It would be hard to feed so many more guests. Brother Bertrand greeted the family as old friends, but Earl William remained on his horse, looking around. Jenny guessed he was taking the measure of her father’s property. He seemed shocked, and she wondered if her father had misled him. He was so aloof and calculating, up there on his fine grey charger that her heart quailed.

  “And where is Brother Turgis?” she heard Brother Bertrand say.

  “He thought to take this time to go among the outlying fermtouns to christen any babies born this summer and perform a few marriages. He sends his regrets, but he knows he leaves us in your good hands,” Jenny’s father replied. Jenny suspected Brother Turgis had his nose out of joint because the almoner had taken over so many important functions for the family. Whatever the reason, Jenny was pleased. Brother Bertrand would lend grace to the ceremony.

  Her father left Brother Bertrand and went to Earl William, who finally dismounted. “I bid you welcome as a son, my lord,” he said, clapping him on the shoulder and then looking around. “Where is your lady? Jenny, come greet your bridegroom.”

  Jenny obeyed. When Earl William looked at her, she thought she saw a flash of the same disappointment she had seen as he surveyed their lands. In truth, he had cared for her only when she wore the enchanted dress. Without it, she might have left Roxburg a free woman. Tam’s confused attempt to bridge the gap between the fairy world and her own had sealed her fate.

  “Daughter, show some affection,” her father urged.

  Jenny leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on Earl William’s cheek, turning away quickly before he could respond. “You have met my brother Eudo, I believe, and this is my sister, Lady Isabel.” Jenny seized Isabel’s hand and placed it in Earl William’s.

  He dropped Isabel’s soft white hand as if it were a live toad. “This is the maid who disgraced her family? I cannot believe you flaunt her so.” His voice was loud.

  A hush fell over the stable yard. Everyone seemed frozen. Eudo moved first, placing his hand on Isabel’s shoulder, but it was Brother Bertrand who spoke. “I have come to hear Lady Isabel’s confession, my lord. When she has received the grace of God, her sins will be forgiven. Let us not besmirch this day by casting stones in judgment.” Jenny heard an unexpected sternness in his voice. This was not the tone a courtier would take with a member of the royal family, but that of a priest addressing someone found wanting. What could that possibly mean?

  “Let us go to my hall,” her father cried, trying to pretend no
thing had happened. From the corner of her eye, Jenny saw Eudo quietly lead Isabel to the privacy of the bower. Jenny found she was shaking with anger. She wished she had the courage to order Earl William to leave, but she knew another scene would only make matters worse.

  Whether Cospatric had been present to hear Earl William’s slur against Isabel, Jenny did not know, but when they entered the hall, he immediately set to playing. The music was so lovely that Jenny would have guessed it to be charmed if she had not known better. By the time the harp fell silent, the mood of the day was restored, at least until her father spoke.

  “Your mother did not travel with you, my lord?”

  “No. Frankly, I must tell you, my mother does not care for this match. She feels, as she often does, I have acted rashly.”

  Jenny could not believe what she was hearing. “I wonder that you would marry without your mother’s blessing, my lord.”

  He stared at her for a long moment before answering. “My brother is head of the family, as well as king. I have his approval. That is certainly enough for me, Lady Jeanette. It will be your task to win your mother-in-law’s affections when you come to court, for she runs the king’s household and will until he marries, if he ever does.”

  While everyone else ate, Jenny picked at her food and pondered her situation. She had hoped that she and William would establish a household of their own, away from the travelling court of the king. It might be possible to trick Earl William into thinking his child was born early, but Lady Ada would be more difficult to fool. How could she spend her life in that unhappy family?

  After the meal, Brother Bertrand went to hear Isabel confess, and Earl William drew Jenny aside. “Come walk with me,” he said, “and we will discuss our wedding day.” He seemed pleasant enough, but as soon as they were out of the bailey, he turned on her. “When you come to court, you will learn to curb your tongue, for there are many there who would use an unkind word against me to their own advantage.”

  Jenny looked at him, amazed. “I spoke no word against you, my lord.”

  “Indeed. ‘I wonder that you would marry without your mother’s blessing, my lord.’ What do you call that? I will not suffer your sharp tongue, Jeanette, I warn you. I plan to bring you to court soon. Next month, if that suits your father. My mother will oversee your behaviour there, and she will soon bring you to heel if I cannot, I promise you. As for our marriage, that will be delayed a year or more.”

  “You cannot mean that,” Jenny said. Her distress seemed to please him more than anything she had done since he had arrived.

  “But I can. My sister’s wedding emptied the coffers. My brother is not prepared to pay for another so soon. I am heir to the throne. No expense will be spared when I am married.”

  Tears sprang to Jenny’s eyes. “I cannot wait a year,” she whispered.

  Flattered by her distress, he stopped walking and put his arms around her. “Come now. After today, we will be as good as married. You still owe me that forfeit from the tournament, you know. When you come to court, I will have the chance to claim my prize in full.” And he kissed her. It was a rough kiss, and Jenny’s reaction was immediate. Without thinking, she flattened both her palms against his shoulders and pushed. Her strength surprised them both. Suddenly he was an arm’s length away, red-faced with anger.

  “When I am your lord and master, Jeanette, you will not treat me so,” he said.

  “When I am betrothed to you, my lord, you may do as you wish. Until that time, I must govern my own behaviour.”

  He gave her a predatory smile. “I think I can wait that long.”

  She turned back without looking to see if he followed. She tried to wipe the feel of his mouth from her lips with the back of her hand. His kiss was so unlike anything she had shared with Tam that she found it hard to believe it could be called by the same name.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was impossible to stop the betrothal ceremony now. Jenny allowed herself to be dressed in her scarlet silk and led back to the hall. The chapel was far too small to hold the crowd of guests that had assembled. Jenny met their smiling faces like a sleepwalker until Brother Bertrand asked her to place her hand in Earl William’s. When she looked into William’s cold blue eyes, she found her voice.

  “Father, I cannot pledge my troth to this man.” She tried to speak loudly, but her voice came out in a whisper.

  When Brother Bertrand leaned forward and whispered back, she realized that only he and Earl William had heard her. “My child, you cannot mean this. Everything is arranged.”

  William de Warenne looked as though he would murder her.

  Jenny took a deep breath and stepped back.

  “Father, I cannot marry this man.” She spoke loudly enough to be heard by everyone this time. “I am with child by another.”

  The shocked silence that followed seemed to go on forever. Once again, Brother Bertrand was the first to find his voice. “Do you swear before God this is the truth, Lady Jeanette, and not some falsehood created to deliver you from this betrothal?”

  Jenny hung her head. “I did lie with another man, Father, and I seem to be with child.”

  “This girl has betrayed me,” William cried. “I want to see her beaten for her sins.”

  “And you, Earl William, will you be beaten for your sins as well?”

  “Eudo, silence!” their father roared.

  Everyone turned to Eudo. His face was white, but he held his ground. “No, Father, let me speak. If my sister is to be punished, why should this man escape unscathed? Mary, a servant at Lilliesleaf, is also with child, and she names Earl William as the father. Lady Margaret has her beaten black and blue for saying so, but her story does not change. And I believe her.”

  Earl William’s face was dark with fury. “I did not come here to be slandered. This girl is as bad as her sister. I am well rid of the lot of you.” He stormed from the hall, and his entourage followed.

  Everyone else filed silently after them, until only Brother Bertrand and Jenny’s family remained.

  “Eudo Avenel, you have made a powerful enemy this day,” the priest said, “but I admire your courage. If the child at Lilliesleaf is his, that would make three that I am aware of.” He sighed. “The king wished to see his brother wed to prevent such shame. That is why he gave his blessing to this union, though it was not as illustrious or profitable as Lady Ada wished. I thought we were going to sacrifice a lamb this day to protect the king’s reputation.” He turned to Jenny. “But you are no lamb.”

  His voice grew stern, though it was not as angry as it might have been. “I want your confession now. Do not think to delay as your sister did. Childbirth will place you in the very jaws of death, and you must cleanse your soul at once. Come to the chapel with me now.”

  Jenny knew she would accomplish nothing by resisting Brother Bertrand. In the chapel, she poured out every scrap of bad behaviour she had committed over the summer. How she mistreated Hilde at Lilliesleaf, how she bullied Ranulf, how she enlisted Alric to help her steal away the night of the full moon. As she spoke, she felt her burden grow lighter. She did not mention magic or the fairies for fear the priest might doubt her sanity, but she told him about Tam. She finally finished and received his penance and absolution, but Brother Bertrand did not move.

  “My child, you have bound yourself to a madman. I hear he lives like some wild beast in the forest.” He shook his head in disbelief. Jenny forced herself to remain silent, knowing she could never explain the truth about Tam to him. Brother Bertrand continued. “Still, he is of noble birth. The proper thing would be to see you wed, to give your child a name, even if the man cannot live with you as a husband should. I think your father should send men out to hunt him down at once.”

  “Oh, Father, no. I could not bear that.” The idea terrified her.

  “You surprise me, my child. Most women in your state would wish to be wed in haste.”

  “But Father, he is not like other men. I would not see him f
rightened or harmed.” Jenny suddenly remembered something. “The night we met you, my father swore Tam Lin would come to no harm by his hand. Is he not still bound by that oath?”

  The priest nodded. “You remember well. Yes, he is.”

  “Then, I beg you to keep my secret. I cannot say who the father of this child is until I know he is safe from harm.”

  Brother Bertrand frowned. “Of course, I can reveal nothing you have told me in confession. But I can hardly counsel you to disobey your father. Knowing that you carry the child of a great household would do much to soften his wrath in the months ahead.”

  Jenny lifted her chin. “I must see that my father is not tempted to break his oath. But beyond that, I will not lighten my own burden by adding to that of the man I love.”

  Brother Bertrand rose. “You are every bit as wilful as your sister. Like her, you set your feet on the most difficult path. But your wishes are not selfish, and I am bound to honour the sanctity of confession.”

  Jenny grasped his hand. “Thank you, Father.”

  He placed his hand briefly on her head in benediction. “You thank me for placing you on a bed of thorns.”

  Jenny had expected everyone in the family bower to be upset, and she was not surprised. Isabel had been crying, and Eudo was comforting her. Galiene sat in a far corner, no doubt hoping she would not be noticed and dismissed.

  Jenny’s father rose as she entered with Brother Bertrand. “I blame the Earl of Roxburg for this,” he said.

  Jenny almost panicked. “What do you mean, Papa?” she managed to say.

  “The girls at Marchmont were not properly chaperoned. I will be surprised if you are the only maid who was ruined at that event.”

  Jenny breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she had kept her wits. “This did not happen to me at Roxburg, Father.”

  “If not, where?” her father roared. Then, suddenly, his voice broke. “Do not tell me I have harboured another viper in my house.”