A Cruel Courtship by Candace Robb

Author:Candace Robb [Robb, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Mystery & Detective, Crime
ISBN: 0099410133
Google: Xz9z1VsopJ0C
Amazon: B004EYSXL6
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2010-12-06T18:30:00+00:00

8

REVELATIONS

Frightened by the events of the evening, which had strengthened his terror of being found out by the English, Father Piers began to fuss to avoid facing his demons. He considered the room, trying to determine how he might best receive Margaret, how best to tell her of James’s misadventure and his sad news, as well as the summons that had come for a priest to administer the last rites to Johanna. He’d sent his elderly assistant, Father John, for Piers was needed here, to stand his ground against soldiers demanding James. He’d had a terrible feeling that Gordon Cowie’s murder had set off a wave of fighting to mirror that going on down below, and now he feared he’d been right. God have mercy on all their souls, he prayed, crossing himself.

He wondered how he, called to a contemplative life, had become so involved in treachery. It was frightening to be in the middle of all of it. He was within his rights to grant James sanctuary, but he was uneasy about how the English would judge his doing so. He had assured the captain who’d pursued James that despite his wish to cooperate with the castle it was his duty to respect the sanctity of sanctuary.

‘Do you know who he is?’ the captain had demanded.

‘It matters not a whit who he is,’ said Piers, ‘he has claimed sanctuary and it is his right.’ He would lie outright if necessary – he had before, despite his fear of becoming mired in a quicksand of lies. The captain had hesitated, as if about to tell him of James’s connection with King John Balliol, but then decided against it.

‘I’ll return in the morning,’ he’d said, and departed.

Just as worrisome was Margaret’s being abroad in the town, and without an escort, not even her maid. He did not know what she could be thinking, to take no precautions after the death of the goldsmith. Most felt that Gordon had been murdered because of his support of the English. For all others knew Margaret, too, was on the side of the invaders – they didn’t know of her work for King John.

‘Dame Maggie is here,’ the clerk said.

Praised be God.

The first thing Piers noticed was that despite the summery night Margaret had a plaid wrapped around her. He also noted that her hem was filthy. As she stepped into the room she stumbled despite having her hand resting on the arm of her small maid.

‘Dame Margaret?’ Piers looked closely at her.

She raised her eyes to his, fixing on him with exaggerated attention though it made her blink. Her face was flushed and slack.

God help us, she’s been drinking.

He pulled the chair slightly out of the light – her eyes must be sensitive to it – and appreciated Celia’s coaxing her to take the seat so proffered.

Margaret did not move at once. ‘I was too late,’ she said.

The clerk caught Piers’s eye – Water? Wine? Neither?

But Celia asked for some watered wine for her mistress.

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