[03] The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small

Author:Bertrice Small
Language: eng
Format: mobi

power who do not choose to lose the woman’s large dower portion. It is a nasty business, but an unimportant English baron would be unlikely, no matter his measly bribe, to gain such consent from York.”

“His own priest was at York,” the laird reminded Bishop Kennedy.

“A country priest who had probably spent most of his life at this Wulfborn” came the reply. “You met him, Scott of Dunglais, did you not? Would you call him quick-witted and clever?”

The laird shook his head. “He was not a fool, but neither did I think him particularly wise. Kindly. Loyal to Sir Udolf, but deeply concerned by what was happening and becoming suspicious that perhaps his master had been misled. He was very anxious to get Sir Udolf to consider several women of respectable lineage who were capable yet of bearing children and lived in the vicinity of Wulfborn. Sir Udolf would have none of it.”

“I will make inquiries for you, although I am not on the best of terms with the church in England right now. Still, my quarrel is with Durham, not York. I will send one of my people south, and we will see if we can find the answers to your questions.”

“Your Grace, I thank you with all my heart,” Malcolm Scott responded, and then, kneeling, he kissed the hand with the bishop’s ring that was held out to him. Standing again he said, “And shall I tender your compliments to Father Donald, Your Grace?”

The bishop gave a snort of ve salaughter. “Aye, you may. And tell him I miss him, his wry wit, and invaluable counsel.” And turning to Adam Hepburn he said, “Can you do nothing with the king, Hepburn? His ability to control a horse seems to get worse, not better. Some of the lords have begun to look to his brother Alexander.”

“They would do well to cease their hostility towards His Highness,” Adam Hepburn said. “It is true he rides badly, but he is intelligent and civilized, unlike his brother, who is bad-mannered and prone to make foolish choices even though he rides like he was born on a horse. Is that all the earls want? Someone to ride, drink, dice, and wench with them? If that be the case, then any man might be king.”

“So it has been said,” Bishop Kennedy replied dryly. “You may go now, my lords. And give the queen my compliments.”

“Sly old fox,” Adam Hepburn muttered when they were well out of the bishop’s hearing. “He plays a crafty game. If he thought he could control any of the princes without the queen’s interference he would put one of them on young James’s throne instead. He is a constant worry to her.”

“She does not look well,” the laird remarked.

“She is not, but none know it but me. She strives hard to hide it from them. She fears showing any sign of weakness will endanger the king. Her children are her life, but especially her eldest. She knows better than any what her husband would have wanted from them.

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