Rosamund giggled. “Logan is going to be furious,” she said. “He will be disappointed that Elizabeth did not choose one of his friends’ sons if she is to wed a Scot.”
“He will survive the disappointment, dear girl,” Lord Cambridge said dryly. “Ah, I remember him when he sought to make you his wife. He was brazen. Dashing. Dangerous! But now, content with you and his lads, he has become a rather ordinary and dull fellow, I fear. That seems to happen to most men once they are wed. Why did you bring John with you? He has spent all his time with Father Mata, and we have scarce seen him at all.”
“Mata is taking him to Prior Richard in a few days,” Rosamund said.
“Logan has relented? Dear girl, why did you not say so sooner?”
“Logan has not relented. He has just come to realize that John’s fate lies away from Claven’s Carn, but he still has hopes that after his novitiate, before he takes his final vows, John will change his mind,” Rosamund explained.
“But he won’t,” Lord Cambridge said, “and so your eldest son becomes his father’s heir, eh? John will make his own destiny even as Elizabeth will make hers.”
“Even as I made mine,” Rosamund said softly. “Thank you, Tom.”
Chapter 10
Before she departed the following morning, Rosamund sought out Baen MacColl and spoke with him. He towered over her, and she could suddenly see some of the attraction that Elizabeth felt. He was very masculine. “Do you hear news of Glenkirk?” she asked him quietly. “How is the earl?”
“Well, but older, they say, than God himself,” Baen replied. “I have not seen him out riding recently. They say he leaves most of the business of Glenkirk to his son, Lord Adam. The earl has not been well in many years now, lady. His memory is faulty, it is said, but he is still well thought of by all. My father is friends with Lord Adam. Did you know the earl, lady?”
“Once,” Rosamund said. “Long ago. I am pleased to learn the earl remains in good health. Should you see Lord Adam when you return home, please tell him that Rosamund Bolton sends all at Glenkirk her kind regards.” She smiled up at him. “I think you a good man, Baen MacColl. I am glad you have returned to Friarsgate. I hope you will gain all you desire while you are here.”
“Thank you, lady,” he said. Her smile was dazzling, and her words kind. “Mistress Elizabeth has been very kind and helpful.”
“My daughter, I think,” said Rosamund, unable to resist, “has a weakness for Scots, Baen MacColl. Since I am wed to one myself, I can hardly object.” There! She had given her tacit approval of him. He did not understand the true meaning behind her words, of course. It was up to Elizabeth now, but Rosamund had come to realize over the last few days of her visit that she would not object to Baen MacColl as a son-in-law. “Farewell, sir,” she concluded the conversation, and she gave his arm a friendly pat.
Thomas Bolton had heard all, and now he came forth as if just entering the hall. “Are you ready to leave, dearest cousin?” he asked her. “Allow me to escort you to your horse. I sent ahead yesterday to your good lord to let him know you were returning home. You will be escorted to the border by Friarsgate men, and met by your own Claven’s Carn folk. I have not a doubt dear Logan will ride with them. Do not fret about Johnnie. We shall see him safely to St. Cuthbert’s, my precious girl.” He took her arm and drew her from the hall.
“You heard, you sly fox!” She chuckled.
“I did. Not all, but enough to know you will not forbid a match between the bastard of Grayhaven and the heiress of Friarsgate,” he told her. But he had heard all, and the knowledge that a small flame still burned secretly in her heart for Patrick Leslie had almost brought him to tears. But then, did one ever forget such a great love?
They found Elizabeth awaiting them outside of the house. “I will ride a ways with you, Mama,” she said, and mounted her own horse.
Lord Cambridge bade his cousin a most effusive good-bye. “Who knows when we shall meet again,” he told her dramatically.
Rosamund laughed down at him from her saddle. “Dear Tom,” she said, “I have not a doubt it will be sooner than later. When will you return to Otterly?”
“Will arrived last evening. My wing is but half-finished. That wicked daughter of yours had convinced the builder to put in another door between my private quarters and the rest of the house. Will remained while it was removed and bricked up. Banon has been severely admonished, and the builder as well. It would appear I shall not be able to return home until sometime in October, if the snows hold off, of course,” he explained. “I shall send a most stern missive to Banon regarding this matter, you may be assured.” He took Rosamund’s hand in his and kissed it. “Travel in safety, dearest girl, and tell your good lord that I send him my most affectionate regards.”
The two women and their escort rode away from the house. The day was cloudy, muggy, and hinted of rain.
“I like your Scot,” Rosamund told her daughter as they traveled along. “If you can bring him to the altar, I will not object, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, Mama. What will you tell Logan?” she asked her parent.
“Nothing for the present,” Rosamund said. “Surely you do not wish to be inundated with Scots suitors of what your stepfather will consider more suitable births while you are attempting to bring Baen around? No. I shall tell Logan that there was no one at court who was suitable, but that Tom is considering several other families he had not previously considered. If Logan asks me who they are I shall simply say I did not inquire, as I trust my cousin implicitly, since he succeeded in matching your two older sisters so very well.” Rosamund chuckled. “Your stepfather will not dare to press the issue further, for he trusts me completely, bless him.”
“Poor Logan.” Elizabeth grinned. “Does he realize how shamelessly you manipulate him, Mama?”
“Of course not!” She laughed. Then she grew sober once more. “These Scots are prideful, Elizabeth. Remember that as you maneuver your own game. I like Baen. He would make you a good husband, and he will not usurp your authority, as your father did not attempt to steal mine. But his loyalty to the father who took him in is great. In the end, you may have to appeal to the master of Grayhaven if you wish his son as your husband. If that happens you must ask Logan to intercede for you, for only a Scotsman will understand another Scotsman, my daughter.”
“If he does not love me enough to remain with me,” Elizabeth said softly, “then I do not want him. I am not some prize to be bestowed.”
“Elizabeth! That is exactly what you are, and must appear to be. If the master of Grayhaven is to give up his oldest son it must be because the life you can offer Baen is better than what he can offer him. You have the advantage. Do not throw it away because of your own pride, I beg you!” Rosamund said low.
“He must love me enough to stay by my side, Mama,” Elizabeth said firmly. “The decision must be his, and no one else’s.”
Rosamund said no more. Arguing with her daughter would accomplish nothing but to make Elizabeth’s determination firmer. To her surprise Elizabeth remained with her until they reached the unmarked place where England flowed into Scotland. Sure enough, there was Logan Hepburn waiting with half a dozen clansmen to escort his wife home.
