Agnes sat on the bench William’s mother usually occupied but could be found in less and less these days. She stared at the stone that had been somewhat worn from the many times a hand had rested there.
“She has been so good to me,” Agnes found herself saying. “I hope my bairn will give her purpose. And I hope William and I will always love one another the way you both did. It was a sight to behold watching her come here to you all those times.”
The wind picked up then, and some late-blooming rose petals loose from the bush separated and drifted to land at her feet. Agnes could not help but smile at the thought of William’s father actually being connected to this exact spot. Perhaps his mother had been right all along. The thought warmed her heart.
Footsteps behind her drew her attention. She turned to find William wearing a solemn expression. Unease washed over her.
“Come, we should see you inside,” he said as he approached.
“What is it? What’s happened?” she asked.
“All is well. We are in no danger, but I have news you will wish to hear.”
Agnes didn’t know if she wanted to hear it or not. She accepted William’s hand and followed him to the hall to where his mother and Neville waited.
“Where are the boys?” William asked.
“I have sent them to their chamber until we address this. They do not need to be a part of this vile business,” his mother said.
“Mother, we should be grateful we have been asked our opinion. That was not required.”
She stood and placed her hands flat on the table. Agnes had never seen the woman look so formidable. “You are correct, William. We should not have been asked. There is only one pathforward and the king knows it. The decision should not be placed on us.”
“Mother, I don’t believe that is what this is about.”
Agnes could take no more. “Will someone please tell me what this is all about?”
Neville stepped forward and pulled back a chair for her. He too had been quite doting on her and she’d grown to trust him as she had everyone else in the hall.
“I have heard from the king.” William said.
“Aye, I gathered that much. And that it has to do with my uncle and your sister.”
One did not need to be scholarly to glean what might upset them all so much.
“They have been captured. All three. They were found attempting to board a ship to Ireland in Prestwick.”
“That is good news,” Agnes said. The suspense was eating her alive. “So what has you all so riled?”
“They have been tried and found guilty of abduction and arson, both of which are treasonable offences and punishable by beheading.”
Agnes was aware of that. Truth be told it had crossed her mind once or twice during her own captivity. “And?”
“The king is sensitive to the family relationship of all three and so asked our opinion of whether or not to carry out that sentence, or to instead imprison them at Edinburgh Castle.”
Agnes sat back for a moment. From what his mother said, it would appear she was not pleased with the question either or its implications. She supposed having the decision to, or even voicing an opinion on such a matter, made oneself somewhat accountable. Never in her life had she considered someone else’s life would be placed in her hands. Never mind how careless they’d been with her life.
She was not like them.
What right did she have to give someone life or take it away? Agnes placed her hand on her belly and rubbed up and down. She was put on this earth to create life. If she were to take it away from someone else, this beautiful miracle that grew within her would be somehow tainted.
But did they deserve life?
Even a cold rotten existence in Edinburgh dungeon was still life and the question remained: did they deserve even that? Considering the condition they’d left her in, a prison would be fitting. She’d been left to find pots and pans to relieve herself in for five days. No wonder William had covered his nose after he’d broken down the door. She had been overjoyed to be saved but horrified to have been found by him in such a state. If she ever had any doubt about his love and devotion, it was forever eliminated in that moment.
They wanted her to decide.
Agnes stood and pushed in her chair. She had been asked the most difficult question of her life and she would answer it. She had worked too hard to quell her fears over the past months and let only joy replace former anguish and darkness.
