“Ah, so Roger’s brother taunted both of you as if he knew the truth would tear you apart. William no doubt relishing every moment as he sought tae slay your husband, too. I’ve long known of the enmity between them…a common thing for a second son coveting what God bestowed upon the eldest son, but forgive me, Lady Douglas, go on.”
Julianna wiped tears from her cheeks and obliged him, the words tumbling out of her while King Robert listened intently as she described how Roger had lost hold of his sword and she’d thrown it back to him.
“Och, woman, you’re as quick-thinking as brave,” the king interrupted again, staring at her in awe. “What happened then?”
“Roger struck his brother and killed him…saving our lives. The bishop declared that God had judged and I was innocent.”
“Aye, so I believe you were all along and I’m sorry you had tae suffer such misery. Even if I had arrived at Douglas Castle before the wager of battle, I wouldna have stopped it. Such charges are best determined by the sword—but all turned out as it should…except for you fleeing from your husband. Why do you believe you belong in a convent rather than at his side?”
King Robert studied her so keenly now, his expression inscrutable, that Julianna dropped her gaze to her lap to stare at her hands.
“There’s nowhere else for me to go…neither here in Scotland or England.”
“Och, but what’s at the heart of it, lass? Is it Charles de Montfort you’re grieving after because you loved him?”
“No, I never loved him!” Julianna blurted out, meeting the king’s eyes. “I love Roger—”
“Yet you left him.”
“Yes, because of what his family did to mine!”
“Aye, his family…William and mayhap his father, I know what happened in Cumberland and I’ve never condoned the killing of women and children. As soon as I heard your name was De Vescy, I foresaw this trouble between you and Roger if the truth became known—but what else was there tae be done with you than for him tae wed you? I know, too, that Roger wasna part of that border raid but remained behind at Douglas Castle. Did he have a chance tae tell you as much?”
“Y-yes,” Julianna murmured, remembering how anguished he had sounded through the door to their room. “He told me he wasn’t there—”
“And yet here you are with me and my men and thank heaven for it! Those wolves would have torn you apart—a terrible sight for your husband tae come upon, aye? Dinna you think he’s searching high and low for you?”
Julianna swallowed hard, remembering, too, Roger’s fervent outcry before he left for the village…I love you, lass—do you hear me? I love you!
She could only nod at King Robert, who sighed heavily and looked away to stare into the fire.
“Roger Douglas is besotted with you, lass. I saw it straightaway when he brought you before me in Dumbarton, and couldna believe the change in him after grieving so fiercely for his late wife. His offer tae take you for his bride led me tae hope your marriage could bring you both happiness—och, but mayhap I was wrong.”
“No, I was happy—we were happy, but then William—”
“The man is dead and will trouble you no more.” His expression grim again, King Robert had turned back to look at her, his voice as somber. “If it’s your wish tae shutter yourself in a convent, I will escort you there myself—but you would be making a grievous mistake. Your husband is one of the most honorable warriors I’ve known, and he risked his life trying tae help me regain my beloved wife…though it seems now that Edward will never release her.”
King Robert fell silent, such sadness in his voice for so formidable a man that Julianna felt shamed in front of him—and suddenly, so foolish, too.
Tears blurred her eyes as remorse swept her at what Roger must be suffering that she had fled from him—
“My lord king, riders approach! Two at least, mayhap more!”
CHAPTER20
Julianna gasped as King Robert lunged to his feet at his warrior’s warning and drew his sword, the rest of his men taking up position alongside the road with their weapons at the ready.
It had grown so dark that she heard the thundering of hooves before she saw the two riders appear out of the gloom, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
“I told you he would be searching for you, lass,” came King Robert’s low aside as he relaxed his stance and signaled for his men to sheathe their swords. “So what will it be? The convent or—”
“Roger!” Julianna flew to him even as he jumped down into the mud to catch her in his arms in two strides and hug her fiercely, his rain-damp cheek pressed to hers.
“Ah, God, woman…when I saw those dead wolves…”
“I’m so sorry—please forgive me!” she cried against his ear, Roger turning his head to silence her with a crushing kiss.
Her face damp, too, with tears of relief and elation while a great cheer went up around them, King Robert’s raised voice above it all.
