Her heart sank.The trials must be over and I warrant the king intends to make a royal proclamation. I’ll go down to the Great Hall and see if I can find Jock. I will need his strength to face hearing Gavin and Rob’s sentence.
Douglas washed her tear-stained face and brushed her hair, then she made her way with many others down to Carlisle Castle’s Great Hall. The chamber was packed with people, and their collective voices made a loud cacophony that echoed about the high walls. It took her a long time to locate Jock, and when she finally saw him she pushed her way through the crowd toward him. When she reached him, she slipped her hand into his to give her strength. Then she saw Alex Hume standing a few yards away. When he saw her, his hand went to his face to touch the cheek where she had raked her nails. His smile was half leering and half promising revenge.
A hush fell over the Great Hall as King James entered with his royal attendants and climbed onto the dais. He stood before the throng and raised his voice.
“I ha’ the unifying task o’ uniting the two great countries o’ England and Scotland. I am determined that the old quarrels will be buried, and fro’ now on, I charge ye all tae keep the peace! I intend that these heretofore bloody Borders will be a fit place for decent folk tae live fro’ this day for’ard. By the king’s order ye are tae turn in yer arms. Any mon, be he English or Scot, who breaks the law, will be punished by exile or the gallows. I hae appointed a Border Commission to deal wi’ the malefactors.”
James hawked and spat to emphasize his royal decree. There was a low murmur of dissent, which he silenced by a fierce glare at those assembled.
“As a royal gesture o’ goodweal, I hereby proclaim a general pardon fer the unlawful activities an’ atrocities committed during ‘ill week’.All those imprisoned in Carlisle’s dungeons are tae be released!”
A deafening cheer went up from the crowd and lasted a full ten minutes. Douglas looked up at Jock with a joyous look of disbelief. “Will Gavin and Rob be pardoned?”
Jock nodded and grinned down at her, overjoyed that James was showing mercy.
The king held up his arms for silence, and the crowd gradually complied, eager to hear what else their monarch had to say. “There is no finer way tae cement our two countries than by marriage. I ha’ been asked fer the hand o’ one o’ ma wards, and I ha’ given ma royal consent tae the match!”
Suddenly, Douglas went cold. Her glance flew to Alex Home, as her heart plummeted.My nightmare is coming true! The swine carried out his threat. He asked the king to consent to our marriage.
“I ask that Lady Douglas Elliot come tae the dais.”
She clutched her brother’s hand, as the roar in her ears deafened her, and she felt as if she would faint.
An excited cry went up from the crowd: “Douglas! Douglas! Douglas!”
Jock loosed her hand and urged her toward the king.
Her legs were trembling so badly, she would not have been able to arrive at the dais if the laughing crowd had not propelled her forward. King James himself, took her hand and helped her up the steps.I will die before I marry Alex Hume!Douglas opened her mouth to protest to the king, but once again he held up his arms for silence.
“I ask that Sir Lancelot Greystoke come tae the dais.”
Douglass stared in disbelief as the English noble strode to the dais, and the crowd went wild.Lance Greystoke asked the king for my hand in marriage?
Greystoke, bowed his head to the king, then murmured low to Douglas, “I knew His Majesty would consent to a marriage between us, because it symbolizes the union of our two countries. I don’t want to be your enemy, Firebrand, I want to be your husband, if you’ll have me.”
Her heart lifted and she gave him a radiant smile. “What makes you think husbands and wives cannot be enemies, my lord?”
King James overheard her and chortled. “The lassie has the right o’ it, ye ken.”
Greystoke said gallantly, “Douglas, I’d rather have you for enemy, than any other woman for friend.”
“Then my answer isyes, I will have you.”
King James slapped Greystoke on the back. “We’ll ha’ the weddin’ tonicht. The Bishop o’ Carlisle will officiate. All here are invited tae the celebration. I predict this’ll be the first o’ many unions betwixt English an’ Scots.”
~~~
“Who giveth this woman to this man?” the bishop asked.
“I do.” Jock Elliot placed his sister’s hand in that of her English groom.
Douglas, wearing pale green velvet with its sleeves embroidered with English roses and Scottish thistles, looked into Lance’s eyes as he gave his solemn vows.
“I, Lancelot Greystoke, take thee, Douglas Elliot, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
Douglas repeated the same vow, Lancelot placed a ring on her fourth finger, and the Bishop pronounced them, “Man and wife together.”
The bride and groom dined at the king’s table. So many toasts were offered to the newlywed couple, that most of the celebrants were legless with drink by midnight.
