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Before offering my account of the events which transpired under this roof, I must express my deepest regrets at the dire and unwarranted circumstances which bring us to this pass. The Lady Joan of Mortain was a dear and gracious lady, much beloved here at Kelso. She and her family were cruelly used, and I am convinced that God will exact His divine retribution for the evil done to her and her kinfolk.
As to the events which took place in this very place, I cannot properly express my horror and condemnation. This is the House of the Lord and was most vilely defiled. Lady Roselyn Beauchamp was in our charge, under the protection of Our Lord and Saviour and in a place offering His divine sanctuary, yet my lord of Ingram violated her rights and her person and in so doing affronted all decent sensibilities. He came to Kelso with armed men and forced entry to this sacred place at the point of the sword. He then proceeded to assault his sister, Lady Roselyn, most viciously and despite my pleas that he desist. His rage was most murderous and I feared for all our lives, though in particular I despaired that his sweet sister might not survive his attack. When he at last departed from this place the Lady Roselyn lay quite insensible on the floor of the refectory. She did not regain consciousness for several hours, and her injuries were most grievous I fear.
In response to your specific question, these dreadful events took place on the seventh day of July in the Year of Our Lord fourteen hundred and eighty-two.
It is with great relief that I have become apprised of Lady Roselyn’s current situation, and I am given to understand that she has regained her strength. I trust her safety will be assured as she is deserving of care and gentle treatment, both in consideration of her unfortunate affliction as well as her sweet nature. I commend her to you, my lord, and to Our Great Redeemer in whose love and protection the dear child will forever reside.
With best regards and respect.
Sarah, Prioress and Reverend Mother
He set the parchment aside and turned to regard Roselyn. She sat quite still and outwardly calm though he knew her better than to be fooled. She raised her face to his and he saw moisture glistening in her deep violet eyes.
“You sent word to her? To the Reverend Mother at Kelso?”
“I did, aye.”
“When?”
“That first evening, after I spoke with you and came to the realisation that there may be more to the story than I had at first supposed. You seemed so certain that the Reverend Mother would bear out your account, so I decided to pursue that on your behalf.”
“But, it is such a long way, to Kelso…”
“I have good men at my disposal, and fast steeds. Robbie was there and back in barely a week. It is by coincidence that news from Kelso arrived here on the same day as the party from Etal. We shall be able to settle the matter once and for all this day.”
“Yes, I…”
He noted that her already pale complexion was ashen and he left the desk to join her on the settle. The missive from Kelso alone was sufficient to enable him to spare her life; the testimony of Betsy and John would further bolster her story but they were no longer solely reliant upon it. He stretched an arm across her shoulders.
“This will end today, Roselyn. You have my word on that. With the statement from Mother Sarah there will be none who could doubt that you were coerced into revealing the details which helped your brother to ransack Mortain.”
“But I still told him, and without that—”
“There will be a reckoning, but there is mitigation, and here is the proof of it. You will not pay with your life.”
“But—”
“It is my decision, Roselyn. It always was and from the start I was minded to believe you. My people expect justice though, and they are entitled to see it done so I required this evidence to justify sparing you. And now…” He was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come,” Blair called out.
It was Archie. “The families from Etal are fed, Laird. You said you wished to speak with them in the hall.”
“I do.” He turned to take Roselyn’s hand. “Come, we shall hear what they have to say.”
* * *
The clansmen and others of his household shuffled back about their business. Blair watched them file out of the hall, his gaze pensive as he watched them leave. There were some mutterings but by and large they appeared content. Blair had believed they would be, the proof was plain enough, but until the matter was accomplished he could not quite shed the remnants of doubt. Now, though, he had proclaimed Roselyn innocent of the charge of murder and none had taken issue with that verdict.
She was, however, guilty of something though he was not entirely certain what name to put to it. She had revealed the existence of the fifty gold coins as a means to avoid a marriage she did not desire. That was not a matter of life and death, more one of preference and personal inclination. Though she had sought to retract her indiscretion the damage was done and from that moment on her brother had been intent upon availing himself of the wealth he then knew was to be had at Mortain. Roselyn had set those events in train and could not be totally absolved of the consequences.
He had but to take one look at her distressed countenance and he knew she viewed the matter in much the same way. She was racked by guilt for her inadvertent part in the tragedy. Punishment was inevitable, and it was without doubt required. Further, it needed to be swift and severe to satisfy the Clan McGregor, not to mention Roselyn’s own troubled conscience.
“Lady Roselyn, would you stand before me, please?”
She had been seated at his left, but got to her feet and shuffled into position. As ever, her dog was at her side.
Blair lifted a hand to summon Aiden to him. The man had witnessed the proceedings in silence, though he no doubt had his views on the matter. He approached and waited for his instructions.
“Would you take the hound and secure her in the stables until I tell you she is to be released? Once that is done I would like you to return to me here.”
