30

Lynx moaned softly. Lying beside him on the bed, Jane heard and her spirit flickered, then rekindled. She climbed from the bed and lit the candles to banish all the darklings, then she lit a small fire to help make the chamber even more cheerful.

Jane’s breasts were full and aching, so she bathed and slipped Lynx’s velvet bedrobe over her nakedness and was about to call down to Grace Murray and have the nursemaid bring up her son. Suddenly Jane paused on her way to the door and looked back at Lynx. Breast milk! I’ll try him with my breast milk Hope blossomed inside her. Slowly, she approached the bed and gently lay down beside him. She turned Lynx’s head on the pillow and spoke to him softly. “Love, I want you to take my milk; I want to suckle you.”

Lynx stared at her unblinking, while Jane wondered if he understood her meaning. Then he spoke the first words since he had returned. “For … baby.”

“No, Lynx. He’s fat as a little piglet. He doesn’t need my milk. But you do! I want to nurse you … let me do this thing … don’t resist me, Lynx, please let go of your will and give yourself to me.”

Jane waited for him to give his consent. “If you won’t do this for me, do it for your son … he needs you to live!” Jane waited no longer. She cupped his cheek and drew his head to her lush breast. With gentle fingers she slipped the nipple into his hot, dry mouth. Jane held her breath, silently willing him to take what she offered. It was the only thing she had left to give him. It seemed she had to wait an eternity before Jane let out her breath on a hope-filled sigh as she felt his tongue curl about her nipple.

    Lynx was appalled at Jane’s suggestion. He knew that he was dying and cursed heaven and hell that he had not died on the battlefield. Jane was so small and sweet; it was wrong that she had to face his horrendous wound with its disgusting stench. It was wrong that she exhaust herself over him when all she would have as reward was his death.

He could feel her nipple in his mouth. That she could even bear to touch him filled him with awe. She had ordered him, begged him, and now she was seducing him to give up his will to her. He knew if he did not take the last thing that she had to offer him, she would be deeply hurt by his rejection. Lynx was sure that the end was drawing close and his breathing would soon cease. At this moment Lynx acknowledged that Jane was stronger than he, and that he must bow to her will. He knew the moment had arrived when he must relinquish control. Almost, he did not have enough strength to suckle. He curled his tongue against her rouched nipple and began to draw.

Miraculously, Lynx’s starving body did not reject the nourishment that he took from Jane’s body. Later, though still fevered and in pain, Lynx felt comforted as he lay unmoving beside his sleeping wife. Her close presence brought him a peacefulness he had never before experienced. It was as if his thoughts hovered above his body. They were crystal clear and so unfettered they began to soar. Quite impassively Lynx wondered if this was what happened in the preliminary state of death.

He looked at Jane’s sleeping face and knew she was exhausted. What an exceptional woman she was. The qualities she possessed were so rare, he had never encountered them in a female before. Jane was totally selfless. She gave without taking. She had given him his heart’s desire, when he had always secretly feared a son was unattainable. But now he could die without regret, because Lincoln Robert had made him immortal. What more could a man ask for?

He knew Jane’s devotion to him was absolute. She had generously shared her body with him from the beginning, putting her trust in him, even though she had been an extremely timid and frightened girl. And now she had shared her body with him in every way that it was possible. This time it was not to give him pleasure, but to give him life.

This is what love is all about! Jane loved him and Lynx realized suddenly that he loved her in return. It was a strange and wonderful emotion. Then panic rose up in him. He had never told Jane he loved her. What if he died tonight without letting her know that he loved her? His glittering green gaze traced her delicate features slowly, adoringly. She was exhausted; he could not waken her to tell her of his love, it would be a totally selfish act. And not the first one he had committed. Silently, Lynx began to pray that he be allowed to live until Jane awakened.

    Thomas and Taffy both held their breath as they watched Jane bravely hold her hand over Lynx de Warenne’s heart to see if it was still beating. She felt tears flood her eyes the moment her hand detected his heartbeat. To Jane, it felt amazingly strong. “He’s very much alive,” she said, smiling through her tears. “He’s sleeping.”

Lynx opened his eyes. “He was sleeping,” she amended, as his squires looked on with extremely relieved faces. “My love,” Jane murmured, bending over him tenderly, “I have to look at your wound … I’ll try not to hurt you.” As if touching a precious piece of porcelain, Jane opened the edges of the wound and looked into the abdominal cavity. She drew in a swift breath. “It’s clean! Look … look, both of you!” She moved aside, allowing Thomas to examine Lynx with his eyes.

“The putrid smell has gone!” he said joyfully.

When Taffy bent over to have a look, Lynx murmured something to him.

Taffy’s face lit up. “He must have retained some liquid … he has to pee! What was it he was able to keep down, my lady?”

For a moment Jane didn’t know what to say. “I believe it was your barley water, Taffy,” she lied sweetly, protecting the intimate secret she alone shared with her husband.

“I’ll get some more!” Taffy said, rushing from the room.

Jane handed Thomas an empty jug so that he could help Lynx relieve the discomfort of his bladder. “I’m going to irrigate the wound again and leave it open to drain one more day. If it is still clean tomorrow, I intend to dust the cavity with sulfur and close it with sutures, then bind him up. What do you think, Thomas?”

“I think you have the true gift of healing, Lady de Warenne.”

Jane smiled down into Lynx’s eyes and placed her hand upon his forehead. “Your fever has lessened, darling.” The look she saw on his face was neither relief nor gratitude. The look she saw was love. A tear ran down her cheek and she dashed it away with trembling fingers. “If you die on me now, Lynx de Warenne, I swear I’ll kill you!”

After Thomas helped her change the bed linen and Taffy brought another big jug filled with barley water, she thanked them sweetly, but made it plain she wanted to be alone with her husband. The moment they were private Jane undressed and lay down beside Lynx. “Don’t you dare to refuse me. I rule the roost at Dumfries. When you are strong enough you will soon overrule me, but until then, my lord husband, you will do my bidding.”

Lynx raised his hand and with his fingertips stroked the satiny flesh of her lush breast. When his lips were close enough, he kissed it. “Love you, Jane,” he murmured raggedly.

Jane’s heart soared. Here indeed was a day filled with miracles! She stroked his temples as he took the nourishment from first one breast and then the other. “I will drink Taffy’s barley water. It will help make lots of milk for you, my love.”

*   *   *

Three days later, Lynx de Warenne had had his gaping wound sutured and he lay swathed in bandages from ribs to hips.

“Now, we are going to clean you up!” Jane informed him with hands on hips. Though her manner was confrontational, her hands were unbelievably gentle as she bathed him.

She had fully intended to wash his tangled mane of hair, but she could see Lynx was near exhaustion. “Help me change the bed,” she told Taffy and Thomas, who were assisting her, “then we’ll leave him in peace for a while.”

After midnight came the first of many drenching night sweats. Jane knew that Lynx was still an extremely sick man. They had managed to keep him alive through a critical time, but he had no reserves of strength or any stamina to carry him through another crisis. Jane also knew his pain was constant by the way he drew up his knees and set his jaw. She told herself that it was good Lynx was fighting against it, instead of lying passively. She decided to cut the dose of poppy in half and try to ease most of his agony with her touch.

One afternoon, Taffy beckoned Jane into the adjoining chamber. “My lady, I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to upset you. Lord de Warenne’s uncle John, the Earl of Surrey, said he would come to Dumfries as soon as he could. He asked me to tell you that when … er … I mean, if your husband died, he would confirm Lincoln Robert as his heir. He wanted you to know that he would appoint a legal guardian for your son until he comes of age.”

Jane’s hand went to her throat. She did not understand the legal ramifications, but the word “guardian” to her implied that he meant to take her son away from her. “We must send a message to him immediately and inform him that Lord de Warenne is going to survive!”

“Too late, my lady, the governor just arrived in the bailey.”

Jane’s instructions tumbled over each other. “Run and tell Jory. I must change my dress. Ask my father to come up here to me … No, no, Dumfries’ steward needs no instructions, even if our visitor is an exalted English earl and Governor of all Scotland! Ask my brother Andrew to come up instead.” She snatched off her apron. “Where is Thomas? He can stay with Lynx while I greet John de Warenne and at least pretend to make him welcome.”

“Thomas is making himself scarce, my lady. He is covered with guilt over what happened to my lord at Irvine, and there is no doubt the governor will be demanding answers to some hard questions.”

“Dear God, why did the wretched man have to come now?”

“I’ll stay by Lord de Warenne, my lady,” Taffy offered, though Jane could see he also was very apprehensive about facing John de Warenne.

Jane raced down to the apartment below, and while she was selecting a suitable gown for herself, told Grace Murray to prepare his lordling for a visit with the exalted Earl of Surrey. Lincoln Robert began to chortle and screech the moment he saw his mother. He was five months old and as big as a child twice his age. Jane gave him a hug and a kiss as she was unplaiting her braided hair. The moment it flowed loose, her son grabbed two fistfuls with great delight.

When Andrew arrived, Jane said, “Fasten me up!” She presented her back to him so that he could button the pale green silk. “How many in the governor’s retinue?”

“He has an escort of a dozen.”

“Make sure the best chambers are plenished, make sure we have something special to eat. The forks! Don’t forget the forks and rosewater bowls and towels after the meal … and a harpist too!” Jane raised her eyes heavenward. “Oh, St. Bride, send me strength … how do I entertain a bloody earl?”

It was the first time Andrew had heard his sister swear. “Calm down, Jane, we’ll help you get through this. Father is serving them a stirrup cup.”

“Damn the man! I should be with Lynx, I haven’t time for dancing attendance on earls!” Jane gathered all her courage and drew herself up until her back was as straight as a ramrod. She was fully prepared to dislike the Earl of Surrey. When Jane arrived, she was thankful that Marjory was before her, gowned in exquisite peach, edged in deeper apricot. As Jory moved out of her uncle’s arms, Jane got her first look at John de Warenne. The man was so haggard, Jane’s heart immediately went out to him.

“This is Lynx’s wife, Jane. She is a miracle worker and we love her with all our hearts,” Jory said.

Jane swept down before him, but John would have none of it. He lifted her and enfolded her in his arms. “My dearest child, how can I ever thank you?” John’s eyes were wet with tears.

“My lord earl, welcome to Dumfries.”

“My name is John, whatever would you think if I continually addressed you as Lady de Warenne?”

Jane liked him immediately, but she exchanged an alarmed glance with Jory over the earl’s own state of health. Jane was no longer a shy maid and the chatelaine inside her, reinforced by her strong maternal instinct, took over. “John, you are gray with fatigue … you need some good food, some rest, and some pampering … thank heaven you have come to the right place!”

John searched Jane’s face. “I don’t know how he survived the journey home. Take me to him so that I may see with my own eyes that he is still hanging on.” With Jane holding one arm and Jory the other, John de Warenne climbed to the Master Tower.

“Lynx, my boy, I deeply regret that this happened to you. I’ll get to the bottom of it, never fear.” John glanced at Jane. “They tell me your wife is a wonderful nurse, but I suspect she is an angel.”

Jane slipped her hand into her husband’s and squeezed. Miraculously, she felt him squeeze back. “He doesn’t have enough strength yet to talk much, but you can see he is glad to see you, John.”

Lynx managed to utter, “Our son.”

Jane had Taffy move the big cushioned chair from before the hearth to the side of the bed. “Sit down, John, and I’ll bring Lynx’s son upstairs.”

When Jane brought the chortling child, glowing with health, John turned from the silent, gaunt man lying in the bed, and held out his arms. “Splendor of God, he’s the spitting image of his father!”

Jane knew he meant what his father used to look like. When John took the child from his mother’s arms, Lincoln Robert’s face screwed up as if he was going to scream down the rafters, then suddenly he seemed to change his mind. Opening his green eyes wide, he took hold of one of the earl’s ears and crowed with curious exuberance.

John tore his eyes from the splendid child and gazed at the young woman who had produced him. She was small and delicately beautiful, but she had a luminescence of goodness about her that was so tangible you could almost reach out and touch it.

Jory smiled at her uncle. “She has the gift of healing on top of everything else. We are truly blessed in Jane.”

“Nay, I am the one who is blessed,” Jane insisted. “I am so very honored to be a de Warenne. All of you accept me for who I am.”

John looked at Jory and shook his head, bemused. “She hasn’t the faintest idea of her worth, Minx. Her price is above rubies!”

Jane blushed with pleasure and signaled for Grace Murray to take her son, whom she knew was a hard-to-control bundle of energy. “Dumfries has a steward worth his weight in gold. He also happens to be my dearest father, and he will see to your every comfort, my lord. My brother Andrew here is the vice-steward. He will prepare your chamber and your bath and tend to all your needs. I’ll see you in the hall for dinner, my lord.”

“John,” he reminded her.

    After a couple of days at Dumfries, John de Warenne began to look less tired and haggard. Relief that Lynx was still alive, combined with the respite from his heavy responsibilities in Edinburgh, did much to lighten his spirit. As well, Jane prescribed a tansy of balm mixed with eggs and honey, which acted as a tonic to the aging earl.

On the third day, however, the governor began an informal inquiry regarding what had taken place on the battlefield at Irvine. When Taffy told Jane that John de Warenne had requested a meeting with Thomas and himself, she and Jory approached the earl to ask if they could sit in on the questioning. Never able to refuse Jory anything she asked of him, John agreed.

They gathered in the small chamber off the great hall. John questioned Thomas first because he was Lynx de Warenne’s premier squire.

“I remember nothing, my lord. I followed Lord de Warenne into battle, on his right flank, as always. Then nothing! The next thing I knew it was night and I was stumbling about the dead on the battlefield, feeling as if my head had bin caved in. I didn’t know where I was or even who I was, till Lady Jane’s young brother found me and took me back to camp.”

Jane bit her lip. How bravely Keith acted!

John de Warenne turned his attention to Taffy. “I would like to hear your account of what happened.”

“The three of us rode into battle—I flanked my lord on his left and Thomas was on his right. At some point I glanced around and saw that Thomas was missing. I feared he had gone down in battle. A short time later, I saw him return and felt much relieved. I cut through the enemy without too much difficulty but when I wheeled my destrier, I could see neither Thomas nor Lord de Warenne. I was forced to fight on alone. I didn’t see either of them again during the battle.”

John looked frustrated and called in Montgomery, who could add nothing. He told the governor that he had questioned all the de Warenne knights and none could shed any light on how their lord had received a wound that might still prove mortal.

Taffy hesitated, then spoke up. “My lord, young Keith Leslie said he experienced a vision. He said one of our own men attacked and wounded Lord de Warenne.”

“I seek facts, truth, not visions!” the governor stated flatly.

“My lord,” Jane spoke up quickly, “Keith Leslie is my brother. He is a seventh son and he has the second sight. Sometimes he can see things that happen without actually being there.”

Montgomery too spoke up. “The lad led us to the exact place where Lord de Warenne lay. We had searched unsuccessfully for hours in the fog.”

Taffy added, “He also knew where to find Thomas.”

Marjory stood up. “I’ll bring Keith so he can tell us in his own words. He has special powers, just as Jane does.”

    When Keith entered the chamber with Jory, Jane saw that he looked more a man than a boy these days. War did that, she realized. It stole men’s youth away from them far too soon. The Earl of Surrey looked aged far beyond his years, and she could not bear to dwell on what war had done to Lynx. “Keith, you did not tell me about your vision. I suppose that’s because I had time for no one save Lynx. But I want you to tell us all now, exactly what it was you envisioned.”

Keith Leslie got a faraway look in his eyes. “It was a crystal clear vision, not indistinct like some of them. I had readied the horses for battle and I lay down to rest, but I was too keyed up to sleep. Time slowed and I saw a de Warenne knight fell Thomas from his horse with an iron ball-and-chain. The knight dismounted from his own horse and vaulted into Thomas’s empty saddle. He spurred it like a madman until he caught up with Lord de Warenne. He came up behind him and raised the iron ball-and-chain again. When my lord’s limp body rolled onto the ground, the knight dismounted, unsheathed his sword, and ran him through the belly.”

“A de Warenne knight?” John demanded incredulously.

“My lord, I’ve searched every face of every knight since it happened, but I’ve not found him yet.”

“You saw his face?” John de Warenne demanded.

“Only his eyes, my lord earl, but I’ll never forget them as long as I live. They were filled with hatred and blood-lust, and after he plunged in his sword, they brimmed with triumph! His eyes were different from other men’s—his left eyelid drooped markedly.”

John de Warenne went ashen in the face. Jory also blanched. John and his niece exchanged a long, meaningful glance. Keith Leslie had just described someone they both knew only too well!

Thomas, Taffy, and Montgomery did not look at each other, not in the presence of the Governor of all Scotland. But any lingering doubts they had about the truth of Keith Leslie’s tale were immediately wiped away. Each one of them now knew that Lady Jane’s young brother had experienced a true vision of an attempted assassination.