Chapter 19

"You have only one husband, Johanna."

Gabriel's tone of voice didn't suggest she argue with him. She took hold of his hand and nodded.

"You listened while I was telling your husband about Raulf, didn't you, Johanna?" Nicholas asked.

"I did," she admitted.

"That wasn't proper conduct, lass," her husband decreed.

She shook her head. "It wasn't proper conduct for you to think you could keep this important news from me."

"I'm trying to get this straight in my head," the priest interjected. "Are you telling me Baron Raulf's alive?"

"We are," Nicholas answered.

"Good Lord above," the priest muttered. "Where's he been all this while?"

"Locked away in a dungeon an ocean away," Nicholas answered. "He was sent halfway across the world to act as King John's representative to negotiate a trade agreement. Raulf left England before John started feuding with the Church. The king doesn't give a damn about placating the pope now."

After finishing his explanation, he turned to his sister. "How much did you overhear?"

"All of it." she lied.

"Damn."

She ignored the blasphemy. "Please explain the mess I'm in the middle of to Father."

Nicholas picked up his goblet and drained the contents in one long swallow. Johanna suddenly felt the need to get closer to Gabriel. She stood up and moved to stand next to him. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. She put her arm around his neck and leaned against him.

"Baron Raulf fell from a cliff and everyone believed he died."

"I was in England when word came," the priest reminded Nicholas.

"Yes, well, he didn't die," he muttered. "He's back in England and mad as a hornet because his wife and his lands have all been given away. The king wants to appease the bastard, though only God knows why. John has ordered Johanna to return to Raulf, and in an attempt to pacify MacBain and avert war, he has agreed to let him keep this holding."

Father MacKechnie muttered something under his breath. "It makes no difference what your king wants, son. Johanna's marriage was annulled and that's a fact. The pope himself signed the decree. Isn't that what you told me, lass?"

Johanna nodded. "It is so," she said. "I didn't realize I would really need an annulment. I requested it only to stall the king from making me marry again."

"John has decided to make himself pope. Since he started fighting with the Church, practically all ties with the Holy Father have been severed. Priests have already fled to the Lowlands in anticipation of the interdict. John's sure to be excommunicated."

"So your king believes he can switch husbands as easily as snapping his fingers?" Gabriel asked his brother-in-law.

"He does," Nicholas replied. "He won't listen to reason. I tried to talk to him, but he remains stubbornly determined to keep Raulf happy. I wish to God I knew why.

"What happens when our laird refuses to give up Johanna?" the priest asked.

"John will assign troops to Raulf."

"For what purpose?" the priest asked.

"War."

Nicholas and Gabriel said the word together.

"I can't let that happen," Johanna whispered. "We have only just rebuilt, Gabriel. I will not have it all destroyed."

"I don't think there's anything you can do about it, Johanna," her brother said.

"Have you seen Raulf?" Johanna asked.

"If I had seen him, I would have killed him because of what he did to you. No, I haven't seen him."

Johanna shook her head. "You cannot kill him. The king would turn his anger on you."

"Listen to her, son," the priest advised. He let out a weary sigh. "We've got quite a problem on our hands."

"How long does Gabriel have before he must give his decision?"

"Johanna, you cannot believe I would consider giving you up," her husband muttered.

"Two messengers and four soldiers riding escort will be here tomorrow or the day after to give your husband King John's demands."

"And where is Raulf?" Johanna asked.

"I gained my king's promise Raulf would be kept in court with him until this is settled."

Johanna sagged against her husband. Gabriel immediately moved his chair back so he could lift her onto his lap.

"That doesn't give us much time to form a plan of action," the priest said.

"Yes, it does," Gabriel argued. "The messengers will have to return to England with the report we've denied the demand. That will give us enough time."

"Time to do what?" Johanna asked.

"Prepare," Nicholas answered.

Johanna changed the subject then. "What have you heard about Arthur? We were told the king's nephew was murdered. Have you heard anything more?"

Nicholas frowned over the switch in subjects. Johanna looked exhausted, however, and he decided she was trying to turn the conversation to a less distressing one.

"There have been several conflicting reports,'' Nicholas replied. "Baron Goode has vowed to find out what happened to Arthur. He's turning over every rock in his search. More and more believe Arthur was murdered. He was a contender for the throne," he explained for Father MacKechnie's benefit, "and a true threat to John's position. Goode wasn't the only one backing the nephew. Arthur had quite an army supporting his bid."

"What does your king say about this mystery?" Johanna asked.

"He vows he has no knowledge of how his nephew died," Nicholas answered. "The most common belief is that overzealous supporters of King John captured Arthur and threatened to castrate him, and he died of fright."

"That would do it," Gabriel muttered.

"Speculation is still running high," Nicholas said. "I'll tell you this. If any of the barons had proof John was involved in his nephew's death, England would be thrown into rebellion. The barons would hang John by his…" Nicholas caught himself before he said something Johanna was certain to take offense to and quickly substituted another more appropriate word, "… feet."

Johanna let out another loud yawn. She begged the men's pardon and then said, "And that, you see, is why King John wants to keep Raulf happy."

Gabriel guessed what Johanna was about to say before she spoke another word. It all snapped into place now. Johanna not only knew Arthur had been murdered; she also knew who had killed him.

"Johanna, explain what you just meant," Nicholas asked. "Do you know why John wants to appease Raulf?"

She was about to answer her brother's question when Gabriel gave her a gentle squeeze.

"He's one of his most favored barons," she said.

Gabriel loosened his hold. She guessed her answer pleased him. She would wait until they were alone to ask him why he didn't want her to tell Nicholas anything more.

"John doesn't want to keep Raulf happy," Gabriel said then. "He wants to get him killed. And that, you see, is why he'll eventually send him to me."

The discussion heated up, but Johanna was too exhausted to stay downstairs and listen to her husband and her brother argue about what was to be done.

Father MacKechnie requested the honor of accompanying his mistress up to her chamber. His real goal was to get her alone, and as soon as they had left the hall, he clasped her hand in his and asked her if she was going to fret about this nasty bit of news or if she was going to place the matter in God's hands and get a good night's rest like any intelligent lass would.

Gabriel was also concerned his wife would worry until she made herself ill. He was fully prepared to try to soothe her fears but found it wasn't necessary. He couldn't even get her to wake up long enough to kiss her good night. She was dead to the world and sleeping like an innocent without a care to concern her.