Read Online Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens - Free Book Online
Authors: Kathleen Givens
Tags: Fiction, Historical fiction, General, Romance, Historical, England, Man-Woman Relationships, Love Stories, Scotland, Outlaws, Great Britain - History - 13th Century, Knights and Knighthood - England, Scotland - History - 1057-1603
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They served their first meals in the tavern room a fortnight after their arrival, and a week after that the rooms upstairs were ready for visitors.
Since the Maid of Norway's death, the talk had been of nothing but who would succeed her. The clamour of rivalry filled Berwick's streets as the townspeople debated the merits of the competitors vying for the throne of Scotland. Thirteen of them there were, but the Scots narrowed it quickly to two rivals: Robert the Bruce, the elder, and John Balliol. Rachel listened to the bloodline arguments and decided that the choice was simple: anyone but Edward of England.
Strangely enough, her mother's mood had improved with their misfortune. She had not complained once on the voyage here, had not even mentioned their changed circumstances except in the most matter-of-fact manner. Her mother, Rachel had discovered, had inner strength that had seen them all through this transition. In London her mother had had servants, worn furs and gold jewellery , and managed a large household. Here she was learning to run an inn, keep the rooms clean, make sure the travelers paid in advance, and see that every cup of ale was counted. And doing it well.
Already the inn was prospering, but some of that had nothing to do with them, for all of Scotland seemed to be on the move.
Almost at the end of October, on a rainy grey day, Sarah burst into the kitchen, where Rachel and their mother were preparing the evening meal.
"I've just heard some news from England," Sarah said. "The Jews, the ones who stayed behind in London, when we left... nothing has happened to most of them. Some were forced out, like we were, but some were left alone. But now.. .they were collected, all of them, and forced out of London, onto ships that sailed from the Cinque Ports. Everything they left behind has been taken. Some refused to leave." She lowered her voice. "And they died for it. We were right to leave last summer. And there's worse news. A letter has been sent to King Edward in England, asking him to decide who should rule Scotland."
Mama looked up, then quickly down, but Rachel had seen the flash of fear in her eyes. Rachel put the knife down.
"Some say the Bruces sent the letter," Sarah said, hurrying on breathlessly. "But others are saying it was a bishop who did it to keep Scotland from falling into war over the throne."
Mama put a hand to her breast. "Tell me King Edward is not coming here."
"I've heard that he's staying in England, at least for now.
Mama slowly rose to her feet. "England's not distant enough, but at least he is not here. I'll go and tell your father." At the doorway she stopped and turned to look at Sarah. "Who told you all this?"
Sarah blushed. "That merchant. His name is..." She waved her hand airily, and Rachel knew she was lying. "Edgar Keith, I think it is. Something like that."
"Edgar Keith," Mama said. "The one who's been here for three days?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes."
"Ah," Mama said and left them.
"Do you think it's true?" Rachel asked Sarah when they were alone.
"Of course it's true! Edgar wouldn't lie to me!"
"I mean," Rachel said, trying to keep the edge out of her tone, "was he told the truth? King Edward having a say in Scotland? This cannot be good for us."
"It will be fine, Rachel. Don't worry yourself so much."
Rachel tried, but as the day passed, filled with rain and travelers seeking shelter from it, the news was confirmed. Edward of England would help decide who would rule Scotland. Rachel
worked long hours, falling into her bed at night, too weary to talk with Sarah. Which was just as well, for all of them knew but none said the obvious that should Edward's rule extend to Berwick, their livelihood—and perhaps even their lives—would again be in jeopardy.
How strange, she thought, that her dear friend Isabel would be hearing the same news in England as one of the English queen's ladies. Would she think of Rachel when she heard it? But of course not. Isabel did not
Since the Maid of Norway's death, the talk had been of nothing but who would succeed her. The clamour of rivalry filled Berwick's streets as the townspeople debated the merits of the competitors vying for the throne of Scotland. Thirteen of them there were, but the Scots narrowed it quickly to two rivals: Robert the Bruce, the elder, and John Balliol. Rachel listened to the bloodline arguments and decided that the choice was simple: anyone but Edward of England.
Strangely enough, her mother's mood had improved with their misfortune. She had not complained once on the voyage here, had not even mentioned their changed circumstances except in the most matter-of-fact manner. Her mother, Rachel had discovered, had inner strength that had seen them all through this transition. In London her mother had had servants, worn furs and gold jewellery , and managed a large household. Here she was learning to run an inn, keep the rooms clean, make sure the travelers paid in advance, and see that every cup of ale was counted. And doing it well.
Already the inn was prospering, but some of that had nothing to do with them, for all of Scotland seemed to be on the move.
Almost at the end of October, on a rainy grey day, Sarah burst into the kitchen, where Rachel and their mother were preparing the evening meal.
"I've just heard some news from England," Sarah said. "The Jews, the ones who stayed behind in London, when we left... nothing has happened to most of them. Some were forced out, like we were, but some were left alone. But now.. .they were collected, all of them, and forced out of London, onto ships that sailed from the Cinque Ports. Everything they left behind has been taken. Some refused to leave." She lowered her voice. "And they died for it. We were right to leave last summer. And there's worse news. A letter has been sent to King Edward in England, asking him to decide who should rule Scotland."
Mama looked up, then quickly down, but Rachel had seen the flash of fear in her eyes. Rachel put the knife down.
"Some say the Bruces sent the letter," Sarah said, hurrying on breathlessly. "But others are saying it was a bishop who did it to keep Scotland from falling into war over the throne."
Mama put a hand to her breast. "Tell me King Edward is not coming here."
"I've heard that he's staying in England, at least for now.
Mama slowly rose to her feet. "England's not distant enough, but at least he is not here. I'll go and tell your father." At the doorway she stopped and turned to look at Sarah. "Who told you all this?"
Sarah blushed. "That merchant. His name is..." She waved her hand airily, and Rachel knew she was lying. "Edgar Keith, I think it is. Something like that."
"Edgar Keith," Mama said. "The one who's been here for three days?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes."
"Ah," Mama said and left them.
"Do you think it's true?" Rachel asked Sarah when they were alone.
"Of course it's true! Edgar wouldn't lie to me!"
"I mean," Rachel said, trying to keep the edge out of her tone, "was he told the truth? King Edward having a say in Scotland? This cannot be good for us."
"It will be fine, Rachel. Don't worry yourself so much."
Rachel tried, but as the day passed, filled with rain and travelers seeking shelter from it, the news was confirmed. Edward of England would help decide who would rule Scotland. Rachel
worked long hours, falling into her bed at night, too weary to talk with Sarah. Which was just as well, for all of them knew but none said the obvious that should Edward's rule extend to Berwick, their livelihood—and perhaps even their lives—would again be in jeopardy.
How strange, she thought, that her dear friend Isabel would be hearing the same news in England as one of the English queen's ladies. Would she think of Rachel when she heard it? But of course not. Isabel did not
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