Read Online The Lion of Justice by Jean Plaidy - Free Book Online

regained the crown and they were no longer pennilessfugitives living on the bounty of the King of England.
    Edith wanted to talk to Edgar alone that she might discuss the dilemma which faced her. Her spirts were high. Now that Edgar had regained his crown there would surely be a place for her in Scotland.
    She could not tell him of her anxieties with Christina looking on, but there would be an opportunity later.
    She was dismayed to hear that her uncle intended to stay but a few days, but she did manage to convey to him her great need to see him alone.
    They walked in the gardens together – he in his embroidered cloak, she in her black Benedictine robes.
    â€˜Oh Uncle,’ she said, ‘please help me.’
    â€˜If God wills,’ he said.
    â€˜Alan of Bretagne has been to Rumsey.’
    â€˜I know it well. He wishes to marry you.’
    â€˜I cannot do it, Uncle.’
    â€˜My dear child,’ said Edgar, ‘there comes a time in our lives when we have to do that which does not please us.’
    â€˜This is no small matter. This is for the rest of my life.’
    â€˜I have to tell you, Edith, that I am going away.’ A rapt expression crossed his face. ‘You have heard there is to be a Holy War. Jerusalem, the Holy City, is in the hands of the Infidel. Our pilgrims have been robbed and tortured. We have decided to take the city from the Saracens and put it where it belongs, in Christian hands. The Duke of Normandy will go into battle. He is amassing a great army. I shall go with him.’
    â€˜You are going to leave us, then.’
    â€˜I have in truth come to say farewell to you before I go to Normandy. I am joining the Duke’s army and we shall ’ere long be leaving for the Holy Land.’
    â€˜You must help me before you go. Uncle Edgar. What can I do? I cannot marry Alan of Bretagne.’
    â€˜Why not, my child? He was good enough for the Conqueror’s daughter. He was accepted as the great King’s son through marriage. Why should you feel thus?’
    â€˜Because he is old, Uncle.’
    â€˜He is not too old to beget children; and he is a man of power in Normandy.’
    â€˜I cannot bear him near me. Please do not let them force me into marriage with him.’
    â€˜The King of England approves the match.’
    â€˜But my brother is now King of Scotland. You have won back his crown for him.’
    â€˜The King of Scotland is the vassal of the King of England. If Rufus promises you to Alan of Bretagne there is no gainsaying his wish. Your brother owes his crown to the King of England, for it was his forces who won it back for him.’
    â€˜It was you and my brother,’ cried Edith.
    â€˜We commanded the army, but the soldiers came from Rufus, and the price he asked was that Scotland should be a vassal of England.’ Edgar smiled his gentle smile but she knew his thoughts were far away in the Holy Land. ‘If Rufus gives you to Alan of Bretagne there is no help for it. You will be his wife.’
    She covered her face with her hands.
    â€˜Little niece,’ said the gentle Edgar, ‘is marriage so distasteful to you?’
    She lowered her hands. ‘Nay,’ she said. ‘I know there could be great good in it. My mother was the best woman in the world –’ she said that defiantly, thinking of Aunt Christina ‘– and she bore many children. I wish to bear children. I wish to make a home. But I would rather anything than marriage with Alan of Bretagne.’
    â€˜So it is his person that revolts you.’
    â€˜He is old and he smells of horses and he is rough and he would not care for me, only for the sons . . . and the pleasure . . . he could derive from me. Uncle Edgar, I want marriage but not with Alan of Bretagne.’
    â€˜My dear niece, Princesses cannot choose these matters.’
    â€˜I know it well, but not Alan of Bretagne.’
    â€˜It will rest with the