Free A Rough Wooing by Virginia Henley Page A

trials must be over
and I warrant the king intends to make a royal proclamation. I’ll
go down to the Great Hall and see if I can find Jock. I will need
his strength to face hearing Gavin and Rob’s sentence.
    Douglas washed her tear-stained face and
brushed her hair, then she made her way with many others down to
Carlisle Castle’s Great Hall. The chamber was packed with people,
and their collective voices made a loud cacophony that echoed about
the high walls. It took her a long time to locate Jock, and when
she finally saw him she pushed her way through the crowd toward
him. When she reached him, she slipped her hand into his to give
her strength. Then she saw Alex Hume standing a few yards away.
When he saw her, his hand went to his face to touch the cheek where
she had raked her nails. His smile was half leering and half
promising revenge.
    A hush fell over the Great Hall as King James
entered with his royal attendants and climbed onto the dais. He
stood before the throng and raised his voice.
    “I ha’ the unifying task o’ uniting the two
great countries o’ England and Scotland. I am determined that the
old quarrels will be buried, and fro’ now on, I charge ye all tae
keep the peace! I intend that these heretofore bloody Borders will
be a fit place for decent folk tae live fro’ this day for’ard. By
the king’s order ye are tae turn in yer arms. Any mon, be he
English or Scot, who breaks the law, will be punished by exile or
the gallows. I hae appointed a Border Commission to deal wi’ the
malefactors.”
    James hawked and spat to emphasize his royal
decree. There was a low murmur of dissent, which he silenced by a
fierce glare at those assembled.
    “As a royal gesture o’ goodweal, I hereby
proclaim a general pardon fer the unlawful activities an’
atrocities committed during ‘ ill week’. All those imprisoned
in Carlisle’s dungeons are tae be released!”
    A deafening cheer went up from the crowd and
lasted a full ten minutes. Douglas looked up at Jock with a joyous
look of disbelief. “Will Gavin and Rob be pardoned?”
    Jock nodded and grinned down at her,
overjoyed that James was showing mercy.
    The king held up his arms for silence, and
the crowd gradually complied, eager to hear what else their monarch
had to say. “There is no finer way tae cement our two countries
than by marriage. I ha’ been asked fer the hand o’ one o’ ma wards,
and I ha’ given ma royal consent tae the match!”
    Suddenly, Douglas went cold. Her glance flew
to Alex Home, as her heart plummeted. My nightmare is coming
true! The swine carried out his threat. He asked the king to
consent to our marriage.
    “I ask that Lady Douglas Elliot come tae the
dais.”
    She clutched her brother’s hand, as the roar
in her ears deafened her, and she felt as if she would faint.
    An excited cry went up from the crowd:
“Douglas! Douglas! Douglas!”
    Jock loosed her hand and urged her toward the
king.
    Her legs were trembling so badly, she would
not have been able to arrive at the dais if the laughing crowd had
not propelled her forward. King James himself, took her hand and
helped her up the steps. I will die before I marry Alex
Hume! Douglas opened her mouth to protest to the king, but once
again he held up his arms for silence.
    “I ask that Sir Lancelot Greystoke come tae
the dais.”
    Douglass stared in disbelief as the English
noble strode to the dais, and the crowd went wild. Lance
Greystoke asked the king for my hand in marriage?
    Greystoke, bowed his head to the king, then
murmured low to Douglas, “I knew His Majesty would consent to a
marriage between us, because it symbolizes the union of our two
countries. I don’t want to be your enemy, Firebrand, I want to be
your husband, if you’ll have me.”
    Her heart lifted and she gave him a radiant
smile. “What makes you think husbands and wives cannot be enemies,
my lord?”
    King James overheard her and chortled. “The
lassie has the right o’ it, ye