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Warenne, that trust is sacred." Jory hoped God would not strike her dead; 'twas only a slight exaggeration.
    Edward took a seat before the fire and indicated that she too might be seated.
    "Your Majesty, tomorrow you go to war. For the love you bear Joanna, I beg you not to go into battle without forgiving her. She could not bear it if there was a breach between you. A father's love is so precious."
    Edward smiled at Marjory de Warenne with compassion. "Do you remember your own father?"
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    Jory shook her head sadly. "Lynx remembers him well, but I was too young when he died."
    "He was my dearest friend. Twas he who plotted my escape when Simon de Montfort held me captive."
    "I know, Sire. I've heard the tale recounted many times."
    "His loyalty to me was absolute, as yours appears to be toward my wayward daughter."
    Now that the conversation had returned to Princess Joanna, Marjory opened her mouth to entreat the king again. When Edward put up his hand, Jory held her tongue.
    "I shall send for this Ralph de Monthermer and judge for myself."
    "Thank you, Sire." Jory dipped her knee, knowing she had done all she could and hoped she had tipped the scales in the princess's favor. She picked up her veil. "Godspeed, Your Majesty."
    ******************
As she hurried from the tower, Jory was confident that all within Newcastle would be asleep at
    this hour. She almost made it back to her own chamber when suddenly a powerful arm reached out and pulled her into a shadowed recess. Jory was about to scream when she realized it was her cousin, Fitz-Waren, who lifted her veil aside.
    "How about a kiss?"
    "Damn you for a knave, Fitz, you frightened the wits from me." When he pushed her against the wall and pinned her there, Marjory did not experience any fear, only anger. "Let me go at once."
    Fitz-Waren took hold of her chin and brought his mouth down on hers. She pulled away, disgusted. "You've been drinking!"
    "Think yourself too good for me after playing whore to the king? I wager it's something you wouldn't want my father or your brother to learn." His hand cupped her breast suggestively.
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    "Lynx will kill you if he learns of this."
    "Lynx is busy with his own whore."
    Jory knew she must get away from him, but realized if she screamed, she would rouse the castle.
    She contemplated shouting for Thomas, but could see the passageway was empty and he was no longer outside her door. In a heartbeat Marjory knew she must rely upon herself to escape her cousin's lust. She gripped his leather jack in her fists and brought her knee up sharply into Fitz-Waren's groin.
    He doubled over in agony and sank to the stone floor. "You'll pay for that, you vain bitch!" he swore between gritted teeth.
     
    Four
    Jane Leslie climbed the hills behind Dumfries on her way to the forest to gather herbs. She bent to pick a wild yellow pansy and tucked it behind her ear. Once she entered the shaded forest, Jane began to search for speedwell with its pale green, hairy leaves that trailed upon the ground. Speedwell was good for coughs and consumptions. When she came to a boggy place, she identified an alder bush, just coming into bud. Jane gathered handfuls of leaves, knowing there was nothing better for ridding a chamber of fleas that gathered over the long winter. She folded the leaves into the large cloth bag she carried and walked deeper into the woods.
    When she saw a patch of dragon-wort, Jane pulled it up by its black-knobbed root and popped it into the bag. It cured many ailments such as vomiting, bruises, bites or stings, and also stopped the bleeding when a woman began to miscarry.
    As she neared the{orest pool, she grew tense with anticipation, wondering if she would again encounter the lynx. She felt both fear and fascination for the magnificent predator and slowed her pace so that she moved noiselessly.
    Jane became aware of his powerful presence almost before she saw him. Completely hidden behind a canopy of leaves, she watched the lynx dip his