I felt anxiety flare inside me as Gavin led me down the stairs toward the Great Hall. Today was the day I would watch as my brother and Trenton would either die, or be released at the will of Lord Nottingham and the king. And I knew in my heart that if Theodore was to be released today, he would find a way to kill me and my child, and get away with it. I prayed that Nottingham would do the right thing in this instance. That he would see Theodore as a murderer and a rapist that he was. We entered the Great Hall, and all the eyes of Clan Wallace fell to us. Today was the day they wanted justice. Justice for the late Laird Wallace and his murder. Nottingham was already seated at the main table. Gavin had him sitting in the center as the guest of honor. We would sit on either side of him. We walked up to the main table and he nodded at both of us.
"My my Davina, you are radiant this morning. Motherhood does suit you," Nottingham said. I could not hide the blush on my cheeks.
"Thank you my Lord, I pray every day that my child will be born healthy and happy," I replied. My hand coming to rest on my growing stomach.
"I am sure that we all pray for the same thing," he said. Gavin went to take his seat by Nottingham. But he saw me hesitant to do the same. He got up and walked over to me.
"Come Davina, let us take a turn of the room. We have time before the prisoners are brought in," he said. I know he could sense my anxiety. I took my husband's arm. And we walked out of earshot of Nottingham. Not wishing for him to over hear the conversation between us.
"I can sense your anxiety, it is written clearly on your face milsean. What has ye so troubled," he whispered in my ear.
"Gavin, you know what my brother is capable of. What he has done to me, and to your family. And the notion that he could be set free terrifies me," I replied.
"Davina, I swear on our unborn bairn that your brother will never touch or harm our family again," Gavin said. I stopped to meet his gaze. Putting my hands on his chest.
"You do not know that Gavin," I said. He wrapped his arms around my waist. Pulling me to his chest.I could hear his heartbeat. It was the one calm in my life.
"I have faith in God, and Nottingham knows more about your brother and Trenton then he lets on," he replied. I looked at him. What did he mean by that?
"What do you mean Gavin," I asked. Gavin gave me a smirk, something he did when he had information. Gavin motioned toward Arran and Garratt. Both whispering to one another.
"We have allies at court, and they are rumors that you are not the first woman Trenton and Theodore have assaulted. That is why the king has no love for him. Arran told me this," he said. I felt my heart drop knowing that I was not the first victim that fell into their clutches. That other women had fallen prey to both Theodore and Trenton. I know that he was trying to ease my anxieties. Yet I knew that my anxieties would not go away, until this whole ordeal was over. And my brother was gone, out of our lives.
"Come, the testimonies are about to start. We must return to our seats," Gavin said. I nodded and we made our way back to the main table. I took my seat next to Nottingham and Gavin stood in front of his chair, calling over two guards.
"Bring the two prisoners up from the dungeon. Tis time for them to face justice," Gavin commanded, the two guards nodded. Nottingham leaned over.
"I know you are anxious about my biases. Let me reassure you that it will not impact my judgment. I wanted to tell you that your father sent me a letter before he died. Telling me his wish to make you heir. And how proud he was of the woman you have become," he whispered. Low enough for only my ears. I felt tears prick my eyes, but I held them at bay. A few moments later the guards dragged Theo and Trenton toward the main table. Both men were ragged. Their once rich clean clothes were torn and dirty. Their faces sprouted beards. I thought I would feel pity, but I did not. I only felt my anxiety. The guards stopped them and forced them to kneel in front of us. Theodore looked right at me with malice and hatred in his eyes. Trenton looked weary and sick. He looked at me with a silent plea. As if begging for my mercy.
"Theodore Knight and Trenton Young, I have been sent by his majesty King James to dispense his justice. Your sister Lady Davina Wallace and her husband Laird Gavin Wallace have accused you have rape, murder, and kidnapping," Nottingham begun. Both men stared at my husband. Hatred flowing from them.
"To give a just verdict, it is your turn to tell your story. Speak your truth, and I will give my judgment," Nottingham said. Theodore stood up, his shoulders proud and straight. Trenton remained on his knees, as if too weak to stand.I almost felt sympathy for Trenton Young.But that sympathy disappeared when I remembered what he did to me.
"What my sister claims is nothing but a lie. It was my sister Davina Wallace who murdered our father. She concocted this lie about rape to pressure Gavin Wallace to marry her," Theo said boldly. I felt my body go cold. Would he stoop so low to accuse me of murdering our father?
"Then why do I have documentation from your late father, asking his majesty to make Lady Davina the next Duchess of Northumberland," Nottingham asked.
"My father was a confused man. Often prone to fits of insanity. It was Davina who manipulated our father in one of his insane states. It was Davina who made advances on both Trenton and I, and ultimately seduced us. I regret that action to this day," Theo said. He was weaving a web of lies, based on a notion that I was driven by greed. When it was he who was filled with greed and wrath. Two sins that could send him to hell. I looked at Trenton, who appeared frightened.
"I did not know your father to be a confused man Theodore. And what about Davina's former maid, who witnessed your attempted assault the night before your father's murder," Nottingham said.I had forgotten about her, she was the one who saved me the night before my papa died.
"She was paid to say such things. To make Davina appear as if she was the victim in all of this. When in fact my companion and I are the victims," Theo said. I could feel anger radiated through my body. I could hear Gavin stand up.
"Then explain to me Theodore, how my wife ended up on my land. Her body covered in blood and bruises," Gavin hissed. Trenton looked ready to scream. He was holding back. Holding back from telling us all the truth. Nottingham could see it. Trenton tried to say something, but Theo held up his hand.
"She stole a horse from the stables to escape her fate. No doubt exhaustion and cold took over her body and she fell from her horse," Theodore replied smoothly.
"It appears that your companion wishes to speak. Trenton Young rise and tell your story," Nottingham said. Trenton did his best to stand. A guard came over and helped me. His eyes began to gloss over with tears.
"Davina, please forgive me. I did not intend for any of this to happen, I should have done better. Lord Nottingham, while in the dungeons I prayed to God. And I know that I must atone for the crimes I have committed against Davina and against Gavin Wallace. The crimes I have committed were out of love. I loved Davina, but seeing the love Gavin has for Davina made me realize what I had was not love but lust. And that my crimes are just that, crimes," Trenton started. The other guard had to hold Theodore back. His eyes radiating anger at what Trenton was doing.
"I aided Theodore Knight in his plot to murder his father and take the dukedom over. I was the one who ran after Davina when she discovered the murder in action. I watched as she fell down the stairs. And instead of protecting her, I let Theodore convince me to rape her. We brought her here to Scotland to cover up both crimes, not wishing to be caught. In hopes that her body would be buried in a pauper's grave. When my younger brother came to us and told us that Davina was alive, Theodore was enraged. I attempted to convince him not to come here, to let it be. That Davina would be too afraid to speak out against us. But Theo convinced me otherwise. We came to Wallace Castle to finish the crime we started. We killed our two escorts and donned their clothing, snuck into Wallace Castle to kill Davina. But Laird Douglas was there watching over her. Theodor killed Laird Douglas Wallace as an act of revenge against Gavin. For taking what was his," Trenton said. Before falling to his knees breathless. I felt tears fall from my eyes as Trenton confessed the crimes that he and my brother committed. I could hear Gavin's ragged breathing.
"You treacherous bastard, after everything I did for you and your brother," Theo screamed. He escaped his guard's grasp and lunged at Trenton. Sending both men tumbling to the ground. Another two guards came forward to pull them apart. Theodore was attempting to strangle Trenton in front of us all.
"ENOUGH," Gavin roared. The whole room went silent. And the guards were able to pull the two men apart. Forcing them both on their knees again.
"In light of this information. My decision and judgment is quite clear. Theodore Knight, in the name of King James I sentence you to death by beheading," Nottingham said. Theodore fell to his knees, his hands clasped together.
"Please Lord Nottingham," I said. I touched his arm gently. He looked at me with kind eyes. Those kind eyes reminding me of my father.
"I wish to speak," I said. Nottingham nodded, allowing me to stand up and walk to face the two men. The two men that had brought me nothing but misery and pain. The two men who stoly my virtue and left me for dead. The men who took my father away from me.
"Davina, please," Gavin whispered behind me. I turned to him and gave him a reassuring look. He did not have to worry for me.
"Theodore, you are my older brother, and though you have committed atrocious acts against my person, and against our own family. Yet I still love you," I started. Turning from my brother to face Lord Nottingham and my husband.
"So I ask Lord Nottingham for you to send my brother to the colonies. Let him live out his life in penance. Trenton Young should live out his life in the same manner. To allow both men to repent for the crimes they have committed," I said. Nottingham laced his fingers together.
"Your mercy and compassion knows no bounds Lady Davina," Lord Nottingham started. Looking past me to the two men. "Very well, Theodore Knight, you will be sent to the colonies. Where you will live the rest of your days. You will forfeit your title, lands, and fortune. Trenton Young, you as well will be sent to the colonies to live out your life," Nottingham commanded. I could feel Theo staring at me.
"Thank you Lord Nottingham," I said. Giving him a small bow and returning to my seat. Theodore glared at me. His eyes are full of hatred. He truly hated me. His own sister.
"You are weak Davina, I will come back and I will kill you," Theodore hissed. I looked Theodore directly in the eyes. Never losing his gaze.
"The love I have for my husband, for my family is not weakness it is strength. Something you know nothing about Theodore," I said.
" Take them back to the dungeons until preparations are made for their departure," Gavin commanded. That was the last time I ever saw my brother.
A few days later, we watched as Lord Nottingham left Wallace castle and returned to London. No doubt to report what had happened to the king. While another wagon brought Trenton and Theodore to a nearby village to board a ship heading for the colonies. There they would live out their lives as indentured servants. I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders the moment they all left. I was finally free of the anxiety that had been plaguing me for so long.
That night Gavin and I were laying in bed. Our breathing still ragged from making love to one another. I was laying on my side, pressed against Gavin. He was nuzzling my neck. Driving me wild with desire.
"What ye did for your brother was admirable. I do not think I could do the same thing," he said. I shifted in his arms to stare up at him.
"My father would have done the same, and no matter the crimes he has committed. He is still my brother. The only member of my family that lives. I could not bear it if he died, and died by my hand," I replied. Gavin kissed my forehead, then my nose, and then my lips. It was a slow searing kiss. One that promised more nights of passion.
"Ye are the strongest woman I know, Davina Wallace. I love ye so much," he said. Suddenly I felt the baby kick. I felt myself laugh at the feeling, this was the first time the baby kicked.I took Gavin's hand and placed it on my stomach. Wanting him to experience the child kick.
"Here, feel," I whispered. The baby kicked again. I looked up at Gavin, who had a grin plastered on his face.
"That is our child Gavin," I whispered. He chuckled as the baby kicked again. We soon drifted off to sleep, and I dreamed about our children running around Wallace Castle.