Chapter 43 #2
Cairren inhaled deeply before she told the king and queen everything but the most intimate details.
She relayed the duplicity of the wedding, the humiliating bedding ceremony, Padraig’s ongoing relationship with Myrna, Duncan’s attack on her and Padraig’s reaction to it, and Wynda’s death.
She paused until the king nodded for her to proceed.
She explained how she became the clan’s healer and midwife and how that improved relations with some of the clan members, but not enough to avoid the accusations of witchcraft made against her.
She was clear on the details as she explained Myrna, Duncan, and Lady Mary’s roles in the deceit and danger she faced.
By the time she came to the end of her tale, she was emotionally depleted and wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball beneath the table.
“This is beyond the pale, Lady Cairren. I promise you that I never would have decreed that you marry Padraig Munro if I’d known what a weak and fickle mon he is, or how shameful the Munros are.”
“Your Majesty,” Cairren bowed her head toward the king. “Padraig is not a bad mon, but everyone he trusted played him false. I no longer fault him for all the choices he made.”
“Why have you come here?” the Bruce asked.
“I could no longer remain at Foulis, among the Munros, without fearing my imminent death. I returned here knowing my sister was in residence. I would request your permission to remain, either until my parents can escort me home or until the weather clears and I can travel with guards.”
“So you are leaving your husband,” King Robert was not asking a question.
Cairren nodded. “We cannot reconcile what stands between us. Please let me be clear that I don’t hold Padraig at fault for why we cannot remain together.
He has duties to his clan he cannot abandon, and I cannot stay while his family intends me harm.
” Cairren steeled herself for what she was about to request. “Your Majesty, I would petition for an annulment.”
“You know that isn’t possible, Lady Cairren,” Queen Elizabeth spoke up.
“Your Grace, during the wedding Father Mitchell asked if there was any impediment we knew of that could keep us from marrying. He stated that if we withheld secrets within our hearts, if we were not forthcoming in why we shouldn’t marry, then the union would be void in both God’s eyes and the law’s.
” Cairren blinked several times as she thought about how to make her argument.
“We both made our pledges knowing they weren’t true.
Neither of us spoke up to admit we didn’t intend to keep all of our vows.
We promised to love one another, but we both knew we entered the marriage under false pretenses while Padraig loved another woman.
That lie makes our marriage unlawful and is grounds for an annulment. ”
“That is very shaky logic, Lady Cairren,” the king warned.
“Your Majesty, Padraig deserves a wife who can live with him and share the responsibilities of his position. He deserves to have children people won’t ostracize if their skin is too dark.
I deserve not to live in fear that my next breath shall be my last. This annulment is best for everyone.
My father agreed to give up my dowry to allow Padraig and me to handfast. This relationship would have ended in a year and a day.
I do not doubt he will forgo its return if I am granted permission to return to Dunure. ”
“And who would you marry instead?” Queen Elizabeth inquired.
“I don’t have an answer to that, Your Grace. I don’t intend to remarry soon.”
“Is your husband aware of your appeal?” King Robert raised his chin and looked down his thin patrician nose.
“No, he is not, Your Majesty. He knows I’m of the opinion that we are at an impasse.”
“But he doesn’t share that opinion, I take it.” King Robert continued to look down his nose.
Cairren knew the king was testing her, but she was resolute. “As I said, Your Majesty, Padraig would accompany me to Dunure, but he has duties to his clan that he cannot dismiss.”
“Your husband would give up his place among his clan to live with yours,” Queen Elizabeth surmised. “And you won’t accept that.”
“Your Grace, it’s not aboot what I want.
It’s what is best for our clans. That was the reason for our marriage in the first place.
” Cairren paused as she considered her wording.
“Your Majesty, I cannot in good conscience draw Padraig away from his clan. They need his guidance and leadership now, and it will only become more necessary in the years to come.”
“You’re saying his father is failing to lead his clan, and his brother will do no better.
I gathered as much from your tale. You are an honest woman, Lady Cairren.
No one has ever spoken a word against you, and you endured much while at court.
I can’t fathom how you endured what you did with the Munros.
Ladies are not meant to ride into battle as you did every day.
I will petition the Pope, but as we are not reconciled, I am not confident that you shall receive the outcome you wish.
That said, my excommunication means I am no longer bound by the doctrine of the Church.
As king, I assert I have the power to grant your petition.
However, before I answer one way or another, there is much I need to consider. ”
Cairren swallowed. She understood that was the king’s indirect way of informing her that he would speak to Padraig. She could only imagine how well that would go over. She’d prayed King Robert would grant her request and that he would make the decree official.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Grace.” Cairren waited for the king to nod before she rose and curtsied. She glided to the door, but once in the passageway, she ran to her chamber.