Chapter 44
Padraig expected the king would summon him, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be the morning after he arrived.
He was accustomed to the Bruce making visitors wait days before granting them entry into the Privy Council chamber.
From there, it could be several more days before the audience occurred.
It shocked him to stand before King Robert before the midday meal.
“Munro, I’ve learned that Clan Munro failed spectacularly in offering Highland hospitality to your wife. How would you explain your wife’s reception, and more to the point, how would you describe your marriage to Lady Cairren?”
“It has been a source of great dishonor and shame,” Padraig admitted.
“I suspect you have spoken to Lady Cairren, so I shall keep this succinct. I failed my wife when she arrived as my bride. While I intended to keep my vow of fidelity, and I did, I entered my marriage believing I was in love with another woman. I intended to marry Lady Myrna Ross at Samhain. Then your order came for me to wed Lady Cairren. I couldn’t imagine forsaking Lady Myrna, and when Lady Cairren arrived… ”
Padraig swallowed before clearing his throat.
The chamber suddenly felt sweltering. “Lady Cairren was not what any of us expected. She wasn’t what I expected.
I could see how my clan reacted, and it made me resent being forced to put aside Lady Myrna.
I thought I could balance having my wife and the woman I loved.
While not intentional, I didn’t prevent myself or others from humiliating Lady Cairren.
It took longer than I care to admit for me to realize that the woman I married was far better than the woman I thought I loved.
I have worked to make amends with Lady Cairren, and I believe my clan will accept her.
But I cannot deny that my family does not. ”
“So you didn’t love Lady Cairren when you pledged to do just that.
You didn’t intend to allow your love for her to develop because you believed you loved another.
Did I understand you?” King Robert’s focus on a singular point made Padraig wary.
He wasn’t certain the direction in which the conversation headed, but he suspected he would be miserable once he got there.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What made you realize that you weren’t in love with Lady Myrna?”
“At first, I was sympathetic to what I believed she felt. I was heartbroken to see her suffer from her disappointment and grief that our lives would not be bound through matrimony. I excused her vicious and vindictive tongue as that of a prostrate woman who saw little future. But as time went by, I realized Lady Cairren conducted herself with dignity and kindness at all times, even in the face of Lady Myrna’s scorn and abuse. ”
Padraig paused as memories of Cairren’s determination and strength flashed before his eyes. He wondered how he could have ever failed to see what Cairren offered beyond their bedchamber.
“It was impossible not to draw a comparison and see that it was Lady Myrna who came out lacking. I could no longer make excuses or justify her behavior, and so I saw through the facade.” Padraig looked away from the Bruce as he told the last part of his story.
“Lady Myrna never intended to be faithful to me. She never was. She and Duncan have been involved for years, long before I began courting her. They conspired to convince me to marry Lady Myrna, so she could live at Foulis and continue her affair with Duncan.”
King Robert looked at the Highlander for a tense moment.
“While you appear contrite, Padraig, I cannot overlook how the marriage began. You didn’t enter the marriage truthfully, and you made a false promise to love Lady Cairren.
She has already admitted to the same falsehood.
It is because of this that I lean heavily toward granting your wife’s petition for an annulment. ”
“Her what?” Padraig rose from his chair so abruptly that it tumbled over. Guards rushed forward, but the king waved them away. “Cairren asked for an annulment?”
“Aye, just before I summoned you. The queen and I spoke to your wife, and she recounted her experiences with your clan. I’m of a mind to agree that it is not safe for her to return.
I also acknowledge that you both made false statements during your wedding.
You’ve corroborated her claim that you both entered the marriage under false pretenses and didn’t intend to uphold your vows. ”
“But I lo—” Padraig snapped his mouth shut. He would not profess his love for the first time to someone other than Cairren.
“That may be all good and well, but your marriage was a mistake.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Padraig argued. When King Robert’s face grew red, Padraig apologized.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. I wasn’t prepared for this.
Needless to say, it comes as a devastating shock.
I hoped you would assist me in convincing Lady Cairren that we should retire to Dunure.
Together. I didn’t expect to learn my marriage would be deemed void. ”
“It might have been prudent to tell your wife your feelings before you arrived here,” Queen Elizabeth spoke up for the first time.
“I see that now, Your Grace.” Padraig glanced down before looking the king in the eye. “Is my marriage over?”
“Not yet.” King Robert drew out his pause, and Padraig knew he was doing it to torture him. “I shall grant you a day to convince your wife to remain married.”
Padraig’s shoulders slumped. “Your Majesty, I do not see that as possible. As long as my father leads the Munros and my brother is his heir, Lady Cairren won’t return.
Duncan is likely to marry Lady Myrna, and she and my mother under the same roof will only endanger Cairren.
I cannot take her back with me. She will not agree to me joining her at Dunure.
Her sense of honor and duty is too strong.
While they are two of the traits I admire most aboot her, they are most inconvenient right now. ”
King Robert chuckled and nodded. “Then I shall grant you up to a fortnight. There is much to this story I still wish to investigate. Laird Kennedy also needs to be made aware that his daughter has sought safety here. I will be sure the mon kens you accompanied Lady Cairren and what your intentions are, but he will be angrier than a bear woken before spring. I forewarn you: you may not live long enough to enjoy your marriage.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“I suggest you find your wife.” King Robert offered him a rueful smile as Padraig bowed and left the Privy Council chamber.