So he went back to the woods. He was delighted to find John Menteith was there with a few men. Menteith was eager to hear all that was happening and said that he had sounded out friends of his and there would soon be an army large enough to make an attack possible.
Sheriff Heselrig came knocking at the gate and it was more than the gatekeeper’s life was worth to refuse him entrance.
He went into the house calling to the servants to bring their mistress.
Marion came to him, her heart beating fast with fear and anger at the sight of this man. His smile was pleasant enough. He had so far stopped short of threats and attempted to win her by cajolery.
He was unsure of the people of the place. They were sly, they paid lip service to him but he fancied it would need very little to put them into revolt. If he forced Marion to marry his son that might be the very spark to set the blaze alight. He needed men and arms. That outlaw Wallace had played havoc with the convoys. He was not quite ready to force the girl. But he thought, By God I am getting near it.
He bowed to her and she returned his greeting coldly.
‘You look in good health, Mistress Bradfute,’ he said.
‘Thank you, sir, I find myself so.’
‘Such beauty and to live alone!’
‘I live as I prefer to,’ she answered.
‘You need a husband, Mistress. Many have remarked on it.’
‘Thank you, sir, but I know best my own needs.’
‘Oh come, Mistress, do not be coy. You know my son is mad for love of you.’
She was silent.
‘You will take him,’ he said.
Still she did not speak.
He wanted to slap her face, to call his men, to drag her to the priest. He had gone to so much trouble to bring about the marriage he desired. All would be well if she, the silly girl, would but say yes.
‘I shall send my son to call on you tomorrow,’ he said.
‘I am not receiving tomorrow. I have other plans.’
‘The next day then.’
‘The same applies … and to every day when your son decides to call.’
‘You are uncivil, Mistress.’
‘I speak as I feel.’
‘You will change your mind. I have been over-lenient with you.’
‘I will choose my own husband.’
There was something triumphant about her as she said those words and the Sheriff paused. There had been gossip … servants always tattled. He had not believed it … not of the virtuous Marion. It had been whispered that a man had been coming to the house. Someone had seen him. It must be one of the serving wenches taking a lover. God knows that was common enough.
And yet … there was a look about her which set the warning jangling in his mind.
Tomorrow. It should be tomorrow.
He bowed and took his leave. Now she was afraid. She had seen the purpose in his eyes. He was tired of waiting. He was going to do something desperate if she did not take action.
She did so without delay and sent one of her servants riding to the secret hiding place of her husband.
It was dusk when William rode into the town. This time he did not come in disguise.
There could be no doubt who he was, as he rode at the head of his troops. William Wallace, the hero of Scotland.
People ran into the streets. ‘Wallace is here,’ they cried. ‘He has come at last.’
The sentinels saw him. They gave the alarm.
‘Good people,’ cried William. ‘I come to release you from chains. No more slavery. Rally to my banner and we will drive the English out of Lanarkshire.’
But the people were afraid. They knew what had happened to Scottish rebels before. It was death of a terrifying kind. It had been done to Davydd of Wales and it was now the recognised reward of treason. And to fight for Scotland was treason in the eyes of the English.
So they waited and watched and showed no allegiance to either side and if their hearts were with the Scots they made no attempt to join them.
Soon the streets were swarming with English soldiers – trained men, as Wallace’s were not, and even faith and their belief in a righteous cause could not stand against such discipline and superior weapons.
It did not take the English long to beat back the Scots. Wallace refused to retreat and he was left with a small body of them and they were close to Marion’s house. The others had fled back to the woods. Marion had opened her gates and stood watching, and when she saw the English bearing down on her husband and the few men who remained with him, she shouted to him, ‘Quick … Come in and I’ll lock the gates.’
It could save their lives, Wallace saw that. He shouted to his men, ‘Do as she says.’ They were only too glad to obey. He followed and Marion hastily bolted the door.
They could break it down, but that would take time and by then the Scots would have had the opportunity to escape.
William embraced her. ‘You have saved us, my love,’ he cried, but she pushed him aside.
‘There is only a little time. You must be gone. Come. I will show you a way through the garden where you can escape to the woods.’
She was right of course. It could not be long before the English had broken down the gate and were swarming in.
They followed her across the grass. She opened a door in the wall and they were gone.
Now the English were battering at the gate. She went into the house and up to the solarium. They could come now. William and his men were safely on their way to the woods.
She picked up a piece of needlework and tried to stitch but her hands were shaking. She was alert, listening for the sound of the English coming into the house.
She did not have to wait long. She heard the great shout as the gate stove in and this was followed by the clatter of feet in the courtyard.
Now they were in the house. She could hear their voices. It would be any moment now.
Someone was mounting the stairs. She guessed who it would be and she was right. Heselrig himself.
‘Where is he?’ he demanded. ‘Where is the traitor Wallace?’
She leaped to her feet and stood facing him. ‘Far out of your reach,’ she cried.
‘You have him here.’
‘Search. You’ll never find him.’
‘By God, you let him through your gate and barred it against us. That’s treason.’
‘I do not see it as such, sir.’
‘But I do. I would run you through this moment if it were not that my son is to make you his bride.’
‘That he will never do.’
‘You fool. Do not anger me now. I could harm you. Be sensible. Marry my son and we will forget your conduct tonight.’
‘I shall never forget it as long as I live. I am proud of it.’
‘You are mad.’
‘Nay, I am not. Happy I am that this night I saved my husband’s life.’
‘Your husband! You are saying …’
She did not care now. She was proud of Wallace, proud of herself. She wanted the whole world to know.
‘You are speaking to Lady Wallace, Sheriff. Show due respect, I pray you.’
He stared at her disbelievingly.
‘You think I would take your son when there is Wallace? I have been his wife two weeks since. You have lost your fortune, Heselrig.’
The stunning truth hit him like a sword thrust. He knew she was not lying. There had been gossip. A man had been visiting her. Wallace! The wanted man! And he had let him slip through his fingers. He had let her slip through his fingers.
It should not happen again.
He lunged towards her, his sword ready to thrust …