Chapter 13

" Y ou're not eating. That's not good. You must keep up your strength." Malcolm nodded at the servant standing at attention at the side of the door of the cabin. "Give the countess a slice of that excellent lamb."

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry." She looked at the table with its fine goblets and polished trenchers without interest. She was unutterably weary, but this interminable meal would soon be over, and she would be permitted to go to her cabin. "It's been a long day."

"I'm sure it's been a longer one for MacDarren," Malcolm said maliciously. "He should be arriving at Kilgranne about now."

"Perhaps." She lifted her glass of wine to her lips. "If he chose to follow me."

"Oh, I believe we both know he'll follow you. MacDarren detests losing anything that belongs to him, and he will particularly dislike the idea of losing to me. Our rivalry has been most bitter over the years." He ate a bit of lamb. "Unfortunately, he has succeeded more often than I in the past. It's been most annoying. I've never understood it, for I never lose to anyone else. That's why I'm very determined not to lose in this endeavor." He chuckled. "This time I've made sure that even if I lose, I'll win."

She was too tired to decipher the cryptic words. "When will we arrived in Edinburgh?"

"Not long. If the winds are with us." Alec smiled. "Are you so eager to start your new life?"

"Aren't you?"

"Aye, but we must go slowly at first."

Kate stifled a sigh of relief. She had been afraid Malcolm would wish to plunge immediately into the conspiracy, and she would be given no opportunity to initiate a plot of her own. Not that she had any idea of what that plot would be. The only certainty was that Alec Malcolm must be destroyed. "You disappoint me. I've waited too long already."

"You're very impatient. Like your mother. I've noticed you have several of her attributes."

"You met my mother?"

"I encountered her several times through the years. I found her very astute."

Astute was not an adjective usually applied to Mary, Kate thought. He was obviously trying to give Kate herself a backhanded compliment. In the past hours she had discovered Jock was right about Malcolm. He was both clever and manipulative and would say anything that would sway her in the way he wanted her to go. She changed the subject. "Where are we staying in Edinburgh?"

"I'm staying at court, but I'm establishing you at my estate, Selwyth, south of the city."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "James will be sure to hear I'm in the city. I prefer that he has no knowledge that you're my companion until the time is right."

"He'll hear soon enough once you start contacting Mary's supporters."

"That's why we will be doing no such thing." He sipped his wine. "I have a few loose ends to tie up, but after I pacify James and give him a plausible reason for my departure, we will be leaving immediately for England."

"England!"

"Aye, it's safer for us to first rally support among the English supporters across the border. We'll go to Kenilworth or perhaps Warwick. Elizabeth is occupied now with the war with Spain and will have no time to worry about a conspiracy that might topple her from the throne." He chuckled with genuine amusement. "And when she does, it will be too late."

"So you intend to take England as well as Scotland?"

"Of course. Didn't I promise to make you the greatest queen the world has ever known?"

"I would have settled for Scotland. It's a dangerous move."

"But one we must take."

But it would be Kate who would be at the center of that risk. Her mother had conspired to seize both crowns and had ended up a prisoner and then a victim of the ax. What did Malcolm care? Kate thought bitterly. She was only a pawn.

"It's not as dangerous as it sounds. You'll find I never act without having the weapons to lay a proper siege. Trust me, I assure you I have no intention of losing my head…or yours," he added softly. "You have great value to me. I have every intention of guarding you as if you were the crown itself."

A subtle threat lay beneath his words. He wanted her to know he was not fool enough to place trust in her. Suddenly, she'd had enough of this. She was tired and lonely and wanted desperately to run back to Craighdhu. Only months ago she had thought the greatest challenge was defying Sebastian, and now she was matching wits with a man even the vicar would have called an archdemon. She could bear no more tonight. "Then I'm sure I shall be very safe." She pushed back her chair and stood up. "Now, if you will excuse me, I'll retire to my cabin. The hour grows late."

"Certainly." He rose to his feet. "I'll join you shortly."

She looked at him, shocked.

He saw her reaction and raised his brows. "But surely you expected us to seal our pact in the most pleasurable of fashions?"

She had not expected it. Malcolm did not want her body. She knew the signs of desire, and he had displayed none of them.

He smiled. "I can hardly wait."

Then understanding came to her. It was only another way to seek out her weakness and gain an advantage over her. Domination. She restrained a shiver as she realized that this would be no teasing, seductive domination such as Robert had practiced only a few days ago.

She shook her head. "Not yet."

"Tonight," he said firmly. "We will wed as soon as we get to Edinburgh, but I'm too eager to partake of a bridegroom's privilege to wait for the words to be said over us."

If he was eager for anything, it was to be a royal consort and then at some convenient time seize the crown itself. God's blood, she was too tired to face this challenge now.

What was she sniveling about? she told herself in disgust. Challenges did not come when you wished to deal with them, or they would not be challenges. She thought quickly, seeking a way out that would give her the time she needed and still answer his self-interest.

"If we wed in Scotland, James will hear about it. We should wait until we get to England." She met his gaze. "And there's a possibility I may be with child. If you bed me now and I become pregnant, no one will know whether the child is yours or Robert's. Do you wish Robert to have a claim to the throne through your child?"

The thought clearly displeased him. "You know the line of succession must be clear."

"Then you will wait."

His lips tightened. "How long?'

"If I'm not with child, I should have my flux within a month."

"Then I shall be monitoring you closely." He suddenly smiled. "But you're right, under no circumstance should we have MacDarren's child with which to contend. If you prove to be with child, I promise you I'll find a way to rid you of it safely. The ladies of the court use an old woman who has an extensive knowledge of herbs."

She frowned in puzzlement. "I don't know what you mean."

"No? I did not expect you to be this ignorant. You seem so clever, I forgot you were unable to gather much practical knowledge under your vicar's wing. Let me be more clear." He paused and then said, "We will kill the child in your womb."

He was gazing intently at her face, and she knew he was again searching for weakness. She should not let him see the horror the words brought. He had struck too deep, and she could not hide it, so she quickly turned on her heel and moved toward the door. With an effort she managed to keep her voice steady. "Perhaps it won't be necessary. We will see. Good night."

She did not stop walking until she reached her cabin. She leaned back against the door, her stomach heaving, every limb shaking.

He meant to murder her child.

The child she had wanted so desperately, the babe that was to save Robert and Craighdhu for her, would be treated as just another pawn to be removed from the chessboard. She had not even thought such an act possible.

It might be all right—there might be no child.

But what if there was a babe in her womb this very moment?

Why in heaven could she not have just accepted Malcolm into her bed? It would have sickened her, but she could have borne it. This question of succession might never have occurred to him if she had not brought it up.

She had thought she was a match for Malcolm, but her ignorance had already led her to make a mistake that might mean her baby's life.

Edinburgh lay on the southern shores of the Firth of Forth, an arm of the North Sea. Robert chose to anchor the Irish Princess at Granton, a sleepy fishing port, rather than the busier Leith.

"You stay here on the ship," Jock said. "I'll go to Bobby MacGrath's and see what he's heard about Malcolm."

"And I'm to sit here and wait?" Robert asked. "Not likely."

"No, you'd probably rather blunder around Edinburgh and let Alec know he has enemies knocking on his front door."

"I wouldn't blunder—" He drew a deep breath. He knew Jock was right, and the safest course was to search out the lay of the land before he showed himself in Edinburgh. He was well known here, and word would instantly be carried to the court of his presence in the town. But dammit, he didn't want to take the safest course. His tension had simmered on this damnable journey until it was a volcano ready to explode. He wanted to do something.

But impulsiveness could be fatal for Kate. Alec was walking a thin tightrope, balancing James's influence on one hand and his own ambitions for the throne on the other. If he decided that Robert's presence could sway the balance, he might jettison his plans for the throne and get rid of Kate, the only proof of his treason against James. "Very well. I'll wait here."

Jock nodded approvingly. "Perhaps you have a brain in your head after all." He climbed down the rope ladder and stepped into the longboat. "I'll be back by nightfall."

It was only noon now. Jesus, it was going to be a long day. "Bring MacGrath with you. I want to talk to him."

Robert found talking to Bobby MacGrath a very irritating process. He was turtle slow and as deliberate as a priest giving the last rites.

"I know nothing of any woman," MacGrath said. "Alec Malcolm returned to Edinburgh alone. He's been at court for the last four days."

"Does he have lodgings in town?" Robert asked.

MacGrath shook his head. "He's staying in James's apartments."

Jock asked, "Has he visited anywhere outside the castle since he came?"

"Aye, he visited a cottage at the edge of the city the first day and spent a good four hours there yesterday."

"Whose cottage is it?" Robert asked.

"There's no woman there either."

Robert tried to restrain his impatience and reminded himself that MacGrath was a good, loyal clansman. "Who is there?"

"An old man." MacGrath sipped his ale. "White hair, wild eyes, thin as a string."

"Sebastian Landfield," Robert murmured.

MacGrath shrugged. "I don't know. I never heard his name. I only got close enough to the window to catch one glimpse of him."

The description fit too closely for the man not to be Landfield. Malcolm had mentioned the vicar, but Robert had thought no more about him. This news made no sense. After Alec had wrested the information he had wanted from Sebastian, it was not reasonable he would waste more time on him. "Is this the first time you've seen him?"

MacGrath nodded. "Malcolm paid no visits to him when he was here before. The first I knew of the man was when I followed Alec to the cottage that first day." He paused. "But there was already a guard at the door of the cottage when Alec arrived. It's possible he might have given orders to put him under guard before Alec left Edinburgh."

No matter what Alec's reason for imprisoning him, Sebastian was now Robert's only link to Kate, and there was a slight possibility Alec might have disclosed her whereabouts to the vicar. "Where is he? I want to talk to him."

"Fourteen Greybriar." MacGrath made a face "But I don't know if he'll be able to talk. From the sounds I heard coming from the place yesterday, I'd judge Malcolm's been playing his games with the old man."

"Torture?"

"You didn't say I should interfere with Malcolm," MacGrath said defensively. "And the old man isn't one of ours."

"No, you were right not to interfere. It would have been too dangerous for you." Why would Malcolm think it necessary to torture Sebastian Landfield? He didn't doubt Malcolm derived a feeling of power from tormenting individuals, but he seldom indulged himself without reason. "Is he still alive?"

MacGrath shrugged again. "I don't know. I doubt it. It's been quiet since Malcolm left the cottage yesterday, and there's no longer a guard at the door."

"First, the woman in James's dungeon and now Landfield," Jock murmured. "A connection?"

"Probably," Robert said. "Did you find out who she was, Bobby?"

"English, named Clara Merkert. James had her brought from the town of Bourse. The soldier I spoke to said they were told to make sure no one in the village knew they had taken her."

Bourse was not close to Sheffield, where Kate had spent her life, yet there must be some bond.

"Will you be needing anything else?" MacGrath put down his cup and rose to his feet "I should be getting back."

"Just keep an eye on Malcolm. We'll be in touch with you later to give you our direction. You have my thanks, Bobby, you've been a great help."

Jock watched MacGrath leave the cabin before turning to Robert. "I know it may be of little interest to you, but I heard other news in Edinburgh."

"About Kate?"

Jock smiled sardonically. "No, I told you this news would not overly concern you. It's only the small matter of war. It's growing closer every day. Elizabeth sent Leicester to the Netherlands to seek peace and then promptly commissioned Drake to raid Cadiz. He sank thirty-six Spanish ships. Philip's armada will be ready to strike any time now, and in a sea battle of those proportions it may not be only England that's involved. It would be a miracle if Ireland and Scotland aren't drawn into it."

"I know that," Robert said. "As soon as we get Kate away from Alec, I'm sending you back to protect Craighdhu."

"Sending me back? What of you?"

"I'll make a decision on that later."

"I think you've already made a decision," Jock said softly.

Robert changed the subject "Malcolm has a residence south of the city. If Kate's not in the city, she could be there. We'll ride down tomorrow to Selwyth and see what we can find out." As he saw Jock open his lips to protest, he added, "All right, we'll see what you can find out. We'll make camp nearby, and I'll sit meekly and wait for your report."

"It won't be quick. We have no men at Selwyth. I'll have to rely on bribes for information."

"Nothing has been quick yet," Robert said sourly.

Jock's brows lifted. "I've noticed you're a trifle on edge. I'm surprised you don't want to post down there at once."

"Not tonight." He was not about to hurry to Selwyth so he could wait again if there was any other way he could find Kate. "I think we'll go visit Sebastian Landfield."

There was no light glimmering in the windows at 14 Greybriar Street, and as MacGrath had said, no guard at the door.

"I believe MacGrath could be right," Jock said. "It may be too late to talk to the good vicar."

Robert tried the door: It swung open.

The room held the sour odor of sweat and urine, but no death stench fouled the air.

He drew his sword and stepped into the room. "See if you can find a candle and get us some light." His eyes were already becoming accustomed to the darkness, and he could discern that the room was small and almost barren of furniture.

"Serpent…"

Robert whirled to the corner of the room from where the weak whisper had come.

"The candle," he said sharply.

"I've found one," said Jock, striking flint behind him. "Be careful."

Light flared, and Robert saw Sebastian Landfield.

Or what was left of him.

The old man was tied to a chair in the corner, and Malcolm had been using a knife instead of a whip. So much blood surrounded the chair that Robert wondered that the old man had any left in his body. He had to be near death.

"I will…not yield.…" Sebastian raised his head to reveal eyes still burning fanatically in his wreck of a face. "Never…"

"Kate," Robert demanded. "Where's Kate?"

"Daughter of the Devil," he whispered. "Not Lilith. Serpent. Writhing, changing…like the serpent in Eden. I will…not yield.…"

"Where's Kate?"

"I will not—" For an instant the hatred vanished from his expression and became pleading. "Kill her…kill the serpent."

He was dead.

"Charming of Alec to leave the old man here to slowly bleed to death," Jock said as he came to stand beside Robert. "I'd say he was a trifle annoyed he didn't get what he wanted. I wonder what his purpose was?"

"He wanted Landfield to swear Kate was Mary's daughter." Robert smiled mirthlessly. "But even torture doesn't sway madmen."

"Shall I cut him loose and send for MacGrath to arrange for burial?"

Kill her…kill the serpent .

Robert turned away. "Leave the bastard to rot."

"She's here," Jock said as they rode into their camp in the forest a short distance from Selwyth Manor. "For all the good it will do us. Malcolm has an army of guards at Selwyth."

"She's a prisoner?"

Jock shook his head. "Not visibly. I'm sure she would be stopped if she tried to escape, but she's allowed to move freely about the castle and the gardens. She goes for a ride in this very forest every day, suitably accompanied by guards…for her protection."

"Then we can take her."

"Not if she doesn't want to go." Jock paused. "It's a hellish task rescuing a woman who doesn't want to be rescued."

His words were unpalatable, but Robert couldn't deny their truth.

"Then I'll have to convince her that she wants to be rescued. Can I get into the castle?"

Jock thought about it. "Possibly. Bribery is always possible with Malcolm's servants. They have no liking for the bastard. I'm sure the guards were warned about an attacking force trying to take Kate away, not one person coming into the castle. The only hazard would be if one of Malcolm's officers recognized you." He stood up. "I'll see what I can do."

"My lady!"

Kate turned at the call to see Kenneth Morrow, Alec's captain of the guard, coming down the garden path toward her. She smothered a twinge of impatience and smiled sweetly. "How nice to see you. Is it not a glorious morning?"

"Glorious. May I say you look just right in this garden," he remarked with clumsy gallantry as he fell into step with her. "Just like a flower yourself."

She was not in the least flowerlike, she thought in disgust. Since she had few weapons in this battle, she had thought to try Jean's tactics and attempt to create a picture of feminine winsomeness. It was not a role that suited her temperament. If she had to shyly lower her eyes one more time, she felt she would vomit. She smiled again instead. "How kind you are. Will you walk with me?"

He shook his head. "I have duties to perform. I've only come with a message. Sir Alec will have the pleasure of joining you for supper tonight."

She tensed. She had known Malcolm would come, but she was still not ready. "How pleasant."

"Will you wish to ride today?"

She turned a corner in the path. "I don't see how I can resist the chance when the day is so bright and the company so—" She inhaled sharply.

Robert!

The man kneeling and digging in the earth of the rose bed was dressed in rough loose trousers and tunic, his head covered by a hat pulled down to shade his eyes, but there was no doubting his identity. She had studied every line of his body, knew every gesture, every texture.

"Is something wrong, my lady?"

"No, of course not," she said quickly. "The sight of the roses took my breath away. I must ask that gardener to gather some for the table tonight."

Good God, what the devil was Robert doing here?

Captain Morrow repeated, "You wish to ride, my lady?"

"Oh, yes, but I'll send a servant to tell you at what hour. I wish to enjoy the garden for a while. It is such a beautiful day."

He continued to walk with her. "It is true. The roses are quite splendid since they opened."

He must not look too closely at those roses, Kate thought. He had accompanied them from Kilgranne, and he would recognize Robert. She directed his attention to a flowering apple tree. "But then all the plants are exquisite here at Selwyth, so different from the Highlands." She sat down on a marble bench. "I believe I'll sit here for a short time."

He stood before her, gazing at her with a foolish grin. What would it take to get the man to leave her? "Really, I'll be quite safe by myself. I'm keeping you from your duties." She smiled sweetly. "You're so good to take such care of me."

"It is my honor and pleasure." He hesitated and bowed. "Until later, my lady." He turned and walked back quickly toward the castle.

She scarcely waited until he was out of sight before she jumped to her feet and flew toward the rose bed. "Are you mad?" she whispered as she stopped beside Robert. "Leave at once!"

Robert didn't look at her as he continued to turn the earth with his spade. "I didn't think your swain was ever going to depart. It appears you've been charming more men than Alec."

"He may be of use to me," she said absently as she gazed at him. Just the sight of him was making her tremble. "And no one charms Alec Malcolm."

"Jock seems to think you capable of leading him around like a tame bear." He stabbed the earth with sudden violence. "But bears have been known to turn and maul their trainers."

"Why are you here?"

"What else would a loving husband do when his wife abandons him?"

She could sense the anger in him. Well, that was what she wanted him to feel toward her. "Have the pride to accept his dismissal and go his own way."

"Oh, no," he said softly. "You won't try that ploy again with me. Though I was most irritated when you humiliated me in front of the clan."

"I'll do it again," she said. "And I'll keep on doing it until you realize I want nothing more to do with you. Didn't Jock tell you I—"

"Jock gave me your message. He did not believe you, and neither did I."

"Then you're a fool. You owe me nothing. You've kept your promise to Elizabeth. I'm the one who left. Go back to Craighdhu."

"And let you stay here on James's doorstep, where any minute Alec may decide to trade you for James's favor?"

"He won't do that."

"How do you know? You're in unknown waters. Ambitions change and waver from day to day here. James smiles at a noble, and it makes ripples throughout the kingdom. Elizabeth sends James a sharp note, and new opportunities present themselves. In the blink of an eye you may prove dispensable to Alec."

"He wants the crown. He needs me to get it," she said. "And we won't be on James's doorstep for very long. We'll be leaving for England as soon as Alec ties up a few loose ends here."

"England," Robert repeated, startled. "Why?"

"He says it will be easier to arouse support below the border."

He shook his head. "Mary's sympathizers are much stronger here in Scotland. Where do you go in England?"

She tried to remember. "Warwick and Kenilworth, I think he said."

"What?" He frowned. "That makes no sense. Both are strongly Protestant."

"It appears Alec disagrees with you." She forced a smile. "Since he wants the English throne as well as Scotland's for me, I'm sure he knows where our best support can be found."

"The throne," Robert repeated. "I'm supposed to believe that's what you covet most in the world."

She lifted her chin. "Why shouldn't I?"

His control suddenly snapped, and he took a step forward and grasped her by the shoulders. "Stop lying to me, Kate. You don't do it well at all. I've come to take you back to Craighdhu."

"That part of my life is over. I won't go back." She wished he would take his hands away. They felt too good, too familiar. "Where is your sense? You've always been so concerned about your Craighdhu. You're endangering it to even suggest I return."

"Let me worry about Craighdhu."

"Then do so." She swallowed. "And let me attend to my own affairs."

"Damn you, listen to me. You can't stay here."

"I will stay here. Go away, Robert. This is what I want."

"The hell it is." He jerked her close, his eyes blazing down at her. "No more lies."

She suddenly broke and flared in turn, "Where else do I have to go? I can't go back to Craighdhu. I would destroy it. You were right, and I was wrong. I'll always be a pawn waiting to be used."

"But I'd wager you have no intention of letting Alec use you."

"No." She took a deep breath and then said baldly, "I'm going to kill him."

His grip on her shoulders eased a fraction. "I thought as much."

"I'll kill him and then go away. It's the only way Craighdhu will be safe. The only way I'll be safe." The only way to keep Robert safe.

"Gavin is my friend, Kate. After what happened at Kilgranne, I had every intention of disposing of Alec."

"And then let James use his death to take Craighdhu? No, it has to be me."

"You won't be able to do it. Killing requires a certain innate hardness you don't possess."

"I could learn."

He shook his head.

"You'd be surprised at what I've learned already." She tore away from him and started up the path. "So leave me alone. I don't need you."

"I'll go away for now," he called after her, "but perhaps you'd be interested to know that I stumbled on one of those loose ends Alec was so concerned about tying. Sebastian Landfield is dead."

She halted in shock and turned to face him. "Sebastian?"

"He was tortured to death. It seems he wouldn't be manipulated in the direction Alec wished him to go." He smiled mirthlessly. "For once the vicar is giving you a lesson by example to which you should pay the utmost attention."

Sebastian was dead. She could feel no regret at the passing of her old enemy, but it was difficult to comprehend that he was not alive, no longer a threat to her. "It seems…strange."

"That the shark gobbled up the piranha? The meal just makes the shark stronger."

She had never heard of a piranha, but Malcolm was certainly a shark. "He won't gobble me up. I have teeth of my own."

"Aye, but you think before you use them. Hesitation can be fatal with Alec." He paused. "What do you know of a woman named Clara Merkert?"

The change of subject startled her as much as the name she had not heard for years. "Why?"

"James had her brought to Edinburgh from England, and Alec questioned her. There has to be some connection with you."

"She was my nurse. The first memories I have are of Clara." Kate had been so young when she had been taken from the nurse, and those memories were few, only an impression of warmth, a brusque cheerfulness. The import of his words sank home to her. "Question? Do you mean—"

Robert cut through the sentence. "You're coming back with me, Kate. I cannot take you now, but I wish you to be ready."

She shook her head.

"You will come, Kate."

She started to turn away when a thought occurred to her. She still was not sure if she was with child. She could not endanger Robert, but she might need help wherever she could find it to save the babe. "If I should change my mind, can I get word to you?"

Robert's gaze searched her face. "Why are you suddenly so uncertain?"

"I'm not uncertain, but it's never wise to close doors."

"You just slammed this one shut most emphatically. What did you remember that frightened you?" When she didn't answer, he said, "You can't trust anyone here with a message. Jock had to bribe my way in."

She was alone. Well, it was no different than before he had come. She must just forget about his help and solve her own problems.

"Kate."

She looked at him.

"Did you take the bastard to your bed?"

She could sense the raw tension beneath the quiet words. No one was more possessive or passionate than Robert. She should tell him she had bedded Alec. It might infuriate him enough to send him back to Craighdhu.

"Because if you did, I'd understand, but I'd be very unhappy," he said softly. "So unhappy I'd make sure Alec's fate will make Sebastian's seem gentle in comparison."

She stared at him in a mixture of helplessness and shock. He would understand when no other man would have done so. Robert always knew her weaknesses and her strengths; it was one of the things she loved most about him. She could cuddle close and be accepted for what she was, not what she should be. She realized in this moment what a rare treasure that quality was in him, a treasure she had lost.

"Did you take him?" Robert repeated.

She could not lie to him. "Not yet," she whispered.

She turned and walked away.

Jock took one look at Robert's expression as he rode into camp and said, "I take it we're going to have trouble."

"What else has the woman ever been to me?" Robert got down from his horse. "She's going to kill him. Surrounded by an army of guards, and she's going to kill the bastard."

"She's not stupid. She'll pick her time."

"Is that all you have to say? What a great help you're being."

"We are bad-tempered, aren't we?"

"Bad-tempered and scared as Hades. Something isn't right. Alec's taking her to England."

"So?"

"To a Protestant stronghold."

Jock gave a low whistle. "Interesting. What's your reading on it?"

"How do I know what the bastard is thinking? It could mean he's decided that it's too much danger and trouble to overthrow the monarchy and intends to get what he wants another way." But what other way? Robert wondered in exasperation. A chilling thought occurred to him. "He could deliver her to Elizabeth to curry favor. Paint Kate as the ambitious conspirator and himself as the loyal subject who entrapped her. Kate's head on the block for an influential post at court."

"Would the queen believe him? She tried to help Kate."

"She doesn't know Kate, and Elizabeth doesn't forgive treason."

"So I've heard," Jock said slowly. "But Elizabeth's favor wouldn't be as attractive to him as a throne."

"He wants power, dammit. A position of influence at Elizabeth's side would give him more power than James possesses."

"True. Then you think he's going for the safe road?"

"I don't know. It's all supposition. But, by God, something's not right."

"And the solution?"

"The same as before. I want you to make sure we know everything that's going on at Selwyth. We watch and wait and try to get her away from him at the earliest opportunity. And try to kill the bastard before she makes the attempt," he added grimly.

···

"You look enchanting," Alec said as Kate came down the stairs that evening. "You have a flush of color in your cheeks. Kenneth says you've been spending time in the garden."

She smothered the sudden agitation the casual comment caused. "How could I help it? The roses are in bloom. Selwyth is quite lovely."

"I find it most convenient when I return to Edinburgh. It's sometimes advantageous for me to withdraw from James for short periods." He took her arm and strolled toward the dining hall. "It came to me as a dower gift from my late wife."

The wife Jean had said he had crushed to death with his tyranny, Kate remembered bitterly. "Did you accomplish what you set out to do at court?"

"Partially. James is too flustered about Elizabeth's attack on Cadiz to be insistent about my presence."

"Cadiz?"

"Elizabeth sent Drake to raid the Spanish fleet at Cadiz. Evidently, he was quite successful."

"Why would she do that?"

"It's only a matter of time before Spain is ready to send her armada to invade England. Elizabeth hoped to discourage Philip and deplete his forces at the same time."

"I don't see why that should upset James if he isn't concerned in the battle."

"He cannot decide whether to lick Philip's boots or curry favor with Elizabeth. If Philip succeeds, then he needs to be bosom friends with such a powerful monarch, but if Elizabeth wins, he wants her to declare him heir to her throne." His lips curled contemptuously. "Poor lad, what a predicament. I suppose I'll just have to relieve him of all these diplomatic problems."

"If there's to be a war, perhaps this isn't the time to instigate a conspiracy."

"Nonsense. A world in turmoil offers the most opportunity for change." He paused. "But this war news has altered my plan in one respect. We shall not go to England."

"We'll stay here?"

"No, we sail for the Netherlands tomorrow night."

She looked at him, startled. "Why?"

"We go where we obtain the greatest support."

She could have understood France or Spain, but as far as she knew, the Netherlands held no strong ties to Mary. She shook her head. "It makes no sense."

"Trust me. You'll understand in time." His tone hardened a fraction. "And if you do not, you will still accede to my judgment. We will go to the Netherlands."

"I don't believe we should—" She stopped as she met his gaze. No arguments would sway him from his course this time. For some reason this journey was very important to him.

She felt an instant of panic. She would be sailing to a distant land with no means to escape after she had killed Malcolm.

She should not be such a coward. Robert was only a lad when he had crossed the sea to get back to Craighdhu. The circumstances were much the same. She would merely have to apply herself to find the safest way.

She smiled. "I'm sure the Netherlands will prove most interesting for both of us."