The Heart Queen (46 page)

Colin was gurgling in his bed. “Grace, will you get your brother?”

Grace immediately went over to Colin and picked him up, cradling him as if she were the mother. He grinned at her. “He needs changing,” she said.

“Aye, I would think so,” she said, stretching and clearing the lasses off the bed. She gave each one a kiss and sent them off to the nursery to get dressed. Then she changed Colin. Clara could do it, but she took pleasure in every moment with him, unlike Louisa, who wanted as little to do with the chores of motherhood as possible. She liked to see him smile when she touched him, liked to listen to him chatter. It would not be long before he disdained such closeness.

She finished and set him on the floor where he promptly started exploring with those unsteady but now plump little legs. She brushed her hair to a fine sheen, then put on a clean chemise. She thought about wearing a corset, then decided against it. She was already slender and she had enjoyed the freedom she had since her husband’s death. Instead, she chose a simple dress that laced in front. She had just about finished when Lucy appeared with a tray with hot chocolate, some buns and a bowl of fruit. “The master sent this up for you, my lady,” she said. Her face fell when she saw that her mistress was already dressed. “I dinna mean to be late.”

“I would have called you had I needed you,” she said. “The marquis?”

“He went riding,” she said.

She wished he had asked her to go, too. But she knew now why he was trying to distance himself. She only hoped she could discover the truth about his family, and that that truth would be the one that she wanted.

*

Alex watched as Reginald Campbell rode away from Lochaene. He was a poor rider, and apparently made up for his discomfort by taking it out on the animal.

Sympathy flooded Alex for the horse. And for his sister, who had lived in this household for three years. He would enjoy this role.

Alex had been waiting now for two days for his chance. He had to meet Reginald alone. He had to prompt Reginald into making an offer that the Black Knave could not refuse. And now that the Black Knave had made his presence known with three robberies, he should have no problem in convincing the man that Cumberland’s nemesis had returned.

He fell in behind Campbell. The man was dressed for visiting, not for a ride, and thus would take the road. Alex knew exactly where he wanted to intercept him. Thank God that Braemoor had taken the Lochaene carriage, leaving Campbell with few options of transportation.

Alex also knew that Braemoor had cut off Campbell’s income. He must be desperate by now.

He rode at a leisurely pace. The road was a lonely one, though it wended to the main road to Edinburgh. He wondered whether that was Reginald’s destination. Well, he would not make it. Not today. At least not as quickly as he had expected.

Alex knew he had to strike before they reached the more heavily trafficked Edinburgh road.

He veered off the road and skirted it, prodding his horse into a gallop. He’d been familiar with this land even before the past year. Lochaene and his own family’s land had not been that far apart. And in the last few months, he had crisscrossed it, had hidden among its hills and moors.

He continued to ride hard until he emerged at a point that Reginald would have to pass. He waited until he heard hoofbeats, then rode out to meet him, pistol in hand.

Reginald’s mount came to a stop. The man’s florid face paled when he saw the mask and pistol.

Alex bowed and flipped a jack of spades toward him. It landed on the ground, but Reginald knew its significance.

“What do you want?” he blustered.

“That you leave the road, at the moment,” Alex said. He used his free hand to gesture toward the forest on their left.

“And if I refuse?”

“You will not live beyond the next moment.”

Reginald guided his horse in the direction Alex had indicated. Once out of sight of the road, Alex told him to dismount. Reginald did not move.

Alex audibly sighed. “I am a man of little patience.”

Reginald dismounted.

“Do you have a weapon?”

Silence.

Alex sighed again, his thumb moving back on the flintlock.

“Aye,” Reginald said.

“Ah. a truthful man, albeit reluctantly.”

Alex swung down from his horse and went to Reginald’s saddlebags. They were bulging. He found the pistol, put it in his own saddlebags, and bowed mockingly. “Thank you, my lord. And now for your ransom, I will take your purse and jewelry.”

“I... I have no money. Only a few coins. I am ... a poor man.”

“That is unfortunate for you.”

“I thought... you assisted people in leaving Scotland.”

“For a price,” Alex said. “But I do have my needs, and the English, and those who serve them, appear to have all the wealth. I feel that separating the two is my sworn duty. And now, my lord, I must decide what to do with you since you have none.”

Speculation suddenly came into Reginald’s eyes, just as Braemoor had predicted. “I have none now, but I can promise you much if.. .”

Alex’s apparent but silent interest prompted him to continue.

“If a certain lady has an accident,” Reginald said, watching his eyes closely. It was obvious he felt safe enough making the offer to a much-wanted fugitive.

“A lady?”

“A murderess. She killed my brother so she could control his estate. It would be justice,” he added pompously.

“Ah, justice. A noble aim, indeed. And how much could I expect for administering this ... justice?”

“Sanctuary at my estate,” Reginald said. “And a hundred quid.”

“Why should I believe you? It could be a trap. The reward on my head is more than that.”

Alex saw that Reginald’s eyes were gleaming now. He obviously thought he had finally found a way to dispose of the one obstacle in his path. His proposal had not been rejected outright. And he was still alive. Alex could almost read his mind. Greed. It did strange things to reason. Reginald believed he could get rid of both of them. The interesting thing about not very intelligent men was that they always thought they were smarter than they actually were. And they often thought other men were as venal as they themselves might be.

“I give you my oath,” Reginald said.

Alex threw back his head and laughed. “You ask me to murder someone, then offer your word. Surely I must have something stronger than that.”

Reginald was growing more confident. “What would you suggest?”

“The Lochaene seal,” Alex said. “And a note saying you owe me one hundred quid.”

The man stared at him. “How did you know about Lochaene?”

Alex looked at the fingernails of his left hand in a gesture of careless contempt. “I know everything. I followed you Cram there.”

“Why me?”

“You are the last gentry around with money. I have already relieved the others of valuables.”

Alex knew Reginald must have heard of the Black Knave thefts. He should be wondering now how many others he’d not heard about. “I willna put anything in writing.”

“You can say it is a gambling debt,” Alex said. “And it is to be made out to ... John Burke. I will return the seal when I receive the money.”

“Why the seal?”

Alex shrugged. “If it is a trap and I am taken, there will be many questions about the seal. I would not want you tempted, my lord-to-be.”

He watched Reginald struggle with himself. The men he had sent to Braemoor to retrieve his nephew had not returned. Braemoor’s factor had cut him out from all funds. And now there was not the action he had expected on his accusations toward his sister-in-law. In truth, he must be desperate.

“I do not have the seal,” Reginald finally said.

“I am sure there must be one at Lochaene.”

“Aye,” Reginald replied after a moment.

“I will meet you back here tomorrow.”

“I am on my way to Edinburgh,” Reginald said.

•“Not if you want.. . justice,” Alex said.

Reginald weighed that for a moment. He undoubtedly had been making a trip to Edinburgh to try to see Cumberland and find out why he had heard nothing about Janet. Now he had a chance to put an end to his problems immediately.

He nodded.

“In the meantime, I will take that ring you are wearing,” Alex said, “and your purse. You must have a few quid.”

“I want it back,” Reginald said.

“Aye, why not, if I have my hundred quid.”

Reginald struggled to take it off his finger and reluctantly handed it to Alex. “My pistol.”

“I find I am in need of it,” Alex said, tossing the ring in the air and catching it. “You are fortunate I do not take your horse. Poor beast. You ride like a sack of oats.” Then he went to his horse and mounted, his pistol still in his hand. “You may mount now,” Alex said. “Tomorrow, you just ride down this road. Alone. I will meet you along the way. Leave Lochaene at noon. Bring the seal. And the paper. Oh, and do not betray me. I know your estate, and I have friends.”

Then he disappeared into the trees before Reginald could have any second thoughts.

Days passed in a flurry of activity. Janet kept hoping she would hear something from the solicitor. He would not have had time to make inquiries in London, of course, but mayhap there was some information in Edinburgh.

But she did not have time to think about it. There were dresses to be made, invitations to be written and sent, menus to plan.

Neil was rarely about. That was by design, Janet thought. If she rose early enough, which she often did because Colin did, she might see him riding out. He had told her that his men combed the area but found no strangers. They were probably gone now. He had sent others to deliver invitations and they already had a slew of acceptances. As he had guessed, curiosity, if not friendship, prompted them.

He usually came back so late she had already put the children to bed. She still kept close watch on them, refusing to let them far from her sight. But she missed Neil. She particularly missed seeing his eyes light up with pleasure when he watched the lasses or held Colin. He would be a wonderful father.

And husband. Thoughtful. Tender. Protective.

It had been no different this morning. She had risen early, but still not early enough. She looked out to see the sun rise. She saw Neil riding away. She knew Neil was visiting the tenants, solving disputes, giving advice on crops, even taking food to those short of it. As if he feared he might not be here to do it.

She yearned to go with him, to ride alongside him, to visit with the women and hear problems. But he had shut her out since that first day he had returned. The few times she did see him, his mouth was grim, his face set, his eyes bleak. Only when he glimpsed the children did he relax. She left the window. Colin was still asleep and she did not want to wake him. He always looked so peaceful when he was asleep, completely different from the little whirlwind he became later in the day.

She went over to the dress hanging in the wardrobe. Unrelenting black. She would look like a corpse.

Neil had employed a dressmaker to design the dress, had sent for her from a small village twenty-five miles away. It was a severe black gown with a high neck and full sleeves. The dressmaker added an overdress of dark gray gauze that gave her an ethereal appearance. A little powder and her face would be nearly white.

Sighing, she sat in a chair and watched Colin. She thought of her brother, and chewed on her lip. He was out there somewhere, his life forfeited if he made the slightest mistake. And Neil’s, too. Yet here she was, watching her child sleep.

She reached out and touched him and wished him a lifetime of peace.

Neil rapped lightly on the door of Janet’s room. The lasses, he knew, were asleep in their beds.

He had waited outside the nursery door and heard Janet tell a story, then sing a lullaby. Then he had left, not wanting her to know he was skulking around. And he was not. He had returned from a long ride and mounted the steps to his own room. He had merely been walking by when he heard her soft voice and had been compelled to stay.

But now he could avoid her no longer. Her brother was within riding distance, and he owed her this last chance to see him. Alex had simply appeared on the road, surprising him.

She opened the door, dressed in her nightshift, her tawny hair falling down her back.

She smiled uncertainly. “Neil?”

“I wonder if you would like to go for a ride?”

“Tonight?”

“Tonight,” he said.

“I will have to take Colin to the nursery. I do not like leaving him alone.”

“I will take him while you change ... into something more practical,” he said, pleased that she asked no questions. She simply trusted him. It was a far cry from several weeks ago.

He picked up Colin, who stretched and gave him a beatific smile. Neil found himself grinning back. It was probably a foolish grin, but he did not care. The child felt so right in his arms.

Neil looked at Janet and saw her sweet, gentle smile, and his heart swelled. And swelled even more when he thought how happy she would be in an hour. He had a gift for her. A dangerous one to be sure, but now he realized safety and practicality were not everything. Their gazes met and there was understanding between them. He felt warm and even dizzy. The air grew thick with strong emotions. He found it hard to swallow.

Had he been wrong to refuse love? Had he allowed his uncle to poison his life and leave him doubting every moment of it? Janet was obviously willing to risk what he had not. He had thought honor demanded it, but had he really been protecting a heart afraid to love?

He balanced Colin in one arm and reached out to touch her hair with the other. Her hand caught it, wrapped her fingers in his and brought it to his cheek, the soft back of her hand running along his cheek. The gesture was so loving that his heart slammed into his ribs.

How he had longed for it all his life.

But Alex was waiting. And he wanted to see her eyes when she saw her brother.

He brought her hand down and leaned over and kissed her with the same tenderness she had offered him. What a fool he had been these ten days to try to avoid her! He had thought he had the will to do so. And now he saw it for what it was: arrogant, foolish pride.