The Magnificent Rogue (31 page)

He was permitted to pass unchallenged by the two guards at the door of James’s apartment. A good sign.

James sat at his desk, writing. He wore a purple-and-gold velvet dressing gown that made his face look sickly pale in contrast. The boy was overfond of purple, Alec thought contemptuously. James thought the brilliant color reinforced his kingly air and made him appear more authoritative. Alec could have told him that such trappings made no difference. It was what a man had inside that gave him the power to rule those about him.

James glanced at him and then looked down at the parchment again. “I’m very angry with you. It’s been two days.”

So angry he had given the guards orders to let him come to him at any time. “The woman was strong. I needed to concentrate on my service to you.”

“It is done?”

“It’s done.”

“And the result?”

He smiled. “The vicar is as mad as you suspected.”

“Then the woman was telling the truth?”

“Not entirely.” He had decided that his lie should be more creative than the one the woman had told
James previously. “The girl is the offspring of the marquis of Frandal. He impregnated the daughter of a Catholic tradesman in the village. Our chaste Elizabeth was furious with the young libertine, but she had a fondness for the lad and wished to protect him from the calumny of associating with papists, so she involved herself in the disposition of the child.”

“You’re sure of this?”

“When have I ever failed you? At the last the woman was raving with agony. She could not wait to confess the truth.”

James sighed. “It’s a great relief to me.”

“I thought it would be. Shall I tell you of the interrogation?”

“No.”

“Perhaps later.” He took off his short cape and threw it on the chair beside the door. “I have had my fill of dungeons and such. Sometime I will make you come with me to one of these little sessions.”

“No, please, I would not like it.”

He meant what he said. James had no stomach for torture itself, but the thought of Alec performing it gave him a secret excitement he would not admit even to himself. Alec had whipped a servant once in front of James, and when it was done, the king had taken his hand and looked at it, testing it for power, stroking it. “We will talk of it later.” Alec sat down in the chair and stretched his legs before him. “That color becomes you. I have never seen you look so well.”

“Indeed?” James flushed with pleasure. He reached up to stroke the velvet of the robe’s lapel. “I’m glad it pleases you. I will wear it more often.”

“See that you do.” Alec leaned back in the chair. “It’s good to have that pesky business out of the way. Of course, I will have to remove the vicar. We mustn’t let his ravings disturb the nobles at court at this delicate time.”

“What of the Merkert woman?”

“Dead. I thought that would be your wish in case Elizabeth took umbrage at your treatment of one of her subjects.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“Isn’t that why you sent for me? My affection is such that all you need to do is call and I’m here to do your bidding.” He paused. “But now you must do my bidding. Remove my boots.”

As usual, James hesitated, but Alec could see the flicker of excitement in his expression. The king rose slowly to his feet and came toward him. He tried to sound offhand. “I suppose you deserve a reward.” He turned his back and tugged at Alec’s boot. “How long will you stay with me?”

He wanted to leave this minute, tomorrow at the latest. The excitement and anticipation within him was growing with every passing second. It was the opportunity he had waited for all these years and now he was forced to pamper the desires of this weakling.

“Alec?” James drew off the boot and started on the other one.

But he must not let his impatience cause him to make any false steps. Every move now must be planned and executed with utmost cleverness and surety. James must be petted and made to feel secure.

It should not be too onerous a task with a throne beckoning as a reward.

“I will stay a week.” With a faint, cruel smile, he added, “If you’re very, very good and obey my every wish.”

T
he knock was loud
. “Kate! Open the door.”

Gavin, she recognized sleepily, and he sounded—

Gavin!

She bolted upright, jumped out of bed, and flew across the bedchamber.

She threw open the door. “Gavin, are you safe? It’s been only two days. What happened?”

“Of course I’m safe.” He was smiling jubilantly, his freckled face alight with eagerness in the halo of light cast by the candle in his hand. “I’m sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but we’ve just arrived.” He turned and held out his hand to someone behind him. “This is my Jeanie.”

Kate stiffened as her gaze followed Gavin’s.

Jean Malcolm drifted gracefully out of the shadows until she stood at Gavin’s side. “You are very kind to have me,” she whispered with a tentative smile. “I pray I’ll be no bother to you.”

Looking at her, Kate experienced a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. She had hoped after Gavin had seen his Jeanie again that he would realize no woman was worth the danger he was taking, but she could now see why Gavin had been willing to risk so much. The woman was exquisite. Under a matching
cloak she wore a velvet gown with wide panniers as fashionable as those of the ladies Kate had sometimes seen passing through the village on their way to London. The deep blue of the velvet offered a lovely complement to her violet eyes and shining flaxen hair. She was of medium height but so fine-boned and tinywaisted, she appeared smaller, almost childlike, an impression enhanced by her gentle, timid air.

“Welcome to Craighdhu,” Kate said formally.

“There, you see, I told you there would be no trouble.” Gavin smiled down at Jean. “How could anyone resist you, love?”

How indeed? Kate wondered in despair. Jean Malcolm was a figure from a troubadour’s tale, the helpless princess every man wished to rescue. “Have you eaten?”

Gavin shook his head. “I wanted to make sure she was safe first. I have no time to eat. I must leave at once and go back to the mainland to fetch the dominie for the wedding.” He waved a hand excitedly. “You should have seen me, Kate. I slipped into the castle like a ghost, seized Jeanie and was out of there in a—”

“He was magnificent,” Jean Malcolm interrupted with a glowing smile. “A true knight.” She gave Gavin a pleading look. “But I believe I’m more weary than I thought. I feel quite weak. Could I rest here while you fetch some fruit or cheese?”

“I’ll wake up Deirdre and tell her to—”

“No.” She swayed. “Please. Could you go to the scullery yourself? I don’t want to face any more strangers right now. Could you …?” She trailed off and smiled sweetly at him.

Kate could see Gavin melt like the last ice of winter before that smile.

“Care for her, Kate.” Gavin lifted Jean’s small hand to his lips. “I’ll be right back.” He turned and moved swiftly down the hall.

“Would you care to come in?” Kate asked, standing to one side. “May I get you a cup of water or wine?”

“No, thank you.” The girl floated into the chamber and sat down in the chair by the door, watching as Kate lit a candle in the silver holder. “We don’t have much time. Gavin will be back soon, and we must reach an understanding before he comes.” She slipped back the hood of her cloak, met Kate’s gaze with bold directness, and said crisply, “You need not worry about him. I’ll keep him safe.”

The words were as shocking as the girl’s change in demeanor. It was as if the woman had taken off a glittering, bejeweled mask. “
You’ll
keep
him
safe?”

Jean Malcolm made an impatient gesture. “Of course, we both know Gavin needs someone to look after him. You were bristling like a porcupine when you first saw me and thought I might be a danger to him.” She frowned. “He talked a good deal about you on the way here. It troubled me at first. I thought you might have a passion for Gavin yourself, but I believe you are only friends.”

Intrigued, Kate asked, “And what if you had decided I had such a leaning?”

“Oh, I would cure you of it.” Jean smiled. “Or perish in the attempt.”

The words were spoken with utmost gentleness, but there was an underlying resolution in her tone that held a chilling threat.

Jean added, “I could not have my Gavin constantly tempted by another woman, you see. It would make life most uncomfortable for us.”

“But you won’t be here. Gavin says you’re going to Ireland.”

“But we will not stay forever. Gavin’s heart is here.” Her lips tightened with determination. “I will not have him made unhappy by this marriage to me.”

At least the woman seemed to have a genuine affection
for Gavin. “Have you spoken of your decision to him?”

“Not yet. He must be accustomed to me before I let him see what a harridan I can be.” She grinned, and her delicate features were suddenly transformed by impishness. “It’s easier to let him see the sweet, gentle maiden the world perceives me to be.”

Kate said deliberately, “You’re speaking of deceit. You lie to him.”

The girl stiffened. “I do not lie. I merely—” She fell silent and then said quietly, “Aye, I lie. Gavin and I have been able to snatch only a scant few times together. I love him. I want him to love me. Men seem to find it easy to love meek, docile women, and I found a long time ago, there are ways of using the weakness they embrace to my own advantage.”

Kate shook her head uncomprehendingly.

“I’m not like you,” Jean said. “Gavin told me how fierce you can be. He admires you for it, but I regard ferocity as stupidity when there are other means to get your own way.” She made a face. “Though I fear deceit becomes a practice difficult to break. I have been what my father wants to see for so long, it has become natural to me.”

Kate felt a wave of sympathy. Who was she to judge the methods the woman had used to survive a father like Alec Malcolm? “You cannot go through life fooling Gavin.”

“I don’t want to lie to him forever. It’s just best that I have control over him right now.” She shook her head. “We walk a dangerous road. My father is a monster. I watched him crush my mother until he finally killed her with his cruelty. I must not let him hurt Gavin.” She met Kate’s gaze. “We are surely in agreement in that, if nothing else. Do you believe me?”

“Yes.” She was not sure she understood Jean Malcolm, but she did believe she loved Gavin. “But I’m not certain how you can prevent it.”

“Neither do I. I will think on it.”

A sudden suspicion occurred to Kate. “It seems very strange that Gavin had such little trouble plucking you from Kilgranne.”

“He had sent word he was coming,” Jean said. “I bribed the stable boy and drugged the guard on watch.” She frowned. “Naturally, you will not tell Gavin. It would spoil his pleasure.”

Kate’s lip twitched. “No, we wouldn’t wish to spoil Gavin’s pleasure.”

Jean rose brusquely to her feet. “Now I will leave you to your rest. We must start planning the wedding tomorrow. Gavin wishes to wait until Robert is back from Ireland to wed, but I will give him only two more days. We cannot expect my father to linger long in Edinburgh with Robert back at Craighdhu, and we must be long gone from here.”

“Wedding? You’ll not wed handfast?”

Jean shook her head adamantly. “We’ll wed before God and man for all time. I’ll have none of these temporary—” She stopped as she saw Kate’s expression. “Ah, so it’s that way with you? No wonder you gave only friendship to my Gavin. I do not know Robert well, but I believe he is a hard man. It’s not a simple path you’ve chosen.”

She was angry with herself for revealing that moment of hurt to this stranger. “I’ve not chosen any path at all. It’s been chosen for me.”

“Then you have no one to blame but yourself,” Jean said bluntly. “A man always tries to choose a woman’s path, but there are ways of avoiding taking it. You must find the one right for you. It’s clear you’ve let them muddle your thinking. I will not—” As she heard Gavin’s footsteps in the hall, she said quickly, “We will talk later.”

Gavin came into the room bearing a wooden tray containing cheese, bread and an apple. “Is this enough?” He frowned anxiously down at the tray.
“Would you like wine? Why didn’t you give her something to drink, Kate?”

“Kate was all that was gracious.” Jean smiled lovingly at Gavin. “I feel much better. If you will show me where I am to sleep, I’ll eat a little of this wonderful repast and go to bed.”

“I’ll take you.” Kate picked up the candleholder. “It’s the third chamber down the hall.”

“Go back to bed, Kate.” Gavin didn’t take his eyes off Jean. “I didn’t mean to disturb your rest. I only wanted you to meet Jeanie. Is she not everything I told you?”

“Gavin, please …” Jean gave Kate an enchanting shy smile.

“No,” Kate murmured as she passed them and moved down the hall. “Your Jeanie, is much, much more than you told me.”

The
Irish Princess
was sighted near noon of the second day after Gavin brought Jean Malcolm to Craighdhu. The village was instantly thrown into a whirlpool of excitement, and word reached Kate while she was at the weavers’ cottage. She was glad the turmoil that erupted all around her hid her own sudden tension and unrest. What if Robert was back? Nothing could come of his presence. She would return to the castle and wait with dignity until he came to her. Why should she run to him like a puppy starved for affection?