“I don’t know if being pleasured is a consolation for what she had to do, but the men she bedded served a purpose.” Elizabeth looked at Edward as she continued. “She chooses men who get her information about the king or who are influential, like the king’s brother or the king’s godsons. Why else would she choose a toad like Fergus Baird?”
“I feel rather filthy now,” Tavish muttered. “As though I didna already feel guilty enough. Now I ken she used me.”
“Mayhap, but I think Elizabeth and I are better for knowing it. If you had been ugly but still the king’s godson, she still would have pursued you. I can’t explain it but knowing the reason she wanted you wasn’t your looks or your character makes it a wee easier to accept.”
Elizabeth nodded as the three men looked at her and Ceit as if they were insane, but Deirdre nodded too. She understood her friends’ feelings.
“What did you learn beyond her relationship with Roy Gregor?” Magnus’d had his fill of hearing about the woman’s love life.
“When Baird arrived, she plied him with whisky. The man is a sieve. I can’t get over how he drank four full chalices of whisky without batting an eyelash. I mean if it had been one of you,” Elizabeth gestured to the men. “I’d understand. You’re huge. But the man is short and portly. He must drink a lot and often. He began sharing his secrets after the second one. Fergus even called Amelia a hen wit when she pretended to be unsure where Baird land is.”
“He and his uncle and three cousins are conspiring against the king,” Ceit picked up the story. “I couldn’t see anything, but I listened. He orchestrated the carriage accident and the attack as we suspected. His source gave him the wrong information, assuming Edward would be in the carriage.”
“That explains why I didn’t recognize the driver or coachman, but I still wonder about the axle. I mean, my parents herded me into the carriage so quickly that I barely had time to pack. My father demanded I leave within fifteen minutes of his man telling me his plans. How was there time to tamper with the axle?”
“There wasn’t. That’s why you made it so far north before the accident. Someone attempted to weaken it but didn’t have time to saw through the axle,” Edward mused.
“He wished you’d died in the blizzard since you weren’t in the carriage.” Elizabeth bit her lip before telling them more since the next part didn’t paint Edward in a good light. “He was angry that the attack in the woods didn’t work. It frustrated him that you didn’t fight and hid me instead. He claimed you’re a coward.”
“He can sod off. I can imagine him questioning my manhood, but I don’t give a bluidy damn. I’d do the same all over again. I’m not ashamed of making sure you lived.”
“I would have done the same thing,” Tavish spoke up.
“Me, three,” Magnus nodded as he squeezed Deirdre’s hand before placing his hand on her belly.
“He mentioned something about a man he hired at Culcreuch,” Ceit continued. “He wanted the man to lure you into a fight, and when that didn’t work, he wanted the man to create an uprising.”
“That seems incredibly naïve, or perhaps ham-handed, to rely on an uprising against a man who wasn’t laird and who was a gracious guest,” Elizabeth mused. “But that does explain Mitchell’s behavior.”
“Did you catch anything about when he plans to carry out this plan to kill Robert or how he intends to do it?” Edward asked.
“No. He passed out before the conversation got that far, but Roy said his father is camped outside the wall. He was to report back to his father, and Domnall Gregor is to go to the king in the morning. Roy promised to give Amelia enough time to shoo Fergus out before the king’s men seize him.”
“Roy can’t guarantee Fergus will remain in the castle through the night. That’s a mighty risk he’s taking, since his father may come to report a plot where the perpetrator isn’t even nearby.” Edward reasoned.
“I thought the same thing,” Ceit mused. “I imagine Domnall has lookouts throughout the town and posted near the gates.”
“Edward, what do we do?” Elizabeth looked to her husband. “Do we tell Robert right now and have Baird seized in Amelia’s chamber or at least have the king post guards to seize him when he exits? Or do we remain quiet and let the Gregors follow through with their plan? Or do we do both? Warn Robert but urge him to allow the Gregors to have their shining moment?”
“We must warn Robert, and while we can encourage him to allow the Gregors to do something valiant, it won’t do them any good. It’s likely to get Roy captured and killed with Fergus right next to him.” Edward warned.
“Amelia wants to leave with him.” Ceit shook her head. “They don’t know where they’ll go. Roy said he’d find somewhere other than Gregor land if need be. There aren’t any other heirs, so they would return once Domnall dies. But Amelia was right when she warned Roy that the clan would never accept her after her reputation here.”
“Maybe the Grants would take them in,” Deirdre suggested.
“Nae as long as Roy is an outlaw. They may be allies to the Gregors, they’re also loyal to Robert and willna go against the Campbells even if they canna stand them,” Magnus reasoned.
“Then we make Roy’s reprieve part of the deal to tell Robert the plot.” Ceit shrugged.
“Ceit, I can’t blackmail my brother,” Edward snapped.
“Then we suggest Robert acquit him of the charges as thanks for his loyalty to the crown,” Ceit offered.
“That’s reasonable,” Edward agreed.
“We should go now then.” Elizabeth rose. “If we wait, Baird might get away.”
“Wait,” Edward’s brow furrowed. “You never said who they wanted to take Robert’s place.”
“They still want you dead, Eddie. Your brother is busy in Ireland, and that didn’t seem to bother them. Marjorie was out of the question.” Elizabeth cringed. “They want Edward Balliol to take the throne.”
“And they imagine my brother Edward would ignore that? The whole purpose of him being in Ireland is to solidify our power with Gaelic kings rather than the bluidy British.” Edward’s face flushed red as his temper rose.
“All the more reason they’re bampots for assuming this plan would work.” Magnus led the way to the door.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Robert glared at the six faces that stood awaiting him in his private solar that connected to his bedchamber. He pulled his robe snugger around his muscular frame.
“Rouse the queen,” he demanded of no one in particular. “This better be as urgent as you claim. And this better not have even a hint to do with any of your marriages.”
“Robert, we wouldn’t have roused you or asked that you have Elizabeth join us if it weren’t in earnest. We discovered why someone sabotaged Beth’s carriage and about who was behind the attack in the woods.” Edward stood next to his brother; his voice low so none of the guards were able to listen.
It was only a few minutes later that the queen joined them. It was clear she had no intention of looking less than presentable, even before family members. She swept into the chamber and surveyed Robert and the others. She paused before going to Robert’s side.
“What’s happened?” she asked.
“We’ve learned of a plot against Robert’s life and mine. We figured out who is behind it, and it’s linked to the attacks on Beth and me,” Edward explained.
“What the devil?” Robert exclaimed. “Who now?”
Robert didn’t sound surprised that someone was plotting his death; instead, he seemed annoyed that he had one more issue to resolve.
“The Bairds,” Elizabeth spoke up. “Ceit and I used the hidden passageways to spy on Lady MacAdams. We learned a great deal while we were there. Fergus Baird intends to kill you and Edward with help from his uncle and three cousins. We didn’t overhear how or when because he passed out drunk as a skunk before he shared that information with Lady MacAdams. We also discovered the Gregors intend to be the ones to tell you.”
“What do they have to do with this bluidy mess?” Robert demanded before closing his eyes and tilting his head from one side to the other. “I mean how are they involved? I don’t mean to snap, lass.”
“We understand,” Elizabeth glanced at the others before continuing. “Lady MacAdams’s connection is tighter to the Gregors than we imagined. Domnall is controlling her and demanding she be his informant. He wants to be the one to warn you, hoping it will restore some of his status. I suppose he hopes you’ll intervene on his behalf with the Campbells. They’re harrying the Gregors off their land.”
“Lady MacAdams admitted all of that to Fergus?”
“That’s what I heard once she entered her chamber,” Ceit spoke up, hedging their bets. “I didn’t have a peephole to see through, but I listened to what she said.
“Is Fergus still there?” The queen asked.
“I assume so,” Elizabeth nodded. “He drank quite a lot of whisky.”
Robert stroked his chin as he considered what he was told, alternating between pursing his lips and flattening them into a thin line.
“Robert, no matter what you decide, is it possible to keep Amelia’s name out of it?” Elizabeth asked, but her eyes pleaded.
“You would protect such a woman?” The queen looked astounded.
“I would,” Elizabeth nodded. “I understand her position now. I could have just as easily been in her position if I were a widow. Her husband brought her to court for political gain, and not her own. I’m familiar with how that works.”
Elizabeth didn’t hide from the admission. She didn’t see any reason to. She wasn’t ashamed of her actions while at court, and there was little point in denying what everyone already knew: she was a political pawn. So were Ceit and Deirdre.
“But she remained of her own volition,” the queen pressed.
“But she didn’t,” Elizabeth countered. “She had nowhere else to go, and Domnall has been manipulating her for years. She wants to leave but has felt caught in a web from which she can’t escape.”
“Where would she go now that she wants to leave all of a sudden?” Robert crossed his arms.
“It’s not really all of a sudden. There’s someone she’d make a life with if she could.” Ceit paused before plunging on. “The problem is the man would need a royal pardon before it would be safe for Amelia to join him.”
“You’ll need to be more specific than that. The list is far too long.”
“Roy Gregor. He’s the one who has been carrying information to his father. They’re camped outside the city and will want an audience with you in the morning,” Edward looked to his brother and tried to decipher his expression. He could tell Robert was considering the request. Edward shot everyone else a glance to remain quiet. Robert needed to reason through it with no further prodding, or he’d refuse out of stubbornness.
“Very well. Roy has his pardon. Amelia leaves in the morning, but she’s not to return to court.” Robert uncrossed his arms.
“I doubt she’ll want to be back if her time here has been as miserable as it would seem.” The queen looked sympathetic. She was another woman who had been a political pawn her entire life. Her father, a confidante of King Edward, betrothed her to Robert hoping she would spy on him. Longshanks had placed her under house arrest as a way to punish Robert for having the gall to fight for Scottish independence.
“Will you seize Fergus now?” Elizabeth queried. “It’s still late enough that it’s unlikely for anyone to see him being dragged from her chamber. You’d have him in custody before he can slip away, then allow the Gregors a little pride by appearing to be the ones to inform you of the conspiracy. You’ll need to capture Baird’s fellow conspirators. You might offer Roy a writ of pardon, or at least arrange for Amelia or Domnall to receive it on his behalf.”
“Fergus Baird will be a guest of my dungeon within the next quarter hour,” Robert announced. “Do you ladies want to be the ones to explain all of this to Amelia?”
“Nay,” Tavish interrupted. “Ma wife’s returning to our chamber to help me pack. We ride out at dawn.”
“As will ma wife,” Magnus chimed in.
The queen arched her eyebrow and stepped forward to stand toe-to-toe with the men who stood a foot taller than her. She’d wiped each of their noses.
“You would have your pregnant wives ride out after receiving only an hour or two of sleep, if they’re lucky. What would your father say?”
Tavish and Magnus appeared appropriately chagrined. They glanced at their wives apologetically.
“Perhaps we dinna need to leave right at sunrise,” Tavish conceded.
“And they can sleep while we assist the maids in packing,” Magnus ducked his head, too embarrassed to glance at the queen.
“That’s much better, lads.” The queen patted them both on their chest.
“I’ll speak to Amelia,” Elizabeth offered.
“I would go with you,” Ceit spoke up.
“Me, too,” Deirdre added.
“Very well. I can’t have you all traipsing through the passageways if we’re to make this discreet. Edward, you accompany the women while Tavish and Magnus come with me to the dungeon. We shall see Fergus well settled in.”
With the king’s decision made, the queen retired to her chamber while the others separated into two groups.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Elizabeth knocked on Amelia’s door, but when no one answered, she feared they were too late. Ceit pulled a pin from her hair and slipped it into the lock. It only took two jiggles and a twist before the lock clicked. She pressed the door open, Elizabeth peering around her shoulder.
“Wait here,” Elizabeth murmured while Edward shook his head. “You don’t want to alert Fergus or scare Amelia into screaming.”
Edward took a deep breath, offering her a stern look before relenting. Elizabeth and Ceit slipped into the chamber, but Edward remained in the doorway where he observed the entire chamber. Deirdre remained with him. Fergus continued to snore on the bed, but Amelia slumped in a chair, a Gregor plaid over her shoulders and lap. Elizabeth crept forward and squatted before Amelia’s chair. She put a gentle hand on the woman’s arm and shook it. Amelia jerked awake and was ready to scream when Ceit put a finger to her lips and nodded toward Fergus. Elizabeth waved her to come with them. No one spoke until the five of them were in the passageway.
“What are you doing here?” Amelia demanded.
“Shh,” Elizabeth peeked past the door. “We can give you a more detailed explanation later, but Ceit and I know about your conversation with Roy and with Fergus.”
Amelia shied away, horror and fear registering on her face.
“We know about Fergus’s plan and Roy’s. We’re here to ensure Fergus’s arrest, but the king will let Domnall present the news of the conspiracy,” Ceit rushed to explain. “Amelia, Roy will get the pardon. You can leave with him in the morning.”
“Leave Stirling as soon as you can. You and Roy can figure out where to go once you’re away.” Edward motioned for four guards to step forward. “Let us get Fergus out before anyone notices your involvement.”
“Why’re you doing this? Why would you, any of you, help me?” Amelia’s suspicion was clear.
“We needed to discover why someone tampered with my carriage and the reason for the attack on the way to Culcreuch. We worked it out that you might know because there’s no way that you aren’t well informed considering your— er— connections. We had no idea of Domnall’s role in what you did or that you’re in love with Roy.” Elizabeth reached a tentative hand out, and when Amelia didn’t pull away, she placed it on the woman’s arm. “Ceit and I admit we spied on you tonight, but we want to help you. I doubt there’s a lady in this castle who hasn’t been forced into doing the bidding of the men in their family. You’ve just suffered more than most. Ceit, Deirdre, and I have been lucky enough to marry men who love us and protect us, men willing to get us away from court. You deserve no less. If Roy can find somew
here safe for you, then you may get that chance, too. With his pardon, you won’t need to hide.”
Amelia shook her head as tears slid from her eyes. She opened her mouth twice before she produced a sound. “Even if I can leave with him, there’s no future for us.”
“I heard why you assume that. Can you not give the Gregor clan more credit that they might understand your sacrifices on their behalf? Could they not appreciate what you’ve done for their safety and wellbeing?” Elizabeth placed her other hand on Amelia’s arm, guiding her away from the door as Edward and the four guards entered the chamber. “Perhaps a little faith might go a long way. And if not, Roy swore to protect you and take you away.”
A commotion in the chamber interrupted the conversation. Something crashed to the floor while angry voices exchanged colorful oaths. Fergus’s voice rose above the others despite his words being hard to decipher, a result of the lasting effects of the whisky.
“Get the bluidy hell off me! What’re you aboot? Do you recognize who I am? I’m Baron Baird.” Fergus bellowed as the four guards struggled to restrain him. He was a great deal more agile and stronger than his appearance hinted.
“I am the king’s messenger and an earl. I am placing you under arrest for conspiracy to commit treason, plotting the death of the king and his brother. Me.”
“What’d that bitch say? I’ll kill ‘er!”
“So now you’re admitting to a third planned death. You are adding to the charges, Fergus.” Edward stressed the man’s given name rather than title as he nodded his head for the guards to remove him. Fergus continued to writhe and struggle as he attempted to shake the guards off him. He sank his teeth into the hand of one guard while kicking out, aiming for another guard’s bollocks. Only the guard who stood doubled over released him, but Edward’s patience had expired. He was holding onto a fine line of self-control, wanting to kill the man who endangered Elizabeth more than once. He wanted to end the man’s life right there and then, but he accepted that he had to let justice prevail with Robert as the man’s judge and jury rather than himself.
A Spinster at the Highland Court: The Highland Ladies Book One Page 23
