But before Skye’s servants could even pack her trunks for a departure from Glenkirk, a messenger arrived from Adam Leslie in Edinburgh. Piers St.Denis, the marquis of Hartsfield, was indeed in the city; and Adam, himself, had seen the royal warrant he possessed with the king’s signature, calling for the arrest of the earl and countess of Glenkirk on a charge of treason.
“Treason?”James Leslie was astounded. “What treason?”
“The warrant don’t say,” the messenger said, “but Master Adam says this Englishman is coming north to Glenkirk, and he’s got a troop of men in his pay wi him.”
“It’s a fraudulent warrant,” the earl said, “but we’ll have to run until we can get it straightened out.”
“That’s what Master Adam suggests,” the messenger said. “He told me to tell her ladyship that her messenger got off safely to England and is already across the border, well on his way south.”
“I will not run!”Jasmine told her husband.“Not this time.”
“The hell you won’t!” he answered. “Do you realize the danger we’re in, Jasmine? St.Denis is a madman, but he somehow got the king’s signature on that damned document, or forged the king’s signature. It doesn’t matter. He appears to have the law on his side for now. I don’t intend to wait here at Glenkirk for him to come and get us.”
“This castle is strong enough to withstand a siege,” she said.
“Aye, if we could get the drawbridge up,” he told her. “It’s been down for so many years now I doubt the mechanism works anymore. Besides, even if we holed up in the castle, it’s the wrong time of year for a siege. There are no crops in yet to feed us. We’re practically out of our winter stores. And what of my people? I don’t intend leaving them vulnerable to St.Denis and his mercenaries. Mercenaries, in a temper, could destroy the fields and slaughter my cattle and sheep. I won’t have it! There is no other choice open to us but to run.”
“We can’t leave the children,” she protested, “and we can’t take them on the run, especially the baby. Do you think St.Denis will not use them against us? I know he will!”
“Only the Glenkirk heir and your not-so-royal Stuart are of any real value to him,” Skye spoke up. “Secrete them at the abbey with Mary Todd and Adali. Your little Lindleys can come with me to Dun Broc. They will be safe there with their grandparents. This will leave you and Jemmie free to play hide-and-seek with St.Denis. He’s at a great disadvantage here in your Highlands.”
“Aye,” the earl said. “He could bring an army and still never find us. My family is large, and we can visit with each one ofthem. St.Denis doesn’t know who is who, and there are none who will tell him once we get the word out that he is an enemy.”
“But won’t his mercenaries pillage and burn if we are not found?” Jasmine worried.
The earl of Glenkirk shook his head. “It’s very unlikely, darling Jasmine,” he reassured her. “While he is free to look for us, and even free to take us into custody should he find us,” James Leslie told his wife, “if he attempts to ravage the land in a temper, or allows his men to thieve from our people, he is quite apt to find himself in serious difficulties. Besides, he isn’t here for spoils. He’s come for us. Horses stolen. Throats cut in the darkness of night. No food available. Even with his little band of men to back up his perfidy, we can exercise some control over him, sweetheart.”
“I’ll go south into England with Velvet and her family when they make their annual pilgrimage,” Skye told them. “The Lindleys must spend the summer in their father’s house, and all must appear as if ‘tis normal.”
“Tell my brother, Charlie, I want him with the children when they are at Cadby. They must not be unprotected,” Jasmine said.
Skye cast an indignant look. “Indeed,” she said.
“Ohh, Grandmama, I am sorry,” Jasmine cried. “Of course you wouldn’t leave the children unprotected.”
“I have played this little game many times before you, darling girl,” her grandmother said. “You must remember one thing, however. At no time can you allow yourself to be afraid. St.Denis is playing at a great and dangerous deception in his forlorn effort to gain power and wealth. His chicanery is doomed to failure, for the king has no part in it, and the king is all-powerful. St.Denis will be exposed for the dishonest and dangerous trickster he is. The children will be safe. Glenkirk Abbey is in an even remoter area than this castle. No one willthink to look for Charlie-boy and little Patrick there even if they learn of the abbey. Henry, India, and Fortune will be safe with me. Even if St.Denis learns where they are, what can he do? He has no rights over your children,” Skye said. “And to keep his mind off your children, it will be up to you two to play cat and mouse with the villain. At no time should you appear to be hiding from him. You will be here, then there, and gone again by the time he reaches where he thinks you are. It should really be quite amusing, darling girl. From all previous indications, the marquis of Hartsfield is not a very patient man, nor a good loser. When a man is angry, he makes mistakes, forgets to be clever and careful. You, however, will be clever and careful. Your only obligation is to each other and your safety. And most important of all. Do not believe any rumors bruited about, Jasmine. St.Denis will eventually attempt to frighten you by claiming to have your children in custody. Do not believe him, darling girl. It will be a lie, like all the other lies he has told and is telling. Unless you hear from me to the contrary, your children are safe, whatever the circumstances otherwise that you may believe, or that may be presented to you as fact.Do you understand me?”
Jasmine nodded. “Yes, Grandmama.”
“Very good,” Skye said. Her mind was racing. She could feel the blood surging through her veins. It was just like the old days!
“I knows that look,” Daisy whispered to Nora. “We’re in for a time of it, I can tell you, girl! I’ve been by her side almost my whole life, and that look bodes no good, I can promise you.”
“What does it mean?” Nora whispered back. “That look of hers?”
“It means she’s ready to do battle, and she don’t go into battle to lose, I can tell you.”
“But we’re going back to England,” Nora said.
“Hah!” Daisy said. “But before we gets there, girl. That’s what I’m worried about.Before we gets there!”
“What are you two mumbling about?” Skye snapped.
“I was just telling Nora it seemed like the old days,” Daisy said.
“Aye, doesn’t it,” Skye O’Malley de Marisco said, and she smiled mischievously.
Chapter Sixteen
