“My absolute pleasure,” he assured her.
“Come, my love,” Hawk urged.
The inn was directly across the road from Henry’s office. Despite her curiosity and unease regarding what matter might have Henry seeking to speak with Hawk alone, Skylar was impressed to see that the inn was a place so handsomely furnished that she could easily imagine she was back east.
Hawk deposited her at a table, ordered her meal despite her assurances that she was quite capable of doing so herself, and then left her. Quickly.
Skylar was starving by the time her dinner arrived, but unease continued to plague her. Just what might Henry be telling Hawk?
Henry was waitingfor Hawk when he returned, but before Henry could explain his business, Hawk said, “While we’re at this, Henry, I want some inquiries made.”
“Regarding?”
“My wife.”
“Ah, yes, of course. I’ll see that I have a full dossier on Lady Douglas as soon as possible. If she, er, is—Lady Douglas.”
Hawk’s brow shot up. “You mean we’re not married? Aren’t you the one who assured me the lady is my wife?”
Henry nodded his head strenuously. “You’re legally married, no matter what. Your marriage license very definitely states your name, and it is your signature and agreement upon proxy.” He inhaled and exhaled. “Yesterday, I was visited by a very strange young man. He was a rugged fellow with an ungodly accent. He insisted upon seeing me, then demanded that I understand him completely before so much as contemplating repeating hiswords.” Henry paused, then added, “I very nearly threw him out of here.”
“Henry, what are you trying to say?”
Henry reached into his pocket, then offered a gold and ruby ring to Hawk.
Hawk felt a strange sensation of cold ripping into him. He knew the ring very well. It was an insignia ring. It had been in the Douglas family for centuries.
His brother had worn it. Always. It should have been buried with his remains.
“I was to give you the ring, then tell you that your complete discretion was absolutely necessary.”
“My discretion?” Hawk whispered. “My brother died an agonizing death! What is this cruel joke?”
“I was begged to ask that you use discretion?—”
“It is his ring,” Hawk murmured. “I saw him buried. There was an inquest. I nearly throttled half a town, determined to know the truth.” He rolled the ring in his fingers. It was the Douglas ring David had always worn. He stared at Henry. “What if…if my brother might be alive…how can I not search for him with all my strength and effort?—”
Henry was shaking his head. “Your brother most probably is not alive. I’d say the factors here indicate a hoax. But if it isn’t a hoax, if any of this is true, Hawk, David was apparently set up. And I would assume there are a few discoveries he is anxious to make on his own before he lets it be known that he is not long dead and buried. Anyway Hawk, this strange fellow suggested to me that David—if he is alive—is well aware of your concerns and the difficulties here. He would not have you jeopardize negotiations with your people on his behalf. But…”
“But what?” Hawk demanded. “Sweet Jesus, what, Henry?”
Henry shrugged. “This strange little man said if there is any way possible—and here is where things become strangerand stranger—the man who demanded the ring be given to you would like to meet you ‘on the night of the Moon Maiden at the Druid Stone.’”
Hawk felt as if the blood had been drained from his body. It seemed that for long moments, he could not breathe.
“This can’t be a hoax,” Hawk said.
“This means something to you?” Henry asked.
Hawk nodded. The Druid Stone stood on a cliff by Greyfriar Castle, the stronghold of their particular branch of the Douglas family. The night of the Moon Maiden fell upon the first full moon after All Hallows’ Eve, this year, in the middle of November. Curious timing—he would have weeks in which to carry his messages to Crazy Horse and enough time left to take a train east and board a ship for Scotland and reach his father’s ancestral homes in plenty of time for the date required. If David was alive, he would have planned so carefully and courteously.
He didn’t dare hope. He was still coming to terms with the pain of his father’s death.
Henry cleared his throat. “You realize, if David is alive, he inherits?—”
“I would gladly give anything and everything I own for my brother’s life,” Hawk said simply.
Henry smiled. “Well, nothing so dire as that would be the case. Your father’s previous will would fall back into effect, with David inheriting all Scottish lands and titles while the American properties remain yours.”
