“Your village fiscal handled the monetary transactions and all the arrangements. He is now dead. Ask your uncle how that might have happened. No one was more adept at safeguarding your family honor, including committing a bit of murder, if he thought someone was robbing Stonehaven’s coffers.”
Even as Ruark knew the warden wanted to foment discord within the Kerr ranks, his comments were not easily dismissed.
Perhaps because Ruark recognized truth in Hereford’s interpretation of Duncan’s character. A loyal Kerr and a Scotsman, Duncan would not hesitate doling out clan justice to a traitor.
Hereford’s supper arrived in a trencher, roasted chicken and potatoes, steaming in the cooler air outside the tavern. Hereford forewent the eating utensils and tore the breast in half with his hands, observing Ruark with interest as he ate.
“You and I are alike,” Hereford said over a mouthful. “We’ve done a bit of pirating.” He swallowed the ale and dabbed at his lips with the back of his sleeve as he observed Ruark. “We can each share thelargesseof what is fast becoming the wealthiest empire on earth. We can enjoy a profitable partnership or I can become Roxburghe Shipping’s biggest rival.”
“Your generosity overwhelms me, Hereford. But I would as soon lie with a warthog as partner with you.”
Unaffected by the insult, Hereford shoved away the trencher and reached across the table for the papers. Thistime Ruark did not stop him as his greasy fingers snatched up the packet.
“All is in order then?” Hereford popped the wax wafer on the packet and unfolded one sheet after another of blank paper. “What is this?”
“You did not think I would just hand over theBlack Dragon.”
Hereford’s face darkened a shade. Ruark leaned an elbow on the rickety table. “The ship was not mine to sell.”
“What do you mean? Not yours?”
“I sold it to an associate a week before I wed Rose.” He opened his arm to encompass Colum, sitting comfortably behind him seemingly enjoying the cool breeze. “If you want theBlack Dragon, then you will have to negotiate with the new owner.”
Hereford sputtered. “That ... that ismad. You signed—”
“Mr. Colum is Cambridge educated. He is a lawyer. He informed me the documents I signed are worthless and took great issue that I attempted to sell you something that belonged to him. I only wish I held the same power to stop you from taking Kirkland Park.”
“If you renege on our arrangement, I will consider all agreements voided.”
“Do tell, Hereford. Rose is my wife and that is something you cannot undo.”
“Except by your death.”
Hereford sprang to his feet in a brash movement, his hand on the hilt of his cutlass. But before the weapon cleared its sheath, Ruark had the tip of his own blade at Hereford’s throat. From every direction, a hundred men suddenly drew sword and pistol, the clatter of imminent warfare sounding in the street, sending innocent bystanders to ground and behind the safety of doors.
Ruark met Hereford’s furious glare. “Tsk. Tsk,” he said. “Do we kill each other now or later? ’Twould be a shame if you died, Rose being your heir and all.”
“Fuck you, Roxburghe. There is naught a thing I will—”
Ruark used the tip of his cutlass to trace a circle over Hereford’s chest. “I should kill you for what you put Jamie through. For putting my family in chains.”
“I was within the law to hang the three of them.”
“No profit in hanging,” Ruark said flatly. “You are an opportunist. Know now, the only reason you are still alive is because I have no proof you killed my father. I have asked enough questions this week of people around Chesters to know you were nowhere near there the day someone shot him. I had no great love for the man, but his murder almost caused a bloody war between us. I have no want to watch other men die for a lie.”
A tic was visible in Hereford’s jaw. “What is it you want?”
“You already gave me what I want, Hereford.”
Hereford let loose the hilt of his sword and the blade slid back into its sheath. His men followed suit. A man rarely bested, he took the loss mildly. “You always did have the bollocks of an ox. I had heard grumblings that you had atendrefor the girl, that she had charmed Stonehaven’s laird. Though I didn’t expect that Elena’s daughter would have half her mother’s fire ...”
“Do you like fire, Hereford?”
Let him have theBlack Dragon,Ruark thought. He was impatient to be gone from this place.
“Colum, would you be willing to trade your ship for another? Roxburghe Shipping has a few in need of a good captain.”
Colum scratched at his whiskers as he contemplatedtheBlack Dragon. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask me that, Ruark.”
