A Highland Knight's Desire (A Highland Dynasty Book) (24 page)

Duncan bowed his head. “My thanks.” Being met with cordiality made a distasteful task all the more difficult. However, the Earl of Mar stood accused. If he was indeed innocent, he could provide evidence to disprove the charges in Edinburgh. Duncan need only bring the man in, and he doubted the earl would go willingly. No one ever took kindly of being taken into custody.

He walked beside Da as the guard led them into the tower at the southeast corner. Of course the main keep had to be the furthest building from the gate, making a quick escape dubious.

Da leaned into him. “Can ye see the postern?” he whispered.

Duncan scanned the back of the courtyard. Lined with buildings, if there was a back gate, it would most likely be a part of the catacombs below. “Nay.”

“Blast.”

“At least we’ve earned an invitation to meet the earl.” Duncan nudged Da’s shoulder. “I only wish you would have stayed at the camp. Your eyesight grows worse by the day.”

“My eyes are fine. Besides, I’m still Lord of Glenorchy, and best to negotiate with the earl.”

“Very well.” Duncan cupped his hand over his mouth to ensure he wouldn’t be heard. “Make him an offer he cannot refuse and we’ll see he’s filled with whisky before he retires this night.”

They climbed the winding stairwell to the second floor, where they were ushered into the solar. Smiling, the earl rose. Duncan estimated the man could be no more than five and twenty.

Da stepped forward and offered his hand. “’Tis good to see you, m’lord.”

“Glenorchy.” The earl accepted the hand and turned his attention to Duncan. “And who might this be?”

“Sir Duncan Campbell, m’lord.”

Colin grinned. “My heir.”

“Welcome. Sit.” The earl gestured to the big wooden table filling the room and moved to the sideboard. “You must be parched after your travels.”

“Aye.” Colin sat. “A tankard of ale would go down nicely.”

“Ale?” The earl lifted a glass ewer. “The brewmaster has just brought up a new flagon of whisky.”

“Then whisky it is,” Colin said.

Duncan sauntered to the window before he sat. Pulling aside the furs, he looked out over the back of the estate. The property sloped down a steep ravine to a river. A man carried two pails of water up the incline, along a path leading to the east tower.

“Sir Duncan, would you care for a tot?” the earl asked.

He dropped the fur curtain back across the window. “Thank you. I see you have an ample supply of fresh water from the river.”

“Aye, the Snow Tower here receives fresh water on all seven floors—brought by a pulley system.” The earl served the whisky with his own hand, looking pleased with himself. “Quite a work of ingenuity, I’ll say.”

Da sipped. “Kildrummy Castle has always been one of the better-equipped fortresses in the realm.”

“Aye, and I’ve plans to make it even better.”

Duncan hated brainless babble. His mind wandered while Da continued to stroke the earl’s ego. Indeed, there was a rear gate, which he’d inspect at his first opportunity. He wanted to avoid a skirmish, especially with Da in tow. With its row of shiny black cannons, the Kildrummy gatehouse was one of the most fortified he’d ever seen. If Duncan and his men erred they’d be slaughtered, a bloodbath neatly contained within the walls.

“What is this my henchman tells me about selling wool to the English?” the earl asked.

Lord Glenorchy grinned. “Aye, last season the flies severely hurt the southern flocks.”

“I can fetch four crowns per pound in Aberdeen.”

“I can guarantee you six,” Da lied.

“Six?” The earl licked his lips. “But transport would consume the added profits.”

“Nay.” Da shook his head. “If you can transfer the wool to a transport in Aberdeen, my galleys will take it from there.”

Och, Da could spin a string of drivel and make it sound tempting. He’d go to hell for certain, and Duncan would be right behind him.

After the two noblemen shook hands to close the deal, Duncan and his father were escorted to their rooms to prepare for supper. Duncan thanked the groom. “Are we on the top floor?”

“Nay. The donjon has seven floors. You’re on the fifth.”

“My, that is impressive. I imagine his lordship gets a great deal of exercise climbing seven floors to his apartments.”

“Aye, ’tis why his rooms are on the second floor.”

“Indeed?” Duncan said. “I suppose that makes sense, given the secure location along the back bailey wall.”

“Yes, sir. Kildrummy’s walls are impenetrable.”

Duncan arched his brow and made a mental note not to be quite so accommodating in the future. Kilchurn chamber locks must be inspected for sturdiness, and the grooms would be instructed not to be so free with their tongues.

Once the man left, Duncan slipped into his father’s chamber. “You had quite a yarn with the earl.”

“Aye, young men are easy to impress, and the earl’s no different.”

Duncan crossed to the window and pulled aside the furs. Da had a view of the courtyard. “Why, do you suppose?”

“They’re all eager to build upon their wealth, make their mark in the world.”

“I’d wager that’s why so many of them fall into ruin.”

Da grasped Duncan’s arm. “’Tis good ye see it now, for one day you’ll be Lord of Glenorchy, and I’d turn in my grave if you were gullible enough to believe the lies I spewed today. No man in their right mind from here to Spain would agree to six crowns a pound of wool.”

“Aye.” Duncan nodded thoughtfully. “I’d best be off to find the postern gate.”

“My guess is ’tis near the kitchens.”

“Mine as well—then I’m considering asking the men to ride out on sentry duty. They’ll be safer outside the walls.”

Da walked toward the door with him. “But we’ll need some fighting men inside.”

Duncan stopped. “You think it necessary?”

“Have you learned nothing in all your years of fostering? Expect the unexpected and you’ll not end up with your throat cut.”

Duncan should have kept his mouth shut. He knew something could—
would
—go wrong. No plan was ironclad, but they would also raise suspicion if too many Glenorchy guards loitered near the rear gate.

Once in the passageway, he listened for footsteps in the stairwell. When certain he could slip away without drawing attention, he quietly descended the Snow Tower stairs. On the first floor, servants bustled about, preparing for the evening meal. Duncan chose to walk outside and continue on toward the northeast tower. Just as he’d predicted, there was an alleyway to the gate right alongside the kitchen. He slipped through and inspected the portcullis with its iron spikes pointing downward—designed to impale an enemy.
They probably close the blasted thing after the meal is served
. He didn’t like it. The gate was two feet thick and reinforced with iron.

Scratching his chin, Duncan turned.

“Just what do you think you’re doing snooping around the kitchen doors?” A giant of a man with a missing front tooth confronted him, fists on his hips.

Duncan glanced toward the kitchen entry, could smell the bread baking within. “Ah, I spent the day in the saddle. Thought I’d see if I could pinch a wee morsel of bread.”

“I ought to chop off your finger for stealing.”

Duncan slid his palm over his dirk. He didn’t want to cause a stir, but the big oaf ought to know who the earl’s guests were before he started threatening to amputate digits. Instead, Duncan held up his palms in surrender. “No harm done. I shall wait and take my meal with the earl.”

The big man took a step in and grasped the collar of Duncan’s surcoat, rubbing the fine leather between his fingers. “Are ye Lord Campbell?”

“Sir Campbell, Lord Glenorchy’s heir.” He batted the man’s hand away. “And you, sir, have overstepped your station.”

The man’s jaw dropped, making him look rather dumb. “Apologies, m’lord. I thought ye were one of the guards milling about.”

“Aye?” Duncan couldn’t resist. “Every one of my men is a knight as well.”

“Truth?”

“Would I dare lie to a fellow as large as you?”

“Uh.”

Duncan squeezed past him. “If you do not mind, I shall be on my way.” Without looking back, he strode across the courtyard. At least the brute was a simpleton. Had he a lick of sense, he would have suspected Duncan of examining the postern gate, not trying to pinch food.

Duncan met his father in the great hall. As in all large castles, a number of people amassed. Most guests served the earl, many of them fighting men. Duncan had been in more precarious situations, though on this sortie something didn’t sit well with him—many things, actually.

The big man who’d caught him at the back gate stood beside the man-at-arms, and together they eyed Duncan and his father as they proceeded to the dais. His visit to the rear gate would no longer be a secret.

The henchman frowned and stroked his fingers down his beard.
He suspects something
.

Across the hall, Duncan’s men sat at a modest table, one far beneath their rank, as was usual when they tried not to draw attention to themselves. The henchman followed him and took his place behind the earl, serving as protector while the great man ate.

The Earl of Mar stood and beckoned them, gesturing to the two seats to his left. “Come sit beside me, Lord Colin.”

A harpist appeared on the gallery and launched into a Celtic ballad. When the earl clapped his hands, servants poured from the kitchen door and proceeded to the dais. As customary, the high table was served first with a rich assortment of meats and breads.

Da peered closely at the trencher and selected a well-marbled piece of beef. “You put on a fine display, m’lord.”

“My thanks.” The earl lifted the ewer. “Will you have a tankard of ale?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Da held up his cup to the servant. “If it is anything like your whisky, I’m sure it will be most enjoyable.”

Duncan scanned the table. Only ale had been set out.

“Aye, I prefer drinking ale at night,” the earl said. “Too much whisky dulls my wits.”

Ballocks, another of their plans thwarted. From the corner of his eye, Duncan regarded the henchman standing behind the earl, massive arms folded, daggers lashed to every limb, a sword on one hip, a dirk on the other. The weaponry didn’t surprise him, but the man had a deadly glint to his eye. No doubt, if he suspected them of skullduggery, that man would be guarding the earl’s door this night.

Duncan cut a piece of meat and savored it while he mulled over their plan. The king employed the Highland Enforcers because they were swift and effective, and Duncan intended to uphold that reputation.

A light flickered at the back of Duncan’s mind.
Perfect
.

“How are the deer running this season?” he asked.

The earl gestured to the henchman with his thumb. “Malcom tells me a sizeable herd has recently moved onto our lands to the east.”

Duncan cut another slice of meat. “How fortunate.”

“You’re an avid hunter?”

“Aye.” Duncan’s gaze met with Da’s. “Especially night sport.”

The henchman snorted loudly.

Duncan grinned. “Do not tell me you haven’t tried it, m’lord.”

Da kicked him under the table.

Duncan reached across and topped up Da’s tankard. “The beasts are easier to stun in the darkness.”

The earl wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “You do not say? What guides you, moonlight?”

“And a few torches—not to mention a wager or two.”

“I like the sound of that even better.” The earl elbowed Da. “What say you, Glenorchy—I’d wager my henchman against your son here.”

“At what odds?” Da looked appropriately amused.

Smiling on the inside, Duncan sipped his ale. Indeed, it was a hearty brew. While the lords settled on their wager, he made eye contact with Eoin across the hall. Slightly raising his chin, Duncan notified the knight there had been a change in plans.

Duncan and his men saddled their mounts at the far end of the stable. Da tugged on his horse’s girth a fair bit harder than necessary. “Why the blazes did you change the strategy?”

“The henchman suspected something. I felt it in my gut. Besides, there wasn’t a flagon of whisky in the entire hall. The milk-livered earl doesn’t like the way it makes him
feel
after he sups.”

Da shook his head. “It might be all right for you to hunt at breakneck speed during the black of night, but I can barely see the path ahead in daylight.”

“Did I say we’d be galloping?” Duncan beckoned the men around and lowered his voice. “We’re going on the hunt, aye, but we’ll not be hunting mule deer. Once we reach the herd, we’ll cut the earl away whilst the others run after the beasts. With any luck, we’ll be long gone before the earl’s guard realizes what’s happened.”

“Aye, but they’ll be coming after us for certain,” Sean said.

Duncan pointed at Sean “the ghost’s” sternum. “Not if you take care of their leader. Once that beast of a man is out of the picture, it’ll be a day or two before they regroup.”

Da mounted. “I hope ye ken what you’re doing.”

“I think ’tis bloody brilliant,” Eoin said.

Duncan did too, though he would never admit it. One way or another, they’d have a fight. “At least this will take us outside the castle walls. Stay close to me, Da. I’ll be your eyes.”