Mine Is the Night A Novel

Seventy-Four

Gold loves to make its way

through guards, and breaks

through barriers of stone.

HORACE



eated among the high-backed chairs lining the entrance wall of the governor’s house, Jack crossed his legs and brushed a fleck of dirt from his boots as if he had all the time in the world. Letting his impatience show would not serve him well. General Lord Mark Kerr might leave his visitors cooling their heels for a half hour, but he could not ignore them forever.

Finally the governor strode into the hall, a thick stack of papers tucked under his arm.

Jack was on his feet at once. “General, a moment of your time.”

“I always have time for a peer,” the older man said, though he did not smile, and his tone was cool. “In my office, shall we?”

“I should think a larger room with a table might better serve,” Jack told him. “I am here on business of some importance to His Majesty. Others may be required to serve as witnesses.”

The governor’s slender mustache twitched. “This way, then.”

They traveled through a warren of rooms until they reached one of sufficient size to feature a table with a dozen chairs, empty and waiting. Jack nodded, pleased with the arrangement. “If you might summon ten honorable men of high rank to observe these proceedings?”

“I could summon ten times that number,” the governor said evenly. A threat, however subtle. He turned to the lieutenant hovering behind him and rattled off a list of officers.

Within minutes various gentlemen began striding into the room, each one taking his own measure of Jack. He expected it and did the same. Once all were seated, Lord Mark claimed his place at the head of the table, dropping his papers with studied indifference, while Jack took the opposing end. Dickson sat behind and to his right, a heavy box at his feet, the necessary documents in hand.

As Lord Mark made obligatory introductions round the table, Jack observed how the others responded to the general. Begrudging deference at best but not genuine admiration. That would make things easier.

“Tell me, Admiral Buchanan,” Lord Mark began, “what business might be of such interest to His Majesty that you’ve summoned us from our duties?”

Jack stood, not only as a show of respect to the others, but also to gain a visible advantage. He was the tallest man in the room and of equal rank with the general. Above all, he had the Almighty on his side and so spoke with authority.

“I have come here to discuss a certain property,” he declared. “The king’s property. Though at the moment, General, it is in your possession.” He arched a single brow. “You are referring to …”

“Tweedsford in Selkirkshire.”

Lord Mark waved his hand dismissively. “What of it?”

“I believe you referred to it as ‘a poor prize.’ ”

The others began to murmur, as Jack knew they would. When the king rewarded one of his subjects with a house and lands, the recipient was expected to be, at the very least, grateful.

“In my presence,” Jack continued, “you expressed your intention to leave Tweedsford unoccupied for an indefinite time, stating, ‘Another ten years would hardly matter.’ Is that correct, General?”

“Aye.” Lord Mark glared at him, his color mottled. “I might have said that.”

“Then I have a proposal, sir, which will provide a handsome income for you and a home for a widowed gentlewoman. Should you agree, the king will consider his award duly appreciated, and you’ll no longer be encumbered with a property that does not suit you.”

Jack glanced at the others, gauging their response. As for Lord Mark, he appeared relieved, even interested.

To force his hand, Jack took a different tack. “Or I could inform the king of your dissatisfaction and offer His Majesty the income instead. You know as well as I do how eager King George is to fill his coffers.”

“Nae, nae,” Lord Mark swiftly protested. “I would be pleased to entertain your offer. What terms would you suggest for the lease of this property?”

“Forty years would suit.” Jack paused as the murmuring rose in volume. It was an extraordinary length of time, requiring a vast sum to match it. “General, I am prepared to pay the full amount in advance.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “In gold.”

The room nigh to exploded. Paper bank notes could not compare to the indisputable merit of guineas.

Jack nodded at Dickson, who began walking the length of the room, bearing a wooden box they’d claimed from the Royal Bank not an hour ago.

Lord Mark watched the gold moving toward him, his eyes glowing, his greed showing. “Perhaps I am acquainted with this widow. Surely she must be a woman of means.”

“You once knew her as Lady Kerr, a distant cousin of yours.” Jack paused, anticipating a response, but Lord Mark’s attention was riveted elsewhere, just as Jack had hoped it might be. He continued smoothly, “You and I are related as well, General. It seems a Kerr and a Buchanan were wed in the Borderland a century and a half ago.”

“Very fortuitous,” Lord Mark agreed as Dickson placed the box of coins before him. “Upon my word, Admiral, consider the bargain struck. I shall have a lease drawn up at once.”

“No need.” Jack started toward him, legal documents in hand. “I’ve taken the liberty of preparing one for you so as not to delay the possession of your gold.”

“Very thoughtful,” the governor murmured, his guineas gleaming in the candlelight.

Jack chose the side of the table opposite Dickson, forcing Lord Mark to shift his gaze from one to the other. “If you might kindly review these papers and affix your signature, the gold will be yours, and Tweedsford will no longer remain your concern.”

Lord Mark called for more candles, as well as pen and ink. Two lieutenants scurried about, bringing all that he needed. Jack willed his hands not to shake as he laid two papers, one on top of the other, before the governor. The gold had done its work. Now humility must do its part.

Drawing a candle closer, Lord Mark looked over the lengthy document on top, reading bits aloud as he did, confirming the terms of their agreement.

“Everything in order?” Jack asked, holding out the quill pen and holding his breath as well.

Lord Mark caressed the gold with his gaze once more, then dutifully signed the lease. He could not put the pen down fast enough before he pulled the box closer. “Now then, Admiral Buchanan, have you other business of interest to the king? For you have my full attention, I assure you.”

“There is another matter.” Jack paused long enough to pray. You know my heart, Lord. Yet, thy will be done. “I am weary of the bachelor life and wish to marry.”

“Indeed.” Lord Mark smoothed his fingers across the coins, not bothering to look up. “And what good lady have you chosen for your bride?”

Jack lifted the first document to reveal a second one. A marriage agreement.

“She is a widow without issue from a Highland family with no title and little property.”

Lord Mark snorted. “Well, Admiral, the lady certainly hasn’t much to recommend her.” The others round the table seemed amused as well.

Jack smiled too, though his heart was pounding. “Nevertheless, we are well matched. The king can hardly object to a beautiful woman among the peers.”

“Hear, hear,” one of the officers said, banging the table. His compatriots soon joined in.

Jack steeled himself, knowing what must come next. “There is one impediment to our future happiness, which only the king can remove”

Lord Mark cocked his brow. “Oh?”

“If you might act on his behalf, General, I would be most grateful.” Jack flicked his gaze at the box of gold, a reminder of his generous provision.

The gesture did not go unnoticed. “How may I assist you, Admiral?”

“Last autumn His Majesty extended a general pardon to all who might renounce their support of the Jacobite cause.” Jack paused, wanting to be certain the general recalled the king’s offer of clemency.

The others ceased their murmuring. Lord Mark said evenly, “Go on.”

Jack could delay his bold confession no longer. “My betrothed, Elisabeth Kerr, and your new tenant, my future mother-in-law, are in need of His Majesty’s mercy.”

Lord Mark’s features drew into a fierce scowl. “You mean to say these women are Jacobites?”

“They are no longer so,” Jack quickly amended, “for I have seen for myself their complete devotion to the Crown. In my presence Elisabeth Kerr burned her Jacobite rosettes in demonstration of her fealty to the king.”

Lord Mark eyed his gold at length. “I remember Marjory Kerr now. Her sons foolishly threw away their inheritance to follow the Young Pretender.” His stern tone softened. “She wrote asking for my assistance.”

Jack knew but asked him nonetheless, “Did you help them, milord?”

“Nae, I did not.”

A beat of silence, then two.

Jack slowly knelt before the general, praying for a strength beyond his own. “Then I am asking for a royal pardon on behalf of Marjory and Elisabeth Kerr. Indeed, I am pleading for their very lives.”

Jack bowed his head. Please, Lord. There was nothing else to be said, nothing else to be done.

Finally an answer came. “Very well.”

Jack looked up to find the general dipping his quill in the ink. A miracle, and nothing short of it. Thy mercy endureth for ever. Jack stood, though it was all he could do not to leap to his feet and shout with joy.

Lord Mark signed his name with a flourish, then sanded the document with a careless flick of his wrist. “You’re as good as married, Admiral. Though I doubt you’ll thank me for it in a year.”

The ten men round the table chuckled in agreement.

Jack smiled but for a very different reason. You are safe, Bess. And you are mine.

With steady hands and a calm voice, he held up both documents and announced, “You are witnesses this day that I have leased the land that once belonged to the heirs of Lord John Kerr and his widow, Lady Marjory Kerr, who will reside at Tweedsford for the next forty years or until she stands at heaven’s gate.”

The officers nodded in approval.

“Moreover, I have hereby obtained permission to marry Elisabeth Ferguson Kerr, widow of Lord Donald Kerr.” My beloved Bess. He swallowed, hard. “Upon our marriage Lady Buchanan will reside with me at Bell Hill in Selkirk, the parish of her late husband, without fear of the king’s reprisal for her former allegiance to the Jacobite cause.” Jack whisked the last traces of sand from the documents, then bowed. “So you have witnessed, and so it is done.”

Men on both sides of the table applauded, their duty dispatched, while General Lord Mark Kerr attended to his gold.

Jack took his leave and quickly, lest the general change his mind. Only when the two men reached the portcullis gate did Dickson slap him on the back. “Well done, milord.”

“Well …” Jack exhaled. “Done, at any rate.”