Secrets to Seducing a Scot

EIGHT

In the study back at Copperleaf Manor, Lord Askey read the letter for the sixth time.

“This is horrifying.” The crinkled joy at the corners of his eyes was replaced by an expression of dismay. “This is simply beyond any standards of honor and decency.”

Earlington’s face was only slightly more composed. He had spent the last twenty years learning and speaking the language of diplomacy, and it always meant hiding one’s true feelings. But this was something he had never dealt with before. Concern marred his otherwise poised expression.




Sing a song of sixpence,

Parliament to defy,

Four and twenty Scots brigades,

Baked in a pie.


When the pie was opened,

Their swords began to swing;

Wasn’t that a fitting dish,

To set before the king?


The commissioner in his countinghouse,

Counting out his money;

His daughter in the parlor,

Eating bread and honey.


And while in the garden,

Unmindful of her foes,

Came down a patriot Scot

And sliced off her nose.


A warning to you, Commissioner. England cuts off her nose to spite her face. Have a care, or we shall visit the same fate upon your daughter!


Earlington had read the threat dozens of times, but each time he tried to analyze it his mind kept homing in on the threatened peril rather than on any deductions about who had written it. “What do you make of it, Askey?”

“I don’t know what to say … I’m appalled. I didn’t think that tensions had come to such a head that men would resort to this kind of tactic. I’m ashamed on behalf of all Scots. One thing is for certain: I’d like to meet the evil, cowardly jackanapes who could conceive of such an abominable thing.”

Earlington lowered his head. The letter had achieved its end: to elicit an emotional response. In both Askey and himself. But he could not allow himself hysterics. Calmly, he read the letter once more. Although it was difficult, he could not take this personally. It was not aimed at him, but his office. Whoever had been in his place would have received the same or a similar letter. Still, it was difficult not to take offense when the letter threatened not him, but his beloved daughter.

Askey put his hand on Earlington’s shoulder. “You must know that no one will think any less of you if you decide to return with Serena to England. They can send someone else, someone without so much to lose.”

So much to lose. Yes, Serena was the whole world to him. She was the only family he had left. He could not risk her welfare. And yet …

He downed his glass of water with a shaky hand. “I cannot abandon my mission, Askey. The very fact that my family is being intimidated is emblematic of the need there is for continued talks. If an ambassador who brings peace can be menaced to so great a degree, what more will these people threaten to do—or do in fact—to an ordinary man and his family?” He sighed deeply. “It is … imperative … that I remain to discuss peace between our peoples. Freedom from strife is not meant only for one … it is meant for all.”

Askey nodded, a proud smile on his face.

The ambassador folded the letter just as he had found it—speared to his carriage door with a black dagger. “Nevertheless, Askey, I refuse to put your family in danger along with mine. I will make inquiries right away, and Serena and I will move to a place of our own at first light, if that’s agreeable to you.”

Askey stiffened. “It most certainly is not. You will both stay here at Copperleaf. This is no fortress by any means, but there is still a measure of safety.”

Earlington held up a hand. “No. I won’t hear of it. We’ll stay in Inverness. I’ll petition His Majesty for a brace of English guards to protect Serena.”

The crinkles returned to Lord Askey’s eyes. “You can’t surround the poor girl with uniformed guards, man. She’s already champing at the bit to return home without you guarding her like a common criminal.”

“I must shield Serena at all costs.”

“Why don’t you send her back to London where she’ll be safe?”

The ambassador shook his head. “We’ve had this discussion a hundred times, she and I. She won’t go, not without me. She desperately wants to return to England, but she adamantly refuses to go unless I go as well.”

“What if you told her about the letter? Perhaps she’ll go then.”

The ambassador rolled his eyes. “Not likely. I know her too well. She’ll only use it as an excuse to make me leave for London as well. Still, she must be told about the threat upon her person.” He raked a hand through his graying hair. “Poor creature. She’s miserable enough as it is without the added distress of this … menace. But there’s nothing for it. I must ensure her safety at all costs. For her own protection, I shall just have to take her with me wherever I go. She’ll be bored to tears, but she will just have to make do. At least until this whole problem is resolved.” He waved the folded letter in the air. “Or this knave is caught.”

“Knave,” repeated Askey slowly, an idea taking shape in his mind. “Of course! I think I know who can help you.”

“Who?”

The crinkles deepened at the corners of Askey’s face. “Another knave.”

Earlington’s face was a mixture of hope and puzzlement. “Who do you mean?”

“His name is Malcolm Slayter. Well, Slayter is not his real name … that was sort of thrust upon him because …” Askey waved away the rest of the sentence. “Anyway, this man Slayter works for the British government. Mostly he’s called on by the Crown to hunt down renegades and fugitives from justice. He’s as cunning as a fox and strong as a lion, and he’s never lost a man yet. He’s an absolute master at predicting a criminal’s movements, and no one can stop the devils better than he can.”

“Do you think he’d be able to identify the man who wrote this letter?”

“If he doesn’t know, he might be able to point us in the right direction. But of one thing I am certain. There would be none better to safeguard your daughter.”

Earlington’s bushy eyebrows drew together. “A protector, you mean?”

“Absolutely. He’s as fearsome in appearance as he is in intelligence. No one will trifle with him. He knows more about the deceptions and violence of Scotsmen than any man still alive. His best skill is at preventing danger before there is even a need to counter it. He’s the perfect man to secure the safety of your family.”

“Is he a Scotsman?”

“He hails from the Highlands.”

Earlington’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to hire a Highlander, not with the current atmosphere of discontent among that population. It would be too easy for whoever sent this note to bribe or coerce him.”

“Not Malcolm Slayter. For a start, Malcolm belongs to no clan. He has no loyalties to anyone. The Scots consider him too English, and the English consider him too Scottish. Why do you think that His Majesty’s magistrates use him to apprehend Scottish renegades? He is faithful to his commission, and he feels no compunction about turning in another Scot.”

“But is he friendly toward the English? I mean, where does he stand on the tax?”

“I don’t know the man’s politics, Marsh. As far as I know, he doesn’t have any. This much I know: He won’t be corrupted against us.”

“How can you be sure?”

Askey shrugged. “Because the Slayters are an outcast kinship. As far as clans go, they’re the bastards. They don’t belong to Scotland, and they don’t belong to England. They’re loyal only to themselves.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to send for an English man?”

“Hasn’t the note implied that they want the English to leave? The last thing you want is another foreigner here. Malcolm knows the people, he knows the terrain, and he knows how to fight. He’ll not disappoint you. I’ll send for him. He can be here in the morning. All I ask is that you meet the man.”

Earlington rubbed his forehead. “You’re certain he can be trusted?”

Askey put a hand on Earlington’s shoulder. “If it were my daughter needing protection, I’d use Malcolm. He’s the best man for the job.”