Lady's Ransom (The First Argentines, #3)

We left for Atha Kleah to handle the final judgments before the winter months made travel too difficult. Going by sea wasn’t an option because of the storm and my own discomfort, so we rode on horseback. I did not think a large escort necessary, but I should have been more cautious. We were ambushed on the road, and several knights were injured in the skirmish. Sir Guivret remained by my side and showed excellent courage. I used my bow to good effect as well. Our enemies were defeated.

When we questioned our prisoners, we learned they were in the service of Lord Purser Dougal. Somehow they knew Ransom was gone, and he took advantage of the opportunity to attempt to kidnap me. Or worse. That’s when more riders appeared from the woods, and we had to turn and flee back to Connaught with Lord Dougal hot after us. We made it there first, if only barely, and called to arms all the knights in my service.

The castle is under siege. It’s a desperate gambit on Lord Dougal’s part. He rolled his dice and must bear the number of pips on the face of them. But then, he’s always been the desperate sort.

—Claire de Murrow

Connaught Castle, the Fair Isle of Eejits





CHAPTER TEN


The Espion


Longmont brought Ransom to the king’s own chamber as a temporary alternative lodging. Servants brought food and fresh clothing, while Longmont repeated his apologies to the point that it became annoying.

“I wish I knew you were coming, Lord Ransom. Truly, I would have had trumpeters lining the streets of Kingfountain to welcome a favored duke home. In the future, and this I plead most humbly, I would greatly appreciate if you made me aware of your intention to come for—”

“Trumpeters?” Ransom interrupted. “I would rather drown in a river than endure such a spectacle.” It felt good to be in warm clothes again, and the shock of his arrival had ebbed.

“Duly noted—no trumpeters. But you are held in such high esteem. Will you tell me why you came? What prompted this surprise visit?”

“I have matters to discuss with the queen dowager. Now that I’m in a more presentable state, I should like to see her at once.”

Longmont’s brow furrowed. “Of course,” he said after an awkward pause. “Might I inquire as to the nature of the matters you wish to discuss with her? Have I offended you in some small way, my lord?”

“Just ask her if she will see me. If not tonight, then on the morrow. I will not sleep in here. I’d be more comfortable in a stable than the king’s room.”

Longmont opened his mouth to speak, only to immediately shut it. He bowed once and then hurriedly left the room. Ransom took some grapes from a tray the servants had brought in and enjoyed their sweetness. He paced, looking at the decorations, especially all the lions throughout the chamber. There was even a table with two carved lions as the supports.

Before long, the high justiciar returned with Emiloh, and Ransom approached and knelt before her.

“Ransom, we are equals,” she said, gesturing for him to stand. “I am a duchess, and you are a duke.”

He rose, taking note of the aging around her eyes, the worries on her brow. She looked tired.

Longmont folded his arms and showed no intention of leaving. His expression was guarded but informal.

Emiloh turned to him. “Good night, Damian.”

The only sign of his anger was a slight pursing of his lips. He bowed to them both and then departed the room. How it must have galled him to be so dismissed. But their rank superseded his role as justiciar.

“So it was you who caused such a commotion after arriving,” said Emiloh with a wry smile. “It’s a long way from the Fair Isle, Ransom. This must be important, or you would have sent a messenger.”

“I thought it best to come in person. What I have to tell you—”

She interrupted his words with a surreptitious gesture of her hand. “It’s a beautiful night, Ransom. Might we stand on the balcony?”

It seemed an odd request on the surface, especially since it had been raining all day, but he suspected she had her reasons, so he followed her out onto the balcony. The smell of wet stone greeted his nose, and his boots splashed in little puddles on the tile. The rain had stopped, but clouds still blotted out the stars.

“Longmont has a group of servants called the Espion,” Emiloh said in a lowered voice. “It’s an Occitanian word and a borrowed custom. Lewis had many in his service. There are passages built inside the walls of the palace intended as a way for the occupants to escape if the fortress were ever to come under siege. It’s supposed to be a secret, but his Espion use them now to wander through the castle and study people unawares. He pays men well for information. I find it . . . too much like the court at Pree.” Her tone revealed her disdain.

“And you were concerned that they were watching us in the king’s own room?”

“I can’t prove it, but yes . . . I did suspect it. He hates not knowing things. And I’m glad you didn’t send a letter, Ransom, if the news is dire. I suspect his people are opening letters sent to me. There are little details that seem off, like creases in the seal. He’s been quite a bother since he came to Kingfountain.”

“I’ve heard that as well. But that’s not why I came.”

Emiloh ran her hands along the balcony edge, which was still wet from the storm. “Tell me.”

“Jon-Landon is back in Ceredigion.”

She looked at him in surprise. “That’s something the Espion should have known. I’ve heard nothing of this. Where did you get your information?”

Ransom stood alongside her so that their backs were facing the chamber. They’d left the door open, but both of them were speaking in low tones.

“Simon told me. He had a message from Lady Deborah. Jon-Landon came to her.”

“Then it’s more than just a rumor,” Emiloh said softly. “I don’t think Deborah would have lied about that. I’m grateful she chose to confide in you.”

From the way she said it, he suspected there was an unspoken rivalry between Emiloh and Deborah. While Emiloh had been confined in the tower prison following Devon the Younger’s failed rebellion, Deborah had been given a seat on the king’s council and shown favor for her valuable advice. But Bennett had dismissed her straightaway upon becoming king, replacing her with his mother.

“Why do you think Jon-Landon has returned?” he asked her.

She sighed. “No doubt to cause trouble. Longmont has been heavy-handed, especially against people like Deborah who used to support Devon. He’s been trying to alienate them, perhaps to prod them into rebellion so he can prove his might.” She said it with more than a touch of derision. “I’m sure my husband told you that he’d considered making Jon-Landon king instead of Benedict?”

“He did, my lady.” In fact, the king’s final words to Bennett had been that he hoped Jon-Landon would seize the throne from him so he might learn the sting of humiliating defeat. When Jon-Landon had changed sides at the end and betrayed his father, it had robbed the king of his will to live.

“How do you feel about Jon-Landon?” she asked him, staring at the view, her tone thoughtful and probing.

“I don’t particularly care for him,” Ransom said honestly. “I know he doesn’t like me.”

“He was too spoiled,” Emiloh said. “He should have been sent to live with another lord, like you were sent to train with Lord Kinghorn. But Devon wanted to keep him near. He needed someone in his family to give him the respect he hungered for. Devon taught Jon-Landon to despise me. I’ve tried to rectify that, but it’ll take more time.” She turned her head and looked at him. “I cannot allow him to threaten Bennett’s authority. He must be brought to Kingfountain.”

“I agree. I doubt Lady Deborah is the first noble he visited.”

“Oh no,” Emiloh said with a chuckle. “He went to James Wigant first, no doubt of it. And it makes sense, being that North Cumbria is so near Atabyrion. The Atabyrions may not even realize he’s missing yet.”

“Would you like me to find him and bring him here?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “You’re a duke now, Ransom. That is a duty for others. In fact, we should tell Longmont and have the dock warden notified as well. It shouldn’t be too hard to catch him.”