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

“By all means, Cecily. What does Jon-Landon want?”

She stopped twirling her hair. “Your support if he becomes king. If Benedict is ransomed, it will impoverish the kingdom. It will make us vulnerable to Estian. Jon-Landon will continue to spread the rumor that Benedict is dead, with witnesses to back him up, and try to seize the throne in the uncertainty.”

Ransom felt his anger stir. “That won’t help anything.”

“It will, my lord. It gives Ceredigion someone to fight for against Estian. If Benedict returns, Jon-Landon will step down. If he doesn’t, at least there’s a king to keep fighting for. He’s not asking you to betray Benedict.”

“It sounds like a betrayal to me.”

Cecily shrugged. “I’ve delivered my message. Do you want my advice?”

Ransom wrinkled his brow. “Can I trust it?”

“You’ll have to decide that for yourself. I’m not like you, Lord Ransom. I have no loyalty except to my own interests. I’ve been watching you for a long time. I’ve heard conflicting things about you, but I’ve learned to sift the chaff from the wheat.”

“And what have you concluded?”

She gave him a knowing smile. “That you’re a man of principles. I let you catch me in your room that day, you know. I wanted to see how you would react. A man with less honor might have threatened or abused me. In short, I’m on your side. I serve Sir Simon because I know he’s loyal to you. If you want Benedict released from his Brugian prison, I’ll help you.”

“How?”

“Longmont knows where the king is being kept, and it isn’t Marq. He hasn’t told anyone because he desperately wants to be the man who rescues the king. It’s the only way he can regain his lost status. He’s blind to anything but his own ambition and helping his master. If I come with you, I can make sure you succeed. Everyone trusts me because I’ve managed to balance these conflicting interests.”

Her words were convincing, but Ransom was still doubtful of her motives. “You openly admit that you deceive everyone around you. How am I supposed to believe that I’m the exception?”

“What I’ve told you has compromised me completely,” Cecily said. “But I trust you. I want to help rescue the king because, as flawed as he is, he would make a much better king than Jon-Landon, who schemes with Lord DeVaux and his daughter to steal his own mother’s duchy. Although he’ll only be content when he sits on his brother’s throne. But I do believe it is in your own best interest, and Benedict’s, not to publicly refuse his claim. Give the kingdom an Argentine to rally around. It will take time to secure Benedict’s release. Time you do not have.”

“I will speak with the queen dowager,” Ransom said. “I’m going to tell her about you.”

Cecily nodded. “I knew you would. I’ve delivered my message and my warning.”

She started toward the door, and Ransom stepped aside. She paused, her hand hesitating above the handle. The look she gave him didn’t reveal much, but he sensed she was worried she had compromised herself too much.

“Thank you,” Ransom told her.

A relieved smile flashed on her mouth. “I’m naught but a poor waif from North Cumbria, milord.”

“Do you speak Brugian?”

“Aye, milord. I do.”



The following morning, Ransom joined the queen dowager at her breakfast and explained what he’d learned. He noticed the age lines around Emiloh’s eyes, the additional streaks of gray in her hair. The pressure of her worries had increased. She’d always been a strong woman, tall and imposing, but she looked weighed down by the realm’s troubles.

After listening to his account, she rose from the couch in her personal chamber and began pacing, arms folded tightly, her head slightly bowed. A memory teased him of when they’d first met in secret in Lord Rakestraw’s tent. It seemed like several lifetimes ago.

“So Longmont has lied again,” she said with consternation. “Bennett isn’t in Marq?”

“No, I don’t think he is. But the news probably came from Marq, so he may just have neglected to impart the full information.”

“That’s the same as lying,” Emiloh said bitterly. “And Jon-Landon wants the Vexin. This is quite a morning you’ve given me, Ransom. Our situation could not be more desperate. It feels like . . .” She stopped herself, shaking her head.

“Go on,” Ransom said.

She sighed. “It feels similar to the time before Devon died. So much of power is a precarious balancing act. I’m just trying to keep it all from shattering.”

“I will go and bring back your son,” Ransom said determinedly.

Emiloh gave him a heartfelt smile. “There is no one I’d trust more. But if Jon-Landon rises in revolt, I need you here. Maybe the best option is to let Longmont have his moment of glory.”

Ransom knew he needed to go, but he couldn’t mention Constance’s vision. Perhaps he didn’t need to. “If he were the most capable person, I’d welcome it. Look how he’s bungled the Espion. Can you trust Bennett’s deliverance to someone like him?”

Emiloh’s shoulders sagged. “No. Not really.”

“Then heed my counsel. I will go and bring Cecily with me. Longmont will come with us so I can keep an eye on him and prevent him from doing more damage here. We’ll find the king and negotiate his freedom.”

Emiloh met his gaze and held it. “And what do we do while you’re gone? Jon-Landon won’t sit still. And we can’t afford to let him access the Wizr set.”

“I agree. A taste of power will only make him hungry for more, and Cecily is correct in her assessment. I fear he would make a poor king.”

“Devon spoiled him too much,” Emiloh said. “I cannot undo that.”

“No. We just need to keep his ambition in check. Here is my suggestion. Estian has spies in court. We must use them to our advantage.”

“How?”

Ransom gave her a thoughtful look. “Make him believe I’m still here. One of my knights could wear my armor and ride my horse. Dappled is distinctive. It would encourage the deception. I could be in Marq in three days.”

Emiloh brightened. “Who would impersonate you?”

“One of my knights is young and headstrong. Sir Dawson. He could act the part. Send him to Glosstyr first, to tell Claire of our plans. Then he can ride after the bandit and try to put a stop to his pillaging. Or some other highly visible mission. Whatever it takes to convince Estian that I’m still in Ceredigion.”

“Once you get to Brugia, the game will be over,” Emiloh said. “Estian’s spies will inform him of your arrival.”

“Unless they don’t know. If I wear a tunic with the Lion badge, no one will look twice at me. Knights are invisible. I won’t reveal myself until I find out where Bennett is being kept.”

Emiloh pursed her lips. “I want to hear Simon’s take on this. Your strategy is sound, Ransom. But if Estian learns you are gone . . .”

“That’s why we need to keep him guessing,” Ransom said. “Beestone castle was just reinforced, so it will not easily fall. Claire is holding Glosstyr. James holds the North.”

“That still leaves Jon-Landon as a source of trouble.”

“But you can trust him to act in his own self-interest. All we need is to delay him awhile.”

Emiloh shook her head. “But how long can I hold him off? You have to hurry, Ransom. If this drags on, he could usurp the throne.”

Ransom frowned. “If he does, he will contend with me.”