Hannah Howell Read Online Free Page B

Shall we discuss that?”
    “I ken a few truths about him he would like to keep secret.”
    “Those could fill a book.”
    “Aye? Such as what?”
    “Well, there are a few wives who must pray nightly that he keeps a discreet tongue in his head. He flaunts that weak drop of royal Bruce blood, and the fools believe it. They think it makes him special.” She shook her head in disgust.
    “That wasna the sort of secret I was thinking of.”
    “Nay? Well, mayhaps ye should tell me exactly what ye are interested in. Ye tell me what ye think ye have, and I will tell you if I ken aught that will confirm or deny it.”
    “Will you?” He watched her closely as he added another stick to the fire. “Why should I believe that? Ye would be betraying kinsmen.”
    “True. Most of the time ye would have to torture me to madness to make me do such a thing. But this collection of kinsmen is determined to murder me. I believe that cuts all bonds. Only a fool offers blind loyalty to a man who wants to kill her.”
    “And ye are no fool.”
    “Not all the time. So, what do ye think ye ken that could make Uncle so determined to put you in the ground?”
    Revan thought over his answer. There seemed little reason to keep secrets. She was in as much danger as he was, and he did not think her so stupid as to believe she could make some bargain with Thurkettle. He just hoped he was not acting in response to a huge pair of rich brown eyes, eyes that pulled at the truth, demanding his honesty. Silently he promised himself that in future he would be very careful about looking into those eyes of hers.
    “I believe he is dabbling in many illegal activities,” he finally answered.
    “Hell’s fire, I thought ye were meaning to tell me something I didna ken for myself.”
    “Ye ken he is doing something illegal?” He decided her skill with sarcasm was not only good but could grow very irritating.
    “My uncle? I should be very surprised if he wasna. Exactly what do ye think he is dabbling in?”
    “Treason. He plots with the Black Douglases against James the Second.” He found the shock that transformed her face somewhat reassuring.
    Tess nearly choked on her wine. She had guessed at her uncle’s criminal nature a long time ago, but she had never thought her uncle into any serious treachery. Treason against their king? She shook her head. Surely her uncle could not be such a fool, would not taint their family with such a black crime. But then, she thought as she struggled to subdue her shock, Fergus Thurkettle was clearly trying to kill her and Revan. He was also, suddenly and inexplicably, closely entangled with the Black Douglases, who had openly defied the king.
    “Are ye certain about that?” she found herself forced to ask.
    “Aye, very certain. I but needed some more proof, a few facts.”
    “Proof and facts?” She looked at him in slight surprise. “Ah, so that is why ye were slathering over the regal Brenda.”
    “I wasna slathering,” he snapped, then sighed, ruefully admitting to himself that he had come close a time or two. “I did think I could gain a little information from her, something that might lead me to the proof I sought.”
    “Well, ye didna ken the queen Brenda very well, then.”
    “She was a bit duller of wit than I had expected.”
    “Nay. A lot sharper. Whate’er old Fergus is doing, his royal daughter kens all about it.”
    He sighed as he set his wineskin aside. “I wondered about that whilst I was dangling from the wall in the dungeons.” He had been taken for a fool, and it annoyed him.
    “Brenda is a sly one,” Tess said. “One too many questions from you, and she would grow suspicious.”
    “And probably kept Thurkettle informed of every step I took,” he muttered.
    “There is no ‘probably’ about it.”
    “Ye dinna need to rub salt in my wounds.”
    “No need to be so thrice-cursed ill-tempered over the matter. Men,” she grumbled, shaking her head. “Show them auburn curls, big